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Looking for an effective way to remove or reduce body hair? Allow us to introduce you to IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) hair removal. Not only does it offer more permanent results than waxing or shaving, but it can be done from the comfort of your home. Where do we sign?!
Although at-home IPL machines can be quite the investment, bear in mind that you'll be saving on those waxing appointments or razor purchases in the long-term.
Need a refresher on the best IPL machines and why you may want to try one out? Check out our full round-up below.
Here’s all you need to know about the best IPL hair removal devices around, should you choose to defuzz.
IPL works by targeting hair at the root with a flash of light that converts to heat below the skin’s surface, preventing further growth. Treated hairs fall out naturally, while any regrowth is finer — and, with maintenance, can stop altogether.
Before getting started, you’ll need to shave the area you’re treating. IPL needs some hair for the light to ‘grab’ onto (so avoid waxing or epilating just before), but it shouldn’t be used on longer hair as that could result in burning the skin.
Then, you just press the device onto the skin and zap away.
Each brand differs, but most suggest starting with a 12-week programme, followed with less frequent top-up sessions to maintain the desired look. Just like a good training schedule, you won’t see results overnight, but keep on top of treatments and you should start to see a noticeable difference.
Sadly, IPL isn’t suitable for everyone. The ideal candidates are those with dark hair that contrasts in colour to their skin tone. Light blonde, white or grey hair simply doesn’t contain enough melanin for these devices to get to work, and red hair also doesn’t respond to this type of light.
Skin tone is also a factor. If you have darker skin, the higher level of melanin can be picked up by the device and absorb the light energy, potentially causing damage.
If in doubt, you can read more about the Fitzpatrick skin type scale here, which classifies skin types and sensitivity in more detail. All of the machines on our list include an automatic skin tone sensor to determine optimum intensity and safe settings for your skin tone.
While not as painless as shaving (albeit way more long-lasting), the feeling of IPL is commonly described as a warm zap, similar to flicking an elastic band on your skin.
Just remember that over time you’ll need fewer treatments (and it’s definitely less painful than epilating). A lower light intensity can also help to reduce discomfort, which is worth remembering around the bikini line!
Some devices come with a pre-set amount of flashes (most have a minimum of 100,000) and will need a replacement lamp when these run out. Others have an unlimited number, so will last a lifetime. The shorter the gap between flashes, the quicker your treatment time is going to be.
It’s also worth checking out the number of treatment heads included with your device. If you’re planning on using it on the upper lip or bikini line, a smaller head may be preferable.
Look out for IPLs with a range of modes. For precision, you may want to select the stamp mode, but if you're using it on larger areas such as the legs, the glide mode will speed up treatment time.
Whichever device you go for, it’s very important to read the instructions thoroughly.
Products below that feature the Women's Health Lab Approved logo have been tested by a panel of 180 women who tried a range of at-home IPL hair removal devices over a six to 12-week period.
Following the instructions to the letter, they fed back on how effective each device was at removing hair from the legs, underarm, bikini line and upper lip — and how easy it was to do so. They also recorded any regrowth that appeared and shared the results.
The remaining IPL devices, marked with an Editor's Choice logo, have been handpicked by our WH editors to give you even more choice.
Giving top results in just three weeks, this compact cordless machine packs a real punch. Testers were pleased that it reduced hair regrowth in such a short time, and liked how well it moved over trickier areas, such as the chin or knees. Its ergonomic shape meant it as easy (and comfortable) to use for a sustained period, too.
Testers found it pain-free, and those who used it on their facial hair didn't experience any irritation. Taking the faff out of the process, there's no need to change attachments for different areas – instead, there are multiple settings to choose from. Our panel also found it quiet to use, so it's ideal for zapping those hairs in front of the TV.
If time isn’t on your side, this sleek-looking IPL device claims to do a full body treatment in just 10 minutes. It also features an in-built sensor, which scans your skin to pick the best light intensity for you, so you don’t even have to think about it.
When it came to hair removal, our testers said it was comfortable to use and it managed to visibly reduce hair by the end of the trial period. Most of the panel were impressed with how quick it was to cover the whole body, making it ideal if you’re short on time.
