IPL may cause hair growth in some patients

Andrea · April 19, 2003, 5:31pm

From some recent medical papers:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />
CONCLUSION: IPL may induce activation of dormant hair follicles in untreated areas close to hirsute-treated areas.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMe d&list_uids=12460295&dopt=Abstract
<hr /></blockquote>Another report of the same phenomenon:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />
CONCLUSION: Even though common, most side-effects secondary to IPL photodepilation are mild and transient. Permanent side-effects such as scars are unlikely but they may occur. Growth of new, fine and dark hair may be seen in untreated areas in close proximity to the treatment area, especially in the neck, a side-effect that is reported for the first time in the literature.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMe d&list_uids=12472492&dopt=Abstract
<hr /></blockquote>Article on hair whitening after IPL
<blockquote>quote:<hr />
CONCLUSION: Temporary or permanent leukotrichia may develop following IPL and laser hair removal therapy. This finding may be explained by the difference in the thermal relaxation times of melanocytes and germinative cells. The light absorbed and the heat produced by melanin may be sufficient enough to destroy or impair the function of melanocytes but insufficient to damage the hair follicle cells.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMe d&list_uids=12135507&dopt=Abstract <hr /></blockquote>

[ April 19, 2003, 05:26 PM: Message edited by: Andrea ]

whittc · April 20, 2003, 11:34am

Thanks for the information, Andrea!

Coincidentally, I just had the 1st of 5 IPL treatments on my upper chest and forearms to try to remedy all the sun damage that I did to myself when I was in my 20’s … am hoping not to have any side effects, but I’m going to be watching closely now!

RJC2001 · April 20, 2003, 11:41am

That’s a scary thought. All of the studies I read involved women only though and in the one of the studies all the women had PCOS. Has the sme thing been reported with laser too? There was a little discussion of that a few months ago.

I’ve had enough long term experience at least with laser it does not appear to be a problem for me.

RJC2001