IPL hair removal in Lancaster
IPL hair removal is a light-based route to long-term hair reduction. It is not a laser and it is not permanent removal, but for suitable skin and hair it can be part of a plan to reduce unwanted hair.
Quick answer
IPL hair removal uses intense pulsed light, a filtered broad-spectrum light rather than a laser, to reduce unwanted hair over a course of sessions. At Naomi Waite Aesthetics in Lancaster it is one of several hair-reduction options, alongside diode and Alexandrite / Nd:YAG laser, with suitability for your skin and hair checked at consultation.
What is IPL hair removal?
IPL stands for intense pulsed light. It uses broad-spectrum light, filtered to select the bands useful for treatment, rather than the single wavelength of a laser.
IPL is not a laser. The clinic uses it in both its skin rejuvenation and hair-reduction pathways. This page covers hair reduction, which is offered where it is appropriate for your skin and hair.
How IPL hair removal works
The filtered light is absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle and turned into heat, which damages the follicle and reduces its ability to grow hair.
Hair grows in cycles, and treatment works on hair in its active growth phase. That is why IPL hair reduction is carried out as a course of sessions, and why maintenance sessions may be needed afterwards to keep hair reduced.
What IPL hair removal can help with
IPL hair reduction can be used on areas such as the face, arms, chest, back, bikini line and legs, for both men and women, where the skin and hair are suitable.
- Unwanted hair: long-term hair reduction, where your skin and hair are suitable
Is IPL hair removal right for me?
IPL relies on pigment in the hair, so white, grey or very fair hair may not respond. Electrolysis may be discussed instead for non-pigmented or residual hairs, and your practitioner may also compare IPL with the clinic's laser options.
Some things rule treatment out or delay it. Recent use of isotretinoin (Accutane) or similar products means you cannot have treatment, active cold sores must heal first, sunburned or tanned skin must settle before treatment, and any unusual moles, lesions or spots in the area must be checked by a medical practitioner beforehand.
What happens during treatment
Before your appointment, avoid sun exposure, sunbeds and self-tan, shave the area, and do not wax or pluck. Pause AHA and BHA products, hydroquinone and retinoids for the period advised, and let your practitioner know if you are taking antibiotics, as some increase sensitivity to light.
Arrive with clean skin on the area. If your face or neck is being treated, you will be asked to cleanse your whole face at the clinic. Session length depends on the size of the area.
Downtime and aftercare
Some redness or swelling in the treated area is common and generally settles. Your aftercare will include:
- Avoiding sun exposure, sunbeds and self-tan, and wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher outdoors
- Avoiding hot baths, saunas and exercise that makes you sweat for the period advised
- Keeping skin moisturised with a gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser
- Avoiding make-up and harsh products, such as exfoliants and retinoids, on the area for the period advised
- Not wearing boots straight after a leg treatment
- Not rubbing, picking or scratching the area, and contacting the clinic if you notice a burn or blistering
IPL compared with laser hair removal
IPL and laser hair removal are both light-based and both sit in the clinic's hair-removal pathway, but IPL is not a laser. The right option for you depends on your skin, your hair and the area, and is chosen at consultation.
Results
Results vary significantly from person to person, and we do not guarantee specific results. IPL offers long-lasting hair reduction rather than permanent removal, and maintenance sessions are often needed.
Where we show before and after photographs, they are of real clients, not stock or manufacturer images.
IPL hair removal prices in Lancaster
The cost depends on the area being treated and the number of sessions in your plan. Current prices are shown on our prices page, and your practitioner will confirm your plan cost at consultation.
IPL hair removal: frequently asked questions
The questions people ask most before booking IPL hair removal. Anything else can be covered at your consultation.
Related treatments and guides
These pages cover the clinic's other hair-removal options and IPL's use for skin.
- Diode laser hair removal
- Alexandrite / Nd:YAG laser hair removal
- Electrolysis
- IPL skin rejuvenation
- Unwanted hair
IPL hair removal and laser hair removal compared
| Feature | IPL hair removal | Laser hair removal (diode, Alexandrite / Nd:YAG) |
|---|---|---|
| Type of light | Broad-spectrum light, filtered to select useful bands | Laser light |
| Is it a laser? | No | Yes |
| Aim | Long-term hair reduction, where suitable | Long-term reduction of pigmented hair |
| Option for white or grey hair | Electrolysis may be discussed instead | Electrolysis may be discussed instead |
Frequently asked questions
IPL hair removal uses intense pulsed light, a filtered broad-spectrum light, to target the pigment in hair and damage the follicle. IPL is not a laser. At Naomi Waite Aesthetics in Lancaster it is offered for long-term hair reduction where your skin and hair are suitable. Hair reduction is long-lasting but not permanent, and maintenance sessions may be needed.
Many clients describe a warming sensation during treatment. Comfort varies with the area and with your skin and hair, so your practitioner will explain what to expect for you. If anything feels uncomfortable during treatment, tell your practitioner.
It varies with your hair type, skin type and the area treated, so there is no fixed number. Treatment is planned as a course because IPL works on hair in its active growth phase, and maintenance sessions may be needed afterwards. Your practitioner will recommend a plan at consultation.
Slight redness or swelling in the treated area is common and generally settles. You will need to avoid sun exposure, sunbeds and self-tan for a period afterwards, and avoid hot baths, saunas and exercise that makes you sweat for the period advised. If you notice a burn or blistering, contact the clinic so it can be managed and your next session adjusted.
You cannot have treatment if you have recently used isotretinoin (Accutane) or similar products, and active cold sores, sunburn or a tan mean waiting until the skin has settled. White, grey or very fair hair may not respond. Your practitioner will review your skin, hair, medications and medical history at consultation.
The cost varies with the area being treated and the number of sessions needed. Current prices are listed on our prices page, and your practitioner will confirm the cost of your plan at your consultation in Lancaster. Your plan depends on the area and on how your hair responds, so it is confirmed after assessment.
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