1) IPL usage is safe for most people.

However, there are some risks associated with it. The most common side effect is skin irritation. However, this is usually mild and goes away after a few treatments.

Other rare side effects include burns, blistering, and changes in skin color. These side effects are more likely to occur if the person is using a high-intensity setting on the device.

Overall, IPL usage is safe for most people. If you have any concerns, be sure to speak with your doctor before beginning any treatments.

2) What should you not do before an IPL?

Before your IPL treatment:

1. Avoid any irritants to your skin, such as any products containing Retin-A, retinol, benzoyl peroxide, glycolic/salicylic acids, astringents or Vitamin C for one week before your treatment.

2. Do not wax or use a depilatory on treatment areas for one week prior to your treatment.

3) What should I avoid in IPL?

IPL Aftercare Tips

1. Don't take hot showers, hot baths, or bask in a hot tub for a minimum of 48 hours.

2. Don't exfoliate your skin within the first seven days as it may cause irritation.

3. Don't pick any crusting or blisters.

4. Don't exercise or participate in any strenuous physical activity

4) Does IPL hurt? Separate the myth from reality.

It’s a common assumption that IPL isn’t a pain-free method of hair removal, due to the fact it uses beams of light to heat up the hair follicle. The truth is that you’ll barely feel a thing when using Braun IPL devices, which benefit from a range of comfort modes, so you can safely and gently use it across your body. You might feel a light flick during flashes, but never anything close the pain you’d experience when waxing or threading.

5) Let's take on some other Myths

Busted

1. It won’t work on dark skin tones

When there is more melanin present in the skin, the IPL needs to adjust the intensity of light to avoid the beam from focusing on the skin, instead of the hair follicle. When IPL was new to the market, most devices were unsafe or ineffective for darker skin tones, as there wasn’t yet technology available that could adapt the IPL intensity to a person’s skin tone. Nowadays, there are IPL devices that can automatically adapt the light intensity to match your skin pigmentation, whether you have fair, olive, or dark skin – though it’s important to read the label carefully, to ensure you’re buying the best IPL for you.

2. IPL hair removal isn't permanent

While IPL doesn’t get rid of every follicle of hair on your body at the same time, it can progressively deliver permanent hair reduction. As hair grows in stages, not all follicles will be ‘full’ with hair when you undergo an IPL treatment. Since only hairs in their growing phase are susceptible to treatment with light, it is important to do multiple IPL treatments to achieve long-lasting, continuously smooth skin.

3. IPL devices are expensive and require maintenance

Using IPL at home means you can remove hair across multiple body areas and only spend on one treatment. While multiple trips to the salon can add up and become expensive, you can save money in the long run by using the Braun Silk-expert Pro. There’s no need to buy replacement lamps or lotions to use with the device – and best of all, its average lifespan is 15 years, which means you’ll be saving more and more as time passes.

4. You cannot IPL in summer

It’s perfectly safe to IPL during the summer months, though you should take extra care to wear sunscreen of at least 30 SPF to avoid burning. If your skin has become darker and tanned from the sun, your Silk-expert Pro IPL can detect this and adjust the light intensity accordingly.

6) Can IPL be safely used around sensitive areas?

It’s important to note that some areas of the body may be more sensitive than others and require a gentler form of hair removal: such as the bikini line. The Silk-expert Pro has been designed with a range of comfort modes, including an extra gentle setting especially designed for treating sensitive areas, which will help to reduce the chance of ingrown pubic hairs.

That being said, you should avoid using your IPL on extra-sensitive areas such as the genitals, nipples, or anus, as this could cause inflammation.

7) How to Use your IPL Safely: The Before and After Treatment

Tips

Before your treatment

1. Avoid tanning booths, sunbeds, spray tans and tanning creams

2. Ensure there are no open wounds, broken skin, or enflamed areas on the skin you’re planning to treat

3. Avoid intense exfoliation treatments, such as microdermabrasion, as this increases the risk of inflammation and side effects after your IPL hair removal

4. Shave the area you’re planning to treat 12 to 24 hours beforehand

After your treatment

1. Don’t wear tight-fitting clothes after treatment, this can irritate your skin

2. Don’t use skin products that may irritate your skin, such as perfume, cleansers or exfoliators, for 24 – 48 hours after treatment.

3. Avoid hot showers, steam rooms and saunas

4. Wear sunscreen with a high SPF to keep the skin protected

8) When is IPL usage not recommended?

Please always consult your Medical Practitioner

Intense pulsed light therapy is a safe and simple procedure, but it is not suitable for everyone. IPL usage is not recommended in the following instances:

1. Have skin cancer

2. Are pregnant

3. Are on blood thinners

4. Are on or have recently taken Accutane (an acne medication)

5. Are experiencing an acne outbreak

6. Have severely tanned skin

7. Have severely scarred tissue

8. Are suffering from a skin condition

9. Have skin that is photosensitive

10. Use certain types of retinoid (vitamin a-based) creams