'Handy' feature makes IPL device 'worth it' (2024)

If you’re a fan of laser hair removal, you’ll know two things. The first is that it’s great for long term hair removal, and the second is that it can very expensive.

If letting your body hair grow free isn’t your thing but you don’t have the cash for a course of laser treatment, then it’s time to give at-home IPL (intense pulsed light) devices a whirl. While they aren’t cheap to buy outright (although there are a bunch of great, affordable models on the market today we’ve found for you), you can use them countless times and from the comfort of your home, too.

Plus, you’ll find that compared to professional laser sessions, you’ll get plenty more bang for your buck.

So how do they work exactly? Sydney-based dermatologist and fellow of The Australasian College of Dermatologists, Dr Adrian Lim, says similar to in-clinic laser hair removal treatments, at-home IPL devices deliver “concentrated light energy that selectively targets hair follicles”.

“The hair follicle absorbs the light energy which gets converted to heat resulting in damage to the hair follicle,” Dr Lim tells news.com.au.

OUR TOP PRODUCTS

EDITOR’S PICKS: BEST AT-HOME LASER HAIR REMOVAL DEVICES

HappySkin Diamond IPL Hair Removal Handset, $314.30 (down from $449) at The Iconic

Tried and Tested by Melody Teh, news.com.au checkout Deputy Editor

Before using the new HappySkin Diamond IPL device, I was sceptical about whether these at-home IPL devices actually work. It seemed too good to be true that you’d be able to rid yourself of unwanted hair in the comfort of your own home and without forking out money and time for (at least) ten sessions at the laser clinic.

I’d heard great things about HappySkin; their OG device,HappySkin Gen.2, has over 100,000 rave reviews online, and my colleague Edwina had used and loved HappySkin’s best selling Ice IPL device. The recently released Diamond device promises to be the strongest and most-advanced IPL handset so I was keen to test it out to see if it did live up to the hype.

And I’m happy to be proven completely wrong. I’ve been using the device for two months now (twice a week for the first month, then weekly after), targeting my legs and underarms, and I am so happy with the results. While I am not completely hair free yet, I have visibly less hair and the hair growth has definitely slowed. I’d say I’m not far from achieving silky smooth skin and importantly, never picking up a razor again.

The device is incredibly easy to use and handle, with a handy “auto mode” feature that’s particularly useful for covering larger areas like your legs. Instead of manually pressing the button to emit the light, you simply move the device along your chosen area and it will flash every three seconds. Best of all, the hair removal does not hurt at all thanks to the Ice Cooling Technology which is great if you have sensitive skin.

Although IPL devices certainly aren’t cheap, I think this one by HappySkin is a fairly reasonable price point - especially if you grab it on sale. When you consider the expense of regular laser appointments, plus the time commitment, I highly recommend investing in an at-home option. And this Diamond IPL device in particular is worth the money for giving incredibly fast and visible results.

Braun Silk Expert Pro 5 IPL, $499 (down from $1049), at Shaver Shop

What You Need To Know

This Braun IPL promises permanent hair reduction in as little as four weeks. The dermatologist accredited skin-safe device automatically adapts to your skin tone for optimal performance, and contains 400,000 flashes.

It has tons of rave reviews on the Shaver Shop site, with an impressive 4.5 out of five star average.

One happy customer could tell a difference after just five weeks of use.

“My hair grows back way slower and smoother. Less ingrown hair and razor bumps. Definitely worth it”, they commented.

“Easy and effective”, said another user.

Happy Skin Co ICE IPL Hair Removal Handset, $279.30 (down from $399) at The Iconic

Tried and Tested by Edwina Carr Barraclough, news.com.au checkout’s Senior Manager, eCommerce Content and Strategy

With over 2300 five-star reviews on Happy Skin Co’s website, the Ice IPL Hair Removal Handset is an upgraded version of the brand’s original (and very popular) HappySkin Gen. 2 Hair Removal Handset. In-salon and at-home IPL is known for creating a hot sensation on the skin, but the genius cooling function on this device – that I tested out myself – ensures that the icy sensation overrides any discomfort.

After using the device for over seven weeks now, there’s noticeable hair reduction on the areas I’m focusing on. The device is easy to use and takes little time. As someone who used to head to a laser clinic to pay big on laser hair removal, this is so much cheaper overall and the convenience of being able to do it at home whenever I please is a huge bonus. It turns out others agree, one five-star reviewer on Happy Skin Co’s website noted: “Should have got one of these years ago. Very happy with it because I didn't think these could work as well as the salon sessions but it’s honestly worked almost as fast as when I had laser in-store.”

RUNNER-UP IPL HAIR REMOVAL DEVICE

Braun Silk Expert Pro 3, $599 (down from $899) at Harvey Norman

What You Need To Know

If the Braun Silk Expert Pro 5 is a little out of reach in terms of budget, the brand also has a brilliant, more affordable option, with the Braun Silk Expert Pro 3 promising to give you visible hair reduction in three months.

It boasts 300,000 flashes (the above Braun Silk Expert Pro 5 features 400,000) which will deliver you around 16 years of treatment. We think you’ll agree that’s pretty decent for the price! Flashing up to 100 times per minute for better skin coverage, there’s also a Sensitive mode which reduces the light intensity to effectively remove hair in sensitive areas like the face, underarms and bikini area.

