Can ipl cause more hair growth on the face?

Question

I started an ipl+rf home treatment on my face (sideburns and chin) 2 weeks ago. I am 33, I have light skin and some coarse dark hairs on these areas. I have been plucking them for 10 yrs. I hped this was a solution, but I read that it was possible for new follicles to be activated by ipl? This means that the problem could worsen? I did notice a lot of growth in tha last 2 weeks although it might be the usual amount of previously plucked hairs. Please help!

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

IPL and any laser hair removal can cause a paradoxical increase in hair growth, if that occurs you need to change to a different modality and add vaniqa cream or try electrolysis. Best, Dr. Emer.

Arlo J. Miller, MD, PhD · Answer

Medical grade IPL performed in the office definitely should not cause hair growth.  Our device, can in fact, be used to remove hair, although we are not typically using it in that fashion.  When treating brown spots and red spots on the face of men, we do actually counsel them that hair reduction is possible (but not likely since we are not specifically targeting hair).As for a home unit, that is much harder to say.  The energy outputs are far, far lower and I frankly would not expect the device to do much of anything.  Since its energy output is far below what would be necessary to remove hair, it is entirely possible that this low level IPL dose stimulates hair.

Can ipl cause more hair growth on the face?

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Can ipl cause more hair growth on the face?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about IPL

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