this post was submitted on 28 Aug 2024
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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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[–] SquishedFly@lemmy.blahaj.zone 13 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (16 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

[–] Oestradiolo@lemmy.blahaj.zone 8 points 2 months ago (1 children)

What machine did you use so I can avoid it?

[–] SquishedFly@lemmy.blahaj.zone 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

[–] ValenThyme@reddthat.com 7 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (2 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.

[–] Thevenin@beehaw.org 3 points 2 months ago

It seems that IPL effectiveness varies a lot based on the texture of the hair, not just color. It eventually worked on my legs, but not my face.

[–] SquishedFly@lemmy.blahaj.zone 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?

[–] ValenThyme@reddthat.com 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.

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