Clinical and Microscopic Evaluation of Long-Term (6 Months) Epilation Effects of the iPulse Personal Home-Use Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Device

The study from 11 years ago involved ten subjects with Fitzpatrick skin types III-V using a home-use intense pulsed light (IPL) device for hair removal over six months. The subjects received weekly treatments for four weeks, with histological examinations conducted before, immediately after, and six months post-treatment. Results indicated an 87% reduction in terminal hair count six months after the fourth treatment, with a shift from anagen to telogen hair follicles and some miniaturization. The study concluded that the IPL device effectively reduced hair density and delayed regrowth, with no adverse events or skin color changes reported, and subjects expressing satisfaction with the results. The findings suggest that while less powerful than professional systems, regular use of the home-use IPL device could lead to comparable permanent hair elimination, although further long-term studies are required to confirm the permanence of the damage to hair follicles.