If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve heard a lot of randos on The Internet tell you what IPL can do for you. "It can make your skin so soft and hairless that you’ll forget what your body hair used to look like!" "You’ll never have body hair again!" "Shaving and waxing will be but a distant, painful memory!" "If everyone just took the time to do IPL, they’d be happier, their skin would be smoother and world peace would finally be within reach!"
But is that actually true?
Well, minus the world peace part, the answer is YES. IPL technology isn’t magic, but it IS highly effective and can help you get rid of unwanted body hair for good. Certain IPL devices like Lumi are FDA-cleared to safely and effectively provide a permanent reduction in body hair at home.
In short, IPL laser hair removal at home really does work!
But you don’t have to take our word for it. Read on to learn more about what experts, clinical studies, and real customers have to say about IPL hair removal at home, along with a few tips that will help you make sure IPL hair removal at home really works for YOU.
Experts Weigh In: The Proven Effectiveness of IPL Hair Removal
IPL hair removal may be a relatively new and high-tech method, but it’s very well-researched and widely regarded to be safe and effective.
IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light. IPL hair removal detects melanin in the hair follicle to target unwanted body hair with broad-spectrum light pulses. When the light reaches the hair follicle, it gets converted into heat and weakens the hair. After multiple treatments, the hair follicle is destroyed and a permanent reduction in body hair is achieved.
It’s important to note that permanent hair removal devices don’t necessarily make it so no body hair whatsoever will ever grow back. As defined by the FDA, permanent hair reduction is “the long-term stable reduction in the number of hairs re-growing when measured at 6, 9, and 12 months after a treatment regime.” This is what permanent methods like IPL hair removal and laser hair removal achieve. Some people DO have completely hair-free results, while others enjoy a drastic reduction in body hair but still may need to remove some patches of hair or treat some spots occasionally.
Many clinical studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of IPL technology for hair removal and home use:
- One clinical trial back in 2010 found after 6 IPL treatments, 95% of patients noted a reduction in hair count by the end. One month after treatment, overall hair reduction was 78%. No serious adverse reactions or injuries occurred.
- Another clinical evaluation found that IPL devices were effective in removing unwanted facial hair below the cheekbone.
- A 2021 study evaluating home-based dermatology devices currently on the market ultimately recommended the home-based use of intense pulsed light for hair removal above other at-home hair removal options.
- One study testing the effectiveness of at-home IPL devices observed that one year after full treatment, 80% of body hair was gone.
And there are WAY more where those came from!
FDA-Cleared Hair Removal
A BIG caveat here: just because IPL’s technology has been deemed safe and effective does NOT mean that every IPL device on the market is automatically good to go.
The good news? IPL devices are regulated by the FDA and other health and safety organizations. If you decide to perform IPL hair removal at home, always choose a device that is FDA-cleared and certified for safe, effective use by outside organizations.
Lumi is FDA-cleared to offer safe, effective permanent hair reduction. It’s also FCC, CE, and RoHS certified.
Related: FDA-Approved IPL Hair Removal
Safety for All Skin Types
Laser hair removal is notorious for being painful, especially on sensitive skin. Lumi IPL offers pain-free permanent hair removal, with 6 intensity levels allowing you to customize your treatment. Especially at its lowest intensity, Lumi is very gentle and suitable even for very sensitive skin.
Beyond just being a waste of time, using an IPL device that’s not FDA-cleared could have serious adverse consequences. Lumi filters harmful UV rays that have been linked to cancer and other long-term complications – other devices may use UV rays or cause painful burns.
From Skeptics to Believers: Customer Reviews Tell All
Enough from us – let’s hand off the mic to some happy, hair-free customers!
"The Lumi IPL handset is such a game-changer. After using it for 2 weeks, my hair growth has been reduced. It’s so easy to use, plus it’s safe. One of the best and most effective devices I have used."
– Mona A.
"Say goodbye to painful waxing. You need Lumi! It’s easy to use, pain-free, and it REALLY works. I can tell a huge difference in hair growth between when I started this journey a few weeks ago and today."
– Megan H.
“I’m loving Lumi! It makes my beauty routine super simple and easy. I used to wax at home but it was always messy and painful (not to mention very time-consuming.) Lumi has been way more effective for hair removal, without the mess, pain, and time. My hair is growing back slower and thinner each time I use it!”
- Taylor T.
Related: RoseSkinCo Reviews
IPL’s Limitations for Certain Skin Tones & Hair Types
IPL technology has come a long way since it was first introduced. Early IPL devices were only a good fit for very light skin and very dark hair.
Today, some contrast is still needed to accurately target the melanin in the hair, but leading IPL technology is able to treat many more skin tones and hair colors.
That being said, IPL is not a good fit for very dark skin or blonde, red, or gray body hair. We acknowledge that this is an unfortunate limitation of IPL technology. If you’re not sure whether at-home IPL will work for your hair color and skin tone, check the Skin Tone Chart.
Tips for Getting the IPL Results You Want
The IPL device you use can make a huge difference, but HOW you use that device is crucial, too. Using your device correctly can help you achieve a faster result as well as minimize possible side effects like common skin irritation, temporary skin redness, burns, or dry/itchy skin.
Here are a few tips you can implement to make sure IPL laser hair removal at home DOES work for you.
Follow Instructions
This might sound like a “duh,” but… it’s a big one. Most people aren’t familiar with how IPL works, and while it’s super easy, it does take some time to get the hang of it. So don’t throw out your user manual – make sure you use your device exactly as directed. You’ll see better results and have a more comfortable treatment that way!
Use It Once or Twice a Week
Hair growth happens in stages, and IPL can only target follicles in the active growth stages. Using your device only once or twice a week for multiple weeks gives your skin time to heal and your hair time to regrow, so you can treat different follicles.
Give It Time
IPL permanent hair removal doesn’t happen all at once. It takes 8-12 weeks to see full results (though you’ll probably notice a difference starting at around week 3!) Consistency is key here: set aside time once or twice a week for up to 12 weeks. Each session may take anywhere from 10-30 minutes depending on if you’re targeting a small area or treating your entire body.
Work Your Way Up
Lumi has six intensity settings. We recommend starting with the lowest one for your first treatment and gradually increasing with each session, as long as your previous treatment was comfortable. Using a higher intensity can promote faster results, but if it’s at all painful or irritating, it’s not worth it!
Use It Almost Anywhere
IPL hair treatment can be performed just about anywhere hair grows – legs, armpits, face, bikini area, you name it. The only places we don’t recommend using Lumi are above the cheekbones and on the inner parts of the bikini area (labia, vagina, scrotum, anus, etc.)
Practice Proper Pre- and After-Care
Before IPL treatment, avoid sun exposure, exfoliate the area you’re going to treat 24 hours beforehand, and shave the area completely. (Waxing, tweezing, or epilating won’t cut it – shaving is ideal because it leaves the hair follicle intact for IPL pulses.) Also, ensure the area is clean and free of any gels, creams, or lotions before treatment.
After IPL treatment, moisturize the treated area with a soothing body lotion like Aloe Coco Body Lotion. Avoid direct sun exposure for at least 48 hours following treatment.
Lumi IPL Hair Removal Works: Guaranteed
In the end… it doesn’t really matter if IPL works for most people. All that matters is whether IPL will provide permanent hair removal for YOU!
That’s why Lumi comes with a 90-day money-back guarantee. You can use the handset, figure out how it works, even complete a full 8-12 week treatment regimen… and if you’re not satisfied with the results, you can send the device back for a full refund. Guaranteed!
Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2921762/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4509583/
3. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00403-021-02231-0
4. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/lsm.23061
