You may think summer is the time to start your hair removal journey. Think again! Winter is the best time to use an IPL device: less sun exposure means less irritation, and you’ll have a full, silky-smooth course done by June.
We always shout about the best at-home IPL devices at Cosmo – they’re the easiest way to achieve silky, smooth skin without effort, pain or forking out for an in-clinic treatment. There are always new innovations to try, so the latest gadget we’re loving is the Keskine IPL Hair Removal Handset. It’s affordable, effective, looks more like a chic beauty accessory than a hair removal device and you can get an exclusive 20% off when you use the code COSMO20.
Pros
- According to Keskine, investing in this device will save you £50,000 on in-clinic laser treatments
- There are different settings for each area of the body
- 98% hair reduction in just 4 weeks
Cons
- Like many IPL devices, it is not suitable for darker skin tones or those with fair hair
Key Specifications:
| Power: | Mains |
|---|---|
| Cordless: | No |
| What's in the box? | IPL device, protective goggles and a razor |
| Features: | Not specified |
What we love about the Keskine IPL Hair Removal Handset:
- 98% hair reduction in just 4 weeks
- It’s lightweight and self-explanatory to use
- There are different settings for each area of the body, like legs, arms and bikini line
- The long cable allows you to reach every corner of your bod
- It comes with glasses to protect you against the light.
Now, here’s the thing: as much as I love the time-saving, body-smoothing perks of IPL, I don’t personally partake. Why? You just don’t get the same results if you use fake tan – it targets the pigment in your tan, not your hair follicles. Something to keep in mind if you bronze up through winter.
Instead, I enlisted a fellow beauty lover (whose last bottle of fake tan ran out in 2022) to test the Keskine. A few things about our tester: she is brunette with fair skin and a complete novice to the world of IPL. She used the device once a week for a month, and now is using it once a month for touch-ups on areas of particular stubborn growth.
Now, about the device. The Keskine is lightweight to hold with an ergonomic handle so it sits comfortably in the palm of your hand. It offers five smart modes so you can use it on every part of your body, from legs and arms to more sensitive areas like the bikini line. As different areas of the body have different sensitivities and hair thicknesses, these settings adjust to ensure you can still achieve a pain-free result.
Another handy feature is that it automatically flashes, so you don’t have to manually do it. Once the tool flashes, you can move onto the next section of your body – just ensure to manually shave before you start as an IPL device needs to be used on hair-free skin.
The Keskine IPL Hair Removal Handset, review:
“I’ve always used a rusty shaver – and I never thought anything of it until I was asked to test the Keskine. Since giving IPL a go, I can firmly say that I’ll never go back. Initially I was sceptical about the pain. People always say it feels like an elastic band and it’s true. If my skin could make a noise, it would ping. That’s how it feels but it is not that bad.
I found some areas were more sensitive than others, like the underarms or where there isn’t much fatty tissue underneath, but it’s only the slightest sting. And just to calm nerves even more, the IPL has a cooling effect – sort of like a mini fan – that’s on while you use the device, so it’s actually very enjoyable to use.
The tool itself is very light and intuitive to use. The digital screen is really easy to navigate and I love that there are five different modes to use depending on which area of my body I’m focusing on. I also appreciate the very long cable so I can take it wherever I need to go. It comes with glasses too, which made me feel very professional, and the laser is pretty bright so it makes it much more comfortable.
Above all, the results are what impressed me the most. Even after one use I started to notice less, albeit a little patchy, hair growth and by the end of the month practically all my hair had stopped growing. Once, I contemplated going in-clinic, but now I have this I don’t need to. The initial £299 may sting (although it’s currently reduced to £199) but you’ll be saving thousands by taking your hair removal, home,” – Emily Weatherill, IPL tester.
Shop the Keskine IPL Hair Removal Handset, currently reduced from £299 to £199
Clare Stephenson is the Senior Fashion and Beauty E-commerce Writer for Cosmopolitan, ELLE and Harper’s Bazaar. She has been an e-commerce writer since 2022, creating matter-of-fact reviews and shopping pages filled with her favourite products for every budget and need – whether that’s a glow-giving foundation, a high-tech LED face mask or the perfect wear-with-everything blazer.
Alongside writing, Clare loves to be in front of the camera creating shopping content, putting viral products to the test to see which ones are truly worth the hype. Through her work, she has interviewed leading dermatologists, makeup artists and industry experts to bring readers trusted advice and product recommendations.
Clare has contributed to titles across the Hearst UK portfolio, including Women’s Health, Good Housekeeping, Red and Prima. Prior to joining Hearst, she earned a BA in Multimedia Journalism from Bournemouth University, focusing her studies on magazines and editorial. She later worked as an editorial assistant at Voir Fashion Magazine, covering events including Fashion Week and interviewing notable brand founders.
Outside of work? You can find Clare strolling through London’s Columbia Road Market, pouring her fourth coffee of the day or heading to a Pilates class.
Follow Clare on Instagram @clarefrancesstephenson.
