IPL hair removal for face
Facial IPL hair removal targets pigment in the hair follicle to reduce unwanted hair on the upper lip, chin and jawline. At ALBA Skin & Beauty Clinic in Cirencester it is delivered with the Zemits QuantumPeak at 640 to 750nm. A course of six to eight sessions four weeks apart is typical, because light only affects hair in its active growth phase.
6 to 8
SESSIONS TYPICALLY NEEDED
XX
PRICE
4 weeks
SESSIONS INTERVAL
How it works
Melanin in the hair shaft absorbs the light and conducts heat down to the follicle, damaging its ability to regrow. Only follicles in the active growth phase are vulnerable at any one time, which is why sessions are spaced and a course is required. The added radiofrequency allows lighter and finer hairs to be treated than light alone manages.
What it treats
Upper lip, chin, jawline, sides of the face and between the brows. Hormonally driven facial hair often needs more sessions and ongoing maintenance.
RESULTS TIMELINE
Noticeable reduction from session 3. Fullest result at the end of the course.
AVERAGE NR OF SESSIONS
6 to 8
TREATMENT TIME
15 to 20 minutes
SESSION INTERVAL
4 weeks
DOWNTIME
None. Mild redness around follicles for a few hours.
After Treatment
Do
✔️ Apply SPF 50 to the treated area daily
✔️ Shave between sessions if needed
✔️ Expect shed hairs to push out over 1 to 2 weeks
✔️ Keep to your appointment spacing
Don’t
✖️ No waxing, plucking or threading during the course
✖️ No sun exposure or sunbeds for 4 weeks
✖️ No hot showers, sauna or steam for 48 hours
✖️ No exercise for 24 hours
Is it right for you?
Works best on dark hair. Grey, white, red and very fine blonde hair contains too little pigment to respond, and no number of sessions changes that. This is identified at the patch test, before you commit to a course.
NOT SUITABLE IF YOU ARE
Pregnant or breastfeeding
Recent sun exposure, sunbed use or fake tan in the last 4 weeks
Taking photosensitising medication, including isotretinoin within the last 6 months
Active infection, broken skin or an outbreak of cold sores in the area
Photosensitive epilepsy
History of keloid scarring
Tattoos or permanent makeup in the treatment area|Under 18
Grey, white, red or very fine blonde hair, which does not respond
Questions people ask
Does IPL work on grey or blonde facial hair?
No. IPL targets pigment in the hair, so grey, white, red and very fine blonde hair does not respond. ALBA identifies this at the patch test rather than selling a course that will not work.
Can I wax between IPL sessions?
No. Waxing, plucking and threading remove the hair root, which is the target. Shaving is fine and is what we ask you to do instead for the duration of the course.
Is facial hair from PCOS treatable with IPL?
It responds, but hormonally driven hair regrows more readily, so more sessions and ongoing maintenance are usually needed. It is worth discussing the underlying cause with your GP alongside treatment here.