Will an IPL Photofacial cause facial hair loss?

Question

I recently had an IPL Photofacial. I've notice in the past 2 weeks, there are areas on my face that are not growing back. I discussed this with the esthetician BEFORE the treatment and she said I have nothing to worry about. I want to know if these areas will gradually grow back and if there is anything I can do to help it grow back faster. I'm a man and want to keep my facial hair.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

IPL can affect the hair follicles on the face, but this all depends on the wavelengths of the IPL and the power settings. Seek the advice of a board certified doctor for your skin treatments. Best, Dr. Karamanoukian Los Angeles

Michael Constantin Gartner, DO · Answer

IPL has been used for hair removal and it can damage follicles, leading to permanent hair loss.

Peter J. Capizzi, MD · Answer

Unfortunately in your case, IPL's can cause hair loss.  IPL treatments are meant to target dark pigmentation and if you have dark hair follicles it may have had an affect on your beard.  Your final result can vary greatly depending on the settings that were used and number of treatments done.  Here at Stillwater Plastic Surgery it is a conversation that we have with all of our male patients prior to procedure so that the treated areas can be determined wisely.  Thank you for your question.

Martie Gidon, MD, FRCPC, FAAD · Answer

IPL can be used for hair removal.  Since you have only had one treatment, most of the hair will probably regrow. Men who have any hair color other than blonde or white, should not have the beard area treated with IPL because of the potential of permanent hair removal.

F. Victor Rueckl, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

Photofacials are IPLs and yes, they can cause hair loss in treated areas. Way back when, we used to use IPLs (on different settings) specifically for laser hair removal purposes. In my office, I tell men that they should not be treated in areas where they are not ok with patchy hair loss, as it will definitely occur. If a follicle has been treated and destroyed unfortunately it cannot regrow hair. But if you've only had one treatment I would not say your hair loss results will be fantastic because it usually takes 6-8 treatments to get good results when that's what we are actually trying to accomplish. But if you don't want patchy hair loss, avoid getting IPL in any facial area that has hair you want to keep!"This answer has been solicited without seeing this patient and
cannot be held as true medical advice, but only opinion. Seek in-person
treatment with a trained medical professional for appropriate care."

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Will an IPL Photofacial cause facial hair loss?

Answers (5)

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