IPL Arm Hair Removal: All You Need to Know

Unlike conventional body hair management methods such as shaving or waxing, IPL offers a more convenient approach for seamlessly, painlessly, and effectively thinning and reducing arm hair growth over time, making it the go-to for those seeking silky smooth arms and individuals who prefer a low-maintenance hair removal routine.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about using IPL to remove arm hair. We’ll take a closer look at how it works, its benefits and potential side effects, give you a quick rundown on how to achieve the best results, and explain in more detail why an increasing number of people are turning to at-home IPL devices like the Bondi Body V2 @ Home for whole-body hair management.

How does IPL work to remove arm hair?

It’s all in the name. IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light and works by briefly flashing a section of skin with a bright white flash of broad-spectrum light. The arm hair shafts absorb the light energy, which quickly transforms into heat in the hair pigments (melanin). The heat travels down the hair into the follicle, damaging the hair root and inhibiting future growth. With regular use, IPL can weaken hair follicles to the point that new hair growth is slow, sparse, and significantly thinner than before, effectively leading to long-term hair reduction.

For IPL to be as effective as possible, the hair needs to be in its growth (anagen) phase. During this phase, the hair is actively connected to the follicle, allowing the heat energy to reach and weaken the root more effectively. However, since hair grows in cycles, only a percentage of all hair is ever in the anagen phase at any point in time. This is why multiple IPL sessions are required to achieve the long-term results they advertise—each session only targets whatever hair follicles are in their growth phase for that session.

Does IPL remove arm hair the same way laser does?

Yes and no. Both technologies rely on light energy converting to heat energy to harm the hair follicles; however, there are significant differences in how the light is generated and dispersed into the hair shafts.

As indicated above, IPL uses broad-spectrum flashes on a larger surface area. You can imagine it operating almost like a camera flash, with light emanating outward from a single source, kind of like an upside-down ‘V’. Laser hair removal devices, on the other hand, generate a high-energy laser beam aimed directly at body hair, targeting each with a precise beam as opposed to IPL’s ‘carpet bombing’ method. You can imagine the beam generated by a larger light and concentrate on a smaller target, kind of in a ‘V-shape’.

This is effectively the only difference between the two. Once the light energy (either broad-spectrum or single-wavelength laser) hits the melanin in the hair shafts, the differences end.

For a more detailed look at the differences between IPL and laser hair removal, including the pros and cons of each, check out our ‘What is IPL Hair Removal?’ blog.

How long does IPL arm hair removal take?

Permanent IPL arm hair reduction timelines can vary between individuals and are based on personal factors such as hair type, skin tone, consistency of treatments, and device settings. A single IPL session for the arms typically takes around 10–20 minutes, depending on whether you’re treating the entire arm or only specific areas. It’s important to note that IPL hair reduction is gradual, and you will not see any difference in hair density after a single session.

While it may vary between individuals, most IPL users can expect to see the beginnings of thinner and sparser hair after around 6 to 12 sessions. With the Bondi Body V2 @ Home, the strongest at-home IPL device in the UK, some users report visible hair reduction in as few as 4 sessions. It's important to keep in mind that IPL is more effective on thicker and coarser hair and will likely show noticeable results sooner. That being said, the key to long-term hair reduction is consistency, and with regular use, almost everyone (see section below) can expect a long-term reduction in arm hair growth. 

Top tips for IPL arm hair reduction

While IPL has been proven both safe and effective for home use time and time again, there’s more to it than simply picking up the first available device and getting to work. Following our tips for easier arm hair reduction below can help speed up the process and avoid any potentially uncomfortable side effects.

1. Ensure that you have the right skin tone and hair type for IPL

IPL isn’t equally effective on all skin tones and hair types. It works best on lighter-toned skin, which reflects light energy (as opposed to absorbing it, which isn’t beneficial) while allowing effective absorption by melanin. Darker or black skin may absorb too much of the emitted light, leading to discomfort and reduced efficiency. 

IPL is also more effective at removing darker and coarser hair that more readily absorbs light energy. Very light or ultra-fine hair may struggle to absorb enough light energy, reducing the effectiveness of IPL treatment.

Please consult our IPL Skin and Hair Tone Chart to ensure that IPL is the right move for you.

2. Shave for best results

IPL works best on hair between 1 mm and 5 mm (half a centimetre) in length. For most people, this means shaving give or take 24 hours before using the device to give stubble time to push through and any potential irritation to subside. Shaving before use can help prevent skin burns, maximise the effectiveness of treatment, and avoid patchy or uneven results. Shaving exposes the skin more evenly, allowing the device to reduce sun damage and even out skin tone.

3. Ensure that your arms are clean and dry

IPL produces its best results when used on clean, dry, and cream-free skin. Creams, oils, and other skin and hair treatments may interfere with how the light energy is absorbed into the melanin, resulting in sub-par results.

4. Avoid direct sunlight after IPL treatment

We recommend using IPL treatment in the evening or at night to allow the skin time to recover before potential sun exposure. While IPL is safe for regular use, it emits a bright flash and generates heat that may cause temporary skin sensitivity. To protect treated areas, always apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen and avoid excessive sun exposure for at least 48–72 hours after treatment.

Wrapping it up

Home IPL devices are both effective and popular choices for long-term at-home body hair management. Provided that you have the right skin tone and hair type, you too can benefit from IPL, enjoying hassle-free, painless, and easy-to-maintain silky smooth arms and legs.

To learn more about IPL, visit our IPL Hair Removal FAQ page.