Imagine achieving salon-smooth skin from the comfort of your own home, without the endless appointments or mounting costs. For many in the UAE seeking long-lasting hair reduction at home, this isn't just a dream—it's entirely possible. But let's be honest: the thought of using an advanced device like an IPL hair remover can feel intimidating at first. Questions about safety, pain levels, and whether you'll actually see results are completely natural. That's exactly why we've created this definitive beginner's guide about how to use hair removal device.
This comprehensive 7MD IPL hair removal tutorial walks you through every single step, from initial skin preparation to post-treatment care, ensuring you know exactly how to use an IPL device at home safely and confidently, bringing you closer to your goal of using IPL device for smooth skin that lasts.
Before You Start: Is IPL Right for You?
Understanding whether IPL technology suits your unique skin and hair type is the crucial first step toward successful at-home hair reduction.
Understanding the Skin Tone and Hair Color Chart
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) technology works by targeting melanin, the natural pigment found in your hair. The light energy is absorbed by this pigment and converted into heat, which then disables the hair follicle.
This process is most effective on darker hair colors—think black, dark brown, or medium brown—combined with lighter skin tones. The greater the contrast between your skin and hair color, the better the results. Those with very light blonde, red, grey, or white hair may find IPL less effective, as these hair colors contain minimal melanin for the light to target.
Areas You Can (and Can't) Treat
The 7MD IPL device is wonderfully versatile for treating multiple body areas. You can safely use it on your legs, arms, underarms, bikini line, back, chest, and even certain facial areas like the upper lip, chin, and jawline.
However, there are important safety boundaries to respect. Never use the device around your eyes, directly on tattoos, over dark moles or birthmarks, on broken or irritated skin, or on areas with active infections. When in doubt, consult with a healthcare professional before beginning treatment.
Step 1: How to Prepare Skin Before IPL Treatment
Proper skin preparation is crucial for achieving optimal results and ensuring a safe and comfortable experience with your IPL device.
Shave, Don't Wax or Pluck
Here's a critical point: the hair follicle must remain intact beneath your skin's surface for IPL to work its magic. Unlike waxing or threading appointments, you should shave the target area 12-24 hours before your IPL session. Shaving removes the visible hair while leaving the root intact, giving the IPL light a clear path to the follicle where it needs to deliver its energy. Resist the temptation to wax or pluck for at least four weeks before starting IPL treatments.
Ensure Your Skin is Clean and Dry
Before you begin your session, thoroughly cleanse the treatment area and ensure it's completely dry. Your skin should be free from any lotions, moisturizers, creams, deodorants, perfumes, or oils. These products can create a barrier on your skin's surface, interfering with the light absorption and potentially causing unwanted reactions. Think of it as creating a clean canvas for the treatment to work optimally.
Perform a Patch Test
Never skip this crucial safety step, especially before your very first session. Choose a small, discreet area on the body part you plan to treat and test the device at the lowest energy setting. Wait 24 hours and monitor the area for any unexpected reactions like excessive redness, blistering, or discomfort. This simple precaution helps ensure your skin will respond well to the full treatment.
The Main Event: A Step-by-Step IPL Hair Removal Guide
Now we arrive at the heart of learning how to use hair removal device technology effectively—your complete treatment walkthrough.
Step 2: Power On and Select Your Energy Level
Connect your device to power and turn it on. For your very first session, always begin with the lowest energy setting, even if you're eager for faster results. Your skin needs time to acclimate to this new treatment method.
7MD Pro Tip: The 7MD IPL Hair Removal Device (7MD 1991) features four adjustable energy levels ranging up to an impressive 21J of power. Start at level 1 (5J) and gradually increase the intensity in subsequent sessions as your comfort level grows.
Step 3: Begin the Treatment
Position the device head completely flat against your skin, ensuring full contact across the entire treatment window. You'll notice a ready indicator light signaling that the device has detected proper skin contact. Press the flash button firmly. You should feel a warm sensation—not painful, just a gentle warmth. After each flash, lift the device and move it to the adjacent area, slightly overlapping with the previous spot to ensure you don't miss any patches. This systematic approach guarantees complete coverage.
Step 4: Mastering the Modes for a Faster Session
Understanding how to use hair removal device modes correctly transforms your treatment experience from tedious to surprisingly quick:
- Single Flash Mode is perfect for smaller, more precise areas requiring careful attention, like your upper lip, underarms, or bikini line. Simply press and release the flash button for each individual pulse, giving you complete control over placement.
- Continuous Flash (Glide) Mode represents one of the most valuable tips for how to use hair removal device when tackling larger surface areas like your legs, arms, or back. Hold down the flash button continuously and glide the device smoothly across your skin in steady, overlapping strokes.
7MD Pro Tip: The 7MD IPL device's remarkable 0.5s Fast Flash capability combined with its generous 3.5cm² Large Spot size make Glide Mode incredibly efficient. What might take 20-30 minutes with other devices can be completed in nearly half the time, making consistent treatments far more realistic with your busy UAE lifestyle.
The Secret to a Painless Hair Removal Method
Let's address the elephant in the room: does IPL hurt? With older technology, many users experienced uncomfortable stinging sensations. However, the 7MD IPL device incorporates innovative Sapphire Cooling Technology that fundamentally changes this experience.
