2024-05-07
Is IPL Hair Removal the same as Laser Hair Removal?
IPL Permanent Hair Removal is a newer technology that uses low energy and intense pulsed laser at a higher frequency. On the other hand, lasers produce a particular type of light consisting of one wavelength or colour of light going in one direction, creating a single beam like a laser pointer.
IPL Hair Removal is currently one of the best hair removal treatments with the least complications for hair removal. Among the top advantages of getting treated with IPL Hair Removal is its higher level of safety and pain-free removal of unwanted hair. There is no pain with QM Medical’s exclusive No Pain System because it gradually heats the dermis to a temperature that effectively damages the hair follicle and prevents regrowth.
Can I do IPL permanent hair removal over my tattoo?
IPL Permanent Hair Removal is very effective at removing unwanted hair, but the Intense Pulse Light can be problematic for those with tattoos. You may already know that this lighting is also used to remove tattoos. If the pulsed light goes over your tattoo, it could reduce the tattoo’s colour.
For those who want to go down for IPL Permanent hair removal, it is possible to have a treatment that treats around the tattoo. However, this will mean your tattooed area will be covered.
What medications should I avoid before my IPL permanent hair removal treatment?
Avoid medications or preparations such as antibiotics that make your skin more sensitive to light. Additionally, skin care products such as Retin-A, Differin, Renova, glycolic, or alpha-hydroxy acid preparations can cause your skin to be more sensitive than normal to light-based therapies and should be discontinued a week before your hair removal treatments.
Are there any potential side effects of IPL permanent hair removal?
IPL Permanent Hair Removal ensures a painless, ultrafast, and safe treatment. Wave goodbye to red and itchy bumps after constant shaving or having gross ingrown hairs after repeated waxing sessions. Instead, enjoy a pleasant, pain-free IPL Permanent Hair Removal treatment with no downtime!
Our IPL Permanent Hair Removal technology and is safe on all skin types, even the darkest ones.
When will I see the results after having IPL permanent hair removal?
You will likely notice improvements after several sessions. The results vary from patient to patient. The colour and thickness of your hair, area treated, type of laser used, and colour of your skin all affect the results. After finishing the treatments, most patients do not see any hair on the treated skin for several months or even years. For better maintenance, we recommend some touch-up sessions if needed. If there is new hair growth at this stage (due to hormones etc), there tends to be less of it and often finer in texture and lighter in colour.
Does permanent hair removal hurt?
SHR technology, making permanent hair removal procedures completely painless and safe. Instead of using the traditional IPL method of high energies delivered at one time to the skin, SHR gradually heats the dermis to a temperature that effectively damages the hair follicle and prevents regrowth. We can administer a pain-free hair removal treatment without the need for numbing cream.
How long does a permanent hair removal treatment take?
Smaller areas such as the lip and chin take as little as 15 minutes. Underarms hair removal treatments take approximately 15 minutes as well. Larger treatment areas such as the back, arms, or legs take longer, from 30 to 60 minutes (for both arms or both legs).
When is it safe to have another hair removal treatment after getting one done?
To answer this question, you will need to understand the hair growth cycle.
There are about 5 million hair follicles in the human body, and not all are at the same stage of hair growth. Men have more hair follicles than women (by a few hundred thousand), which is why they may need more treatments than women.
Anagen (Growing phase)
The growing stage or the anagen is the best stage for hair removal treatment. During the anagen stage, the hair strand is connected to the papilla, which connects to blood vessels that feed the hair and enable stem cells to grow into new hair. When a hair strand at the anagen stage receives IPL, laser, or LHE treatment, the heat absorbed by the melanin in the hair transmits to the papilla.
The absorption of heat by the papilla destroys the root of the hair and prevents any new growth. This makes the anagen phase ideal for permanent hair reduction by laser. The hair is rich in melanin, enabling it to absorb the maximum amount of heat from the device.
Catagen (Regression Phase)
The hair follicle shrinks and detaches from the papilla at the catagen phase. While you can still get laser hair removal treatments at this stage, the results will not be as effective because there is no longer a direct connection to the hair’s root.
Telogen (Resting Phase)
At this stage, hair growth stops completely. The hair strand has detached from the papilla, so laser hair removal treatments will not work at this stage.
Exogen (New Hair Phase)
Exogen is when the hair gradually loosens from the follicle and is eventually shed. Unlike the previous phase, it is relatively unpredictable. This phase can last from a few days to a few years! In thinning hair, more follicles are stuck in the telogen phase.
On average, a hair follicle will cycle through these phases every 4-12 weeks, depending on which part of the body is growing the hair. IPL Permanent Hair Removal is only effective in the anagen phase of the hair cycle. The anagen phase is the only phase of the hair cycle when the root is full of melanin, which absorbs light. To achieve permanent hair removal, we recommend our customers return every 3-4 weeks. That ensures that every follicle is treated in the active growth phase when the papilla is present.
Can pregnant women undergo permanent hair removal treatments?
While no studies have stated that pregnant women cannot go for hair removal treatments, we recommend pregnant women abstain from hair removal as a safety precaution.
How should I prepare for a permanent hair removal treatment?
Here are some guidelines to help you prepare for a hair removal treatment:
•Avoid any tanning.
•Do not bleach your hair in the area where you would like to be treated with IPL Hair Removal.
•Gently exfoliate your bikini area 3-4 days before your session. Please don’t leave it to the last day or after you shaved. Otherwise, it might irritate your skin.
•Shave two days in advance before your IPL Hair Removal appointment. NOT on the treatment day.
•Choose a non-perfumed and alcohol shaving/ cleansing product for your bikini area. Otherwise, it might cause irritations.
•Try to schedule the treatment the week before or the week after your period.
•Most importantly, relax.