I tried laser hair removal for the first time in my early 20s. I was so happy with the results of my full Brazilian that I recently went back to my laser spot to zap every last armpit hair, too. If you don't feel like shaving, waxing, sugaring, or lasering, you don't have to, ofc. Body hair is natural, after all, and there's no reason ever to feel ashamed of it. Personally, I want to feel like a slippery-smooth baby seal at all times, so lasering is the best choice for me.
That said, I don't exactly have unlimited funds to laser every inch of body hair. So when another Cosmo editor convinced me that at-home laser hair removal devicescould get the job done for a lot less cash, I tried the Ulike Air 3, which completely changed my hair removal game. That device has since been discontinued and replaced with the new and improved Ulike Air 10, which I also tested. This upgraded tool takes at-home hair removal to a whole new level.
Now, four weeks of testing later, my skin is baby soft and almost completely hairless. At-home laser hair removal isn't as scary as it seems, especially with a device like the Ulike Air 10. Keep scrolling to learn everything you need to know about this gadget (aka how it works, why it's not as painful as in-office treatments, and how long it takes to see results). Then keep scrolling for my honest, in-depth review.
What is the Ulike Air 10 device?
The Ulike Air 10 is an FDA-cleared IPL hair removal device that uses intense pulsed light (IPL), a different form of light than traditional in-office laser hair removal treatments. This technology uses multiple wavelengths of light to penetrate deep into your skin, whereas laser treatments in-office are more concentrated and utilize a single wavelength to address hair growth. What's especially cool about the Ulike device is that it helps counteract irritation with its Sapphire ice-cooling technology. This regulates the temperature to keep your skin cool (65°F, to be exact) during treatments and prevent burning.
Pros
- Comprehensive to use
- Programmed with cooling technology for comfortable treatment sessions
- Can be used anywhere, including the face and pubic area
- Nearly painless
- Seriously reduces how fast hair grows back and how thick it is
Cons
- The device is an investment
- You need to use it consistently (3 times a week for the first month, then monthly) to experience the results
What it is: An FDA-cleared IPL hair removal device that safely and effectively targets the hair follicle minimizing its growth cycle.
Editor Rating: 4.5/5
How does IPL hair removal work?
When gliding an IPL hair removal device, like the Ulike Air 10, along your skin, the light is absorbed by the melanin in hair follicles and converts to heat, weakening the hair follicle and resulting in thinner and slower regrowth over time. IPL isn't as strong as in-office laser treatments, which lessens the likelihood of discomfort and pain.
While the device should work for many people, keep in mind that IPL isn't recommended for deep skin tones. Melanin-rich skin absorbs higher levels of energy, which can result in burns and changes in skin pigmentation. In the same sphere, IPL also isn't as effective for those with light hair because of a lack of melanin.
How to use the Ulike Air 10:
Before starting your first session, you'll want to shave the area you're focusing on with the included razor, whether that's your legs, armpits, pubic area, happy trail, face, or anywhere. This step is crucial—any surface hairs peeking through can block the follicle below, which prevents the light from reaching the root of the hair. Plus, using the device on exposed skin can lead to burns and irritation.
Once you're freshly shaved, put on the included eye protection glasses (safety first!), plug the device into a nearby outlet, and press the side power button to turn it on. The Ulike Air 10 is programmed with four treatment settings—fast mode, normal mode, high mode, and SHR mode, which automatically adjusts the power depending on your skin and hair type. You can toggle between the first three settings by pressing the power button. For the SHR mode, press the SHR button on the side of the device.
The big square button on the front of the device switches between the spot method and the auto-glide method. When set to spot method, you'll need to press the button to trigger the light flash. Alternatively, when set to the auto-glide method—which is recommended for larger body parts—the light will automatically flash as you drag it across your skin. (You’ll need to press and hold the square button for one second to activate auto-glide.) Once you complete your session, hold the power button on the side to shut off the gadget. See? It's easy.
How often can you use the Ulike Air 10?
For the first four weeks, Ulike recommends completing three sessions per week. Be sure to allow a day or two between each treatment (it's not recommended to use the device two days in a row). After a month, you can pare back and complete one to two sessions per month to maintain your results.
How long does it take the Ulike Air 10 to work?
It only takes two weeks of consistent use to see visible hair reduction, but the bulk of your results will come after one to two months. Reminder: these are the results you'll most likely experience if you adhere to the recommended three treatments per week. It's also important to continue with monthly or bi-monthly maintenance sessions to sustain your ~ hairlessness.~
Does Ulike remove hair permanently?
Technically, no. Even professional laser hair removal won't completely stop all hairs from growing back. Unfortunately, we've yet to crack the code on permanent hair removal just yet. But this Ulike device, and other IPL at-home devices, can help slow hair growth and reduce the number of hairs that grow, resulting in a more sparse look that's easier to maintain with shaving. But of course, the key is consistent use here.
