For the past 2 years I have been going to a liscensed cosmetologist who has been doing IPL treatments on my upper arms, back, chest and stomach. I have been pretty satisfied with the results because I do have hair reduction in certain areas but after having done at least six treatments on each area shouldnt there be very little hair growth? I bring this up now because I was thinking about all the money I have spent (about $5000)and the hair still grows back though not as thick.
The impression I have formed over the years of being engaged on this forum is, IPL treatments are like long-term waxing. HOWEVER, I will tell you that I have personally observed some very good results on some of my electrolysis clients who had IPL treatments. Geez …you could have had a lot of electrolysis for $5,000. THe thinner hair you see now is an indication that something was affected with the IPL - thus the term ‘permanent hair reduction’ that is used for describing any light-based treatments. Some hairs get thinner and some hairs never grow back with light-based modalities. Sometimes more hair is stimulated. With electrolysis, we give people permanent hair removal- not reduction.
It is time for a skilled, modern electrologist to zap those finer hairs that remain. NO IPL or LASER can see those hair structures. THere is no other hope if you want the hair gone for good. Think electrolysis now if you are not happy with the finer hair that remains. Otherwise, rejoice that the haor is finer.
Yeah IPL isn’t the best unfortunately not a true laser. I did 4 IPL treatments on my stomach then switched to laser and did 2 with alexandrite. Almost all the hair is gone there now though, only the odd bit comes back and all the very dark coarse hair was wiped away by the IPL (Was Lumines One IPL). Longest in between was probably 3 months or so so I do feel it is somewhat effective if done right but a real laser will treat the hair way better.
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IPL is not the best hair removal machine. Those treatments sound very expensive considering that’s how much you paid for only 6.
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Laser or IPL doesn’t work on hair that’s not coarse and dense. Upper arms and most of back hair usually false into that category. However, chest and stomach should have great results since that hair is usually very coarse.
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It would help if you could post photos, so we can tell you whether it’s worth continuing with more treatments, this time with a true laser and high settings, or if it’s time for electrolysis.
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Overall, I can tell you that you could have probably gotten a good 80%+ reduction by now if the hair on your chest and stomach was dark, coarse, and dense, if you had done treatments with a true laser at good settings instead of the IPL.
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Whether someone is a licensed cosmetologist has little to do with hair removal knowledge. You need someone who has a good machine and has been doing it long enough to know how to set settings well to achieve permanent removal and not just get you finer hair or temporary results.
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I would also advise waiting about 6 months to judge how much true reduction you’re seeing.