Pulsar FAQ: IPL hair removal questions, answered

Once you switch the Pulsar from HR (hair removal) to the SR (skin rejuvenation) mode, the device will flash like a normal laser, providing stimulation to the collagen. This process is through IPL (intense pulse light). Please keep in mind it's not an anti-aging rejuvenation like the Lumo provides. For usage instructions, we recommend no more than two passes. Much like hair removal, you should slowly proceed with one section at a time. After you allow it to flash on one area, you move onto another. You may also go back over to the previous area for a second flash. We recommend using this mode only once a week, up to a maximum of 12 weeks. After which, you would need to change the usage to bi-weekly until you are pleased with your results.

Laser hair removal works by targeting the melanin in the hair. (This is the dark pigment that makes skin and hair a deeper colour). Some people have more of this pigment than others, hence why some people have darker skin than others.

During the treatment, once the laser has locked onto the pigment, the laser beam permanently destroys the hair follicle which means hair growth is unlikely in the future. The problem with red and ginger hair is the fact that lasers have difficulty determining between pigments, red being one of the most difficult to see.

Because red hair has less pigment, it will absorb less energy, producing less follicular damage, therefore the hair won't fall off. The same goes for grey hair which is another difficult colour for the laser to spot.

If you’re a natural redhead who has a darker tone of red hair or has thicker hair, then the laser hair removal might work. In that case, you would likely need more treatments than someone who has darker hair in order to permanently reduce unwanted hair.

We have attached a picture from the Pulsar Manual where you can see whether the device will be effective for you based on your skin tone and hair color. If you wish to further read more about the Pulsar, you can always access the manual online here.

You will need to limit direct sun exposure after the procedure, as the skin is still sensitive to heat and needs to settle for healing. Prolonged UV rays exposed to fresh laser hair treatment may cause skin damage.

The Pulsar At-Home Laser / IPL Hair Removal handset can be used on most parts of the body aside from the face and genitals. However, the Pulsar is not guaranteed to work on the scalp for all genders, and for the facial hair areas in men.

As far as tattoos go, the Pulsar is definitely not recommended for use within an inch of where the tattoo outline ends. This is because if direct IPL light penetrates from the Pulsar to the tattoo ink that lies between skin layers, the IPL light will likely split the ink molecules causing gradual distortion of the tattoo's appearance (think lasers being use to remove tattoos, they over utilise IPL, albeit at different, specific wavelengths).

We recommend using the Pulsar for a total of 8 treatments. For the first 4-5 treatments, we recommend using it once every 2 weeks (to make sure all the hair is being treated). After 4-5 treatments, you should begin to see progress. Following 4-5 treatments, we recommend that you use the device once every 4 weeks.

Unfortunately, the Pulsar is not suitable for darker tones of skin. This is because melanin pigments aren’t just in our hair – they’re also present in the skin, too. Darker skin contains more melanin than fair skin. If you use an IPL device onto melanin-rich, dark skin, the IPL could transfer heat energy onto the skin cells, causing discoloration or maybe result in other negative effects. However, kindly note that we are working on a brand new device that will be available to a wider spectrum of skin tones and hair colors.

1. Skin Irritation:

Essentially, depending on the intensity level (out of 8 total intensity levels) people might start to feel some unease as they go to a higher intensity level when using the Pulsar IPL device, however this is more of a heat sensation for most users as opposed to actual “pain” or "irritation" at the higher levels.

At level 4 or lower most users don’t feel much at all, but again this varies depending on how sensitive a person is. Generally IPL is less painful than laser hair removal, but pain levels can be dependant on your body type. Thus if the IPL device is irritating the skin, it is best to use it at a lower intensity level, one that is suitable for the skin type.

In addition, shortly after the treatment, the user can reduce any swelling, redness, or irritation by icing the affected area with ice packs or cold compresses. 

Remember to wrap them in clean, gentle towels to protect the surface of the skin from being exposed to severe cold.

2. Ingrown Hair:

In general, hair removal IPL lasers do not cause ingrown hairs given that the hair follicle is further disabled each time upon use and after three months, users will be able to see results. However, it can be noted that after an IPL laser hair removal session, the hair bulb will start to come out over a 7-30-day period (after a few uses). This can cause redness and bumps like ingrown hairs, as the body will push the hair out of the follicle. Sometimes the hair is trapped under the skin, which is what causes the redness or bumps. 

In addition, kindly note that the most common cause of ingrown hairs is an improper shaving technique, thus we would kindly advise to try and vary the shaving routine to see what works better for the skin and hair and/or exfoliate before shaving (if the user is not already doing it).

They technically can, however, we haven’t cleared it to a threshold with the regulators to guarantee permanent or even lasting long-term results since the hair in men is said areas often grow pretty thick, and the hair follicle is quite tough to treat using an at-home solution. As for the genitals we have also not cleared the device to be safe around the reproductive areas in men, and as such do not want to encourage use without knowing the full safety ramifications without thorough testing.

Please confirm if you are following the proper usage instructions, as the Pulsar will not flash if the product is not being held at 90 degrees on the skin.

Are you also touching the button right away? Please try it on another part of the skin where the device is maybe right at 90 degrees and wait a few seconds before lifting it off the skin.