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Cancel your next waxing appointment and throw out your razor in favour of these tried and tested devices
If you are someone who chooses to remove their body hair, the quest for smooth skin is an ongoing battle we at IndyBest know all too well. Whether you shave, sugar, wax or use hair removal creams, the methods seem endless and often painfully tedious.
However, if you’re tired of the upkeep, it might be time to consider investing in at-home laser hair removal or intense pulsed light (IPL) technology. These beauty tools have the ability to provide semi-permanent hair reduction. With the advancement of tech, at-home hair removal has become more accessible, efficient, and less painful than ever before.
IPL devices emit a broad spectrum of light, targeting a wider area of skin. They work by delivering a range of wavelengths that scatter within the skin, reaching multiple depths. Laser devices, on the other hand, release a single, focused wavelength of light, targeting specific pigments in the hair follicle with precision.
Sk:n clinics regional nurse trainer Charlotte Lundy says: “Both IPL and laser can be used for hair removal, as the light source is drawn to and absorbed by the pigment in the hair. The light energy is converted to heat, destroying blood flow to the base of the hair follicles, which causes active hair to shed and in turn disrupts future hair growth.
“It’s important to note that, although IPL can be used for hair removal, as the light needs to attach itself to the pigment in the hair, it’s not recommended for all skin tones and hair colour. In particular, it’s not recommended for black or fair skin or people with red hair, whereas with laser, different wavelengths can be used, which means it’s suitable for all skin tones.”
What’s more, these devices require consistent, multiple sessions to achieve desired results, and maintenance treatments may be necessary to keep hair at bay. Twelve weeks is usually the recommended course of treatment, although each session takes only minutes to complete. Regardless of your skin type, brands typically suggest patch testing before embarking upon a full treatment, to ensure compatibility with your skin.
Here, we explore the best at-home IPL and laser hair removal devices on the market.
At-home laser hair removal or IPL can appear very daunting to those less familiar with the process, so, we started off by assessing how easy it was to set up and use each device. We also measured each machine by how painful the treatment was, how quickly we saw results and the rate of regrowth. Whether you’re tired of the endless cycle of traditional hair removal methods or you’re simply looking to upgrade your smooth skin routine, these devices could be the solution for you.
IPL stands for intense pulsed light. It’s a type of light therapy used to treat unwanted hair. It works by targeting a specific colour in your skin, and the higher the contrast between your skin and hair colour, the better, which is why it is often said to be most effective on those with light skin and dark hair. When the skin is heated, it destroys the hair follicle, preventing the hair from growing again.
IPL is similar to a laser treatment. However, a laser focuses just one wavelength of light on your skin, while IPL releases light of many different wavelengths. Plus, the light from IPL is more scattered and less focused than a laser. They both, however, penetrate down to the second layer of your skin (dermis) without harming the top layer (epidermis).
Sk:n clinic’s regional nurse trainer Charlotte Lundy does remind us that “IPL is usually only successful on clients with fair skin and dark hair”.
The light from an IPL at-home machine is much less concentrated than salon treatments, so they can be used safely in the comfort of your home, so long as you follow the manufacturer’s guidance.
It actually depends on the body part on which you’re concentrating. Most instruction manuals recommend using the home IPL device once every four weeks, to catch the new hair that is starting to return in its growth cycle.
For legs, it is once every eight to 12 weeks, as the hair growth rate on this body area is much slower. It’s worth noting if you’re anxious to exceed these time frames, it won’t speed up hair loss, in fact, it will probably do the opposite and may also lead to irritated skin.
Home IPL devices operate at a lower intensity than those used professionally, therefore, their ability to disable the hair follicle sufficiently is less than a salon treatment. However, it goes without saying the convenience of being able to carry out the treatments at home, in your own time, is a game changer for long-term hair removal. Plus, there is a substantial financial difference, as professional in-salon treatments tend to be very costly.
Lundy says: “The main difference between treating hair removal in clinic vs at home is the technology used. In the clinic, lasers are suitable for all skin tones and will often show quicker results and be more comfortable. At-home IPL devices will often take longer, especially depending on the speed of the machine.”
Lundy says: “It’s always important to have good skincare at home but we always request people avoid using retinol or any active acids to the area being treated for 48 hours pre- and 72 hours post-treatment. This is to help give the skin time to heal and avoid any adverse reactions.”
Sun care is another key matter. Lundy says those undergoing IPL or laser hair removal “must avoid sun exposure two weeks prior to treatment and two weeks post-treatment, and must wear SPF”. If you do happen to be exposed to the sun during your course of treatment, Sk:n advises to wait two weeks before completing a test patch, to maintain optimum safety and achieve the best result possible.
While we were thoroughly impressed with all the devices we tested (particularly with our previous thoughts being that a pricey trip to the salon was the only way to successfully banish body hair), we have to say the standout was the Philip lumea 9000 series. Featuring different heads to work on various parts of the body, this gadget produced results in a few uses. We also loved the Braun silk i-expert pro 7, while the No!No! IPL device provided a relatively budget-friendly option.
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