Feeling fed up with your normal method of hair removal and want to switch to something that gives you longer-lasting results? Shaving, epilating, and waxing all have their downsides - if none of these seem to be working for you, you might want to try using an IPL hair removal device instead. This type of gadget uses light technology to stop unwanted hair from growing and actually reduces growth over time too!
IPL devices that are designed for home use can be bought from all of your favourite online retailers including Amazon, eBay, Boots, Argos and John Lewis. We've reviewed the best ones available in the UK, from trusted brands like Philips, Braun, and BaByliss, to help you safely achieve permanent results on your legs, bikini line, and even your face!
Quick List - Top IPL Hair Removal Devices
Philips
Reliable, With a Fantastic Range of Accessories
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Now you know how IPL devices work and who can use them, it's time to think more about their features. We'll explain the key things to look out for and run through all the relevant technical terminology that you'll need to know.
On the whole, IPL devices are extremely versatile and - unlike other hair removal methods - can be used on most parts of the body. That being said, there are still things you should know before you click that "buy now" button!
Most areas of the body are suitable for IPL treatment, including all the areas you'd usually shave or wax such as the legs, bikini line, and underarms.
You should be careful around highly sensitive areas like your eyes and face though, as too much light exposure can cause damage to thinner skin. For this reason, we'll mention in the specification tables below each review whether a product is suitable for facial use.
The size treatment window, which is the space that emits the light, will be described in cm². This lets you know how much space is covered at a time - a bigger window will cover a larger area of skin.
While a larger window works for longer body parts like your legs, you might also require a window that's small for more precise hair removal. As a result, some IPL devices come with precision heads that will shrink the main window down to around 2 cm², to give you more control around delicate areas.
Along with caps that change the size of the window and make it better suited for different areas of the body, some devices come with other kinds of accessories that'll make the process even easier!
These might include a razor to help prep your skin or a trimmer to finish off certain areas. A bag or pouch might be included too, which is great for storing all of your IPL equipment when it's not in use.
It's essential that the amount of light emitted from your device is just right - ideally, it shouldn't be too much or too little. Most gadgets have a decent range of light settings to choose from, which is useful if you want to use a higher amount on some areas and less light on sensitive parts.
To achieve the best results though, we recommend an IPL device that will adjust its settings automatically according to the skin tone it detects. As everybody's skin is made up of a variety of tones and these can differ across the body, a good quality IPL device will have an adaptable light sensor that'll be able to pick up even the most subtle variations.
Very few IPL devices are cordless, as most rely on the power provided by a mains source. However, if flexibility is a non-negotiable feature for you, there are some products on the market that don't need to be plugged in.
These are particularly handy when you're travelling or trying to reach tricky areas on your body, but they can be lacking when it comes to quality and longevity.
To understand how quickly an IPL device works and therefore how long it'll take you to complete a hair removal session, it's worth looking at the time between flashes (or pulses).
Most devices have a flash rate of about one per second, although some brands have managed to get it down to every half second. The more flashes there are per minute, the quicker you'll be able to cover your whole body - this will make the whole experience far less time-consuming!
The lamp in an IPL device is able to deliver only a certain amount of flashes; once these flashes run out, you'll need to replace the lamp. The good news is that they don't run out very quickly - an IPL device with 400,000 flashes should last for 22 years! On the downside, products with long-lasting lamps tend to cost more upfront.
The number of flashes will be measured in denominations of 100,000 but, somewhat frustratingly, not all brands provide information on what the rough lifetime of their product will be.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Braun Silk Expert Pro 5 Corded IPL Hair Removal|PL5124 | ![]() | A Dazzling Device That Does It All | |
2 | Philips Lumea Prestige Corded IPL Hair Removal|BRI947 | ![]() | Easy to Use and Packs a Punch | |
3 | Sensica Sensilight Pro | ![]() | A Simple Yet Effective Hair Removal Tool | |
4 | Philips Lumea Corded IPL Hair Removal Device|BRI923 | ![]() | Reliable, With a Fantastic Range of Accessories | |
5 | SmoothSkin Bare + IPL Hair Removal | ![]() | Super Speedy Hair Removal | |
6 | Veme IPL Hair Removal Device | ![]() | An Impressive Lamp That Will Last and Last | |
7 | Braun Silk Expert Pro 3 Corded IPL Hair Removal|PL3132 | ![]() | A Lovely Lilac Gadget That Delivers Precise Results | |
8 | Silk'n Infinity Smooth 400K IPL Device | ![]() | Suitable For a Wide Range of Skin and Hair Tones | |
9 | Sensica Sensilight Mini | ![]() | Compact Enough to Travel With | |
10 | BaByliss True Smooth by Radiance 200 IPL Hair Removal System | ![]() | A Cheap Device for Those Who Don't Want to Commit |
Looking for an excellent all-rounder? You can't get much better than this fantastic device from Braun. It does everything you'd expect and more, with skin tone detection, precision attachments, and a dazzling 10 energy settings!
