IPL And You: How To Determine Your Skin Type
By Gr0 Core Team
Do you know your skin type? It is more important than you might think. Determining your skin type is pretty easy and can help you to get your skin on track. It will also help you figure out what treatments to use and the strengths of different products and devices you can handle.
Sometimes, it is obvious what skin type you have. If your face is red and irritated, you have sensitive skin. The same goes for the skin on your body. If it is red and reacts easily, then you want to use gentler products and lower strength settings on your devices, such as your at-home microdermabrasion or your IPL handheld device. Read on to find out how to determine your skin type.
Is There A Difference Between Skin Types On Your Face And Body?
Yes, there is a difference between skin types on your face and body, but there can be some overlap. Typically, when we refer to the skin type on our face, it falls into five categories: dry, oily, normal, combination, and sensitive.
Knowing your skin type can help you to figure out which products you should be using to optimize your skin health. Here is how to determine which skin type you have on your face:
- Oily Skin: Your skin is oily and shiny, possibly with regular acne breakouts
- Dry Skin: Your skin is flaky and tight, even after applying hydrating products
- Normal Skin: Your skin is non-reactive and is not oily or flaky/dry
- Combination Skin: Your skin is mostly dry or normal, but you are oily in your T-zone
- Sensitive Skin: Your skin is reactive, red, and irritated, possibly itchy at times
You may have skin that does not fall into these specific categories and perhaps is a unique combination of different types. That is totally normal, and it is okay!
Being able to identify the characteristics of your skin can help you get any issues under control while taking care of your skin in the right way. Using the wrong products and treatments for your skin type could exacerbate the problems.
When it comes to your body, your skin can be categorized as normal, sensitive/reactive, and strong/mature. The skin type on your face does not necessarily determine the skin type on your body and vice versa.
However, it is likely that if you have sensitive skin on your face, your whole body will generally be more sensitive. For example, those with rosacea/redness-prone skin are more likely to get redness and irritation while shaving, waxing, or trying new products. This is just a generalization, and your skin could be an exception to this.
Everyone is different, and your body is not the same as anyone else’s. The important thing is that you determine what your body type is, so you then know how to properly take care of it and maintain your skin’s health. Here is how to determine your skin type for your body:
- Normal Skin: Your skin can pretty much tolerate anything, with minor sensitivities to things such as waxing and laser treatments.
- Sensitive/Reactive Skin: Your skin is immediately inflamed and irritated after using a product, shaving, and with treatments such as waxing.
- Strong/Mature Skin: Your skin can tolerate anything, from peels to laser treatments to anti-aging products. You do not have reactions and can handle harsher treatments without issue.
What Is IPL?
IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light technology. It can be used for a variety of cosmetic procedures, but one of the most common uses is for hair removal. It can also be used as a facial rejuvenation treatment to help with age spots and discoloration (when used in a spa or dermatologist setting).
While both IPL and laser devices in spas and dermatologists’ offices can be used for hair removal, they are slightly different devices. Below, the differences between lasers and IPL’s:
- Laser: Laser should typically be used during the hair’s active growth phase. It offers controlled pulses of laser energy that is absorbed by the hair’s pigment. This means it does not work as well on hair that is light in color, such as blonde, grey, or red. Once absorbed, it reaches the follicle beneath the skin’s surface. It then destroys the root, preventing hair from growing back. It requires roughly six to eight sessions before you see results.
- IPL: IPL is a little different than in-office lasers. Instead of controlled pulses of energy, it uses a broad spectrum of light that contains multiple wavelengths. Using the different wavelengths means the energy emitted is scattered, resulting in a more gentle and less painful treatment that can also be used to treat rosacea and facial redness. Our IPL device is used specifically for hair removal.
As you can see, they are similar devices. IPL is often the preferred method for many people because it is more gentle and equally as effective. Of course, you have to do whatever is right for your body, but trying IPL first is a great place to start.
In many cases, it is better for those with sensitive skin as well because it is more gentle and less painful than other types of laser treatments. With both hair-removal treatments, you must consider that it will not be as effective for those with extremely light or fair body hair. This is because both devices require hair pigment in order to be effective.
Is There An At-Home IPL Device Available?
Yes, there is an at-home IPL device available. Meet KENZZI, the most effective, gentle, and easy-to-use hair removal device on the market. It is a small device that you can use from the comfort of your own home—no more expensive trips to the dermatologist or spa. Our device is cost-effective and really works.
You don’t have to wait months to see results, either. Many people see a significant reduction in hair growth after only three to four weeks. You can use it on every part of your body, even your most sensitive areas (bikini line, upper lip, face, etc.).
With proper usage and when the device is taken care of, it is built to last for ten or more years worth of flashes (what destroys the hair follicle). And do not worry about your skin type. KENZZI is made for all skin types, from sensitive to mature.
In fact, it has five different power settings to help you control the strength of the IPL flashes. Having it set on a lower level does not mean you won’t be getting great results. The power settings are there to protect your skin from getting burned or damaged. Plus, there’s no redness, irritation, or ingrown hairs after each treatment.
There is little to no pain from using the IPL device. At most, you might feel a slight snap on your skin with each flash, but most users have reported no discomfort. It also depends on the strength setting you are using.
Our kit comes with everything you need, including the IPL device, charging cord, and instruction manual. Follow the directions, and you will be using your device in no time and on your way to smooth hair-free skin!
Conclusion
Skin type can refer to the skin on your body as well as your face. Knowing what your skin type is can help determine what products you can use as well as the power level you should use with your KENZZI IPL device.
The most sensitive skin types should start on level one and work their way up to a higher level (or, you may have to always use level one, which is totally fine). Stronger skin types with thicker skin can start at a level three or four just to test it out, and then eventually use a level five.
The skin type on your face can be oily, normal, sensitive, or dry. This should not impact your ability to use the IPL device on your face at all. Regardless of your skin type on your face, you should start with a level one the first time you use the device. Then, once your skin is used to it, you can move to a higher/stronger level.
Sources:
The difference between IPL and laser hair removal | Harper's Bazaar
3 foolproof ways for figuring out skin type | Healthline
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