Most people think about hair removal in May, when the first warm weekend arrives and the shorts come out. By then, the best time to start has already passed. If you’ve been wondering when to start IPL, our honest answer is now, in the colder months. Starting IPL in winter works with your skin and your calendar, and it suits a slower season of staying in.
This guide covers why the sun matters so much for IPL and how a “reverse calendar” works. It also has practical tips for winter sessions, plus a few thoughts on starting now as a treat for yourself. If you’re completely new to IPL, read At-Home IPL for Beginners first, then come back here.
The short answer: when to start IPL
For most people, late October to January is the best window to begin. There are three reasons:
- Less sun exposure. IPL should not be used on tanned or sunburnt skin, and winter makes it much easier to avoid both.
- Timing. An initial course of weekly sessions takes about two months. If you start in winter, you can be on lighter maintenance before spring.
- Routine. Longer evenings at home make it easier to set aside a few minutes each week.
Sun and IPL: why paler winter skin helps
IPL (intense pulsed light) targets the pigment in the hair. It works best when there’s a clear contrast between your hair and the surrounding skin. A tan, even a light one, makes your skin darker, so the contrast drops. Treating tanned skin also increases the risk of irritation. That’s why our guidance is simple: don’t use IPL on tanned or sunburnt skin.
That rule is hard to follow in summer. You catch sun at lunch, on a weekend in the park or on holiday, and suddenly you have to skip a session. Skip a few and your routine starts to slip.
In winter, your skin is usually paler, there’s less UV and most of you is covered by clothes. So you skip fewer sessions, and keeping to a regular schedule is one of the things that matters most for steady progress.
Is IPL right for you? A quick check
Winter helps with timing, but it doesn’t change who IPL suits. At-home IPL tends to work best on light to medium skin tones with natural blonde to dark brown or black hair. It is not effective on white, grey, red or very light blonde hair, because those hairs don’t have enough pigment for the light to target.
Please don’t use IPL if any of the following applies to you:
- You have very dark skin
- You want to treat tattoos, moles, dark spots or the eye area
- You’re under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding
- You have epilepsy or sensitivity to light-triggered seizures
- You have an active skin condition in the area
- You have photosensitivity or take photosensitising medication
If you’re unsure, check the full manual on our support page or speak to your doctor before starting.
The reverse calendar: start now, relax by spring
The idea is to plan backwards from when you want lower-maintenance skin. IPL isn’t instant. Hair grows in cycles, and the light only affects hairs in their active growth phase, so it takes several weekly sessions to catch enough of them. A typical timeline looks like this:
- Weeks 1–2: You start your weekly sessions. You probably won’t see much change yet.
- Weeks 3–4: Hair loss often begins. Some hairs shed and regrowth may look patchier.
- Weeks 4–8: You keep up weekly sessions to treat hairs as they enter the growth phase.
- After the initial course: You move to maintenance sessions every 1–3 months.
Here’s how that could fit the calendar if you start in late October or early November:
| When | Stage | What to focus on |
|---|---|---|
| Late Oct – early Nov | Weeks 1–2: getting started | Do a patch test, start on level 1 and choose a regular session night |
| Mid – late Nov | Weeks 3–4: shedding often begins | Keep going even if changes are subtle; don’t wax or tweeze |
| Dec – early Jan | Weeks 4–8: continuing | Stick to your routine through the holidays; a session takes minutes |
| Jan – Feb | Moving to maintenance | Space sessions out to every 1–3 months, depending on regrowth |
| Mar – May | Maintenance | Occasional touch-ups; start planning around spring sun |
| Summer | Light maintenance | Protect your skin and skip any area that has caught the sun |
Starting in December or January? That’s fine. Move everything back by a month or two and you’ll still finish your initial course well before summer. Everyone’s hair and skin are different, so your timeline may be faster or slower. For an honest look at what to expect, see Does At-Home IPL Actually Work?
Winter routine tips for steady sessions
1. Choose a session night and stick with it
Pick one evening a week, perhaps Sunday after a shower or a quiet weeknight, and make it your IPL night. Sessions are short. As a rough guide, armpits take about 3 minutes, the bikini line about 4–5, legs about 4–5, the upper lip about 2, the back about 4–5 and the neck about 2. That’s often less time than an episode of whatever you’re watching.
