A gentle, warm skin with no hair on it is probably every woman's dream. A variety of special hair removal methods help make this dream a reality. Photoepilation is called unwanted hair removal using intense pulsed light (IPL) and is considered by many to be the most effective method for removing body hair - even better than waxing or sugar paste removal. There are a number of beauty salons that offer photoepilation procedures, but they require repeated visits to achieve a noticeable result. Which means a lot of recurring costs. Therefore, it is worth considering an alternative - photoepilation at home.

What is photoepilation?

Photoepilation is the removal of hair using pulses of light. The pulses of light reaching the hair are converted into thermal energy, which destroys the melanin in the hair. As a consequence the hair is destroyed and removed from the roots. For this reason, hair removed by photoepilation does not grow. However, not all hairs are removed at the same time because of different growth cycles.

Photoepilation itself is performed by a special device. Modern photoepilators are safe to use and do not damage your eyesight. Such a device only works in contact (or very short distance) with the skin. True, for those with extremely light body hair, this method of hair removal will not work - a photoepilator is effective only when there is a contrast between body color and hair color. Therefore, laser hair removal is not suitable for light hair removal. However, the main difference between laser and photoepilation is that laser hair removal is only effective at removing extremely dark hair.

Photoepilation can be used on almost any part of the body - face, legs, armpits and bikini line. True, it is not advisable to remove hair deep inside the bikini area or from the eyebrows.

When to choose photoepilation is not advised?

• Certain hair removal methods have contraindications for when the procedure should not be performed:
• Any skin conditions, inflammation or hypersensitivity (eg psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, etc.);
• Oncological diseases;
• Having varicose veins (in areas where hair removal is planned);
• Serious circulatory or heart problems;
• Having hormonal problems;
• Suspicious moles on the skin;
• Teenagers under 17;
• During pregnancy and lactation.

In such cases, you should consult with your GP before considering using photoepilation for hair removal.

Preparation for photoepilation procedure

There are a few important steps you should take before epilating to prevent possible complications. Before purchasing a photo epilator for home use or going to a beauty salon, you need to critically examine your skin and hair. If you have very dark skin or light hair, this method will not work for you. So, how to prepare for photoepilation:

• 2 weeks before the procedure: do not visit the solarium and do not burn yourself. It is also not recommended to take antibiotics, sedatives or other medicinal products.
• One day before epilation: shave the hair. Pulses of light affect the hair follicle, so it must be freely accessible. This means that the shorter the hair, the better the effect will be. It is not recommended to shave the hair just before the procedure as it can damage the skin and it does not have time to recover.
• Immediately before epilating: Inspect epilating sites carefully - if you notice even a slight lesion or scratch, the procedure should be delayed. If you have extremely dark birthmarks, you should stick patches on them.

Photoepilation at home

Following the preparation steps, the photoepilation procedure should also be performed smoothly. It is recommended that you remove hair from your feet for the first time during home photoepilation, which will make monitoring the entire procedure much easier. 

So, photoepilation is performed in the following steps:

1. Set the desired photoepilator mode. You can usually compare the color of your skin to the scale of your device. The darker the skin, the lower the light intensity.
2. Apply a freezing gel to the epilation area.
3. Press the appliance applicator firmly against the skin. At this very moment, the device will turn on and start generating light pulses.
4. Move the appliance to a new location after each light burst. Under no circumstances should you shine twice in the same place - it can cause severe skin burns.
5. After removing the hair, apply a panthenol-containing product to help soothe the skin.

Don't worry if you don't notice the effect right away - it's perfectly normal. In only 10-14 days the hair falls out. This result persists for approximately 3 to 4 weeks. After that it is important to repeat the procedure as the first procedure will not remove the hair that was not growing at that time. For long-term effects, 7 to 10 photoepilation sessions are recommended, but this also depends on the individual's response to the procedure. After the procedure it is recommended to avoid cold and heat for about 3-4 days, and for the first 2-3 days not to bathe in the bath or bath. It is also advisable not to burn or use alcohol-containing body care products in the first week after the procedure.

Is the result worth it?

Like every procedure, photoepilation has both advantages and disadvantages. The main advantages are a completely painless procedure, a very low probability of infection, speed of procedure, removal of abundant hair. Also, pulses of light stimulate the production of collagen and spandex in the skin, so the skin can even feel noticeable after several treatments.

What are the main disadvantages of this procedure? The main one is the price of a photo epilator. Photoepilators are more expensive than electric depilators, so initial costs can cause hesitation. Nevertheless, not only do these devices provide long-lasting effects, they are long lasting - so it's worth comparing how much money would be spent over the years on razors or painful waxing procedures. Photoepilation can be a really nice way to remove unwanted hair, so it's worth trying.