IPL Not Working: What Did I Do Wrong? (2024)

You’ve got your heart set on silky-smooth skin, and so far you’re headed in the right direction: you’ve been doing at-home treatment with an IPL handset.

Unfortunately, you’re not seeing the results you were hoping for… so what gives?

Chances are, it’s not just you. There are a few totally rational reasons IPL might not be working for you, and many of them have straightforward solutions you can try.

If your IPL hair removal is not working, read on to discover why that may be the case and what you can do to make Lumi IPL work for you.

Why Is IPL Not Working?

If IPL isn’t working for you, chances are it has something to do with your skin, how you’re using your device, or your device itself. Here are a few of the most common reasons for IPL not working as anticipated:

It’s Too Early to See IPL Results

You know when you go to the gym for the first time in a long time, do a few squats, and immediately check the mirror to see if your butt got bigger? That could be what’s going on here! :)

If you just used your IPL handset for the first time and didn’t notice anything happen, that’s totally normal. So how long does it take for IPL to work? As for Lumi IPL hair removal, it typically takes 3-4 uses to start noticing any results, and 12 uses to see full results.

Also, note that everybody is different. Some might see results sooner than others, some might require more than 12 uses to get to a hair-free result they’re happy with. What’s more, different areas may require more or less treatment to see results – if IPL is not working on pubic hair, additional treatments might be required. The same goes for if IPL is not working on underarms.

What to try:
Patience, grasshopper! IPL hair removal is gradual and progress isn’t always visible right away. Trust the process and be consistent. If you still haven’t seen any results with consistent use, reach out to customer service.

Your IPL Treatment Schedule is Off

IPL hair removal effectiveness often boils down to two things: frequency and consistency. We recommend doing at-home IPL treatment once a week for twelve weeks, or twice a week for six weeks. If you’ve been doing IPL for a long time but had long gaps in between treatments, that might make it so you don’t see results as quickly.

What to try:

Consistency is how to make IPL more effective. Plan on consistently using IPL once or twice a week for a few weeks and see if that makes a difference in results.

You’re Not Prepping the Skin for IPL Treatment Properly

One of the top reasons why IPL hair removal isn’t successful? Waxing.

Shaving is an important step in preparing your skin for IPL treatment. Shaving takes your hair down just enough to prevent burns while leaving the root intact under the surface so your IPL handset can target it. Other forms of hair removal, such as waxing, tweezing, or epilating remove the hair root entirely, inhibiting IPL treatment.

What to try:

Instead of waxing, tweezing, or epilating, use a razor or the 4D Shaver to prep your skin for IPL treatment.

You’re Not Using IPL As Intended

At-home IPL treatment takes some getting used to. If you’re not seeing the results you want or your IPL device is not flashing, check your user manual to make sure you’re using the device properly. Note that for safety purposes, most IPL devices will not flash or pulse unless they’re placed flush against the skin.

What to try:

Try, try, again! Learn how to use IPL hair removal if you’re using Lumi. If you’re using a different IPL handset, refer to the device instructions.

You Have a Hormonal Imbalance Affecting IPL Treatment

Another common reason why IPL hair removal doesn’t work boils down to hormones. While IPL can be a great fit for PCOS hair removal, in other cases hormonal conditions can lead to ineffective hair removal. This may be the case if IPL’s not working on facial hair. A hormonal imbalance (especially involving a higher level of testosterone, which encourages hair growth) can result in coarser, faster-growing hair that is more difficult to remove.

What to try:

If you’ve tried IPL hair removal multiple times, followed the instructions to a T, and are a good candidate for IPL hair removal, speak to your doctor to see if you may have a hormonal imbalance.

You’re Not a Candidate for IPL Treatment

When IPL hair removal works, it really works. Unfortunately, IPL doesn’t work for everyone. IPL technology requires contrast between hair and skin to work its magic since it targets pigment in the hair follicle. Does IPL work for your skin tone? If you have light blonde, red, or gray hair, or if your skin tone is very dark, IPL may not be a good fit for you.

What to try:

Sorry it didn’t work for you! The good news is if you purchased a RoseSkinCo IPL handset you’re eligible for the RoseSkinCo money-back guarantee within 90 days of purchase.

If you’re still looking for an upgrade to your hair removal routine, we recommend the RoseSkinCo 4D Shaver for your closest shave yet.

Your IPL Device Just Isn’t Working

This might be one of those moments where you’ll say, “It’s not me, it’s you.” Maybe you’ve carefully followed all applicable instructions and your IPL doesn’t work – it’s not flashing, won’t turn on, or just seems to be malfunctioning in some way. You just can’t get those awesome permanent hair removal results with a faulty device!

What to try:

This shouldn’t be happening! If you purchased a RoseSkinCo IPL handset, it’s under a one-year warranty –report a quality issue here and we’ll make it right, either by sending out a replacement, troubleshooting issues, or refunding your original payment method.

If you purchased a different IPL handset from another manufacturer, refer to any applicable warranties and reach out to their customer service team. Unfortunately, all IPL devices are NOT created equal and neither are their return policies – if it turns out your device isn’t a quality one that works as it should, check out the RoseSkinCo Lumi Permanent Hair Removal Device.

Ask a Lumi IPL Expert

Still not sure what’s going on? If you’re having any trouble using Lumi, reach out to our customer service team. They’re super friendly and willing to do whatever it takes to help you get the best possible results. Send an email to info@roseskinco.com and someone will get back to you right away.

IPL Not Working: What Did I Do Wrong? (2024)
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