2. Prepare your skin properly
- Shave the area beforehand. Don’t wax, tweeze or epilate during your course, because IPL needs the hair root in place.
- Make sure your skin is clean and completely dry. After a hot bath on a cold night, give it a few minutes.
- Wear your goggles.
- Start on level 1, then increase gradually if it feels comfortable.
3. Keep using SPF, even indoors
Winter sun is weaker, but it’s still there. UVA rays can pass through windows, so if you sit by a sunny window or drive a lot, the exposed skin still gets some UV. Bright winter days, snow glare and ski trips also count. If you’re treating your face, neck or hands, a daily broad-spectrum SPF is a sensible habit. If an area does get a tan or sunburn, skip it until your skin is back to its usual tone, and check the manual for specific guidance.
4. Plan around winter sun holidays
Going somewhere sunny over the holidays? Adjust your plan. Pause sessions on any area that tans while you’re away and pick up again once your skin has settled. A short break is fine. It’s better than treating tanned skin.
5. Be gentle with dry winter skin
Central heating and cold air can leave skin feeling tight. Keep your routine simple and follow the aftercare guidance in the manual. If an area looks irritated, give it a rest before your next session.
When motivation dips mid-winter
Motivation tends to fade by January. The holidays are over, it’s dark by late afternoon and you’re wearing jumpers every day, so it’s easy to think no one will see your legs until April anyway. That’s usually the point where people let weekly sessions slide.
It helps if sessions are comfortable. Opeau Rose has built-in ice cooling, which many people find makes each flash feel gentler. Sensations vary from person to person, but when a session feels easy you’re more likely to keep doing it. A few other features help too:
- Glide and manual modes: Use glide for larger areas like legs and switch to manual for smaller ones.
- 5 energy levels: Start low and build up at your own pace.
- Skin-contact sensor: It shows green when the window is flat against your skin.
- Precision filter cap: At about 2.0 cm², it’s smaller than the default window (about 3.6 cm²) and better suited to areas like the upper lip.
- Up to 500,000 flashes: Plenty for your initial course and future maintenance.
One more tip: make a note in your phone when each session is done. Looking back on December when it’s February is surprisingly motivating.
A treat for yourself this winter
Winter is gifting season, and plenty of people put something on the list for themselves. If you’ve been meaning to try at-home IPL, the timing works out well:
- Less to think about later. The aim is fewer razor runs and less last-minute shaving when spring arrives.
- Time to judge it properly. Opeau Rose comes with a 90-day money-back guarantee. That covers the point around weeks 3–4 when hair loss often begins, so you can see how your skin and hair respond.
- Simple logistics. Shipping is free to the US, UK and EU, and there’s a 1-year warranty. The device works on 100–240V and comes with US, EU or UK plugs, so it can travel with you.
Just keep expectations realistic. IPL offers permanent hair reduction, not permanent removal. Most people see gradual thinning and slower regrowth over time, with occasional maintenance to keep results going. Individual results vary.
FAQ: IPL in winter
Is winter really the best time to start IPL?
For most people it’s the most practical time. Skin tends to be paler and sun exposure lower, and an initial course started between late October and January can finish before spring. You can start IPL at any time of year, as long as the area you’re treating isn’t tanned or sunburnt.
How long until I see results?
Hair loss often begins around weeks 3–4 of weekly sessions. Most people continue through weeks 4–8 before moving to maintenance every 1–3 months. Everyone’s timeline is a little different.
Do I need SPF in winter if I’m mostly indoors?
It’s a good habit, especially on your face, neck and hands. UVA can pass through windows, and bright winter days and snow glare still add up. Never treat skin that has tanned or burnt.
What if I go on a sunny holiday mid-course?
Pause sessions on any area that tans, then restart once your skin is back to its usual tone. You can keep shaving in the meantime. Just don’t wax, tweeze or epilate.
Does ice cooling make IPL painless?
We can’t promise that. Everyone’s sensitivity is different. Many people find the cooling makes sessions feel more comfortable, and starting on level 1 lets you find a level that suits you.
Ready when you are
If you’d like spring to start with less shaving, now is a good time to begin. Read the beginner’s guide or browse the manual on our support page. When you’re ready, take a look at Opeau Rose. If you have questions before you start, email support@opeau.com.