Reviews praise the IPL device for it’s comfortability and results, with one writing: “I bought this three weeks ago as I was over shaving. I’ve only done three sessions so far and already seeing results! The hair growth is now much slower … Amazing, would 100 per cent recommend.”

BEST FACE AND BODY IPL HAIR REMOVAL DEVICE

Happy Skin Co Gen. 2 IPL Hair Removal Handset, $209.30 (down from $299) at The Iconic

What You Need To Know

Compact and sleek, Happy Skin Co’s Gen. 2 IPL Handset is definitely one to try. Don’t be fooled by the ergonomic design, this device comes with great power to zap hairs in a flash. “Bought this a few months ago and have been loving it,” writes one five-star reviewer. “Took a few weeks for me to see the results but after the sixth week, I could really see the difference. Now I have finished my 12 week cycle and am just doing my touch up sessions as needed.”

This handy device also comes in two other colours that’ll look delightful in your bathroom cabinet: baby pink and sleek black.

BEST LONG-LASTING IPL HAIR REMOVAL DEVICE

Go Bare IPL Hair Removal Handset, $269 at Shaver Shop

What You Need To Know

A very sleek-looking laser hair removal device, the Go Bare IPL Hair Removal Handset has been lauded by influencers like Abbie Chatfield. This small but mighty device boasts 600,000 light flashes – which equates to around 20 or so years of use – and you can keep track of this and more on the LCD display.

You can switch between manual and auto mode and the seven intensity levels allow you to customise your treatment to your comfort levels.

QUICKEST IPL HAIR REMOVAL DEVICE

SmoothSkin Bare+ Ultrafast IPL, $399 (down from $569) at CurrentBody

What You Need To Know

Dubbed the "fastest and most powerful IPL hair removal device", the SmoothSkin Pure Fit promises visible results in as little as two weeks and 99 per cent hair reduction in 12 weeks. This laser hair removal device delivers 130 flashes per minute, which means you can get your treatment done in no time. It’s perfect for use on legs, the bikini line, underarms and face with three available comfort modes and the ability adjust the energy output. One happy five-star reviewer said they were impressed with their results: “After using the device for 6 weeks I can already see a huge difference. The growth is much slower, and the hair is thinner.”

BEST CORDLESS IPL HAIR REMOVAL DEVICE

Philips Lumea Prestige IPL, $655 (down from $799) at Amazon Australia

What You Need To Know

This clever device can be used with or without a cord, making it super easy to use. Studies have shown it provides up to 92 per cent hair reduction in as little as three fortnightly treatments, and it works on a range of skin colours and hair types.

One of many five star reviewers wrote “Really happy with results after two treatments, very impressed and easy to handle on my own. I was sceptical to buy and not sure compared to professional results that cost me a fortune, this has really surpassed my expectations.”

BEST COMPACT AT-HOME IPL HAIR REMOVAL DEVICE

Remington i-Light Compact Control IPL Hair Removal System, $149 (down from $299.95) at Shaver Shop

What You Need To Know

The pocket rocket of the IPL hair removal device world, this Remington option is ultra portable so you can nix hair wherever you are. Featuring an impressive 350,000 flashes, this device with grant you around 15 years of use.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING AN IPL DEVICE

If you're looking to buy an IPL device, here are the factors to consider:

Lifespan:Check the number of "flashes" of the IPL device, which determines how long the device will last with regular use. A device with a high number of flashes can be used for decades.

Energy: Most IPL devices come with different levels of intensity, which allows you to treat different parts of the body. If you're looking to treat different parts of the body, consider the number of levels offered by the device.

Design:Considering the design and grip of the device as you'll be administering the hair removal yourself and may need to hold onto it for stretches of time.

Treatment heads:If you're looking to target certain areas like your face or bikini area, there are various attachment heads that will make that process much easier.

HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS

With hundreds of models available, it’s impossible to test every model out there. To help you find the best at-home IPL device we tested well-known brand, HappySkin Co. In addition, our shopping team read hundreds of customer reviews and looked at test results and ratings from product review sites to find the best laser hair removal device, from premium to budget to help you find the right one for your beauty routine.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PROFESSIONAL LASER AND IPL?

“Lasers use a single light wavelength whereas IPL uses a broader range of wavelengths. Generally speaking, lasers may be more effective although IPL tends to be quicker (larger spot size) and more suitable for larger areas,” says Dr Lim.

HOW DO I USE IPL HAIR REMOVAL AT HOME?

To prep your skin for at-home laser hair removal, start by shaving your hair in the area you wish to target.

“Don’t wax or pluck the hair prior to laser treatment as the end of the hair follicle needs to be intact for the laser to work and avoid anything that may irritate the skin immediately before or immediately after the procedure,” Dr Lim says.

“The treatment is best suited for individuals with fair skin and dark hair.”

IPL hair removal devices are less effective on those with white, very blonde, red or grey hair as they contain less melanin to absorb the light the device emits.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO AFTER USING AN IPL DEVICE?

According to Sarah Hudson, skin expert and founder of medi-clinic Skin By Sarah Hudson, it’s important to ensure you properly care for your skin following use of your at-home device. “Keep the treated area calm and hydrated by applying a recovery lotion or gel,” Hudson tells news.com.au.

“Look for skin nurturing ingredients that help to reduce redness and skin inflammation, such as aloe vera or vitamin E. These ingredients will help to boost moisture in the skin and repair skin post-laser treatment.”

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Originally published as Best at-home laser hair removal and IPL devices of 2024