This advanced feature maintains the skin contact point at under 10°C throughout treatment, actively cooling your skin as it flashes. The sapphire cooling window acts like a built-in ice pack, dramatically reducing any stinging sensation and making the entire process comfortable and virtually painless—even on sensitive areas.
Step 5: Aftercare Tips for IPL Hair Removal
Proper aftercare ensures your skin remains healthy, comfortable, and ready to show off those smooth results you're working toward.
Soothe Your Skin
Immediately after your treatment session, apply a gentle, alcohol-free moisturizer or pure aloe vera gel to the treated areas. This helps calm any residual warmth and keeps your skin hydrated. Avoid products with harsh fragrances, acids, or active ingredients like retinol for at least 24 hours post-treatment, as your skin may be more sensitive than usual during this window.
Avoid Sun Exposure
This is particularly important in the UAE's sunny climate. Your skin becomes more photosensitive after IPL treatment, making it more susceptible to sun damage and potential changes in pigmentation. Avoid direct sun exposure on treated areas for at least 48 hours, and always apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen if you must go outside. Consider scheduling your treatments in the evening to minimize concerns about next-day sun exposure.
Steer Clear of Heat and Irritants
For 24-48 hours following your session, give your skin a break from anything that generates additional heat or potential irritation. This means avoiding hot showers (lukewarm is fine), saunas, steam rooms, hot yoga classes, swimming pools with chlorine, and skincare products containing harsh chemicals or exfoliants. Your skin has just been heated at the follicle level, and these activities could cause unnecessary discomfort or complications.
Your Treatment Schedule: How Often to Use IPL Hair Removal Device
Consistency is the real secret to achieving and maintaining those beautifully smooth results—here's exactly when to schedule your sessions.
The Initial Phase (Weeks 1-8)
During your first two months, plan to use your IPL device once weekly. This frequency isn't arbitrary; it's strategically designed to catch hair follicles as they cycle through their active growth phase, called anagen. Not all your hair follicles are in this phase simultaneously, which is why multiple treatments are necessary. Weekly sessions for eight weeks ensure you're targeting the maximum number of follicles while they're most receptive to treatment.
The Maintenance Phase (After Week 8)
Once you've completed your initial eight-week treatment course, you can significantly reduce your session frequency. Most users find that treatments once every 4-8 weeks are sufficient to maintain their smooth results. Pay attention to your body—if you notice regrowth appearing sooner in certain areas, simply adjust your maintenance schedule accordingly. This flexibility makes long-term hair reduction genuinely sustainable.
What to Expect: Hair Reduction Results with 7MD IPL
Managing expectations is important: IPL isn't magic, but it is remarkably effective when used correctly. Most users begin noticing visible hair reduction after just 3-4 sessions, typically around the one-month mark. You'll observe that hair grows back more slowly, and when it does appear, it's noticeably finer and lighter in color. By week 8, many users experience up to 70-90% hair reduction in treated areas, with results continuing to improve with maintenance sessions.
In Conclusion: Your Journey to Lasting Smooth Skin
With the right device and proper technique, achieving long-lasting hair reduction at home is not only possible, but also convenient, cost-effective, and genuinely empowering. The best at-home laser hair removal device options, like the 7MD IPL with its powerful 21J energy output, rapid 0.5s flash speed, and revolutionary sapphire cooling technology, bring professional-grade results directly to your home in the UAE. No more scheduling conflicts, no more expensive salon visits, no more compromising your privacy. Just consistent, comfortable treatments that fit seamlessly into your lifestyle.
Embrace the confidence that comes with smooth, hair-free skin. Follow this guide about how to use hair removal device, remain patient through your initial treatment phase, and trust the process. Your journey to effortless, salon-quality results from the comfort of your home starts today. The smooth, confident skin you've been dreaming of is just eight weeks away.
FAQs
1. What is the difference between IPL and true laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal uses a single, focused wavelength of light to target the hair follicle. IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) uses a broad spectrum of light with multiple wavelengths. For at-home use, IPL is generally considered safer as the light is less concentrated, while still being highly effective for hair reduction over time.
2. Can I use the IPL device on my face?
Yes, you can use it on facial areas below the cheekbones, such as the upper lip, chin, and jawline. However, it is crucial to avoid the area around the eyes and to always perform a patch test on a small area first, as facial skin can be more sensitive.
3. What happens if I use the device more than once a week during the initial phase?
Using the device more frequently than recommended will not speed up the results. The treatment schedule is designed to target hair in its active growth phase (the anagen phase). Since not all hairs are in this phase at the same time, weekly sessions are optimal for catching them as they cycle through. Over-treating the skin can lead to unnecessary irritation without added benefit.
4. Why can't I wax or pluck between IPL sessions?
IPL works by sending light energy down the hair shaft to the follicle, where it's absorbed by the pigment and converted to heat, disabling the follicle. Waxing or plucking removes the entire hair, including the root, leaving nothing for the IPL energy to travel down. Shaving is the only recommended method as it leaves the root intact beneath the skin's surface.