Hair removal has come a long way since the days of stinging creams, frankly terrifying snarling epilators and razors that should carry health and safety warnings. Maybe you’re still a fan of the old defuzzing methods (you masochist), but for those of us looking for a hair removal method that doesn’t require pain, fear and almost daily maintenance, allow us to 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 instant body hair. But they were always a bit, well, crap. Expensive, time consuming and prone to missing patches. Now, although a new crop of at-home tools have entered the hair removal market that are pretty cool.
But first, an IPL refresher course. The treatment is exactly what the acronym suggests: intense pulsed light. Used to treat a variety of skin problems, powerful bursts of light are directed at a target area – so far, yes Star Wars — in this case, to the pigment in the hair. Upon impact, a burst of heat is released that kills (or at least damages) the cells that cause hair growth.
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So it’s 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 laser beam. The general idea is that laser requires fewer sessions and has longer-lasting results, while the benefits of IPL include less chance of skin damage. In addition, there are, in principle, affordable home options that are still effective.
If you’ve ever committed to machine hair removal, you’ll be all too aware that there are many rules to follow. Totally boring, sure, but also necessary if you want to avoid rapid regrowth, scarring, burns, and hyperpigmentation. Here’s a handy list of things to know before you start chopping (sorry!).
IPL hair removal is usually best suited for people with light to medium skin types and dark hair. Light brown hair can also be blasted with the right equipment. Not sure if you are a suitable candidate? Professionals say that for best results, there should be an obvious difference between the color of your hair and your skin. This is why most practitioners will not use an IPL device on black skin or people with very fair or red hair.
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Sunbathing is prohibited. Whether it’s a real tan or a fake glow, the altered skin color will affect the results. Light seeks out dark pigment, and you don’t want your tan to be mistaken for the hair you’re trying to comb.
Be patient. The IPL is no miracle. Repeat treatments are necessary because your hairs grow and fall out at different rates, so to catch them all – and get rid of them permanently – you need to cover several cycles. The usual time is every four weeks.
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 travel
Philips Lumea IPL 9900 Series, £489.99
In the unlikely event that the urge to prune on the go hits you, this nifty kit will cover (or uncover, if you prefer). Yes, it resembles the Laser Quest gun, but unlike most IPL devices, this device does not need to be plugged into an outlet. The portable machine holds enough cartridges to detangle hair on multiple body parts in one session.
The “smart skin sensor” ensures that the light only starts emitting when it comes into contact with your skin, preventing accidental blinding. There’s even Bluetooth functionality that connects to your phone so you can keep track of your laser schedule (which parts of your body you’ve done and when), plus tips and instructions for optimal use.
Our tester reported “some reduction” in hair growth after using it every two weeks for several months. They were particularly pleased that they didn’t have to wear glasses (often a prerequisite of IPL), said it was virtually painless “even on the highest setting” and praised the ease with which it fit into their grooming routine.
Other accessories worth noting: individual pockets easily separate the four separate face and body attachments, there’s an electric shaver (stunningly, shaving before styling improves results as the light beam can target the hair roots), and it’s seemingly silent. . Stealth cutting.
Best for full body hair removal
Foreo Peach 2, £369
Aesthetically pleasing, yes, but its elegant ergonomics are not just for show. The flexible head and silicone material make it easy to work in hard-to-reach places, blending seamlessly with the contours of your body to reach areas like the backs of your legs or erm, bottoms (no judgement here) for a hassle-free, flawless epilation.
It is also a powerful beast. With up to 120 IPL flashes per minute, it quickly covers even large areas. Our tester boasted that he could easily get through a full-body session in just 20 minutes.
The built-in fan is the star of the show, helping to cool the skin while gliding and eliminating any associated sting. For even easier epilation, soften skin with Foreo Peach Cooling Prep Gel, £32.90.
Five intensity settings, including an uber-precise face mode, will satisfy all sensitive spots – and low sensitivity.
After using it eight times over three months, our tester reported significantly less hair growth and commented on 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 hype surrounding the Braun beauty gadget and it’s even been approved by TikTok (praise indeed) and has over 30 million views.
Why the buzz? Its technical credentials are impressive: 125 flashes of light per minute match a record removal rate, both legs in less than five minutes, our tester said. The brand also claims that there is a lifetime guarantee of 400,000 flashes or 20 years of salon-quality hair removal. But it’s the skin sensor technology that really sets the sleek white and gold device apart. Hair and skin tone are scanned before she chooses the most suitable setting to ensure safety and effectiveness. Smart.
The most common description of how IPL feels is that it’s like being pinged by an elastic band and the device gives off a strange vibration. Plus, our tester reported that they felt like they were sunburned an hour after use.
Leg pain aside, there’s a reason why TikTok called this a “game changer”: it works. Designed for weekly use for 4-12 weeks (and as needed thereafter), it only took four rounds of use before our tester reported hair that was shorter, smoother, and less noticeable. There’s even a precision head for targeting 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 a tester likened it to a mini “Eve from WALL-E” and now we can’t unsee it. We’re digressing.
Animated sci-fi aside, there is serious science at play here. Specifically, 300,000 flashes (that’s 10 years of regular use) and eight intensity settings that take care of different skin sensitivities. It’s not quite an uncomfortable heat when using it, but it’s not painful when feeding through the face either.
Ray-Ban-esque black sunglasses tone down the otherwise elegant product line-up. But probably protecting your peepers from the overwhelming brightness of the lightning is more important than looking photogenic in the middle of a hair removal session.
Results are fast. The instructions say it can be used twice a week (more than other IPL devices), so this may explain the fact that the hair looked thinner and thinner after just three weeks. Since this is on the cheaper end of the hair removal spectrum, the almost immediate lack of spiky growth is not noticeable.
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