IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) hair removal has gained quite a popular name for itself especially attributing to its at-home usage, all the meanwhile providing professional-grade results. However, many IPL brands claim that they can only work at their optimal on dark hair. And so the question arises does IPL work on blonde hair and if not, what is the reason behind it?
Table of Contents:- Part 1: Does IPL Work on Blonde Hair?
- Part 2: IPL Hair Removal for Hair Charts
- Part 3: Hair Removal Methods for Blonde Hair
Part 1: Does IPL Work on Blonde Hair?
How does it Work?
The abbreviation IPL stands for Intense pulsed light, and its name has everything to do with how it works. It works by emitting an intense beam of broad-spectrum light of a single wavelength in pulses. The emitted light source detects and targets the melanin, so when the hair is dark enough, the hair observes the light, and the follicle is ultimately damaged, sparing the skin, which is supposed to be within a range of fair to medium fair skin tone.
The colour theory corresponding to IPL technologies operation restricts its capabilities when used in environments where there is little next to no contrast between the pigments of the skin and the hair and so certain researches were carried out to observe under a scrutinizing eye that if IPL truly does not work for blonde hair or this theory is merely limited on paper.
IPL on Blonde Hair
The studies conducted on IPL for blonde hair report inefficiency when it comes to performing IPL hair removal for blonde hair which states that since white blonde hair contains less melanin compared to darker hair, it absorbs less light, which can reduce the effectiveness of the treatment, where this limitation is particularly evident for light blonde, grey, and white hair, as they may not have enough melanin for IPL to target effectively.
Certain new advancements in IPL technology such as the use of adjusted wavelengths give way to more improved outcomes, especially for people with lighter hair. But, additional factors such as hair density and texture may also play a role in its efficiency.
Suitability Criteria for IPL
If you are unsure where your hair colour is on the spectrum of suitability to pass for IPL or even laser, Ulike has a hair colour chart and a quiz that helps you conclude the answer fast without having to book a consultation with a professional to tell you the same thing but with a fee.
Part 2: IPL Hair Removal for Hair Charts
With the data at hand, it is safe to conclude that in theory that IPL may not be as effective on lighter hair as it is on darker, however, the results show some degree of effectiveness in their results. This is a visual representation of what IPL effectiveness looks like on different hair colours and skin types.
The chart here shows the relationship between individual sharing similar characteristics and their response to IPL devices where individuals with lighter skin tones and dark hair tend to show maximum efficiency opposed to individuals with darker skintone and lighter hair, as they show minimum efficiency of IPL.
The chart also shows that skin tone may at times play a significant role in deciding the efficiency of IPL. Darker skin tones compared with lighter skin tones show that IPL may not perform as effectively on dark skin, due to how the device is programmed to target hair follicles. And attributing to the same reason, lighter hair shows the least efficiency when exposed to IPL technology.
Part 3: Hair Removal Methods for Blonde Hair
Unfortunately, both laser and IPL hair removal technologies operate on a similar principle of targeting melanin and because of this people with lighter hair can often struggle to find the long-lasting hair removal methods and options that people with dark hair have.
On the brighter side, lighter hair on light skin usually gives off the appearance that there is no hair and because of this bleaching body hair is also one of the prominent techniques used to make the hair less visible while maintaining a natural look.
There are plenty of options available for people with blonde hair looking for hair removal methods such as:
Shaving:
Shaving is one of the most notorious hair removal methods where the hair is cut from the shaft. The hair colour has nothing to do with the efficiency of shaving and it usually lasts a week or two before you need any touch-ups.
Waxing:
Waxing is done from various substances, some use sugar, others use liposoluble wax, some use hard wax, and some use strip wax. The choice of wax to go for should be considered accounting for your comfort, skin sensitivity, hair texture, and where you intend to use it. The wax binds to the hair and upon removal the hair is plucked with it. Now do it over a larger area, you can remove hair from a larger square inch of your body easily, leaving the skin smooth and spotless.
Hair Removal Creams:
Depilatory creams also work independently of hair colour and the chemicals in these creams absorb into the hair shaft, breaking down the keratin structure and dissolving the hair at the skin's surface.
Electrolysis:
If you have considered all of the above methods as a choice of hair removal and are not satisfied by their longevity, you may want to consider electrolysis. Its principle is widely different from laser or IPL and thus can be used to remove blonde hair effectively but maybe a little more invasive and painful.
Conclusion
Skin tone is a big factor to consider while pondering laser or IPL as your go-to hair removal solution. While many laser hair removal clinics and IPL brands offer a colour chart to help you decide on whether you qualify for the treatment, it is always best you consult a professional for a second opinion so you know exactly what to expect.
