If you like the feeling of having smooth arms, legs, and underarms, you may spend a lot of time trying different hair removal techniques. However, if you are tired of having to shave, pluck, or wax, you can consider IPL treatments for body hair removal. At North Dallas Dermatology Associates, we offer Intense Pulsed Light hair removal for patients in Dallas, Preston Hollow, Highland Park, Greenville, and the surrounding areas.
What Is Intense Pulsed Light?
Intense pulsed light, also known as IPL, is a light treatment that uses multiple wavelengths of light to target and destroys hair follicles. IPL devices can be used as a hair removal treatment or for other skin conditions such as dark spots, veins, fine lines, and skin redness. The light is delivered by a handheld device and the wavelengths of light can be customized for different uses.
How Can IPL Be Used for Hair Removal?
Hair growth happens in different phases on your body. There is the growing phase, when the hair is actively growing, the resting phase when the hair is still attached but isn’t growing, and the shedding phase when the hair naturally falls out to make way for new hair. IPL only targets hair that is actively growing. This is why it may take several treatments to remove all of your unwanted hair.
During an IPL treatment, the specific wavelengths that we choose for your treatment penetrate into your skin. Light energy becomes heat energy which heats up the follicle and damages it so that it can no longer grow hair. Since the light targets the darker color of the hair, it won’t affect the surrounding skin. However, this is why the treatment is only recommended for areas with darker hair since it isn’t effective on blonde or white hair.
Is There a Difference Between IPL and Laser Hair Removal?
IPL and laser treatments are two different techniques that can be used to achieve similar results. Both methods target and destroy the hair follicles of actively growing hair. However, while laser hair removal treatment uses one specific wavelength of light, IPL uses a spectrum of different wavelengths. One of the benefits of IPL is that it can treat a larger area in a shorter amount of time while a laser for body hair removal can only target a small section of hair at a time. We use intense pulsed light for hair removal as well as a range of other uses.
Can I Use IPL at Home?
If you have been researching hair removal, you may have seen at-home IPL devices advertised. However, it is much better to have this procedure done professionally to avoid burning or damaging your skin. With an at-home device, you could also be risking hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation, especially if you have darker skin.
Where Can IPL Body Hair Removal be Used?
IPL body hair removal can be used anywhere that you have unwanted hair. These areas can include your face, arms, legs, stomach, bikini line, back, chest, and more.
Steps to Take Before Your Hair Removal Appointment
The first step you should take is to have a meeting with your doctor. Most unwanted hair is normal and healthy, but if you have any abnormal hair growth, you should talk to your doctor before persuing IPL or laser hair removal treatments. The next step is to have a consultation with us to make sure you understand the treatment.
In the few days before your appointment, avoid being out in the sun for extended periods of time. You should also stop the use of self-tanning products and avoid plucking, waxing, or bleaching your hair since all of these will cause your treatment to be less effective. However, we do recommend shaving your hair before the treatment.
What Can You Expect From Your Treatment?
When you come for your appointment, you’ll be asked to put on eyewear to protect your eyes from the bright light of the IPL device. Once your eyes are protected, we will begin the treatment. We apply a cooling gel to your skin and then use the device to target your unwanted hair. You can expect to feel a sensation on your skin similar to what a rubber band feels like when it snaps against your skin. Most people don’t mind the slight discomfort, but let us know if you want any help controlling the sensation with topical numbing cream.
IPL is a no-downtime treatment in most cases. However, your skin may feel sensitive or itchy and you may notice some redness and swelling. It is important to take care of your skin during the next few days. Make sure to stay away from hot water, sun, and tanning beds.
It can be expected for your hair to start falling out anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. You can gently remove the dead hair by wiping your skin with a soft washcloth while in the shower. You should never attempt to wax or pluck any remaining hair. Any hair that is left after a few weeks will need to be removed at subsequent appointments. Remember that it can take multiple sessions to target all of your hair. This is because only about a third of your hair is in the active growing phase at any given time.
Hair Removal Treatments in Dallas, TX
Treatments such as IPL and laser hair removal can help cut down on hours of shaving, waxing, and plucking. If you are ready to have smooth skin, we have the treatments just for you at North Dallas Dermatology Associates.
We offer services for patients in Dallas and many nearby areas. Our service areas include Preston Hollow, Greenville, White Rock, Highland Park, University Park, SMU, and more. Call us today to find out more about our intense pulsed light hair removal services.