Why is my hair not falling out after IPL?

Author: Una Cassin  |  Last update: Friday, July 18, 2025

After IPL hair removal The hair will appear to grow (though very slowly) for 2 to 4 weeks and should then fall out; this is the treated hair being pushed out of the follicle, not new growth. Any hair that does not fall out was either too fine, too light, too deeply rooted or possibly wasn't treated.

Why isn't my hair falling out after IPL?

After an IPL application, it initially appears as if nothing is happening, as no hairs fall out immediately. However, there's no need to worry. With IPL, only the hair root is heated to inhibit further growth. The hair itself remains in the skin.

What does it mean if your hair doesn't fall out after laser?

Answer: Not all hair falls out after laser treatment. Not all hair falls out after laser treatment. The hair may need to be pushed out by new growing hairs in the follicle after the energy is absorbed. Don't think that the hairs that do fall out are permanently gone either.

How long does it take for hair to fall after an IPL?

Its common for it to take up to 3 weeks to see full shedding of the hair treated with IPL. However, as a skin type 3 - even with dark hair, IPL might not be the most effective hair removal method available to you. There are numerous alternatives that are more effective on darker skin types, as well as less risky.

Why is my IPL not removing hair?

Because IPL is not a laser, it is underpowered for delivering permanent hair removal. The other issue may be with the person doing the treatment. If that person is not experienced or is not using the right technology, they may not be able to deliver permanent hair removal for you.

Why you will never get ‘That Hair’. (I tried for 10 years, brutally honest)

Does IPL not work for some people?

Skin type: IPL is not suitable for everyone. People with dark skin may not be good candidates for IPL. Hair colour: IPL works best on dark hair. People with blonde, red, white or grey hair may not see as good results with IPL.

Why is there still hair after IPL?

Why do hairs 'grow' after treatment? Contrary to other treatments, hairs are not vaporised by IPL treatment. The hair follicles are killed by the heat but the hairs remain in the skin and often become attached to the epidermis.

How to tell if an IPL is working?

You will notice that the hair growth after four weeks of IPL treatment will be lesser and thinner. After completing a session of 12 weeks, the hair growth will reduce completely, providing you with silky, smooth skin for a longer time. However, you may have to continue touch-ups as needed.

How to speed up IPL shedding?

Tips to Encourage Faster Shedding
  1. Gentle Exfoliation: About one to two weeks after your session, begin to gently exfoliate the treated area. ...
  2. Moisturising the Skin: Proper hydration of the skin can ease the shedding of hair. ...
  3. Avoiding Sun Exposure: The treated areas are particularly sensitive to UV rays post-laser.

How do you know if laser hair removal is not working?

If you notice any hair regrowth, patchy or uneven hair growth, and lack of hair reduction after undergoing laser hair removal, it means the method is not working for you.

Why is my hair not removed after laser hair removal?

The shedding process can take up to two weeks post-treatment, which is why you'll still see hair after laser sessions. Also, because not every hair will be in the growth stage when the area is treated, some will remain. In fact, in any one treatment only about 15% of the follicles are damaged.

How can I make my hair fall out faster after laser?

Tips for Faster Shedding:
  1. Gently exfoliate 2-3 times per week with a soft washcloth or scrub.
  2. Avoid waxing, plucking, and shaving between treatments.
  3. Closely follow your technician's post-treatment care instructions.
  4. Have patience through the 1-3 week shedding process.

Why didn't I feel anything during laser hair removal?

Treatment cannot be completely painless

If you have dark, strong hair, the pricking will be stronger, and if your hair is weak, so will be the pricking. If you don't feel anything during the treatment, it means your hair is too light or the laser is not working well, so there will be no effects.

How can I make IPL hair removal more effective?

Pre-Treatment Shaving

This simple step not only saves you time during your session but also ensures that the laser can target the hair follicles more effectively. By removing the hair above the skin's surface, the laser can penetrate deeper, leading to more efficient and long-lasting results.

Why does IPL take so long to work?

However, the full results may take several weeks or even months to become visible. This is because IPL works by targeting the underlying structures of the skin, such as collagen and blood vessels, and stimulating the body's natural healing processes.

How many joules for IPL hair removal?

ENERGY OUTPUT WITH THE IPL METHOD

Flash lamps based on IPL technology use short pulses of 2 to 200 milliseconds. This creates an energy of 12 to 120 joules per square centimetre. In contrast to older laser technology, the IPL method involves direct sclerosis of several hair roots.

Does IPL sometimes not work?

If you've found yourself wondering, “Why is IPL not working on my hair” it could be due to your skin and hair type. IPL can be challenging to use for certain individuals,4 so it's important to know what skin types will achieve the best IPL experience: IPL works best on light, untanned skin.

Why is my hair not shedding after laser?

It could indicate that the follicles were not sufficiently damaged during the procedure, which may necessitate further sessions or even alternative treatments, conducted with the same precision you'd expect from plastic surgery procedures.

How many days after IPL does hair fall out?

1-3 Days Post-Treatment: Some clients may notice that the hairs fall out after laser hair removal as early as a few days after the session. This early shedding is due to the heat weakening the hair structure. 1-2 Weeks Post-Treatment: For most people, this is the period when the hairs fall out after laser hair removal.

Why am I not seeing results with IPL?

Your IPL Treatment Schedule is Off.

We recommend doing at-home IPL treatment once a week for twelve weeks, or twice a week for six weeks. If you've been doing IPL for a long time but had long gaps in between treatments, that might make it so you don't see results as quickly.

Can I overuse an IPL?

Overusing an IPL device is a major no-no. It can lead to side effects that range from minor irritation to long-term skin damage.

Does IPL work better on thin or thick hair?

Although newer machines have the ability to target all hair colors and skin tones, IPL still tends to work better on thick, dark hair than it does on fine, lighter hair due to the way broad-spectrum light targets melanin pigment. And when it comes to skin tones, IPL is most effective on light skin.

How do you remove dead hair after IPL?

Exfoliate gently

After about a week, begin exfoliating the treated area to help remove any dead hair. To avoid irritation, use a gentle exfoliating scrub or a soft loofah.

Can I trim instead of shave for IPL?

How should skin/hair be prepared prior to using IPL? “You should shave or trim the hair down to skin level, we recommend our clients shave the area the day before,” says Thomas. “That said, some at home devices may give you different preparation advice so always follow the instructions.”

Why do I still have stubble after IPL?

Up to a few weeks after treatment, your skin will develop stubble or blackheads as a part of the shedding process that happens from hairs that were partially grown at the time of the procedure.

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