Ruth Dewar
- Sep 15, 2020
- 5 min read

Why Autumn is the Best Time to Start IPL Laser Hair Removal

One of the least fun tasks to perform as a woman (especially in summer!) is hair removal! Where does all this hair come from? Why does it seem to grow like a weed in the summer? Whether you shave, wax, epilate, or use hair removal creams, taking care of that unwanted hair is cumbersome and time-consuming. Plus, with shaving, you're at risk for painful in-grown hairs and red, sore razor bumps and waxing, which lasts longer, can be painful and expensive. But what if we told you you could be hair-free by next summer so you can just dive into the pool or sip cocktails on a sun lounger without worrying about pesky hair removal?

Do you want to have silky smooth skin and be hair-free for that summer 2021 holiday, that upcoming wedding, or that summer party? Here's why Autumn is the best time to start IPL laser hair removal.

What is IPL laser hair removal?

IPL stands for 'intense pulsed light' and it's a technology used by both cosmetic professionals and medical practitioners for various aesthetic treatments, including hair removal, photorejuvenation, and acne removal.

For hair removal, IPL works by delivering pulses of heat and light through the hair follicle to penetrate the hair root. This process puts the hair into the 'resting phase' (also known as the Telogen phase) which means you get to be hair-free after you've undergone treatment! Once the hair root is damaged, you will naturally shed the remaining hair throughout the course of your treatments. After one to two treatments, you will notice a visible thinning and reduction of hair as the treatments begin to slow the hair growth process.

IPL is also faster than other laser hair removal treatments because the laser emits pulsed light over multiple wavelengths and works over a large area. It only targets the hair follicles and leaves the surrounding tissue unharmed. Since it's faster, it's also one of the most cost-effective laser hair removal treatments on the market.

Is IPL laser hair removal painful?

Unlike diode laser treatment, which may be another type of laser hair removal treatment you're familiar with, IPL laser hair removal is not painful (thankfully!). On more sensitive areas, it may feel like the snapping of a rubber band and it may feel temporarily warm. If you can handle waxing, you can definitely handle IPL treatment! Waxing hurts; IPL does not.

However, at NU-U laser and aesthetics, we do a test patch before you start treatment so you know what to expect. With NU-U's speciality FLO ONE machine, there's no pain, no redness, and no downtime.

How many treatments do I need?

To be completely hair-free, you'll need a course of eight sessions. Each session is spaced four weeks apart, so that means it will take approximately eight months of treatments.

The treatments are spaced out so that your hair has time to complete its growth cycle and any dormant hairs will have had time to grow. That way, throughout these treatments, all hair in the treated area will have been permanently destroyed. Hello, hair-free future! Just think about how much you'll save without having to buy razors and how much time you'll have when you don't have to remove unwanted body hair.

Can anyone use IPL laser hair removal?

IPL works most effectively when there is a distinct contrast between the skin and the hair. So, it works best on people with light skin and dark hair. Dark skinned and dark-haired people can use IPL treatment but only when done by a professional using specific lasers. For people with blonde, grey, and white hair, IPL will not work as well since the hair does not contain enough melanin to work.

If I start now, when will I be hair-free?

You will be hair-free eight months from the start of treatment, which is why Autumn is the perfect time to begin your course of treatments, ready to be smooth for summer! The good news, too, is that with IPL you can shave between treatments so you don't have to grow your hair out and hide your legs or underarms between sessions.

What do I need to do to prepare for my IPL treatment?

For those who love a warm glowy tan (or fake tan), it's best to stop applying that tan before you begin treatment because the laser is most effective when there is a contrast between the colour of your skin and the hair--that is why Autumn is a perfect time since you won't be tempted to slather on the tan (we hope) since it's natural for people to be a little lighter in the colder months.

When you are undergoing treatment, you shouldn't wax or pluck hair in the treatment area (or the laser can't zap it!) and you should not use any products containing retinol, light-sensitivity creams, or other treatments that make you sensitive to light, including certain medications. It may be a hardship to skip these treatments, but it's only temporary and being hair-free will outweigh the discomfort of having to go a winter with pale skin or not applying your wrinkle cream!

NU-U will discuss how to prepare your skin for treatment and will go through a list of medications and products you should not use before you begin.

How much does IPL laser hair removal cost?

IPL is one of the most cost-effective laser hair removal treatment methods. Each treatment area can cost anywhere from £40 to £150 per area but you receive a discount if you book several treatment areas together. Plus, NU-U offers payment plans to make this treatment more accessible and more affordable.

How long does IPL laser hair removal treatment take?

For full body hair removal, the treatment takes up to an hour. It's quick, it's pain-free, and you can do it in your lunch break (if you'd like). For smaller areas, it'll take much less time. So, it takes anywhere from twenty minutes to just over an hour.

The session can go however you'd like it to, you can chat with your aesthetician or you can be meditatively silent. It's up to you!

Where is NU-U Laser and Aesthetics clinic located?

The NU-U Laser and Aesthetics clinic is located in the Town Hall in Hebden Bridge in the upper Calder Valley in West Yorkshire. To find the clinic, enter the door to the Town Hall at the Hangingroyd Lane entrance on the side of the building. We are located on the first floor.

The address is

The Town Hall,

St George's Street,

Hebden Bridge,

HX7 7BY

We meet the needs of anyone living in Hebden Bridge and the surrounding areas, such as Todmorden, Walsden, Luddenden, Luddenden Foot, Mytholmroyd, Midgley, Heptonstall, Sowerby Bridge, and so on. We are located 5 miles east of Todmorden, 7 miles northeast of Walsden, 8 miles west of Halifax, 12 miles south-east of Burnley, and 14 miles northeast of Rochdale.