Electric hair removal devices have been one of the traditional Christmas gifts for decades. Forget shavers and even epilators, as the latest devices use IPL energy to destroy hair – but are they worth it?
The high tech approach is certainly appealing. Laser hair removal and IPL (intense pulsed light) are popular salon treatments which give a long-lasting reduction in hair growth as they destroy the hair follicle, so that hair cannot grow back. It means an end to daily shaving and significantly reduced maintenance to get rid of strays.
The last few years have seen a number of high profile consumer brands launch home IPL systems that you can use yourself.
It’s an appealing idea, as once invested, you have the device to use at will. It means you can do top up treatments and additional areas for no extra cost.
Prices start at under £100 (even Lidl/Aldi have got in on the act) and go up to over £600 for the latest technology and bigger brand names.
Yet if you’re considering the investment, it’s worth also knowing that there are limits to what can be achieved with a DIY IPL hair removal device.
Are home IPL hair removal devices safe?
Machines used at home are generally pretty safe as they’re designed to be used by untrained persons on themselves. They tend to be a much lower power than the technology available in salons and clinics for just that reason. However, safety is not 100% and devices must still be used with care to avoid burns.
Are home IPL hair removal devices effective?
Due to the safety issue, home IPL hair removal devices tend to be are far less intensive than those in clinic and use lower power in order to reduce the risks of harm. This can affect their comparative effectiveness. Salon/clinic devices with a trained operative can blast the follicles at a higher level for a faster and more thorough result.
Do home IPL devices work on all skin types?
No, they are ineffective when there is little contrast between the skin and the hair. That means that blonde/white/grey/ginger hair cannot be effectively treated. In addition, those with darker skin tone may not be suitable and there is an additional risk of burning, blistering and hyperpigmentation. The best candidates for home IPL hair removal are those with dark hair and light skin.
Are home IPL devices slower?
As outlined above, home IPL products have lower energy setting for safety reasons, which means it can take more treatment sessions for results to build. However, there is another issue, which is the handset delivering the IPL energy tends to be much smaller. This means that you have to go over the area a tiny bit at a time to ensure that all hair is treated and can take a while, especially as the device might need a reset period after every shot of IPL energy – even if it’s a case of waiting 5 seconds after every shot, that can all add up if your handset only covers 1.5cm square and you’re trying to treat your legs.
It takes time and patience to treat an area thoroughly avoiding any missed bits; and you need to be diligent about repeating it every few weeks too. In fact, some devices recommend weekly treatments for as long as 12 weeks, so it’s quite an investment in time.
Best home IPL devices
If you’re looking for advice about a particular device, then the Good Housekeeping Institute has recommended its 10 best IPL hair removal devices.
For each device, the article summarises useful information including the number of flashes you can expect and the recommended treatment frequency. Their best all-round device is Philips Lumea Prestige IPL Cordless Hair Removal Device £469.99, so before making the investment, consider whether clinic IPL hair removal might be a better solution.
Is clinic IPL treatment better?
There are a number of advantages to having ‘proper’ clinic intense pulsed light treatment.
- Technology
- Professional IPL hair removal systems are a lot more powerful than those sold for use at home, so they’re likely to be more efficient and effective. They tend to need fewer sessions and make more of a noticeable difference after each appointment.
- Comfort
- Many professional IPL systems have inbuilt skin cooling which chills the skin before blasting it with hot IPL heat energy. Sometimes the IPL technician will have their own techniques for cooling the skin prior to treatment. Either way, it’s usually more comfortable.
- Contol
- Professional machines tend to have far more sophisticated controls, so a good technician can adjust the power, duration and frequency of the IPL
- Application
- IPL machines in salons tend to have much bigger heads so can treat larger areas faster and more efficiently too. Some are designed to ‘roll’ over the skin rather than treat a spot at a time. Home machines tend to have very small treatment heads.
- Training
- Clinic or salon treatments are ideally carried out by someone who is properly trained and experienced in carrying out laser hair removal safely and effectively. However, be aware that there are no minimum requirements for laser or IPL hair removal qualification in the UK, so it’s worth asking if you’re unsure
- Safety
- Clinics should adhere to safety standards. You should expect to be provided with protective eyewear. This is often not provided for at-home machines
- Aftercare
- Professional IPL hair removal means getting correct and personalised aftercare advice. You’ll also expect a point of contact in case of any queries following treatment
- Cost
- The price of laser hair removal in a clinic or salon might actually be less than you expect, especially as clinics often offer a discount when a full course of treatment is booked
- For example, a course of 6 underarm IPL treatments costs £405 at Mulberry House Clinic – less than the RRP of a Philips Lumea Prestige IPL
- Visibility
- When you’re doing the treatment yourself, you may find it surprisingly difficult to get good even coverage. Areas like underarms or bikini can be really difficult to see and mirrors can be confusing. It’s much easier to have someone else treat you and ensure an even and thorough treatment
- Frequency
- Home systems often require more sessions and more often, due to the lower power. It can actually be quite difficult to keep up the momentum and discipline, which can affect results.
- When you book a course of treatment with a clinic or salon, the usual is 6 sessions held 3-4 weeks apart. The clinic or salon will be there to ensure you have appointments at the right time.
So there’s a lot to be said for having professional IPL removal.
It actually makes a great gift too! Something to bear in mind…
IPL Hair Removal Northampton
Mulberry House Clinic offer the very latest skin treatments at their Hardingstone clinic near Northampton with advanced technology. Treatments are available for men as well as women.
IPL hair removal is carried out by Liz Tanqueray, a former State Registered Nurse (SRN) with over 30 years experience. She has been fully trained in IPL hair removal and understands how to adjust the treatment programme for each individual patient to get optimum hair reduction.
The clinic offers competitive pricing and discounts on courses of treatment. See IPL hair removal prices for more information.
For further information or to arrange a confidential consultation, please complete our contact form, call 01604 702630 or email: info@mulberryhouseclinic.co.uk.