My review:
About my body hair:
While this may surprise nearly everyone, I am a fake redhead. (Cue the gasps of disbelief!) So while I'm able to keep up the facade by regularly coloring the hair on my head, my leg hair gives my secret away. My arm hair is surprisingly light, while my leg hair is much darker and thicker. The same used to be true for my pubic and armpit hair... before I got those spots professionally lasered.
I feel more confident when my legs are smooth and shiny, and I have considered getting professional laser hair removal on the area for a while. That said, the high price deterred me. The Ulike Air 10 is by no means cheap—it costs $349. In the grand scheme of things, though, it is much more cost-effective than in-office laser sessions, which can cost just as much for a singular session.
My experience:
Before trialing the Ulike Air 10, I was a huge fan of the Ulike Air 3. I had used the Ulike Air 3 on my legs about a year and a half ago, and since then, my hair thickness has significantly diminished. I think I’d only need to shave once a month if I kept up with maintenance treatments. Transparently, I got a little lazy. The Ulike Air 10 touts quicker and more long-lasting results, so I trialed it on my legs to hopefully zap away my remaining leg hairs ahead of summer.
Since I loved the Ulike Air 3, I immediately felt comfortable and confident with the Ulike Air 10. Everything you need for a flawless experience is included: Along with the device, Ulike includes a mini razor, eye protection goggles, and a protective storage bag. The directions are clear and concise, which made the gadget extremely straightforward and comprehensive to use. Once I put on the goggles and plugged in the device, I was good to go.
I began gliding the tool on the lowest setting up my freshly shaved calf. There was no zapping sensation or stinging whatsoever, even though the Air 10 features double the amount of light technology as its predecessor. And because I’m an IPL veteran, I felt comfortable upping the intensity right off the bat. In most cases, I wouldn't just jump right to the highest setting. If you've never had a professional laser treatment or are a complete beginner, ease into using the device and slowly work your way up to higher intensity levels.
While testing the Ulike Air 10, I focused on my legs, working my way up from my ankles all the way to my hips. Due to the large area, I had the device set to auto-glide so the light would automatically go off as I lightly dragged it up my leg. There were a few spots that felt a little spicy (particularly around my ankles) I'd compare it to a static electricity shock—it wasn't seriously painful, just a little prickly. Other than that, the cooling technology in the device kept a steady airflow on my legs that made the treatment comfortable. I never felt like my skin was cooking, nor did I experience any burns.
Then, I completed those steps twice a week for four weeks—and tbh, the treatments were surprisingly speedy. When I used the Air 3, it took me about 30 to 40 minutes to finish both of my legs. With the Air 10, that time was slashed to just 10 minutes. As someone who is constantly booked and busy, making time for my zapping sessions seamlessly fit into my weekly routine. (I didn’t even need to block time off on my calendar, which is impressive for me.)
My results:
Generally, I shave my legs once a week. (Above, this was growth after a two-week time span.) While testing the Ulike Air 10, I shaved my legs once total. I began to notice a difference in how quickly (or, I guess, slowly) my hair was growing after about three sessions. Not only was my leg hair returning at a snail's pace, but it also became patchier. With eight sessions under my belt, there are now big swaths of skin where hair hasn't grown back at all.
My results thus far have encouraged and convinced me to continue making time for sessions. I know that if I keep up usage and commit to the twice-monthly maintenance treatments, my future self will be thanking me by the time summer rolls around.
Buy the Ulike Air 10 device here
Final verdict:
The idea of at-home laser hair removal devices used to petrify me. However, after testing both the (now discontinued) Ulike Air 3 as well as the Ulike Air 10, I can’t recommend it enough. If I had known how easy and effective these devices were, I probably wouldn't have spent my hard-earned cash to get professionally lasered.
The Ulike Air 10 especially impressed me with its upgraded settings, speedy treatment time, and near-immediate results. I understand that $349 may be an investment up front, but when you compare the cost to individual laser sessions, this at-home tool is a fraction of what you'd end up spending for in-office treatments.
Keep in mind that it's probably not suitable for those with dark and deep skin, or anyone with light or red hair, but for those who fall into Ulike's recommended skin tone and hair color range, this might become as life-changing to your routine as it was to mine.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Mary Honkus is a contributor for Cosmopolitan with six years of experience researching, writing, and editing beauty stories, including ranking the best Supergoop! sunscreens and settling the debate between CeraVe and Cetaphil. She's an authority in all beauty categories and takes pride in her skin. For this story, she spent four weeks putting the Ulike Air 10 to the test to give her a full, unfiltered review.
