Will waxing 2-4 weeks before laser/IPL get more hair follicles on the same growth cycle, and increase the IPL's effectiveness?

Question

I understand the hair follicle must be visible for IPL/laser be effective, so one should not wax just before a treatment. But could this help boost the effectiveness for IPL treatments (or reduce the total treatments needed): - Wax the whole (bikini) area - Wait 2-4 weeks for most follicles to be in anagen phase - Shave 1-2 days before first IPL/laser treatment - Do the IPL, and every 4 weeks thereafter Would that work? Or do two "rounds" of waxing to get more hairs on the same cycle?

Arbella Sarkis, MD · Answer

Hello concept236,
Good question, wish it would work and otherwise worked as described.
Roughly, 1/3 of the time our hair is active, 1/3 of the time our hair is dormant and 1/3 of the time our hair is becoming active or dormant. 
We can only kill hair that is largely active and visible to the laser. Waxing hair prior to a treatment removes hair too deep in the dermis to be reached. 
We need to have the hair shaft visible to the laser so the energy can travel down the hair shaft into and terminate at the follicle. The color of the follicle absorbs the heat and the follicle dies.
While we can certainly work with a day or two of growth, a close shave on the day of the procedure works just as well. The closer the shave the greater comfort will be. As hair is reduced, each treatment will become more comfortable.    
Not all lasers are the same. Certainly some IPLs are capable of hair reduction. However, dedicated lasers such as Cynosure's laser, the Vectus offer superior hair reduction over IPL. 
I hope I have helped. All the best with your hair reduction treatments.
Warmly,
Arbella Sarkis, MD

Laura Riehm, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question.  You service provider obviously did not give you post-care instructions.  First, it will take a series of treatments to reduce your hair production.  LHR treatments deliver a burst of energy to the hair follicles that are actively growing.  The energy destroys these follicles ability to produce another hair.  The hair shafts in those follicles will release and fall out over the next 1-3 weeks.  Other dormant hair follicles start producing hair every day.  It takes a series of at least 6 treatments to get most the hair growth.  In order to avoid surface burns, we have our patients shave before LHR treatments.  You must not wax or pluck between LHR treatments otherwise you are removing the hair that is to be treated next.Generally speaking, you should look for a facility where they have a doctor on staff and is usually there to answer questions.  Find out what type of machine (laser vs. IPL) they will be using.  A properly calibrated laser is usually much more comfortable than an IPL.  Using the correct settings for your skin type also makes it more comfortable.  Sorry to say, probably the most expensive treatment is probably the best.Best of luck

David Jensen, DO · Answer

You are not suppose to wax, tweeze or use hair dissolving products. You just can't predict what stage the hair is in and each area of the body is somewhat different. Just shave the area, I know the hair is annoying, but your treatments will be more effective just shaving. Be patient the hair will be so much less in just a few treatments!

Will waxing 2-4 weeks before laser/IPL get more hair follicles on the same growth cycle, and increase the IPL's effectiveness?

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Will waxing 2-4 weeks before laser/IPL get more hair follicles on the same growth cycle, and increase the IPL's effectiveness?

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Everything you need to know about IPL

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