For those who love and embrace their body hair, we say carry on living your best life, but for the people out there who prefer a more hair-free situation shaving and waxing can be itchy, time-consuming and expensive.
Enter the IPL. The what, now? The IPL! Otherwise known as an intense pulsed light hair removal device.
What is an IPL device and how do they work?
These handheld machines get rid of pesky fuzz by directing light at the hair follicle, damaging its root and stunting regrowth permanently. Glide them over bigger areas like legs or stamp them onto smaller patches such as the upper lip.
IPL devices can be pricey – expect to pay at least £200 – but they’re an investment that’ll save you money over time.
For effective results, shave before using IPL hair removal, but don’t wax or epilate. Some hair is needed for the light to target it, but longer hair makes it harder for the light to reach the follicle and also risks burning.
Who can use IPL?
The biggest downside to IPL hair removal devices is that they are only effective on hair that is a contrasting colour to the skin. People with pale to medium skin tones and dark hair will see the best results. Sadly, if you have dark skin, light hair or tattoos, IPL isn’t for you.
IPL hair removal should also be avoided during pregnancy and by anybody undergoing certain medical treatments.
How often should you use your IPL?
Most brands suggest using your IPL device regularly over the course of three months, followed by additional top-up sessions. Hair should start growing back more slowly and finely before stopping altogether.
What are the side effects?
IPL hair removal is safe, so long as you use a device from a trusted brand and follow the instructions carefully. The procedure is quick and shouldn’t hurt, but it may feel hot and tingly.
Side effects including redness and slight discomfort aren’t unusual and shouldn’t last, but blisters and burns are rare. See a doctor if you suffer an adverse reaction after use.
Which is better: IPL or laser hair removal?
IPL is not the same as laser hair removal, which uses a different, more powerful light source to target a concentrated area of body hair and permanently stop regrowth after four to eight treatments.
IPL can be done at home but laser hair removal can only be performed by a trained professional.
How we test
Our 80 testers tried out a range of the best IPL devices over 12 weeks, noting how effective they were at removing hair on the legs, underarms, upper lip and bikini line. They also assessed how long it took for regrowth to appear, how easy the device was to control, and how comfortable it felt to use.
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