It’s not the first time I’ve praised this product to high heavens and for a good reason — it has made my life easier, which is why I call it life-changing. So now that we got that out of the way, let me share what precisely makes it so.

Unwanted hair is a big issue for women and men alike, and there is a whole industry dedicated to removing it. There are many options out there including hair removal creams and sponges, shaving, waxing, epilating, etc. All have their pluses and minuses, but one thing they have in common is that their results are only temporary, with some lasting longer than others. Not to mention that most come with a side of discomfort and irritation, especially for those with sensitive skin.

Of course, there is also the option of laser hair removal, which can be permanent, however, it may require touch-ups after several years. I personally haven’t tried it, though I considered it and passed for several reasons. The main ones are that it is still pretty pricey, and not that convenient as it requires scheduling multiple sessions and other details. So I kept looking…

In my research for alternatives, I’ve come across IPL. So what is it and what does it do?

What is IPL?

IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light and is widely used in skin treatments to improve rosacea, sun and age spots, skin texture, wrinkles, etc. It is also used in hair removal, leading to permanent results with continued use. It achieves that by targeting the melanin in the hair follicle, preventing it from growing back with repeated treatment. And yes, based on my personal experience, this statement is true.

As mentioned earlier, after doing some research, I decided to go with the Braun IPL Hair Removal (here’s a newer version) specifically because I have used and trusted this brand for years via this epilator. No, really — I’ve used the same epilator for over a decade and it still works! Of course, since then, Braun has developed better and faster ones, but I haven’t felt the need to replace mine.

Note: Epilators ARE painful to use as they pull the hair out via tens of tweezers acting at once. However, in time, my pain tolerance had increased so much, that I no longer felt it while using it. Know that epilating can also cause temporary irritation, as in, your skin will turn red, so I recommend using it in the evening. Regular exfoliation is crucial in preventing ingrown hairs. Always read and follow instructions for best results.

But back to my IPL (which is currently on limited-time sale)… Price-wise, it is an investment, but one that has proven worthy shortly after its purchase. It is light enough and fairly compact to travel with. This device is suitable for both women and men, however, according to the instructions, it is not advisable to be used on men's beards. Because it can produce permanent results, don’t use it in areas where you might want hair to grow back.

I ordered it, and it came with all the accessories as described (it looks like they updated the pouch since I purchased it). Upon receipt, I read the enclosed instructions and after doing so, I have to admit that I was pretty intimidated to use it. There is no need for that, however.

It is important to note that IPL hair removal is not for everyone. It works best on light skin with dark hair. Also, the thicker the hair, the better the results. Check the product description and the “From the manufacturer” section to ensure that this product is right for you.

I went on to set a schedule for myself to use it consistently AND religiously with no excuses. I ended up wearing sunglasses during treatments to minimize the light as it is bright. Other than that, the process is straightforward, as in, you glide it over the desired areas (I do that several times back and forth) as it pulses, and you’re done.

I definitely recommend ensuring that the said area is hair-free as it will burn it (a razor is provided for that if needed — I just used my epilator beforehand). The burning doesn’t damage the device, however, it stains the inside of the cap, and, of course, you’ll end up with the smell of burnt hair in your home.

Does using this IPL hurt?

I wouldn’t say that it hurts. However, if you keep it in the same spot for several seconds, it will pinch/sting or feel like burning. While that can cause temporary irritation as in, leave your skin red, it hasn’t happened to me, and I would say that the skin on my legs is sensitive as shaving has never been an option, or one even remotely comfortable, to be more specific. Once you start using this IPL, you get the hang of it and become intuitive about how it works best. Also, it has 3 power modes that lower or increase sensitivity levels for comfort.

The results

I noticed a significant change in hair growth and density after 3 treatments (as in, I used the device once every week for 3 weeks straight). The hair was taking longer to grow and some areas/spots have actually become hair-free. I continued the treatments for the 12-week recommended timeframe (the newer version is supposed to shorten it).

After 9 months, my body is 98% hair-free. I say that because I still have very thin and light hair here and there. As mentioned above, the device doesn’t work well on those, however, they’re minimal and almost invisible, hence a huge improvement from what they used to be. I still use my device once in a while for “maintenance”, and the hair hasn’t come back yet.

If you have any specific questions that I missed answering, please don’t hesitate to ask via the comments section below or by email.

I hope this post helps you discover an easy and virtually pain-free way of getting rid of unwanted hair.

xo,

Em