About IPL Home Laser Hair Removal Units

IPL stands for intense pulsed light. This hair removal unit does not actually contain a laser. It is a largely held belief that IPL treatments are laser treatments. Laser treatment is a different type of hair removal tool not approved by the FDA for use at home. The FDA approves IPL machines for personal use.

Compact Designs

New personal IPL machines are replacing conventional wax and shaving methods due to the availability of retail units. The compact units start at about $250, which is the cost of several waxing and electrolysis sessions. Remington, a well-known shaving supplier produces a hair removal system that is FDA approved. The machine uses cartridges that contain 1500 flashes of light to provide about two body treatments. Replacement cartridges are available for different brands.

How the Unit Works

There is a pulsating light cartridge in the hand held portion of the machine. The wand is held over a small area while the light penetrates just the top layers of the skin. The intense light reaches down to the hair roots and vaporizes the follicle. Very light hair that contains little pigment does not vaporize as well as darker hair. Thicker and darker hair, and ultra light hair responds less to this treatment than thinner brown hair. This is because the light heats up the melanin, which is the chemical responsible for colored pigment of hair. When the melanin heats up it vaporizes the hair follicle.

How Long It Takes

Most people begin to see results after about two weeks of regular home treatments. Many manufacturers and estheticians recommend treating a specific area at a time so that the effectiveness of the unit can be realized. This helps you to realize how many treatments are necessary to reduce the different types of hair on your body. Treatments are not permanent but do last up to six months. Hair grows just a day after shaving, a couple of weeks after waxing but hair usually does not grow back until after a couple of months using IPL treatments.