No, IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) does not remove hair immediately.
While you might expect to see hair fall out right after an IPL treatment, this isn't the case. According to the reference provided, the treated hair will appear to grow (though very slowly) for 2 to 4 weeks.
How IPL Hair Removal Actually Works
- Hair is Pushed Out: The reference explains that this slow growth and eventual "fall out" of the hair is due to the treated hair being pushed out of the follicle, not new growth.
- Not all Hair is Removed: Some hairs may not be affected by IPL because they could be too fine, too light, too deeply rooted, or may have not been treated properly during the session.
What to Expect After IPL
Here's a table summarizing what happens after an IPL treatment:
| Timeline | Event | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Immediately after | Hair appears to remain | The hair is treated but remains in the follicle. |
| 2-4 weeks later | Treated hair slowly appears to 'grow' and then falls out | The treated hair is being pushed out of the follicle and eventually sheds. This is NOT new growth. |
| After 4 weeks | Some hair may still be present; this could be due to treatment effectiveness or variations in hair type | Hairs that were too fine, light, deeply rooted, or didn't receive a proper treatment may not be affected and thus remain. |
Therefore, patience is key when undergoing IPL hair removal. The full effects won't be visible immediately but over a period of weeks.
