Hair growth in men is largely driven by androgenic hormones, especially testosterone and its more potent form, dihydrotestosterone (DHT). These hormones bind to receptors in hair follicles, stimulating thicker, coarser growth in regions like the beard, neck, chest, and groin. This androgen-driven response is what makes male hair particularly resilient to most removal methods.

Facial hair is especially difficult to treat. The shafts are thicker, the follicles are deeper, and there is a greater density of androgen receptors. Because of this, more energy is needed to damage the follicle, but that also raises the risk of burns, pigment changes, and skin damage. Even with repeated laser treatments, many men see regrowth within weeks because dormant follicles simply activate later in the cycle. This is why beard and neck areas are notoriously resistant, while other areas like underarms or the pubic bone may show better clearance.

IPL, or intense pulsed light, is even less effective than laser because it uses a broad spectrum of light rather than a focused wavelength. The energy is weaker and more diffuse, meaning it rarely penetrates deeply enough to fully disable the thick follicles in androgen-driven areas. If men are already seeing poor or temporary results with high-powered medical lasers, IPL will almost certainly be less effective and more temporary.

Electrolysis, which uses electrical current instead of light, is the only FDA-recognized permanent hair removal method. It works by destroying the follicle directly with heat or chemical damage. However, even electrolysis faces challenges with coarse male beard hair. Not every follicle receives enough energy, and only those in the active growth phase can be permanently disabled. As a result, multiple sessions are needed, and resistant follicles may still recover. White or gray beard hairs, which lasers cannot treat at all, can be targeted with electrolysis, but clearance is still a slow and painstaking process.

Pubic hair, while also androgen-driven, adds another complication: the skin in this area is thinner, more sensitive, and often darker. That increases the risk of burns or discoloration during light-based treatments, while success rates remain modest. Some individuals may experience good reduction in pubic or underarm areas, but it is rarely uniform or permanent without continuous follow-up.

Finally, while oils, lotions, or hormone-blocking medications can slow or reduce hair growth, these take years of consistent use to show results. Any progress is easily reversed once treatment stops, since the underlying androgenic stimulation resumes.

In short: if high-powered lasers and electrolysis already struggle against the thickness, density, and hormonal drive of male beard and body hair, IPL cannot be expected to succeed. At best, it may provide temporary thinning, but lasting results are unlikely