Does Ipl Cause Increasing of Facial Hair

Question

I'm having facial ipl. however i have heard that ipl may increase hair growth in the chin causing a long hair peach effect. is it right? thank you in advance alexandra greece

Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

in very rare cases IPL can cause increased facial hair growth. It is more likely to happen when treating darker skin types and using low energy. Some patients with hormonal imbalances might notice more facial hair after the IPL, but again it is very rare. For hair removal, lasers work much better than IPL and the results are more permanent in the long term.

Harold J. Kaplan, MD · Answer

Hi Greece.  There is documented research showing that low fluence (power) IPL treatments can in fact stimulate hair growth.  

	We would stick to laser treatments rather than IPL for whatever your facial skin condition s to help avoid the possibility of increased hair growth.

Shawn Allen, MD · Answer

All laser hair removal devices carry the risk of making hair growth worse if used at too light of a setting.  It is thought that the suboptimal dose may create a survival mode to the hair.  This is how many new devices are coming to the market to try to treat balding by using low heat levels. So that being said, an IPL or BBL used at appropriate levels should not cause a problem unless you have some underlying medical condition that is causing excessive hair growth unrelated to the laser

Emily Altman, MD · Answer

It happens very rarely and more often in patients with some hormonal abnormality, like polycystic ovary syndrome, but not necessarily just under those circumstances.

	The thought is that IPL may activate hair follicles outside the immediate treatment area.  This can also happen if the settings on the light device are too low.

Edward Lack, MD (retired) · Answer

IPL can be used to remove unwanted hair on the face and body. Occasionally it will can an increase and/or a darkening of hair and this is treated with more IPL treatments.

Does Ipl Cause Increasing of Facial Hair

Answers (5)

Answer: IPL can rarely cause a paradoxical increase in hair growth

Answer: IPL can rarely cause a paradoxical increase in hair growth

Answer: IPL removes facial hair

Answer: IPL removes facial hair

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.

Does Ipl Cause Increasing of Facial Hair

Answers (5)

Answer: IPL can rarely cause a paradoxical increase in hair growth

Answer: IPL can rarely cause a paradoxical increase in hair growth

Answer: IPL removes facial hair

Answer: IPL removes facial hair

Browse related questions

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.