Does IPL hair removal work for ingrown hair under the skin? (Photo)

Question

I have a coarse hair covering my whole body. I also have ingrown hair specially on my legs. My embedded hairs are very deep under my skin which I can not get rid of them! I feel like the skin is closed, therefore, that hair cant get out! I also have large red pores; my hair is dark and my skin is fair. does IPL treatment help to get rid of this problem? will ingrown hair be burned if the hair shaft is still under skin while the treatment? will this lead to dark spots and dots?

Ramon Peleaux, DDS, MD · Answer

One of the best treatments for ingrown hairs is IPL hair reduction treatment.  (And dark hair on fair skin is the ideal situation!)  If the hair is removed, you should not experience future ingrown hairs at that site.  Since you are a lighter skin type, residual pigment on the legs from ingrown hairs can be treated with IPL as well  There is no pre-treatment necessary for the ingrown hairs before hair removal.  A person who is more prone to ingrown hairs may have more during the shedding process.  Some sites, at the discretion of the medical director, may choose to have you on a topical that aids in preventing ingrown hairs.  I'm not certain about the "large red pores".  The medical director at your facility should evaluate this.  It's important that you never treat over any open wounds or infections.

Steven Swengel, MD · Answer

IPL or BBL treatments work well for dark hair on light skin but one must be very careful with darker skin tones.  Although we have BBL system for hair removal in our office, our go to system is an Alexandrite/ Nd:YAG system called the Excel HR.  Just a safer system on ethnic skin.  Large spot size, deep chill and the ability to switch between both lasers in a moment allow us to safely treat all skin types without burns, blisters or later discoloration.

Does IPL hair removal work for ingrown hair under the skin? (Photo)

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Does IPL hair removal work for ingrown hair under the skin? (Photo)

Answers (2)

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Everything you need to know about IPL

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.