If you are someone who prefers to shave, you are probably also someone who loathes the actual practice. Shaving is a time-consuming, messy ritual filled with bleeding nicks, razor burns and painful bumps. Yet, some people simply can’t imagine not having silky smooth shaved skin. The only option is to just resign yourself to shower contortion in the name of hair removal — or is it?
The popularity of waxing and laser hair removal is proof of just how desperate some are to remove their body hair without a razor in hand. First, there’s waxing: While extremely effective in the moment, waxing is also undoubtedly painful and woefully temporary. Then, there’s laser hair removal: While a wildly effective means of permanent hair removal, laser hair removal is also incredibly expensive. Laser hair removal usually costs around $100 per treatment for a small area to upwards of $800 for a large area — and it takes most people eight treatments or more to receive the desired results.
The desire to make laser hair removal more affordable and accessible has exploded in recent years, leading to the development of at-home devices for laser hair removal. These devices promise spa-like results for a fraction of the cost of professional laser hair removal. Sound intriguing? Here’s all you need to know about at-home laser hair removal.
What are intense pulsed light (IPL) devices?
Though billed as at-home laser hair removal devices, these devices don’t actually use the same technology as professional laser hair removal. At-home devices are actually called intense pulsed light devices — or IPL devices — which use broadband pulsed light to remove hair at the root. Laser hair removal, however, uses a single monochromatic light source to remove hair.
Though each method uses a different type of light to work, the results are quite similar. Both technologies target the melanin in the hair follicle for removal, effectively killing the hair follicle. Hair, however, grows in cycles — and both IPL hair removal and laser hair removal only work on hair that is in an active cycle of growth. This means several treatments over several months — usually eight to 10 treatments — are required for optimal results.
While results are largely permanent, many people don’t experience a complete loss of all pesky hairs. You’ll likely need a maintenance treatment about every year to keep stray hairs at bay.
What are the benefits of IPL hair removal?
IPL devices often cost anywhere from $200 to $500 dollars, which is an investment. But when compared to the price of professional laser hair removal, the financial hit is much less. It also rivals the cost of a year’s worth of waxing treatments or even a year’s worth of razors and shaving cream.
Though it may sound scary to take permanent hair removal into your own hands, doctors at the Cleveland Clinic agree the practice is generally safe for amateur hair removal enthusiasts. IPL devices pack less power than in-spa laser treatments, helping to prevent any mishaps or skin damage. But this also means you’ll likely need more treatments to experience spa-like results. And that brings us to the downsides you want to consider when it comes to IPL hair removal.
What are the limits of IPL hair removal?
Both laser hair removal and IPL hair removal, unfortunately, have limitations — mainly when it comes to efficacy on deep skin tones and lighter hair colors. There needs to be a contrast between your skin and hair color in order for laser or IPL hair removal to be effective. If you have blonde or red hair, current hair-removal technology is likely not for you, as the contrast between your hair color and skin tone isn’t great enough. If you have a deep skin tone, the contrast between your hair and skin tone is likely not great enough to garner results.
You also can’t use IPL devices — or get laser hair removal in general — over tattoos. It’s also not recommended if you have many dark freckles or moles in the area to be treated. If you are on acne medications or commonly use retinol, IPL and laser removal are likely not for you due to skin sensitivity. And, if you have epilepsy, the flashing light may trigger an epileptic episode. All this is to say: There’s a lot to consider when looking to take on permanent hair removal at home. Doing your research isn’t just suggested — it’s required.
Now that you are properly educated on the intricacies of IPL and at-home “laser” hair removal, it’s time to see what device is right for you. These are the five best at-home laser hair removal devices if you want to permanently remove your hair (safely!) at home.
1. Nood The Flasher 2.0, $169 (Orig. $270)
FDA- and customer-approved, The Flasher 2.0 by Nood is an intense pulsed light treatment that works on body hair and facial hair, including sensitive bikini and Brazilian areas. If you use the device as recommended, Nood guarantees results in eight weeks or less. The average treatment time for use on your legs, underarms and face is 10 minutes, thanks to a wider window. The device even includes a UV-filtered lens to block ultraviolet light during treatment, keeping your skin safe.
2. JOVS Venus Pro Ⅱ, $399.98 (Orig. $496.99)
The JOVS Venus Pro II IPL tackles hair removal from all angles — literally. Unlike other similar devices, the JOVS Venus Pro II head can rotate 330 degrees, making it easier to access hard-to-reach areas. The device has six modes and six intensity levels to help cater to your needs and comfort. At the highest setting, the treatment light flashes every 0.7 seconds, making full-body hair removal possible in under 10 minutes. The device has a cooling system that instantly cools the skin during treatment, reducing discomfort associated with IPL treatment. Clinical results of the JOVS Venus Pro II found that the hair loss rate is as high as 90% after two months of use.
3. Ulike Sapphire Air3, $329
Lightweight yet highly effective, the Ulike Sapphire Air3 is a top IPL device on the market. It has three settings tailored to different parts of the body, helping you give the correct strength of treatment to each area. The device also features patented cooling technology to soothe the skin during treatment, helping to curb discomfort and any potential skin damage. The Ulike Sapphire Air3 has an ergonomic flash window specially designed for better coverage and fewer missed spots, adding to the ease of use. It takes only 10 minutes for a fast treatment with noticeable results promised in only three weeks.
4. Lumi by RoseSkinCo., $169 (Orig. $229)
Billed as gentle and pain-free, Lumi is a compact IPL device that packs a punch. Lumi promises less hair growth after just one use, while long-term hair removal is guaranteed after 12 uses. With six intensity levels, you can customize your treatment to your skin and hair needs. You can complete a full-body treatment with the FDA-cleared device in just 30 minutes. With proper care and normal use, Lumi can last more than 30 years! Bet your razor can’t do that!
5. Braun Silk Expert Pro 5, $349
At less than two pounds, the Braun Silk Expert Pro 5 comes with the most variety of features out of all devices on this list. With three treatment modes and 10 intensity levels, the device can effectively treat both legs in less than five minutes. The Braun Silk Expert Pro 5 also features an innovative skin tone sensor that provides continuous UV protection during treatment. The feature automatically detects your skin tone, adjusting the needed strength of treatment for optimal results throughout use. With more than 4,600 five-star reviews on Amazon, it’s one of the highest-rated IPL devices on the market.
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