IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatment is a safe, easy-to-use hair removal method that can help you get rid of unwanted body hair for good. It’s a process that requires multiple treatments to see full results, so you might be wondering: How often can I use IPL at home? Can I use IPL twice a week?
With the right Lumi IPL treatment schedule, you can start enjoying permanent hair removal in just 6-12 weeks. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about how often to use IPL at home.
How Often Can I Use IPL?
We recommend using IPL once per week for 12 weeks or twice per week for 6 weeks.
But how frequently you’ll need to use your IPL device depends on the area you’re treating and the device you use. Lumi IPL hair removal is certified to deliver long-term hair removal after just 12 uses, but chances are you’ll start to see a serious reduction in hair growth after just 3 or 4.
Using your IPL just once or twice per week allows the light technology to target hair follicles during the growth stage. It also helps to minimize irritation.
Can I Use IPL Twice a Week?
Yes, you CAN use IPL up to twice a week. Good news if you’re really itching for results: if you use Lumi IPL twice a week, you’ll see full results in just six weeks.
That’s the highest frequency we recommend, though – you should not use your device more than twice a week.
Can I Use IPL Every Day?
We know you’re SO excited to experience permanent hair removal, but we do not recommend using your device more than twice per week. Using IPL every day may result in irritation – and it probably won’t work as well, anyway! The permanently smooth, hair-free skin you get will be worth the wait, promise :)
What Happens if You Use IPL Too Often?
Using IPL too often can be ineffective and painful. IPL is most effective while your hair is in the growth phase –if you treat your skin multiple times a week, your hair can become dormant and IPL treatment won’t work as well. Additionally, while IPL is a gentle treatment, too much of it can be a bad thing. If you use IPL too frequently, you can irritate your skin.
How Often Should I Use IPL After 12 Weeks?
After 12 weeks of treatment, your hair should be virtually gone. After that, you’re in the maintenance phase. This means you likely will not need to use the IPL device every week – instead, plan on using it just every 2 to 3 months to keep things tidy.
Maintenance needed totally varies from person to person. If your hair is cropping up more frequently, you can use the device more. If you do not need a touchup after 3 months, skip the treatment until you feel like you need it. You can customize your treatment plan to exactly what you need.
Note that how often to use IPL at home does vary somewhat depending on your hair and the area you’re trying to treat. Some people may see full results in less than 12 weeks, others may require more than the full 12 weeks to see the hair-free results they were hoping for. (Especially when it comes to removing pubic hair or underarm hair.) Once a week for 12 weeks is a general guideline, but your IPL handset is equipped to work for much, much longer than that if need be.
How does IPL work?
Wondering why you should only use IPL once or twice per week? Understanding the technology a bit better can help – let’s break it down!
IPL is a relatively new but well-studied hair removal technology. IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light. This hair removal technology targets unwanted hairs at the root and destroys them with light pulses (IPL) without burning or damaging your skin. After multiple treatments, it stops hair from growing back for long-term hair reduction.
IPL hair removal is a gradual process – especially after the first 3-4 treatments, you’ll notice less and less hair start to grow back after each IPL session. Waiting a few days between sessions allows your hair to grow back so you can zap it at the root again. It also gives your skin time to recover. Plus – bonus – it allows you to track your results between sessions!
Will IPL Work For Me?
IPL is a gentle, pain-free treatment that is FDA-cleared to provide permanent hair removal. It’s gentle enough even for people with sensitive skin, especially on lower intensity settings.
That being said, IPL may not work as well for certain skin tones and hair colors as it does for others. This has to do with pigment and contrast. In order for the light from the IPL to do its thing, it needs to identify and target the hair follicle. So if your hair blends into your skin or is particularly light, it will be challenging to target the hair follicle. IPL may not be effective for those with light blonde, red, or grey hair, or those with very dark skin – no matter how often you use IPL, the technology likely will not work.
Related: Does IPL Work for My Skin Tone?
Where Can I Use IPL?
IPL can be used on just about any part of your body. You can use the light treatment to remove hair on your arms, legs, underarms, bikini line, and more. The only places we’d recommend you steer clear of are above the cheekbones and on the inner parts of the bikini area (labia minora, vagina, scrotum, or anus). Stick to the exterior, stay below the cheekbones, and you’re good to go.
Again, where you use IPL may influence how often you need to use IPL hair removal. Some areas with fine hair may require less treatment time overall, while some areas with coarse hair may require a longer IPL treatment schedule. Keep track of your progress and know that if the results you were hoping for come slower, you can use your device for longer as long as you do so no more than 1-2 times per week.
Why Use Lumi IPL Hair Removal Often?
We love at-home IPL devices for many reasons. At RoseSkinCo, we have two handheld IPL hair removal devices: Lumi Permanent Hair Removal Device (currently on sale for $189 USD) and OG Hair Removal Handset ($149 USD).
These home devices last a long time. Lumi lasts for about 900,000 light pulses. That big number is pretty hard to comprehend, but it should last about 30 years. With a lifespan like that, you can use Lumi IPL for as long as you’d like, with a total IPL treatment cost of less than $200 USD!
Plus, with the right device, IPL is super easy to use. RoseSkinCo IPL devices are handheld, making them easy to maneuver around your body. After shaving the skin to prepare it for IPL hair removal, all-over body treatment takes just 30 minutes.
At-home IPL devices are also safe and proven to deliver the dolphin-smooth results you’re looking for. RoseSkinCo IPL devices are FDA-cleared to provide permanent hair removal. And, to be clear, RoseSkinCo IPL hair removal does not cause cancer or other long-term complications caused by UV exposure. All UV rays are filtered to protect your skin.
Most importantly, IPL hair removal will make your skin smooth, soft, and hair-free – permanently. After just 12 uses (six weeks if you’re using the device twice per week, or twelve weeks if you use it once per week) you’ll enjoy permanent hair removal – no more shaving, waxing, or laser necessary!
Learn how to use IPL hair removal.
Start Doing IPL At Home Often
Adding IPL into your beauty routine could not be easier. Pick a day you will remember, create an IPL treatment schedule, and make it a weekly habit to get your treatment in. (Self-care Sunday, anyone?) It’s quick, easy, and painless. It only takes about 30 minutes to do a full-body treatment.
Plus, if all you need is a quick pit hair removal sesh (no judgment here) or want to zap away some unwanted upper lip hairs, treatment only takes a few minutes.
Let’s get smooth and stay smooth together!
