If a Hair is Plucked Shortly Before IPL Treatment, Will It Still Respond?

Question

As said, I have had many problems with shaving, ingrown hairs, and irritation. I have to pluck a great deal of my facial hair to reduce these symptoms and have considered IPL for a while to combat these problems. If I were to pluck an area of my face and go in for IPL treatment, will the hair follicles respond or will I have to let everything grow back out?

Michael Constantin Gartner, DO · Answer

It's best to leave the hair follicle untouched, so you shouldn't pluck it because that can damage the follicle. The IPL energy needs the follicle to be intact to be effective.

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

Whether laser or IPL laser hair removal, you should not pluck within two weeks prior to the treatment. If you do, there will not be a chromophore, that is, the target for laser absorption and the treatment will be less effective.

Stephen Prendiville, MD · Answer

IPL, and laser hair removal treatments work by targeting the pigment within the hair follicle; presence of a hair shaft can diminish the efficacy of the treatment.  In order to maximize benefit, we ask patients to come to the first treatment with hair intact in the area in question. Once the patient is evaluated, the region is shaved and the area treated.  For subsequent treatments, we ask that patients shave prior to coming to the office.  Plucking hair can disrupt the hair follicle and is discouraged while undergoing IPL treatment.

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

If the bulb of the hair follicle has been plucked, then this will render an IPL hair removal treatment useless. The bulb needs to be in the skin to achieve a desired result. I hope you find this helpful.

Jessica J. Krant, MD, MPH · Answer

Therefore, do not pluck, wax, thread, tweeze, epilate, or do anything to remove the root of the hair before any hair laser or IPL treatments, for two weeks or more. The more mature, thick, and dark the root is, the MORE EFFECTIVE the treatment will be!
SHAVING the area to reduce the amount of hair sticking above the surface is actually helpful for the laser or IPL device, because it allows less light to be distracted by surface hair, and to get right to the root target.

If a Hair is Plucked Shortly Before IPL Treatment, Will It Still Respond?

Answers (7)

Answer: You should avoid tweezing for at least 2 weeks prior to IPL permanent hair removal.

Answer: You should avoid tweezing for at least 2 weeks prior to IPL permanent hair removal.

Answer: The DARK HAIR ROOT must be in place for any laser or IPL hair removal to work.

Answer: The DARK HAIR ROOT must be in place for any laser or IPL hair removal to work.

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If a Hair is Plucked Shortly Before IPL Treatment, Will It Still Respond?

Answers (7)

Answer: You should avoid tweezing for at least 2 weeks prior to IPL permanent hair removal.

Answer: You should avoid tweezing for at least 2 weeks prior to IPL permanent hair removal.

Answer: The DARK HAIR ROOT must be in place for any laser or IPL hair removal to work.

Answer: The DARK HAIR ROOT must be in place for any laser or IPL hair removal to work.

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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.