“Help! I have hairy balls. What should I do?” Have you ever been caught in that line of thought? If yes, then you are not alone.
Pubic hair health is a sensitive topic yet less talked about. Discussions about the private part are one of the most important topics many people would naturally shy away from. Only if you knew how much you could save yourself by speaking up. Now is a good time to remind you that the health of your private parts matters too.
The private part is one of the most sensitive areas of your body and so taking care of it should be second nature to you. This is the part where you pass out waste matters and also engage in pleasure and intimate activity so, you do not want to leave it unkept or hinder its function in any way.
Perhaps, you read somewhere that some things are off-limits for your private parts (which is true) however you do not know if the IPL falls into the same category which raises many questions about if it is safe to use IPL on your private part.
So, in this article, we discuss what IPL is and its methods of application. We also touch on the issues bordering the use of IPL on private parts and we answer the questions on if IPL is safe for you to use. Later in the article, we answer some frequently asked questions (FAQ) on this topic and come up with a well-rounded conclusion to help you decide.
What is IPL treatment?
Intense Pulse Light (IPL) treatment is a non-surgical cosmetology procedure that helps to enhance the texture of the skin for you to have clearer, smoother, and hairless skin. Moreover, IPL treatment can be used to address many skin-related issues such as pigmentation, and blood vessel issues on the face, neck, hands, and chest region that may occur as a result of hormonal changes, sunburns, and genetic conditions. Many times, IPL is also used to treat age spots, varicose veins, freckles, birthmarks, and hairs on the face, neck, chest, underarm, hands, back, bikini line, and private parts.
Mechanism of action
Although similar to laser treatment, the IPL uses lights of different wavelengths to penetrate the skin. The mechanism of action of IPL is based on light waves. During IPL therapy, the light waves are passed through the epidermis (top layer) of the skin targeting the damaged (pigmented or vascularized) portion in the dermal area. A wavelength is generated in the process which is used to repair the affected areas.
How is IPL done?
Usually, the IPL treatment is categorized based on two major targets;
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For the treatment of pigmentation problems
The heat generated from the light waves heats up the pigmented cells and destroys them. However, the target area might turn a bit darker for a few weeks after the treatment. After which the pigmented cells will fall off as flakes or disintegrate into a form absorbable by the body.
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For the treatment of blood vessel issues
The blood supply in the blood vessel is heated up with the heat generated from the light waves. This heat thickens the consistency of the blood in the vessel and prevents its circulation to other parts of the body. Then, the tiny veins disintegrate into a form absorbable by the body.
However, in this case, you are more concerned with IPL for hair removal on your scrotum and so you want to consider some factors before getting the procedure.
Factors to consider for IPL hair removal treatment
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Skin type
Before considering an IPL treatment for your private part, you should consider your type of skin, especially around this area. Is your private area of light or dark shade skin ? How sensitive is the skin around your private part? These and many more are questions to answer before getting an IPL treatment.
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Medical history
You must relay every information about your health to the dermatologist to prevent complications during the procedure. So, be sure to give full details of your overall health during consultation. If you have any prevalent skin conditions such as acne or eczema, communicate this to the doctor. This would help the doctor know the treatment and techniques that are best suitable for you.
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Discuss expectations
Most times, people get scared to get an IPL procedure because they do not know what to expect. However, you can alleviate your fears by speaking with the doctor about your expectations from the treatment and the result you are aiming to achieve.
Can I use IPL on my balls?
From all you’ve read so far, you may be having doubts if the IPL treatment can be done on the private parts. Well, the answer is not a straightforward yes. This is because while it is completely safe for women, it sort of works differently for men. Let me explain… The private part which comprises both male and female reproductive organs, differs in terms of specific features. While women can freely utilize IPL in their private areas, men have exceptions.
These exceptions include the penis and scrotum. It is of utmost importance to note that when undergoing Intense Pulse Light (IPL) treatments in a private region, it is possible that individuals may experience increased discomfort and longer treatment durations due to the high level of pigmentation and nerve distribution in this area. Also, it might interest you to know that while it cannot be used in the mucous membrane area, hair will not grow in this area.
Is it safe to use IPL on private parts?
Finally, you want to know if it is safe to use IPL treatment on your private part and this section addresses the question.
A quick answer to the question above is yes with a little bit of caution. The reason is simple; It is safe to use IPL on your private parts as this would prevent you from constantly removing the hair in that region. However, you want to be careful with the usage. The use of IPL is not advisable for treating the scrotum and testicles due to their remarkably high sensitivity.
IPL is indeed a highly effective hair removal process that is specifically designed for both men’s pubis and bikini line areas. However, when considering this treatment, it is of utmost importance that you select a very reputable clinic that guarantees that the procedure will be done safely and with the highest effectiveness. By choosing a clinic with a solid reputation, you can have peace of mind knowing that you’re in the hands of experienced professionals who will prioritize your safety and deliver optimal results.
Other alternatives to IPL treatment
Some other treatments you may consider for hair removal if you feel you are not eligible for the IPL treatment or if the procedure appears discomforting include the following;
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Laser hair removal
The laser hair removal is quite similar to the IPL in that the laser uses a single wavelength to target unwanted hair. In this case, it is a non-ablative treatment as the laser only heats the underlying tissues without damaging the epidermis. You would need about 4 to 6 sessions to get the desired result.
Meanwhile, another type of laser treatment is the Fraser laser treatment. This is also a nonablative laser treatment as it penetrates the epidermis and targets the underlying tissue to resolve the problem. This treatment can be used to treat inflammatory acne scars and wrinkles. So, you may consider it if you intend to treat a wrinkled ball.
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Hair removal cream
Due to the sensitivity of your private area, the hair removal cream may not be suitable for use. The reason is that these creams contain some harsh chemicals that may contaminate your skin. However, if you choose to proceed with this option, be sure to carry out a patch test on other areas of your body to know if you are allergic to any of the chemicals used in its composition mixture. Ensure not to exceed the application time else, the chemicals in the cream may permeate your skin into your bloodstream.
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Waxing
Waxing is a great way to remove hair from areas of the skin that are a bit tough. Albeit, the skin covering the balls is quite thin and delicate. This means waxing is not suitable for the removal of hair in the balls, or else you risk causing injuries to the skin around the area. On the flip side, many people prefer to wax after getting a laser treatment .
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Shaving
This method uses a razor or a shaving stick to get rid of hair. However, caution must be taken to avoid cutting your skin. In this case, you want to be sure that you are in a well-lit environment and a clear mirror so you can have a better view of the whole area. In the case of an aftershave skin irritation, speak with a doctor so they can prescribe the right aftershave cream treatment for you.
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Trimming
Unlike shaving which removes all the hair to give a clean area, trimming only removes hair partially. With the use of a trimmer or tiny scissors, hold the hair around the balls and trim. Be careful not to hurt yourself in the process. In that case, you have to be in a well-lit area.
Eligibility status for IPL procedure
Avoid IPL procedures if you have light sensitivity, or your skin got tanned from over-exposure to sun rays, or if you use a tanning cream.
Also, you should speak with your doctor if you are pregnant or have a pre-existing skin condition, or are on any medication for other health conditions.
Precautions
The IPL treatment is similar to that of the laser treatment which fades blood vessels in the skin. However, when using the IPL for removing hair, it does an almost perfect job on thick, dark hair rather than its light, thin counterparts. So, you may want to check again to know which category the hair in your private part falls into. Note that multiple treatments will help you achieve your most desired result. So, if you are aiming for a clean private area devoid of hair, then brace up for multiple visits to the dermatologist.
