HAir venting has come a long way since the days of pungent smelling creams, frankly horribly noisy epilators, and razors that had to come with health and safety warnings. Maybe you’re still a fan of old-fashioned hair removal methods (you’re a masochist), but for those of us looking for a hair removal method that doesn’t require pain, fear, or near-daily maintenance, let us introduce you to the world of IPL (intense pulsed light technology).
IPL isn’t new. IPL hair removal has been available in clinics and salons for years, and a few at-home IPL devices have appeared, claiming to remove body hair in one fell swoop. But they’ve always been, well, a bit lame. They’re expensive, time-consuming, and prone to shedding. Now, However, new at-home hair removal devices are entering the hair removal market, and they are quite good.
First, a refresher course on IPL: The treatment is exactly what it sounds like: intense pulsed light. Used to treat a variety of skin problems, intense shocks of light are aimed at the targeted area. Star Wars — in this case, it works on the pigment in your hair. When it is struck, it releases heat, which kills (or at least damages) the cells that stimulate hair growth.
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So is it a laser? Not so fast. IPL is often mistaken for laser hair removal, but there is a key difference. IPL uses multiple wavelengths rather than a single beam of laser. The common belief is that laser requires fewer sessions and longer lasting results, whereas the advantage of IPL is that it is less damaging to the skin. Plus, importantly, there are affordable options that can be done at home and still be effective.
If you’ve ever tried mechanical hair removal, you know very well that there are a lot of rules to follow. Sure, it’s very tedious, but it’s necessary if you want to avoid rapid hair regrowth, scarring, burns and hyperpigmentation. Here is a handy list of what you need to know before you start hair removal (sorry!).
Typically, IPL hair removal works best for people with light to medium skin types and dark hair. With the right equipment, it can even remove light brown hair. If you’re not sure if it’s right for you, experts say that for best results, there should be a clear difference between your hair and skin color. This is why most experts don’t use IPL equipment on people with dark skin or very light or red hair.
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No tanning. Whether you’re going for a real tan or fake glow, altering your skin tone will affect your results. The light will seek out dark pigments, so you want to make sure your tanned skin isn’t mistaken for the hair you’re trying to remove.
Be patient. IPL is not a one-shot treatment. Hair grows and falls out at different rates for everyone, so repeated treatments are necessary. Multiple cycles are needed to catch and permanently remove all hair, usually every 4 weeks.
The newest generation of at-home IPL hair removal devices are convenient, cost-effective and incredibly effective. Check out the best in the industry.
Philips Lumea IPL 9900 Series
Perfect for on the go
Philips Lumea IPL 9900 Series, £489.99
It’s unlikely that you’ll get the urge to shave while on the go, but this nifty device can help (or, for that matter, prevent you from doing so). Sure, it’s similar to the Laser Quest epilator, but unlike most IPL devices, this one doesn’t need to be plugged in. This portable machine holds enough charge to epilate multiple areas of your body in one session.
A “smart skin sensor” ensures the light is applied the moment it comes into contact with the skin, preventing accidental blinding, and it also has Bluetooth functionality to link to your phone, allowing you to track your laser schedule (which areas are treated and when) as well as tips and instructions on how to best use it.
Testers reported a “definite reduction” in hair growth after using it once every two weeks for two months. They were especially pleased that they didn’t need to wear goggles (often a prerequisite for IPL), said it was nearly painless “even on the highest setting,” and called it easy to incorporate into your grooming routine.
What’s noteworthy are the extra accessories: separate pockets conveniently house four attachments, one for the face and one for the body. It even comes with an electric shaver (curiously, shaving with a pre-treatment improves results by focusing the light on the roots). It’s also incredibly quiet. That’s stealth shaving.
Ideal for whole body hair removal
Foreo Peach 2, £369
It’s beautiful to look at, sure, but its elegant ergonomics aren’t just for show: The flexible head and silicone-like material effortlessly tackle hard-to-reach spots, following the contours of your body to access areas like the backs of your legs and, um, your underbelly (no criticism here) for seamless, mess-free hair removal.
It’s a powerful machine, too: up to 120 IPL flashes per minute cover large areas quickly, and our tester boasted that he could easily complete a full-body session in just 20 minutes.
The built-in fan is the star of the show, cooling the skin as the shaver glides across, easing any stinging sensations. To make hair removal even easier, apply a generous amount of Foreo Peach Cooling Prep Gel (£32.90) to skin.
With five intensity settings, including an ultra-precise mode for the face, it’s perfect for sensitive or sensitive areas.
After eight uses over a three-month period, testers reported a noticeable reduction in hair growth and said it was painless and easy to use.
Braun IPL Silk Expert Pro 5 PL5347
Perfect for a variety of skin tones
Braun IPL Silk Expert Pro 5 PL5347, £759.99
Braun’s beauty gadgets have been so much talked about that they’ve even been TikTok-approved (and deservedly so), garnering over 30 million views.
Why the buzz? The technology is impressive: Testers say it delivers record-breaking hair removal speeds at 125 shots per minute, removing hair from both legs in under five minutes. The brand also claims a lifetime guarantee of 400,000 shots, or 20 years of salon-quality hair removal. But what really sets this sleek white-and-gold device apart is its skin-sensing technology: It scans your hair and skin tone, then auto-selects the most appropriate settings to ensure safety and effectiveness. Smart.
The most common description of the IPL sensation is that it feels like being flicked by a rubber band, but the device does impart a weird tingling sensation, and our testers reported that they felt like they had a sunburn for an hour after using it.
Sore legs aside, there’s a reason TikTok called this a “game-changing product”: it works. Designed to be used weekly (and then as needed) for four to 12 weeks, testers reported shorter, thinner, and less noticeable hair after just four uses. It also has a precision head for targeting trickier areas, like the bikini line or upper lip.
Bondi Body V2 Laser@Home
Great for Sensitive Skin
Bondi Body V2 Laser @ Home, £299.00
Hair removal doesn’t usually have a cute image in mind, but testers compared it to a mini version of “Eve from the Future.” Wally“And now we can’t forget it. We’ve got the story.
Anime sci-fi aside, there’s some serious science at work here: 300,000 flashes (10 years of normal use) and eight intensity settings to suit a range of skin sensitivities. When in use, it feels warm, which isn’t too uncomfortable, but it’s not painful when you place it on your face.
A pair of black Ray-Ban-style sunglasses distracts from an otherwise sleek line-up, but protecting your eyes from the overwhelming brightness of the flash is arguably more important than looking photogenic while epilating.
Results are immediate. The instructions state that the product can be used twice a week (more than other IPL devices), which may be why hair appears thinner and more sparse after just three weeks. Considering that this is one of the cheaper hair removal products, the lack of immediate itchy hair growth is a real shame.
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