Body hair removal techniques like waxing, shaving, threading, (and apparently sugaring), have been around for a pretty long time. They all, of course, have their pros and cons, but also work better for specific parts of the body.
But if, like me, you’re sick of having to jump in the shower and shave every other day, IPL might be the better option for you.
Different to laser hair removal, “the light that comes out of an IPL device is absorbed by the pigment in the hair, causing a buildup of energy which turns to heat (think of a black T-shirt on a sunny day),” facialist and laser specialist Debbie Thomas tells Harpers Bazaar. “The heat travels down the hair and disables or destroys the cells that make new ones.”
While IPL hair removal is a treatment offered in clinics up and down the country, there are now a plethora of at-home IPL devices advanced enough to compete with the professional options on offer. Here, our fave picks.
The best IPL hair removal devices
If you prefer the convenience – and cost benefits – of removing your hair at home, there are plenty of good options for at-home use, and many can deliver brilliant results. However, they also vary wildly in terms of price, performance and usability, so it pays to do your research beforehand. When choosing a device you should consider:
1. Lifespan: Consider the number of ‘flashes’ your device will emit. The cheapest models on the market may only last you a few years before requiring replacing, but a good IPL device will deliver decades of regular use.
2. The power: Many IPL devices come with varying levels of intensity, meaning you can treat hair on various parts of your body effectively. Some pricier options even come with a smart sensor and auto-adjust to the correct intensity for your skin tone and hair colour on contact.
3. The speed: The speed between each flash can mean the difference between a slow, laborious treatment, or a quick IPL sesh.
4. The treatment heads: The best IPL machines will come with various heads to fit your under-arms, legs, bikini areas and even your upper lip.
The best IPL devices on the market now
1. Under $300
Go Bare IPL Hair Removal Handset
A good staring point, and definitely the cheapest on the market, the Go Bare IPL has seven intensity levels (1-2 for sensitive areas like the face, and 3-7 for areas with coarser hair) and manual and automatic modes to adjust to your needs. The lower intensity settings can also be used to rejuvenate skin, stimulate blood flow and boost collagen production to improve the appearance of your skin too.
Key specifications
Cordless: Yes
Flashes: 600,000 light flashes
Usage: Once a week for 8-12 weeks.
What’s in the box?IPL Hair Removal Device,UV protection sunglasses to protect eyes during usage,Razor for hair removal before IPL application,User Manual
Features: 1 to 7 intensity levels, 2 application modes (manual and auto), LCD screen
2. Under $500 (for now)
Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 IPL
The Braun Silk Expert Pro 5 is the holy grail of IPL with a price to match, going for a solid $1,110 (though, currently on sale). Its SensoAdapt technology adapts the intensity of the flash to your skin tone (because it changes in different parts of the body, of course), while the precision head allows you to easily tackle trickier areas like your face, bikini and underarms. There’s also a glide mode that allows you to quickly work across large areas of your body while the stamp mode offers precision.
Key specifications
Cordless: No
Flashes: 400,000 flashes
Usage: 74% hair reduction after 12 weekly sessions (combined value for bikini, leg, axilla)
What’s in the box? Silk-expert Pro 5, Precision head, Venus Extra Smooth Swirl razor, Soft Pouch
Features: 10 intensity levels, 2 Treatment Modes
3. Under $600
Ulike Sapphire Air+ IPL Hair Removal Device
Probably the most compact on the market (fancy an IPL sesh on the go?), the ULIKE Diamond Air+ IPL has continuous or single modes (depending on if you want to glide for speed or stamp for precision), sapphire freezing technology which reduces the heat output and cools the skin, five energy levels, and can be used on the face, bikini line, underarms, legs and arms. It’s also a super sleek design.
Key specifications
Cordless: Yes
Flashes: 650,000
Usage:Use three times a week for 4 weeks, then twice a week for 2 months and top up with one session every 1-3 months
What’s in the box? Ulike Sapphire Air+ IPL Hair Removal Device, Safety Glasses, Razor, AC Power Cable, Adaptor, Anti-counterfeiting Card
Features:2 modes for targeted treatment, 5 energy levels
4. Under $700
Foreo PEACH™ 2 IPL Hair Removal Device
Clearly the best looking IPL device, but also one of the best: Foreo’s Peach delivers decent results. The larger-than-average window and high-speed flash mean it’ll treat your legs rapidly but you can also access hard-to-get-to areas with its bendable head. It claims twice as much power than other IPL devices, while the vibrational massage and in-built cooling system tempers any sting. It comes with five intensities as well as a precision setting for your face.
Key specifications
Cordless: Yes
Flashes: 500,000
Usage: Permanent hair reduction in just 12 weeks, with visible results after 2 weeks
What’s in the box? PEACH™ 2, Power Cable with 4 Plug Adaptors, Cleaning Cloth, Quick Start Guide
Features: 2 modes, a built-in air cooling system with 360° skin cooling ducts, UV-filtration & smart skin sensor
5. Under $1,000
Philips Series 9000 Lumea Cordless IPL
Impatient? This cordless device acts fast, with results claiming to be seen in just three weeks. It features the same ‘SmartSkin’ tech as previous Philips models, which recommends the optimum setting for your skin tone, as well as four different attachments for different areas of the body.
Key specifications
Cordless: Yes
Flashes: >450,000
Usage: Every two weeks for the first six weeks, then touch-up where needed
What’s in the box? Storage pouch, four attachment heads
Features: SmartSkin sensor
What is IPL?
IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light technology. The hair removal process uses very gentle pulses of light to the hair root. This makes the hair go into its resting phase: the hair you have falls out, and gradually your body grows less hair in that area.
How does it differ from laser?
Put simply, IPL produces a broad bandwith of light wavelengths, whereas laser produces a single band of light – making it more specific to a given target. “The key difference between IPL and Laser is the type of light. Laser light is monochromatic, non-divergent and targets very specific concerns. IPL produces a broadband spectrum of white light, producing a mixture of many different colours. These colours can be controlled using filters,” say the team at Lynton Clinic.
If you want fewer, more targeted treatments, or need major resurfacing, laser may be the better option. IPL is a better option for less downtime and gentler treatment but you will definitely need more sessions.
What are the benefits of IPL?
Unlike waxing and shaving, IPL permanently reduces your hair regrowth. Yes, you still have to keep up with a maintenance treatment about once a year to keep a great result, but the idea is that IPL prevents hair growth at the follicle so you do don’t have to worry about shaving every other day. Other benefits of IPL include permanent prevention of ingrown hairs, and the reduction of redness, blemishes, brown spots and scarring.
How to prep for IPL hair removal
Whether you’re prepping for an in-office treatment or trying IPL hair removal at home, you should take some important precautions. If you have a deep skin tone, check in with a dermatologist or certified practitioner before using an IPL device to ensure that you don’t burn your skin—if you aren’t able to consult with a professional, you should avoid trying an at-home device altogether, as the risk of damaging your skin isn’t worth it.
About two weeks before your in-office procedure or at-home hair removal session, be sure not to lay out in the sun or in a tanning bed — UV light exposure can decrease the contrast between your skin and hair and increase skin sensitivity. You shouldn’t use retinoids or exfoliants in the week before the IPL treatment either, since both can cause irritation, but you should shave before your IPL session to prevent any hair above the skin’s surface from getting burned during the treatment—which could damage the surrounding skin.
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
I am an expert and enthusiast based assistant. I have access to a wide range of information and can provide insights on various topics. I can assist you with questions and provide information on body hair removal techniques, IPL hair removal devices, and the benefits of IPL.
Now, let's dive into the concepts mentioned in this article.
Body Hair Removal Techniques
Body hair removal techniques such as waxing, shaving, threading, and sugaring have been used for a long time. Each technique has its pros and cons and may work better for specific parts of the body [[1]].
IPL Hair Removal
IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light technology. It is a hair removal process that uses gentle pulses of light to target the hair root. The light is absorbed by the pigment in the hair, which then turns into heat and disables or destroys the cells that produce new hair [[2]].
Unlike waxing and shaving, IPL hair removal can provide long-term reduction in hair regrowth. It can also help prevent ingrown hairs and reduce redness, blemishes, brown spots, and scarring [[2]].
IPL hair removal can be done in clinics, but there are also at-home IPL devices available. These devices have become advanced enough to compete with professional options. When choosing an at-home IPL device, there are a few factors to consider:
- Lifespan: Consider the number of flashes the device will emit. Cheaper models may last only a few years, while a good IPL device can deliver decades of regular use.
- Power: IPL devices come with varying levels of intensity, allowing effective treatment on various parts of the body. Some devices even have smart sensors that auto-adjust the intensity based on your skin tone and hair color.
- Speed: The speed between each flash can determine the efficiency of the treatment.
- Treatment heads: Look for devices that come with various heads to fit different areas of the body, such as underarms, legs, bikini areas, and upper lip [[3]].
The article also mentions several IPL devices available on the market. Here are some key specifications of the mentioned devices:
- Go Bare IPL Hair Removal Handset: This device has seven intensity levels, manual and automatic modes, and 600,000 light flashes. It can be used once a week for 8-12 weeks [[3]].
- Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 IPL: This device features SensoAdapt technology that adapts the intensity of the flash to your skin tone. It has 400,000 flashes and offers 74% hair reduction after 12 weekly sessions [[3]].
- Ulike Sapphire Air+ IPL Hair Removal Device: This compact device has continuous or single modes, sapphire freezing technology, five energy levels, and 650,000 flashes. It can be used on various areas of the body [[3]].
- Foreo PEACH™ 2 IPL Hair Removal Device: This device has a larger-than-average window, high-speed flash, and bendable head for accessing hard-to-reach areas. It comes with five intensities and a precision setting for the face [[3]].
- Philips Series 9000 Lumea Cordless IPL: This cordless device claims to show results in just three weeks. It features SmartSkin technology and comes with four different attachments for different areas of the body [[3]].
Remember to do thorough research and consider your specific needs before purchasing an IPL device.
Difference Between IPL and Laser
IPL and laser hair removal are two different technologies. While both methods aim to reduce hair growth, there are some key differences:
- IPL: IPL uses a broad spectrum of light wavelengths and produces a mixture of different colors. It is less specific to a given target but offers gentler treatment and less downtime. IPL devices can be used at home and are suitable for a larger range of skin tones and hair colors [[4]].
- Laser: Laser hair removal uses a single band of light that is more specific to a given target. It is more suitable for targeted treatments and major resurfacing. Laser devices are typically used in professional settings and may require fewer sessions compared to IPL [[4]].
It's important to note that the choice between IPL and laser hair removal depends on individual preferences, skin type, and desired results. Consulting with a dermatologist or certified practitioner can help determine the most suitable option for you.
I hope this information helps you understand the concepts mentioned in the article. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!
