IPL Laser Hair Removal — Armpits

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) hair removal for the axillary (armpit) area. Broadband light energy is selectively absorbed by melanin in the hair follicle, disabling follicle function and progressively reducing hair density over a course of sessions.

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) hair removal at Dermedika uses broadband light energy in the 500-1200 nm spectrum to selectively target the melanin chromophore in hair follicles through the principle of selective photothermolysis. When the light energy is absorbed by melanin in the hair shaft and bulb, it converts to heat that thermally damages the follicle's germinative cells — disrupting or permanently destroying its ability to produce a new hair cycle. The axillary (armpit) region is one of the most popular IPL treatment sites due to the density of hair follicles, the moderate melanin content that makes treatment effective across a range of hair colours, and the significant quality-of-life improvement achieved through permanent hair reduction. Unlike shaving or waxing, which require repeated maintenance, a completed IPL course provides long-lasting reduction in hair density and thickness that most patients find eliminates the need for ongoing hair removal in the treated area. Treatment effectiveness is closely tied to hair pigmentation: IPL is most effective on dark hair against lighter skin (Fitzpatrick types I-III) because the contrast in melanin concentration between the hair and surrounding skin maximises selective targeting of the follicle. Lighter hair colours (blonde, red, grey) contain insufficient melanin for reliable IPL-based targeting. The clinic assesses each patient's Fitzpatrick skin type and hair colour at the initial consultation to confirm suitability and set appropriate expectations. The axillary session takes approximately 20 minutes per appointment. Each pulse of light covers a small area of skin, and the entire armpit area of both sides is treated systematically. A light cooling mechanism in the applicator handpiece protects the skin surface during each pulse. Post-treatment, the skin may appear mildly red for a few hours. Over the following 1-2 weeks, the treated hairs shed naturally as the follicles release them. A course of 6-8 sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart is recommended to capture hair follicles across all growth phases.