With a lamp lifetime of approximately 400,000 flashes, this IPL device should last you for around 22 years, making it well worth the high price. You'll be able to cover your whole body quickly too, thanks to the super quick time between flashes. Permanent hair removal has never been so easy!
This is Philips' most powerful IPL device to date, and what a wonderful product it is! Each attachment, as well as the device itself, has been carefully designed to help you comfortably reach every curve and contour of your body.
What really makes this device stand out is how effective it is. Studies have shown that there is as much as a 92% reduction in hair after just 3 treatments. The price may be a lot to pay upfront, but you'll have the satisfaction of seeing results fast!
The Sensilight Pro takes things back to basics - but when something works as well as this, that's not necessarily a bad thing! One of the few products in our ranking that can be used without a cord, it gives you a lot more freedom of movement.
As you'd expect from such a high-quality device, it has the ability to detect skin tone changes and, with a choice of 6 energy settings to choose from, you'll be able to select one that's just right for you!
This product really does come with everything you could possibly need to make the IPL process pleasant. With not one but two precision heads, as well as a trimmer attachment, you'll be able to use this gadget to swiftly remove unwanted hair from head to toe.
The time between flashes, while not the fastest around, is still very reasonable and will allow you to cover all the main areas in approximately 20 minutes. Even after just 3 treatments, you'll begin to see brilliant results.
If speed is of the essence and you need to get your hair removal routine done quickly, take a look at this product from SmoothSkin. With 100 flashes a minute (that's a flash every 0.6 seconds), you'll be able to cover even the largest areas in no time at all!
Even though you'll likely be moving this device around your body at a fast pace, it automatically adjusts to any subtle changes in your skin tone. We also love the fact that it has unlimited flashes!
With over 500,000 flashes, you don't have to worry about replacing the lamp in this IPL device anytime soon. According to the manufacturer, you should be able to go without visible hair regrowth for up to 6 months following a period of regular use!
The only drawback with this product is that the accessories designed for use on different body parts don't come as part of the package and instead need to be bought separately, adding to the overall cost.
The lovely lilac colour of this device is bound to tempt you - luckily, there's much more to it than just looking great! The precision head that's included will allow you to focus the light treatment exactly where you want it, making this an incredibly effective gadget.
In addition, you get a razor and a mini pouch for storing everything, making it perfect for holidays or weekends away. While it only has three light settings, this is a good quality IPL device that most users will have no issue with.
This is another IPL device that's on the smaller side, but luckily it has a very high number of flashes - so it should last you a while! It also has the huge advantage of being suitable for a much wider range of skin and hair types, including dark skin as well as blonde, white, and red hair.
Despite being a more inclusive option and coming with extra accessories, this device sadly lacks a precision head - this is a shame since it costs almost the same as other products that do include one. As a result, we've had to put it further down our list.
As it's compact, this lightweight option is easy to use and it's a great option for travelling with. It still boasts much of the technology that other, larger Sensica products use, while the small size makes it more convenient for harder-to-reach areas.
With only 100,000 flashes though, the lamp won't have as long a lifespan as the other recommendations on our list. Plus, no precision tips are included, meaning you might find it tricky to target certain body parts.
For a cheap option to get you started with IPL, consider something like this cheap device by BaByliss. Even though it's a little basic, it has five light settings which provide you with a decent amount of control.
This IPL device's affordability does mean that it lacks quite a lot of features and information, such as the time between flashes - because of this, it won't be nearly as effective as some of the pricier products out there.
IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light technology. Devices that use this method of hair removal apply gentle pulses of light to the skin, which travel down to the root of the hair. Since this part of the hair has the highest concentration of melanin, the light is absorbed and heats up the root, thus destroying the papilla which produces the hair. After long-term use, the hair will stop growing back completely!
Before your first treatment, you will still need to remove hair by shaving or waxing. Then, you'll be able to use your IPL device - you can either glide it along larger body areas or quickly zap the surface of smaller sections.
IPL usually requires six to eight treatments to see the complete removal of hair in an area. You'll need to use your device fairly regularly in order to get the best results but once you're up and running, you can spread out treatments more.
Since IPL relies on a contrast in colour between hair and skin, this method of hair removal is unfortunately not suitable for everyone. Those with a darker complexion will find most devices on the market ineffective, although some brands are working to expand the range of skin tones that their products can be used on.
Your hair colour will also affect whether you'll be able to use an IPL device - again, due to the need for contrast between hair and skin, those with white, grey, red, or light blonde locks won't see much of a result compared to brunette or darker blonde shades.
Author: Emma Cramp
No. 1: Braun|Silk Expert Pro 5 Corded IPL Hair Removal|PL5124
No. 2: Philips|Lumea Prestige Corded IPL Hair Removal|BRI947
No. 3: Sensica|Sensilight Pro
No. 4: Philips|Lumea Corded IPL Hair Removal Device|BRI923
No. 5: SmoothSkin|Bare + IPL Hair Removal
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