Are you looking for a long-term solution to unwanted hair? Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) hair removal is a safe, effective procedure that can significantly reduce or even eliminate hair for people with most skin tones. Schedule a consultation at SkinOvation’s boutique-style location in South Asheville, and you’re on your way to enjoying smoother skin!
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IPL Hair Removal at SkinOvation Advanced Aesthetics
SkinOvation is proud to offer leading-edge IPL hair removal technology to our patients. We use the Palomar Icon, an innovative IPL platform from Cynosure, a leading developer and manufacturer of light-based aesthetic systems.
An IPL device directs broad-spectrum, visible light at the pigment (melanin) in hair follicles. The heat energy in the light is absorbed by the hair, causing the follicle to be damaged. Two to three weeks later, the hair itself falls out.
However, IPL is only effective during the active growth stage of the hair cycle, and only about 20% of your hair is in this phase at any given point. You will therefore need multiple IPL treatments scheduled over several months to remove all the hair from a particular area.
With repeated IPL sessions, the follicles will become damaged enough that hair will grow back considerably thinner or stop growing altogether.
Why Choose Us for IPL Hair Removal?
As with any cosmetic procedure, it’s vital to choose a reputable team in a professional setting for your IPL hair removal treatment. Misuse of an IPL device can result in burns, blistering, scarring and infection; when performed by a trained technician, IPL is perfectly safe.
In Buncombe County and Henderson County, SkinOvation is a trusted destination for IPL hair removal. All our IPL procedures are performed by a licensed esthetician under the supervision of a registered nurse or nurse practitioner in a clean, sterile environment.
Our team will take the time to answer all your questions and ensure you have the most comfortable experience possible!
Before and After Photos
Please note that the patients featured in these images may have undergone other treatments in conjunction with IPL hair removal. This photo gallery does not guarantee that everyone who undergoes IPL will obtain these or similar results.
Who are the Best Candidates for IPL Hair Removal?
The best candidates for IPL hair removal are healthy men and women with fair to medium skin tones and brown or black hair.
Because the IPL technology targets melanin, it’s not designed for people with very dark, melanin-rich skin. It’s also not recommended for people with light or red hair, as the hair follicles do not have enough melanin for the light to target.
The best way to determine if IPL will work for you is to schedule an appointment with one of our experts.
What Can You Treat with IPL Hair Removal?
IPL technology is safe enough to use almost anywhere on the body. It can remove hair on the:
- Face (upper lip, chin, sideburns)
- Underarms
- Arms
- Back
- Stomach
- Legs
- Bikini area
- Toes
What to Expect During Your IPL Hair Removal Treatment
Arrive at your appointment with the treatment area freshly shaved. Shaving helps the IPL beams target the pigmented hair follicles specifically; if not, the IPL beams will heat and destroy the entire hair shaft and run the risk of burning your skin.
To begin your IPL session, your provider will ensure your skin is clean and apply a gel to the treatment area. You’ll be given goggles to protect your eyes from the bright IPL light.
Once your skin is prepared, your provider will pass the handheld IPL device over your skin. IPL isn’t particularly painful; many of our clients liken it to a rubber band being snapped against their skin. However, if you’re concerned about any discomfort, we can apply a topical numbing cream beforehand.
Your IPL session will take between 30–45 minutes, depending on the number and size of target areas.
After Your Session and Results
After an IPL treatment, your hair won’t be removed immediately. Instead, it will continue to grow normally for 18–21 days, at which point it will naturally fall out.
Don’t wax or pluck the hairs during this time. If desired, you may shave the area again, but shaving will make it more difficult to assess how well the IPL has performed.
After three weeks, your skin will have noticeably fewer hairs; at this point, you’ll be able to undergo another session to target any hair that wasn’t previously in the active growth phase.
Most people require 4–6 treatments to reduce unwanted hair for months to years or, in some cases, permanently.
Related Treatments
IPL technology does more than just address unwanted hair. At SkinOvation, we also offer an IPL photo facial which reduces the appearance of pigmented lesions, rosacea, broken capillaries, stretch marks, and fine lines and wrinkles to improve the skin’s overall appearance.
Are you interested in improving the overall quality of your skin, but not sure if an IPL photo facial is right for you? If so, you can opt for one of our other services:
- Chemical peels: Brighten and rejuvenate the skin; we offer both superficial and medium-strength peels to help you meet your skin goals
- Microneedling treatments: Improve the overall quality of skin and eliminate scars, stretch marks and more; this procedure involves stamping tiny needles all over the skin to boost collagen, and even skin tone and texture
- PRX-T33: Experience smoother, tighter skin and reduce fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation – all without the peeling associated with traditional chemical peels
How Much Does IPL Hair Removal Cost?
The cost of your IPL treatment depends on the size of the area being treated and how many sessions are needed to achieve the results you desire. For more information about our pricing, don’t hesitate to call us.
Book Your IPL Hair Removal Consultation
Say goodbye to razors, epilators and waxes and book a consultation for IPL hair removal at SkinOvation. We serve patients in South Asheville, Asheville, Arden, Hendersonville, Black Mountain and all of Buncombe County and Henderson County.
IPL Hair Removal FAQ
What’s the difference between IPL and laser hair removal?
While a laser focuses an intense beam of light into the hair follicle to destroy it, IPL uses a broader spectrum of light to accomplish the same result. It’s therefore faster than laser hair removal, and can cover larger areas more quickly.
Does IPL have any side effects?
After an IPL treatment, you may experience skin irritation in the form of redness, swelling, itchiness and tenderness. You may treat these symptoms as you would a sunburn by keeping your skin cool and moisturized. Ensure your skin is clean to prevent infection, and avoid excessive sun exposure until the skin fully heals, as it will be more sensitive to light.
How do I prepare for IPL hair removal?
In the 4 weeks leading up to your appointment, avoid sun exposure and wear sunscreen on the area to be treated. Remove any self-tanning products as the darker your skin is during treatment, the less effective the IPL.
As well, refrain from plucking, waxing, undergoing electrolysis and using depilatory creams. Exfoliate as often as is safe for your skin to reduce the risk of ingrown hairs after treatment.
Lastly, 18–24 hours before your IPL session, you should shave the area to be treated. If you’re getting IPL on a body area you can’t reach—such as your back—we can take care of this for you at your appointment.
Arrive at your appointment with clean skin, and do not apply any topical products whatsoever, including moisturizer, creams or deodorant, depending on the treatment area.
Is IPL permanent?
Sometimes. While many of our clients experience permanent hair removal after a series of IPL sessions, others find their hair eventually starts to grow back. However, the hair will always be thinner and less dense than before IPL treatment.
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