How to Use IPL Device for Long Lasting Facial Hair Removal

So, you want to remove the hair on your face. You might’ve tried waxing, epilating, and shaving – but what if you want results that are more long lasting? IPL is a long-term hair removal treatment that uses light energy to stop hair regrowth.

You might be wondering if you can use IPL on the face, and the answer is yes. With a face IPL device, you can enjoy hair-free skin long term.

Here’s everything you need to know about IPL hair removal for the face.

There are two types of facial hair – vellus hair and terminal hair. IPL face treatment works best on terminal hair, as there is more melanin for the light to target.

Vellus hair
Vellus hair is the fine, light hair we have on most of the body. It’s also known as peach fuzz, especially on the face. Vellus hair starts growing in childhood.

Terminal hair
Terminal hair is darker, thicker, and more deeply rooted than vellus hair. The hair on our scalp is terminal hair, and during puberty, it begins to grow in other areas, like the armpits, pubic area, and face.

IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light, and it works by emitting pulses of light energy. This travels down the hair to the follicle via melanin, becoming heat energy. The hair follicle is then disabled, causing hair growth to slow down and eventually reduce. After several treatments, hair regrowth will slow drastically. The colour of your hair, skin tone and frequency of light determines how effective IPL face treatment is.

Yes, IPL is perfectly safe to use on your face if you follow your device’s instruction manual.

Men shouldn’t use IPL on their facial hair but can use it on the rest of the body. This is because men’s facial hair is often thicker and deeper than women’s, so the face IPL device might be ineffective or cause skin reactions.

View our full IPL safety instructions here.

Skin tone and skin colour
IPL devices are effective for hair colours ranging from black to dark blonde, and skin tones from very light to dark brown. It isn’t effective for light blonde, red or white hair. If you have a darker skin tone, the Braun Skin i·expert & Silk·Expert Pro 5 are safe for use on skin tones up to Type 5 (dark brown), but not for Type 6 (dark brown to black), like all IPL face treatment. The devices adjust automatically according to skin tone.

IPL strength
Most face IPL devices have different intensity levels. Which one you should use depends on the area of the body you’re treating and your skin tone. Make sure you follow your device’s instructions.

How often to use IPL face treatment
For the first 3 to 12 weeks, use your IPL device once a week to see results. You can then touch up every month or two months as needed. Over time, hair will regrow less and less. You can find a more detailed guide on how to use your IPL device here.

Skin types that should avoid IPL
You should avoid IPL face treatment if you have some skin conditions, including acne, moles, freckles, skin tags and face tattoos.

IPL is also unsuitable to use on skin with vitiligo, psoriasis, eczema, birthmarks, or varicose veins.

It’s important to know about the relation between IPL and skin colour. If you have black skin (Type 6), you shouldn’t use IPL. This is due to the higher concentration of melanin in the skin, so IPL can cause damage or discoloration.

What parts of the face IPL can be used?
You should only use an IPL device below your cheekbones. It’s also best to avoid your lips, as the skin here can be sensitive.

What to avoid before IPL treatment
Keep your face out of the sun before IPL treatments. Exposure to sunlight can make your skin more sensitive, so skin irritation after IPL is more likely. You should not use IPL on sunburnt, damaged, or inflamed skin.

You should also avoid exfoliating soon before treatments.

Before using an IPL device on your face, it’s recommended to shave the day before. This helps the light focus on the hair root. Make sure your face is clean and dry before you start.

Before using an IPL device on your face, it’s recommended to shave the day before. This helps the light focus on the hair root. Make sure your face is clean and dry before you start.

Not sure how to use an IPL device? Hold the head of the device fully against the skin. Press and release the button to treat smaller areas of the face or hold down the button for glide mode. Make sure you wipe the nozzle after every use.

After treatment, avoid applying irritating products to your face for 48 hours, like exfoliators and perfumes. You should also steer clear of hot showers, tight clothing, and direct sunlight – make sure you apply a minimum SPF 30 to your skin to protect it from the sun.

If you want to bid your facial hair goodbye for good, face IPL is an easy, convenient way to remove hair. It works best on terminal hair but is effective on a range of hair colours and skin tones.

Browse our range of Braun IPL facial hair removal devices.