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These are the best IPL at-home hair removal deals, according to our beauty team
Get over 50% off Braun's best-selling IPL
As much as we love the convenience of a good shaver, IPL hair removal machines have a particular allure for their ability to help you avoid razor rash, shaving cuts and stubbly hair growth â and theyâve come a long way in recent years. Advancements in technology mean you can now achieve results to rival a spenny salon course without leaving your bedroom. Hurrah hurrah!
TBH, weâre happy to take a very relaxed approach to hair removal right now â after all, body hair is entirely natural and there are plenty of other beauty buys (lash serum, anyone?) weâre keen to spend our coin on. But if you are considering de-fluffing your bod for spring, itâs worth looking into IPL. Because letâs be honest, any beauty treatment we can do in minutes while lounging in front of Netflix is very welcome.
However, before we get into the nitty-gritty details, letâs address the elephant in the room. While at-home IPL hair removal machines have developed a lot over the past decade or so, it also goes without saying that their price tags have gotten rather hefty, too. The initial purchase may sting, but when you compare that to years of in-salon treatments, investing really is the most sensible way forward.
A peep at the top IPL devices...
What is IPL?
First up, what exactly is IPL? Well, IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light. Itâs a form of light therapy, and is one of the most advanced ways to get rid of unwanted body hair.
How does IPL work?
âIPL hair removal is designed to help break the cycle of hair growth by targeting the hair root or follicle,â explains Emily Buckwell, Product Expert at CurrentBody.com. âLight energy is transferred through the skinâs surface and absorbed by the melanin present in the hair shaft.â
Once absorbed, this light energy is converted to heat energy below the surface of the skin, which disables the hair follicle, preventing further growth. The treated hairs fall out naturally over the course of a few days (up to two weeks for some people).
How do we test IPL devices?
We donât need to tell you that shopping for an IPL device is a spenny investment â the triple-figure price tags speak for themselves. Donât say we donât treat you, but weâve sifted through the shelves to put the top models to the test. We examined everything from ease of use and value for money, to the number of attachments and how quickly we saw results â and only the following picks have come out on top.
The best IPLs to shop now...
âThis has to be one of the most stylish, chic-looking IPL machines I have laid my eyes on. Not only that (bc itâs whatâs on the inside that counts, people), it does a stellar job at reducing hair in only a matter of weeks. Plus, you only have to do three treatments per week to see results, so it will seamlessly fit into your weekly beauty maintenance routine.
The device can be used on the armpits, legs, face, and bikini area, delivering 98% hair reduction in only four weeks. However, stick with it for around six weeks and you will see full results, such as lighter hair and slower hair growth.
Itâs also a very fuss-free tool to use, with a full treatment taking 24 minutes. Whether youâre using the tool on your bikini line or legs, the IPL machine automatically flashes so you donât need to use a manual button â just make sure to wear the goggles to protect your eyes.
Of course, you may find the sensitivity of your skin change depending on where you use the machine â such as your bikini line â but all in all itâs a very pain-less and comfortable way to remove body hair,â â Clare Stephenson, Senior Beauty Ecommerce Writer.
Key Specifications:
| Power: | Mains |
|---|---|
| Cordless: | No |
| What's in the box? | IPL device, protective goggles and a razor |
| Flashes: | Not specified |
Giving you a full-body treatment in roughly 10 minutes, Braunâs i·expert IPL, is one of the brand's most advanced gadgets to ensure that hair removal is as quick ân easy as possible.
Not only does it have a need for speed, it also delivers accurate, head-to-toe smoothness that lasts. So, if youâre strapped for time, this oneâs for you. Whatâs really special about this machine is that it comes with 10 levels of intensity that automatically adjust to every skin tone variation of your body.
This ensures precise and thorough results while protecting even the most delicate patches of skin â even on the pubic area. You can also connect it to a mobile app that provides you with your own personalised treatment. With each use, the app learns how you remove hair and tracks your progress, guiding you to the best results.
Key Specifications:
| Power: | Mains |
|---|---|
| Cordless | No |
| What's in the box: | 1x Braun IPL with standard head,1x Venus razor1x pouch,1x precision head,1x large head,1x face mini shaver |
| Flashes | 400,000 |
Lia using the Braun Smart IPL Skin i·Expert, at Home Hair Removal.
Philip's Lumea 8000 Series is like the Tesla of the IPL world â it literally looks like it comes from the year 3000. Which is apt, because it's one of the most high-tech tools around for speedy and accurate hair removal.
Switching to the IPL lifestyle means waiting on results, but this device promises them in as little as four treatments, so you can be as smooth as a dolphin in no time.
