IPL Hair Removal: Why Fall Is the Perfect Time to Start
If you spent another summer planning around shaving, waxing, regrowth and bikini lines and you’re officially over it, we should probably talk about IPL.
Because while hair removal might feel like a very summer problem, fall is actually one of the best times to start doing something about it.
At Naked Yeti, many of our IPL hair reduction clients start out as regular waxing clients. They love the smooth results of waxing, but eventually reach a point where they’re ready for less hair, less maintenance and a little less thought devoted to their bikini line.
Sound familiar?
First things first: what is IPL hair removal?
IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light.
During an IPL hair reduction treatment, controlled pulses of light are directed into the skin. The pigment in the hair absorbs that light and carries the energy down toward the hair follicle. Over a series of treatments, this can damage the follicle and reduce its ability to produce hair.
The important word here is reduce.
IPL is designed for long-term hair reduction rather than promising that every single hair will disappear forever. Most people can expect progressively less hair, finer regrowth and much less maintenance as they work through their treatment series.
And yes, that can make a pretty significant difference when summer rolls around.
Why do I need more than one IPL treatment?
Unfortunately, we cannot zap everything once and send you on your merry, hair-free way.
Hair grows in cycles.
At any given time, some hairs are actively growing while others are resting or transitioning between stages. IPL is most effective when the hair is in its active growth phase and still connected to the follicle.
That means we need to treat the area several times, spaced over a period of months, to catch different hairs as they enter the right stage.
This is why IPL hair reduction is a process rather than a one-and-done treatment.
It’s also exactly why starting in the fall makes so much sense.
Why is fall such a good time to start IPL?
Think about where you want to be next June.
Starting your IPL series in September or October gives us months to work through those hair-growth cycles before shorts, swimsuits, lake days and summer vacations are back.
There’s another reason we love fall for IPL: less sun exposure.
IPL treatments work by targeting pigment. Because tanning increases the amount of pigment in the skin, recent tanning and significant sun exposure can make treatment less appropriate and increase the risk of unwanted skin reactions.
By fall, most of us are spending less time in direct sun, tans begin to fade, and it becomes easier to keep treated areas protected between appointments.
So while IPL may not be top of mind when you’re pulling sweaters out of the closet, Future You may be very glad you started now.
Can I switch from waxing to IPL?
Absolutely. In fact, we have a lot of clients who do exactly that.
There is one catch.
Once you begin your IPL treatment series, you’ll need to stop waxing the treatment area.
Remember how IPL relies on pigment in the hair to carry light down toward the follicle? Waxing removes the entire hair from the root, which means there’s nothing there for the IPL to target.
Between IPL appointments, shaving is generally the way to go.
For long-time Naked Yeti waxing clients, this can feel a little strange at first. We’ve spent years telling you not to shave between waxes, and now suddenly we’re handing you back the razor.
Different goal, different rules.
If you’re thinking about making the switch, talk to us before your next wax. We can help you figure out the timing so you can transition into IPL properly.
What areas can IPL treat?
IPL hair reduction can be used on many areas of the body, including:
Brazilian and bikini
Underarms
Lower legs
Full legs
Face
Back
Chest
Arms
Brazilian and underarm treatments are particularly popular because these are areas people tend to maintain over and over again.
If you’ve been waxing your Brazilian every four weeks for years, you already know exactly how much time you've spent thinking about that little patch of real estate.
IPL gives us another option.
Am I a good candidate for IPL hair reduction?
IPL works best when there is enough contrast between the pigment in the hair and the surrounding skin.
Because the treatment relies on pigment within the hair, dark, coarse hair generally responds best. Very light blonde, white, grey and some red hair may not contain enough pigment to respond effectively.
Skin tone, medications, sun exposure, medical history and the area being treated can also affect whether IPL is appropriate for you.
That is why we require a consultation before beginning treatment.
We would much rather tell you that IPL isn't the right choice for you than sell you a package that isn't likely to give you a good result.
Does IPL hurt?
This is probably the second question we hear after, “Will it actually work?”
Most clients describe IPL as a quick, warm snapping sensation against the skin. Certain areas are more sensitive than others, and everyone’s tolerance is different.
The nice part is that individual pulses happen quickly, and many commonly treated areas do not take very long.
Is it something you’ll book because it feels like a relaxing facial massage?
Probably not.
Is it manageable for most people?
Yep.
What can I expect from my results?
IPL hair reduction happens gradually.
As you move through your series, you may notice:
Less hair growing back
Slower or patchier regrowth
Finer hair
Less frequent shaving
Less overall maintenance
Results vary between people, and hormonal changes can influence hair growth over time. Some clients may eventually choose occasional maintenance treatments.
Our goal is not to promise you perfectly hairless skin forever.
Our goal is significantly less hair to deal with.
And for a lot of people, that is exactly what they were hoping for.
What if I actually like waxing?
Then keep waxing.
Seriously.
Waxing is still a great hair-removal option, and not everyone needs to graduate from waxing into IPL.
If you like your four-week routine, your skin responds well and you’re perfectly happy with your results, there is no secret rule saying you need to switch. And honestly, we love waxing too:)
IPL becomes interesting when you find yourself thinking:
I really don't want to keep doing this forever.
That’s usually when we start the conversation.
Want a different kind of swimsuit season next year?
If shaving, waxing and regrowth took up more mental space than you wanted this summer, fall is a great time to make a different plan.
Starting IPL hair reduction in the fall gives us several months to work through your treatment series before next summer arrives.
We’ll start with a consultation, take a look at your skin and hair, talk through your goals and give you a realistic idea of what IPL can and cannot do for you.
Ready to talk IPL? Book an IPL Hair Reduction Consultation with Naked Yeti Skin Studio in Cranbrook.
