HAir removal has come a long way since the days of pungent, frankly scary epilator creams and razors that have to come with a health and safety warning. Maybe you’re still a fan of the old ways of waxing (you masochist), but for those of us in the market for a way to wax that doesn’t require pain, fear, and near-daily maintenance, let us introduce you to the world of IPL – intense pulsed light technology.
IPL is not new. IPL hair removal has been available in clinics and salons for years, and there have been several iterations of at-home IPL devices that promise to make body hair shine. But they’ve always been a bit, well, rubbish. Expensive, time consuming and prone to losing patches. now, however, a new crop of home appliances have entered the hair removal market and they are pretty great.
First, though, an IPL refresher course. The treatment is exactly what the acronym suggests: intense pulsating light. Used to treat a variety of skin problems, intense bursts of light are aimed at a targeted area—so far, so Star Wars – in this case in the pigment in the hair. The blow releases a burst of heat that kills (or at least damages) the cells that cause hair growth.
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So is it a laser? Not so fast. IPL is often misunderstood as laser hair removal, but there is one key difference. IPL uses multiple wavelengths rather than the single beam of a laser. The general school of thought is that laser requires fewer sessions and has more lasting results, while the benefits of IPL include less chance of skin damage. Plus, there are, crucially, affordable at-home options that are still efficient.
If you have ever engaged in machine hair removal, you will be well aware that there are many rules to follow. A total scratch, of course, but also necessary if you want to avoid rapid regeneration, scarring, burns and hyperpigmentation. Here we present a handy list of things you should know before you mow (sorry!).
IPL hair removal is usually best suited for those with light to medium skin types and dark hair. Light brown hair can also be blown out by the right device. Not sure if you are a suitable candidate? Professionals say that for best results there should be a noticeable difference between your hair color and your skin. This is why most experts will not use an IPL machine on black skin or those with very light or red hair.
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Tanning is prohibited. Whether it’s a real tan or a fake glow, the altered skin color will affect the results. The light is looking for a dark pigment, and you don’t want it to confuse your tan with the hair you’re trying to dig out.
Be patient. The IPL is not a one-hit wonder. Repeat treatments are necessary because your hair grows and sheds at different rates, so to catch them all – and get rid of them for good – you need to cover multiple cycles. Every four weeks is the usual time.
The new range of home IPL hair removal devices are convenient, cost effective and deliver impressive results. Behold, the best in the business.
Philips Lumea IPL 9900 Series
Best for on the go
Philips Lumea IPL 9900 Series, £489.99
In the unlikely event that the urge to prune hits you while on the move, this nifty piece of kit has you covered (or uncovered, if you prefer). Yes, it resembles a Laser Quest gun, but unlike most IPL devices, this one doesn’t need to be plugged in. The portable machine holds enough charge to remove hair on multiple body parts in one session.
A “smart skin sensor” ensures that the light only starts shining on contact with your skin, avoiding any accidental glare. There’s also a Bluetooth feature that connects to your phone so you can keep track of your laser program (what body parts you’ve done and when), plus tips and tricks for optimal use.
Our tester reported a “definite decrease” in hair growth after using this every two weeks for several months. They were particularly pleased that they didn’t have to wear glasses (often an IPL prerequisite), said it was virtually painless “even on the highest setting” and appreciated the ease with which it fitted into their grooming routine.
The obvious mention should be given to the additional accessories: individual pockets easily separate the four individual accessories for the face and body, there is an electric shaver (surprisingly a pre-treatment shave improves the results, as the light beam can be focused on the hair root ) and is extremely quiet. . Stealth shearing.
Best for full body hair removal
Foreo Peach 2, £369
Aesthetically pleasing, yes, but its sleek ergonomics aren’t just for show. The flexible head and silicone-like material make easy work of hard-to-reach spots, flowing with the contours of your body to access areas such as the back of your legs or, well, your regions bottom (no judgment here) for no problems. , and without spots, waxing.
It is also a powerful beast. With up to 120 IPL flashes per minute, it covers large areas quickly. Our tester boasted that they could easily go through a full body session in just 20 minutes.
The built-in fan is the star of the show, helping to cool the skin as it glides away and removes any associated stings. Coat the skin in Foreo Peach Prep Cooling Gel, £32.90, for even easier epilation.
Five intensity settings, including a precise face mode, take care of every sensitive spot – and poor sensitivity.
After using it eight times over a three-month period, our tester reported significantly less hair growth and noted how painless and easy it was to use.
Braun IPL Silk-expert Pro 5 PL5347
Best for different skin tones
Braun IPL Silk-expert Pro 5 PL5347, £759.99
There’s a lot of buzz around Braun’s beauty gadget, and it’s even been endorsed by TikTok (kudos, really), racking up over 30 million views.
Why noise? Its technological credentials are impressive: 125 bursts of light per minute enable record removal speed, both legs in less than five minutes, our tester said. The brand also claims it has a lifetime warranty of 400,000 flashes, or 20 years of salon-quality hair removal. But it’s the skin-sensing technology that really sets the sleek white and gold handset apart. Hair and skin tone are scanned before it automatically selects the most suitable setting to ensure safety and efficiency. Wise, smart, clever.
The most common description of how IPL feels is that it’s like being strapped on with an elastic band, and the device gives off weird vibrations. Plus, our tester reported feeling sunburned for an hour after use.
Foot pains aside, there’s a reason why TikTok has declared this “a game changer”: it works. Designed to be used weekly for 4-12 weeks (and as needed after that), it only took four rounds of use for our tester to report hair that is shorter, thinner and less visible. There’s also a precision head to target trickier areas like the bikini line and upper lip.
Bondi Body V2 Laser @ Home
Best for sensitive skin
Bondi Body V2 Laser @ Home, £299.00
Cute isn’t usually something we associate with hair removal, but then one tester compared this to a mini “Eve from WALL-E” and now we can’t see it. We leave.
Animated sci-fi aside, there’s some serious science at play here. Specifically, 300,000 flashes (that’s 10 years of regular use) and eight intensity settings that cater to different skin sensitivities. There’s a not-totally-unpleasant warmth when you use this, but it’s not painful when you’re slathering it on your face either.
Black Ray-Ban style sunglasses detract from the otherwise sleek product offering. But obviously protecting your colleagues from the overwhelming glare of the flashes is more important than asking for photogenic mid-hair removal.
The results are immediate. The instructions say this can be used twice a week (more than other IPL devices), so maybe that’s why the hair looked thinner and sparser after just three weeks. Considering this sits on the cheaper end of the hair removal spectrum, the near-instant lack of spiky regrowth is not to be sniffed at.
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