Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Paradoxical effect after IPL photoepilation.

Gerardo Moreno-Arias1, Camil Castelo-Branco, Juan Ferrando

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Hospital Clínic-University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

Dermatologic Surgery : Official Publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [Et Al.]
|December 4, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Intense pulsed light (IPL) hair removal can paradoxically stimulate hair growth in adjacent untreated areas. This study identified this "paradoxical effect" in five patients with facial hirsutism and polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

The Fibroid Removal in Sterility Treatment ''FIRST'' Survey: A European Society of Gynecology Online Questionnaire.

Journal of clinical medicine·2026
Same author

Prevention of Heart Failure in Women: An Expert Consensus Statement on Sex-Specific Risk Factors.

European journal of heart failure·2026
Same author

European society of gynecology (ESG) position paper on the proposed terminology change from PCOS to PMOS.

Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology·2026
Same author

Development and use of a custom-designed vaginal dilator for post-surgical management in a congenital adrenal hyperplasia patient.

Frontiers in medicine·2026
Same author

Heterogeneity and clinician typologies in menopause management: Insights from a European survey and latent class analysis.

Maturitas·2026
Same author

Expert Opinion on Age-Related Sex Hormone Changes and Hypogonadism in People With Multiple Sclerosis: A Delphi Consensus Program.

Neurology. Clinical practice·2026

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Endocrinology
  • Medical Aesthetics

Background:

  • Intense pulsed light (IPL) is a common hair removal technique.
  • While generally safe, IPL can cause side effects, including unexpected hair growth.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the clinical and hormonal profiles of females experiencing unintended hair growth near IPL-treated facial areas.
  • To understand the "paradoxical effect" of IPL photoepilation.

Main Methods:

  • Studied 49 females with facial hirsutism undergoing IPL treatment.
  • Excluded tumoral hyperandrogenism and measured various hormone levels.
  • Monitored patients for the "paradoxical effect" during and after IPL sessions.

Main Results:

Related Experiment Videos

  • Identified five patients (ages 13-44, skin phototype III) with the "paradoxical effect."
  • All diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome and ovarian hyperandrogenism.
  • The effect emerged between the 3rd IPL session and 6 months post-treatment.

Conclusions:

  • IPL treatment may inadvertently activate dormant hair follicles in untreated zones adjacent to treated hirsute areas.
  • This phenomenon warrants further investigation in the context of hair removal treatments.