Any experience of IPL for removing transplanted hair?

[johnny_farrell]

Hello All,

 

Firstly, I apologise if this rather long-winded post is contrary to the purpose of this forum (i.e. hair restoration) but I would like to know if anyone out there has any recent experience of having transplanted hair permanently reduced/removed by way of IPL (Intense Pulsed Light).

 

In 2004 (in my na??ve, impressionable and very desperate early 20s) I underwent a hair transplant procedure whereby several hundred individual hair grafts were implanted into my front hairline. The procedure was perfectly successful in terms of the survival and re-growth of the transplanted hairs but the results were just not what I anticipated. Now I just wish I could have the hair grafts permanently removed so that I can put this horrible part of my life behind me. I just want them removed - NOT improved, NOT corrected and NOT transferred back to the donor area.

 

18 months ago I started having IPL treatment on the transplanted hairs. I've had 4-5 monthly treatments on the entire area (i.e. full font hairline) followed by about 7 'touch-up' treatments on small areas of re-growth as and when required. I am very pleased with the results so far because the hair growth seems to have significantly reduced and the appearance of the skin underneath has also improved. However, 18 months and 12 treatments later I'm still getting some re-growth.

 

At the beginning of my course of treatment the IPL practitioner commented that I have the necessary attributes for the treatment to be successful (i.e. pale skin and dark hair) and she anticipated a course of 6-10 treatments would be required for permanent hair removal. However, she has not performed IPL on any other hair transplant patients and has commented recently that I must have the most stubborn hair out of all her customers as we are now at treatment number 12 and counting (12 treatments is the most she has given to a single patient). She also commented that one possible reason for the 'stubbornness' may be because grafts are rooted deeper than normal hair, I'm not sure if this is true or not.

 

If anybody out there has had IPL treatment to remove their transplanted hair I would love to know how it went.

 

Specifically:

<UL TYPE=SQUARE>

<LI> Did it work for you?

<LI> How many treatments did you have?

<LI> How long did the course of treatments take to complete?

<LI> Did you experience permanent hair reduction or permanent hair removal?

<LI> Is there any hope for me

 

 

I will be sincerely grateful for any helpful response.

 

Thank you in anticipation.

[its752]

johnny_farrell, Have you contacted an actual dermatologist and emailed or talked with him or her personally? I know from personal experience having had a V-beam laser used just on my skin and which is more powerful than the IPL, that the hair will come back. IPL operators do not need to be doctors, and could be using the wrong power and/or laser for your problem.

[johnny_farrell]

Hi its752,

 

No I haven't contacted a dermatologist but will certainly look into that now. Thanks for the suggestion.