It comes with three settings for a fuss-free application, and can be used on both the body and face. With unlimited flashes too, you’re getting great value for money.
Impatient? This cordless device acts fast, with results being seen by our testers in just three weeks.
It features the same ‘SmartSkin’ tech as previous Philips models, which recommends the optimum setting for your skin tone, as well as four different attachments for different areas of the body. It proved to be successful on both body and facial hair, and many of our panel also noticed that their bikini line stayed fuzz-free after six weeks of continued use.
We're usually sceptical about two-in-one products delivering the most powerful results, but this device proved us wrong. While the IPL head tackles unwanted hair, the 'skin rejuvenation' mode uses flashes of light to help boost collagen and elastin production, aiming to leave you with firmer-looking skin.
The rotating head makes it easier to reach all areas of the body, and all testers said they were hair-free in six weeks. If you're nervous about the pain element of hair removal, this device also features ‘ICE’ technology, which cools skin down to help eliminate discomfort.
Our panel not only found this machine relatively pain-free, thanks to its sensitive mode, but it particularly impressed on facial hair removal.
Testers saw a noticeable reduction in hair here in just four weeks, and the included Facial Hair Remover enabled easy prep before using the device. Also included are four attachments with different sized windows for use on different areas of the body, including the face and bikini line.
Our testers were fans of the cordless design, but some wished the battery life was longer.
With 10 intensity levels to choose from, this device offers the most personalised experience of all the models we tested. Our panel liked the glide mode, which speeds things up by delivering more flashes on larger areas of the body (such as the legs), while the stamp mode is ideal for small, more sensitive areas.
The pack also comes with a handy razor so you can get started right away. Our testers were happy with the results, and with the equivalent of 22 years’ worth of flashes pre-loaded, we reckon it’s a worthwhile investment.
Suitable for all-over use, this cordless design is loaded with unlimited flashes. Although the heads were initially a little fiddly to attach, and some found it a touch bulky, the useful ‘glide’ function made it super speedy to use, with sparser hair noticeable in eight to 12 weeks.
The wide choice of settings also made the majority of testers feel more comfortable.
This device delivers the same powerful hair-zapping technology as the other Philips models on our list, while being a bit kinder on your bank balance. It claims to work on a variety of different hair and skin types too — from dark blonde to black — to break the hair growth cycle.
Our panel said it did a great job at not only reducing regrowth but also the thickness of the hair on the face and body after just four weeks, without causing any pain or irritation.
If you really want to get your money’s worth, download the Lumea app, which helps you personalise your treatment schedule, as well as providing you with tips and tricks to get the most effective results.
With 100 flashes per minute, the Bare+ claims to be the fastest IPL device on the market with results in as little as four weeks, reducing hair growth by up to 97%.
You can count on safety first here too — this device has a built-in Smart Skin Sensor to check your skin tone before each flash, and will only activate if it’s safe to do so.
Ideal for using all over the body, this Braun IPL device has a precision head for those hard-to-reach areas such as the face, underarms and bikini line.
It also has an adaptive sensor that continuously reads your skin tone — which can vary across your body — and alters its flash intensity for the best results. See results from twelve weeks onwards.
Let’s face it, the quicker we can see results, the better, and this advanced machine promises you’ll notice a difference in just four treatments. Taking away any guesswork, there are four attachments designed to effectively target the face, body and delicate bikini area.
Click the head in place and a clever sensor will help you find which of the five light intensities is best for your skin tone.
After four weeks, our testers found regrowth was minimal and much finer, and after the full 12-week period, most said their hair had stopped growing back altogether.
If you’re the forgetful type, it’s worth downloading the Philips Lumea app to keep track of your treatment plan — it will give you helpful reminders when your next session is due.
Denny is our Beauty and Grooming Tester and has an in-depth knowledge and background in beauty and PR. She has spoken on panels with Cosmetics Executive Women (CEW) and has worked with many beauty brands as a commercial model. Since joining in October 2022, she has worked on numerous testing categories including over 18 different brands for vitamin C serums, scalp scrubs, shampoos for dry hair and many more. She has over 20k followers on TikTok where she shares beauty and fashion tips otherwise better known as Denny Daily.
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