At-Home IPL Devices for Chin and Facial Hair: Who They Work For and Eye Safety

Many women notice coarse hairs on the chin or upper lip around menopause. Home intense pulsed light (IPL) and laser devices promise fewer trips to the tweezers. Here is what studies show and how to use them safely.

How they work

These devices send pulses of light that are absorbed by melanin, the pigment in the hair and follicle, to damage pigmented hair follicles.¹ That’s why they need dark hair to work, and why gray, white and very light hairs usually won’t respond.

What studies found

A 2022 review of home dermatology devices found four randomized trials of home IPL for hair removal.² In one, hair count fell 64% at 3 months, with few side effects. Another found home IPL worked better and was better tolerated than hot waxing.²

Limits: there’s little long-term data, home lasers (as opposed to IPL) are less studied, and the American Academy of Dermatology hasn’t issued guidelines on home IPL.² Some devices are FDA-cleared for over-the-counter use, but results for permanent reduction vary.¹

Darker skin

Because the light targets pigment, skin pigment can absorb energy too. The review noted that lower-energy settings are preferred for darker skin.² Read the device’s skin-tone chart and don’t use it if your skin tone is excluded.

Protect your eyes

A 2023 review found no reported eye injuries from home devices. However, 20 people had eye damage, including iris injury, after office IPL or laser treatments at energy levels within the range of home devices, and 40% weren’t wearing eye protection.³ The authors urged protective goggles and warned against overriding the skin-contact sensors.³ For facial hair, that means extra care near the eyes.

Checklist before you buy

1. Check your hair color. Dark hair only. For gray or white hairs, ask about electrolysis.
2. Check your skin tone against the device’s chart.²
3. Do a patch test and start at a low setting.
4. Use eye protection and never bypass the safety sensor.³
5. Don’t treat over moles, tattoos or broken skin.
6. Ask about prescription options, such as eflornithine cream, which slows facial hair growth.¹ Our article on eflornithine explains it.

If new hair growth is sudden or comes with other changes, see a clinician first. Our guide to chin hairs explains common causes, and our laser hair removal consultation checks cover the in-office option.

Try: “I’ve started getting dark chin hairs since menopause. Is a home IPL device a good option for my skin, or should we check my hormones first?”

Hair, Everywhere includes a Hair Check, a monthly Hair Log and a visit script. Use them to track where new hairs appear, what you’ve tried and how fast they return. See the book.