The appearance of hair growth after IPL treatment is often due to the treated hair being pushed out of the follicle, rather than new hair growth.
Understanding the Hair Growth Cycle Post-IPL
It's important to understand that after an IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) hair removal session, the treated hairs don't simply vanish. Instead, the process works by targeting the hair follicle with light energy, which damages it and prevents future growth. However, the hair itself needs to be expelled from the follicle.
What's happening?
- Not New Growth: What seems like hair growth for 2 to 4 weeks after IPL is actually the treated hair being pushed out of the follicle.
- The Shedding Process: This shedding process is a normal part of the IPL treatment and is a sign that the treatment has worked.
- Timeframe: This shedding can take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks.
Why some hair might not fall out
According to the reference, some hairs may not fall out after IPL. This is because:
- Hair Fineness: Very fine hairs may not absorb enough light energy to be effectively treated.
- Hair Lightness: Light-colored hairs (blonde, grey, red) lack sufficient melanin to absorb the light energy from the IPL.
- Root Depth: Deeply rooted hairs might be harder for the IPL to reach and treat.
- Untreated Hairs: There's a possibility some hairs were simply missed during the treatment.
What to Expect after IPL
| Phase | Description |
|---|---|
| Immediately After | The treated area might be slightly red and swollen. |
| 1-4 Weeks After | The treated hairs will start to be pushed out of the follicle and may appear to be growing. |
| Post 4 weeks | The hair that was successfully treated should have fallen out. Any hair remaining was likely not treated |
| Between Sessions | There may be new growth from follicles that were in the resting phase during prior treatments |
What you should do
- Be Patient: Allow the shedding process to occur naturally. Avoid pulling out the hair, as this can irritate the follicles.
- Multiple Sessions: IPL works best in multiple sessions because hair grows in different cycles, so some hairs may not be treated each session.
- Consultation: If you notice a large amount of hair not falling out after the stated timeframe, consult with your IPL provider to see if it may be an issue with the treatment or hair type.
In conclusion, the hair you see after IPL is likely treated hair being expelled, not new growth. If hair persists, other factors might be the reason.
