Practical steps on how to prepare your skin before at-home IPL sessions—shaving, cleansing, and pre-treatment precautions for the best results.
Short answer: If you use retinol, exfoliating acids (AHAs/BHAs), or other active skincare, IPL should only be done after a full pause and recovery period. Most actives increase skin sensitivity, which raises the risk of irritation, burns, or post-inflammatory darkening…
Short answer: If benzoyl peroxide is drying, peeling, or making your skin sting, pause IPL until your barrier is calm again—then restart with a lower level and a smaller treatment area. Benzoyl peroxide is effective, but it can be drying…
Short answer: Vitamin C is often fine with IPL if your skin is calm, but if your vitamin C stings or dries you out, pause it around IPL and keep the first 24–48 hours after a session extra gentle. “Vitamin…
Short answer: If AHA/BHA makes you even slightly stingy, dry, or tight, pause IPL until your skin feels calm again—then restart with a lower level and a small-area approach. AHA/BHA exfoliants can be “quietly harsh.” You may not see peeling,…
Short answer: If you’ve used retinol recently, wait until your skin feels fully calm (no stinging, peeling, or tightness) for several days in a row—then restart IPL gently at a lower level. Retinol can be amazing for texture, but it…
Short answer: Yes—you can shave between leg IPL sessions. In fact, shaving is usually the preferred method because it keeps the skin surface smooth without removing the hair root below the skin. If you’re new, start with IPL Basics to…
Shaving before an IPL session isn’t just a “nice extra” step — it helps the treatment feel smoother and work more consistently. When the skin is closely shaved and free from residue, the light can enter evenly and focus where…
Quick answer: Prep for at-home IPL is simple: arrive with clean, dry skin, shaved hair (not waxed), no recent strong sun, and start at a comfortable level. These steps help sessions feel smoother and make results more consistent over time.…