Question
I have just had my first IPL treatment on full leg, brazillian, and underarm - I dont think it has made a scrap of difference and I need some clarification.
I have read that once it has worked, the hair follicles will show some hair growth (like stubble) and then'drop out', leaving you with hair reduction. However, this doesn't seem to have happened at all, my hair growth is just like I'd shaved, and this is causing my bikini line / brazilian area to be pretty irritating!! I am 6 days post treatment. I am a good candidate on my bikini and underarm area as have very dark and coarse hair - I dont understand why it has made no difference.
Does this mean it hasnt worked at all and I need a higher setting, i.e I have just wasted a substantial amount of money????
Advice please!! Especially advice on what to say to the beauty salon!

Answer
I have just had my first IPL treatment on full leg, brazillian, and underarm - I dont think it has made a scrap of difference and I need some clarification.
I have read that once it has worked, the hair follicles will show some hair growth (like stubble) and then'drop out', leaving you with hair reduction. However, this doesn't seem to have happened at all, my hair growth is just like I'd shaved, and this is causing my bikini line / brazilian area to be pretty irritating!! I am 6 days post treatment. I am a good candidate on my bikini and underarm area as have very dark and coarse hair - I dont understand why it has made no difference.
Does this mean it hasnt worked at all and I need a higher setting, i.e I have just wasted a substantial amount of money????
Advice please!! Especially advice on what to say to the beauty salon!

Answer
Hi. From what I can tell and from the posts I have read, you may want to give it a little bit more time. I can understand why after 6 days you are concerned that it may not have worked but i have heard of shedding occurring in the 2-3 weeks (between treatment) period. Every individual is different and every one will have a different reaction, so perhaps be a little more patient and then see what happens. Having said that I always believe in trusting my instict as women tend to have a sense about these things. I think after 6 days if you went back to the clinic the technician would probably tell you to be patient or that your expectations are a little unrealistic. However if you don't see results in the next 2-3 weeks and you are still concerned it is your ABSOLUTE right to voice those concerns. You are a consumer and you are paying a lot of money and it is their job to make you happy and feel good about yourself. I think in this situation you have to be completely upfront and be frank about what you expect and tell the technician straight out exactly how you feel. Unfortunately in these situations too many people feel like they should just let the technician do what they think is best and keep quiet, perhaps from a lack of knowledge or maybe because they feel intimidated. Hopefully the person you are working with is easy to talk to and is willing to make sure you are happy. If you are working with a professional who is skilled in this field I think you will find she will be very understanding and go out of her way to explain the process or fix whatever may have gone wrong. Just remember it is YOUR hard earned money and you deserve the best treatment and if that means going back and saying you aren't happy with the results then so be it. Just give it a bit of time and see how things go, if nothing improves go right back and tell them.

Answer
Also, you didn't state what setting the laser was at. I haven't begun my treatments yet, but I have done alot of homework and am still shopping around for the right place. From what I have learned if you didn't feel any discomfort at all then it didn't work. Also with every treatment you should increase the settings. You may also want to do a bit of research on the results of different types of lasers. I have read and heard alot of conflicting oppinions about IPL and that it doesn't get the results a diode laser or alexandrite laser would. I too have dark coarse hair and pale skin and wanting to get my underarms and bikini done and I have been told a diode laser such as Lightsheer is best for me. Just hang in there but make sure you speak up if you are not getting the results!

Answer
You need to wait 2-3 weeks to see results. Shedding takes about that long. I don't start shedding until the 2 week mark.
In general, you might want to consider an alexandrite or a diode laser if not all hair sheds. IPLs are usually used by beauty clinics instead of hair removal specialists, who unfortunately do not always know how to get you the best results. Since the cost is the same, I would go with a real laser. Most of the time you need more treatments with an IPL than with a real laser. But see how it goes after 3 weeks to make your conclusions.

Answer
I did IPL on my legs a few years ago and I went to 3 sessions and i didnt see ANY difference. Now I am using a candela yag laser and the place i am going to now is telling me that the IPL is not a REAL laser. I recommend waiting it out to see if you shed after 3 weeks. if not then find somewhere that uses real lasers not IPL.