Using IPL on Your Face: Upper Lip, Chin and Jawline Guide
Facial hair is one of the most common reasons women message us. Threading the upper lip every two weeks, plucking chin hairs in the car mirror, hiding a shadow on the jawline: it adds up. The good news is that you can use IPL on your face at home, safely, as long as you know where to treat and how to prepare. Here is the full guide.
Where you can use IPL on your face
All OroSkin IPL handsets can be used on the face below the cheekbones. That includes:
- Upper lip
- Chin and under the chin
- Jawline
- Sides of the face and lower cheeks (sideburn area)
- Neck
Where you must never use it
Never use IPL above the cheekbones, near the eyes, on the eyelids or on the eyebrows. The light is bright, and your eyes need to stay protected. For brows, use a trimmer for shaping instead.
How to prepare: no need to shave your face
IPL needs the hair root in place, so you should never wax, thread, pluck or epilate the areas you treat. Normally, you shave before a session. But many women prefer not to shave their face, and that is completely fine.
Instead, use the 2-in-1 Eyebrow and Facial Trimmer to trim the hair close to the skin before your session. Use the large head on the face and the small head for brows. It keeps your skin smooth and natural-looking between sessions and is gentle on sensitive areas.
A simple facial IPL routine
- Trim or shave the area, then make sure the skin is clean, dry and free of makeup and creams.
- Do a spot test first: 1 to 2 flashes per level on a small area, then wait 2 to 4 hours. Use the highest level that felt comfortable with no lasting redness.
- Wear the safety glasses and keep your eyes closed or looking away from the flash.
- Use Manual mode on the face: it flashes each time you press, giving you control on small areas like the upper lip.
- Go over each area 3 times, moving the window slightly between flashes.
- Repeat weekly for 6 to 12 weeks, then touch up every 2 to 3 months.
Which handset is best for the face?
All three handsets treat the face. The Ultra Sapphire IPL is the most comfortable on sensitive areas like the upper lip, thanks to sapphire cooling at 0 to 1°C, and it gives the fastest results: many users see a difference after the first session, with clear results in 1 to 2 weeks. The ICE IPL also cools the skin and typically shows results in 4 to 6 weeks; the Classic IPL in 6 to 8 weeks. Results vary from person to person.
Is facial IPL right for you?
- Hair colour: IPL works on brown, black, blonde and red hair. It does not work on grey or white hair, or on very fine, colourless vellus hair (peach fuzz).
- Skin: do not treat tanned, sunburnt or irritated skin, dark moles or tattoos. Avoid the area if you have active breakouts or a skin condition, and ask your doctor if you use medication that makes your skin sensitive to light.
- Hormonal hair: if your facial hair is linked to hormones, IPL can still reduce it, but you may need maintenance sessions more often. A doctor can advise on the cause.
- Pregnancy: pause IPL during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
What to expect
After a session, the skin may look slightly pink for a short while. Over the next 1 to 3 weeks, treated hairs shed. Week by week, regrowth comes back finer and slower, and threading appointments become a thing of the past for many of our customers. If you want to understand the full timeline, read how many IPL sessions you need.
Every handset comes with a one-year warranty, lifetime servicing and our 90-day money-back guarantee.
FAQ
Can I use IPL on my upper lip?
Yes. The upper lip is one of the most popular areas. Treat below the cheekbones only, wear the safety glasses and use Manual mode.
Do I have to shave my face before IPL?
No. You can trim the hair close to the skin with the 2-in-1 trimmer instead. Just never wax, thread or pluck.
Can I use IPL on my eyebrows?
No. Never use IPL above the cheekbones or near the eyes. Use a trimmer to shape your brows.
Will facial hair come back thicker after IPL?
No. IPL gives long-lasting hair reduction; regrowth usually comes back finer and slower. Results vary.