this post was submitted on 28 Aug 2024
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IPL Effect on Laser (fedia.io)
submitted 2 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
20 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Hey all, I currently can't get laser for a variety of reasons, and was wondering if anyone knows if using IPL now effects my potential of getting laser in the future?

I know certain things can make laser less effective, but I couldn't find any info about this. Thanks

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[–] [email protected] 13 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (3 children)

I honestly have a very bad experience with IPLs. I used one for several months once a week and, not only did mine break after 3 months, it also wasn't really noticeable that anything happened.

No, actually that was a lie. I did notice that, the space that was usually occupied with one hair now occasionally had a second (very thin) hair growing right next to it. It made me effectively have more body hair.

I'm sure that it would have worked better if I kept it up for half a year more or so, but there where 2 more factors that made my stop using it:

  • the IPL impulses hurt my eyes even it had good skin contact
  • doing one session takes fucking for ever

So in conclusion: save your money and save your time (imo)

Edit to clarify: I mainly used it on my legs, I notices absolutely nothing on my face either though

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 months ago (1 children)

What machine did you use so I can avoid it?

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

The Braun Silk-expert pro 5, probably the most expensive and best reviewed IPL device out there

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

interesting, this must really depend on skin and hair composition because after just two sessions with the same unit and pretty much all the black hairs on my chest and knuckles/hands are just gone for the most part. When you can barely see them again after 4-5 days they are very noticeably thinner and softer than what was there when i shaved initially.

My skin is so pale as to be translucent though. It hasn't eliminated my facial hair (it says not to use it on the face but reviewers said they did so i tested carefully). I haven't dared go past the middle power setting. I use an electric razor and there's definitely less stubble being dumped out every morning and i don't really get 5 o'clock shadow.

I love my IPL and the only downside for me is constant razor bumps on my chest from my sensitive skin and having to shave it two weeks in a row but it's getting better. i'm doing my third session today!

Also i close my eyes every time i fire it!! i think a session takes me 20 minutes but i only do my face, chest and hands my other body hair isn't dark enough to work.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Very interesting. I'm white enough that I get made fun of for it from my family and my body hair as pretty much as black as it gets but it just didn't seem like it worked...

I also never got any razor burns (tho in all fairness, I only really used it for me legs and face). Maybe my unit was just defective?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

I get razorburn from the shaving. You are supposed to shave as close as you can before using the IPL so that the light energy goes into the follicle and isn't expended vaporizing the hair left above the skin. If you ever smelled burning hair that's from not shaving close enough before usage.

That unit isn't supposed to work on the face, according to the manual. Supposedly beard hair is thick enough and densely packed so that the laser light gets absorbed without enough energy left to damage the follicle. I think that's why it stings worst on the face. From the reviews I read it seems like it comes down to hair type, if you have very thin black hairs it'll sort of work but if you hair is thick or coarse like in some men's beards it just tanks it.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago (1 children)

heh, same here... originally planed to use it on my arms too but... it takes forever and doesnt do much so, a simple epilator is much more effective, hurts like a bitch, even more than ipl, but at least the hair is gone. only sucks to have to rub my skin sore every now and then to avoid ingrown hair...

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago (2 children)

I actually wanted to try an epilator too but I'm pretty scared... I've got 4 massive surgery scars on one of my legs and I'm scared that I'll somehow fuck something up (surgery was like 7 years ago but the scars don't go away)

And waxing makes me get more razor burns than a razor funnily enough

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I think you'll be fine. I'm covered in scars and epilate no problem, but admittedly they're not huge. FWIW, I find epilators weirdly relaxing but I'm weird.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

I should have probably mentioned that the stitch points and some areas of the scars are visibly bulging out a little, which is why I'm so worried...

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago

not going to lie, it hurt a lot the first time... but everytime i redo my arms, it hurts less, though i have to also admit i miss the pain a little ^^'

i think those scars ought to be fine .. if in doubt, use tweezers near them instead, takes longer, hurts less, but eventually the regrowing hair will become thinner, a little, and then you can just use the epilator there too... i do it like moving the device into the hairs along the skin untill it hurts, then i pull back and lift off so it doesnt touch any more, repeat. also make sure the hair you epilate isnt to long, the longer it is the more likely it snaps, instead of being ripped out :3

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago (1 children)

thanks for the input! im looking into laser right now and was just weighing up my options for if i can't get it

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

If you still wanna get into it the rule of thumb is: The lighter your skin and the darker your hair, the better

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago (2 children)

well... I'm a scottish-australian with black hair lmao, maybe I should look into it

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago

Ive been doing laser and im loving it. It can be pretty painful, but the results have been great for me

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago

Yeah, that's me too, and laser was super effective on me

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago

I have one, but I don’t have any sort of routine with it. I’ve used it here and there if I want to sort of extend the working time of shaving my face. Let’s say I’ve got a night out, maybe spending the night somewhere other than home, and I want to still have a smooth-ish face the next morning, then I’ll use it.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

What is IPL? I do not speak acronyms.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Intense Pulsated Light

Similar to laser, but it doesn't last nearly as long and you can do it at home for a few hundred dollars. It's less effective though, and I'm still trying to make up my mind as to whether it's worth it or if I should just go straight for laser and skip the IPL bother.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago

Thanks! This thread has such helpful information.