A significant number of women and men in the Netherlands choose to remove at least some of their body hair. Long-term hair removal is of great importance to many of them. Still, it is understandable if you still have questions about using IPL. Birthmarks, scars and freckles can all raise potential concerns when using IPL. You may be wondering if IPL hair removal actually works and if it is painful.

In this article, we'll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about using IPL hair removal:

1. When does hair fall out?
2. How many times does it take for IPL to work?
3. Can you use IPL on dark skin?
4. Can you use IPL on scars, including acne scars?
5. Can you use IPL on moles or on pigment spots?
6. Does IPL work as you have freckles?
7. Can IPL burn your skin?
8. Can IPL burn your skin?
9. What happens if you undergo too many IPL treatments?

Read on to find answers to 9 common questions about IPL hair removal, along with detailed information.

Let's get straight to the point. Here are 9 questions - and answers - about using IPL on skin with scars, moles and more, as well as explaining when IPL is not suitable.

After an IPL treatment, the hair does not fall out immediately. At first there may not seem to be any change. The hair remains in the skin, but the hair root is heated, which inhibits further growth. It can take up to 3 weeks before the treated hair actually falls out.

This depends on factors such as your hair type, the growth cycle of your hair and the body part treated. Some users experience hairless smoothness for up to 6 months after the first treatments. Regular sessions are usually needed for three to ten months, often once a month.

IPL is less effective on very dark skin tones due to the higher melanin content. This can lead to pigmentation problems or burns.

• Very dark skin tones: Dark skin contains more melanin than light skin, which means IPL devices cannot work effectively on the hair.
• Safety Tip: Using IPL on dark skin types may cause increased pigmentation or result in a burn.
• Light hair: IPL hair removal is not super effective on light blonde, red or white hair, because the IPL device does not work well on light pigments.

In principle, the use of IPL around and on scars is not a problem. In some cases it can even be useful to use IPL on scars:

• The light impulses deliberately damage the sebaceous glands.
• Excessive sebum production is reduced, which reduces inflammation.
• Lighter scars such as acne scars are lightened by IPL and are therefore less noticeable.

Did you know? Dermatologists use IPL to treat acne and acne scars. This can lead to improvement in the short term.

However, IPL can only be used for hair removal on scars if the scarred skin is light. Also note the following when using IPL on scars:

• You are not allowed to treat new scars! So, avoid immediately using IPL on new burns or surgical scars.
• Since your skin is more sensitive in this area, it is more likely to cause pain and irritation.

Tip: Although IPL is generally harmless for scars, you should always consult a dermatologist before using IPL at home.

It is not recommended to use IPL on moles due to the risks, including pain, burns, and long-term changes in the mole.

Safety tip: If you are concerned about using IPL on one part of your skin, or if you have a little more If you want advice and reassurance, always consult a dermatologist before investing in IPL treatments.

For similar reasons why moles make IPL treatments difficult, IPL is generally not recommended for use on pigment spots:

• Pigmented spots contain a build-up of melanin, making them darker than the surrounding skin.
• IPL is generally less effective on darker skin tones, so the treatment may not produce the desired results.
• In general, it is recommended to avoid pigmented spots with IPL treatments.
• If it However, is necessary to treat a pigment spot, it can be covered prior to the IPL treatment.

Safety tip: It is always recommended to consult a dermatologist beforehand if you have moles or pigment spots, regardless of whether you are considering having IPL treatments. This ensures a professional assessment and can minimize potential risks.

Freckles are not as problematic as moles, so IPL hair removal is entirely possible. Although the pigment melanin is also responsible for freckles, unlike moles, there is no accumulation of it. Therefore, injuries from excessive heat do not usually occur.

Safety tip: It is important to note that people with freckles also tend to have more moles, so in this case too, it is best to seek medical advice first.

The risk of sustaining burns after an IPL treatment is very small if the IPL device is operated correctly. Using the wrong setting is the most common reason for a burn on your skin. It usually means that the IPL device is probably set too high, creating too much heat in the hair root.

Do you definitely want to prevent burns after an IPL treatment? Use the Ruby Essentials IPL Genie to prevent this problem and follow these tips to prevent a burn:

• Use the adaptive technology to determine your skin type before the treatment, from light to dark.
• After the measurement, let the IPL device set the correct values.
• If you are concerned, you also have the option to manually adjust the intensity of the light pulses. You can then increase them within your comfort zone as needed.
• The best way to find out how this works is to refer to the instructions.

It is crucial to adhere to the manufacturer's guidelines when using IPL devices at home to ensure that you not only get the best results, but also prevent damage to your skin. What happens if you use IPL too often?

• Excessive use of IPL can irritate the skin.
• It can cause pigmentation problems.
• Improper or excessive use can also lead to burns.
• Weekly treatments are sufficient initially and overuse of your IPL device will not speed up the hair removal process.

So if you are now wondering in which cases IPL does not work and whether you can use IPL on moles or scars, this article has all the answers to frequently asked questions about IPL hair removal. If in doubt, always remember to consult a dermatologist before continuing the treatment.

Ruby Essentials IPL