There are five light intensities and two treatment modes, which ensures accurate and long-lasting hair removal. It also comes with an in-built skin sensor that automatically selects the right setting for you, so you donât have to worry about messing it up.
Another super-cool feature is that the device hooks up to the Philips app, so you can track your treatment schedule and watch 1:1 IPL tutorials.
Key specifications
| Power | Mains |
|---|---|
| Cordless | No |
| What's in the box? | Travel pouch and two attachments for body and face |
| Flashes | 450,000 flashes |
Its dinky size makes this IPL device ideal for travel - or for those of us that donât have the arm muscles of Madonna. It does a thorough job and the in-built skin sensor will automatically check skin compatibility to find the correct light setting for you. Smart, right?
Even smarter: if youâre worried about forgetting a treatment, you can connect this one to its corresponding app via Bluetooth, which will set up a reminder in your calendar - kinda like a personal assistant for your body hair.
Key specifications
| Power | Mains |
|---|---|
| Cordless | No |
| What's in the box? | Zip up pouch |
| Flashes | 400,000 |
Weâve all got places to be and people to see, making this speedy option a top choice. With Philipsâ Lumea 9000 Series, not only will you be hair-free before that episode of Gossip Girl finishes, but you also won't need to IPL again for months to come.
The Lumea 9000 Series is designed with three attachments which can be interchanged depending on where youâre using the tool: the flat design can be used on the face, the curved inward attachment is for your body and the curved outward attachment is for those hard-to-reach areas.
But, what gives this 9000 Series the upper hand compared to the first Philips offering on our list, is that this device is cord-free, which means you can IPL whenever and wherever.
Philips is so sure youâll love this gadget that you can get a full 100-day money-back guarantee if you don't immediately become best friends.
Key specifications
| Power | Mains |
|---|---|
| Cordless | Yes |
| What's in the box? | Storage pouch, four attachment heads |
| Flashes | >450,000 |
Letâs face it, weâre starting to get rather screwed over by the amount of hand luggage we're allowed to take on a plane đ. So, if your next trip is looming but youâre limited to packing space, this is the holiday-primed gadget you need to know about.
The mini IPL can squeeze into the smallest of spaces but comes equipped with a handy travel pouch to keep it protected. As for the gadget, it cleverly adjusts to your skin tone to ensure precise and fast results, without causing redness.
And because theyâre just handy to have for those last-minute dry shaves (we've all been there), the kit also comes with a Venus razor.
Key specifications
| Power | Mains |
|---|---|
| Cordless | No |
| What's in the box? | Travel pouch and Venus razor |
| Flashes | 300,000 |
This nifty gadget is portable and lightweight with an 18.4 degree ice-cooling function for painless hair removal. The handy auto-glide mode follows the contours of your skin for a full-body treatment in just 12 minutes (thatâs probs quicker than youâd be in line for your lunch at Pret!).
We also looove that the slim, targeted sensor makes it perfect for reaching tricky areas like the bikini line and face. Happy de-fuzzing, peeps.
Key specifications
| Power | Mains |
|---|---|
| Cordless | No |
| What's in the box? | IPL device, protective glasses, mini razor |
| Flashes | 300,000 |
Sensica Cordless SENSILIGHT PRO IPL Hair Removal Device
Our one bugbear with IPL devices? The consistent clicking you have to do in order for it to zap skin â but this device has solved the conundrum by featuring a glide mode, which allows you to roll over the skin without needing to repeatedly press the button.
If thatâs not enough, our testers also saw a difference within four weeks and as time went on it became even more effective at halting regrowth, and made the hair that did come back sparser. itâs cordless, super-fast and comes with unlimited flashes: an all-round winner.
Key specifications
| Power | Mains |
|---|---|
| Cordless | Yes |
| Flashes | 300,000 |
Leave this gadget on your nightstand and people will think you're up to another kind of self-care đ. Sex toy jokes aside, Foreoâs Peach 2 Device is not only a smooth operator but has a need for speed too.
The treatment zone is three times larger compared to other devices on the market, meaning you can cover more surface area in less time. As for the zapping power, it has a *very* fast speed of 120 flashes per minute, so busy bodies this one's for you.
Quite cleverly, you can also switch between two settings depending on which area of your body you're treating. Yes, it's not just a pretty face.
Key Specifications
| Power | Mains |
|---|---|
| Cordless | Yes |
| What's in the box? | 4 plug adaptors and a cleaning cloth |
Laser hair removal vs IPL
IPL often gets grouped together with laser hair removal, but the two are actually fairly different.
ChloĂ© Fallon, Beauty Marketing Manager at Philips, explains that: âlaser hair removal uses a monochromatic laser light, whereas IPL uses a broad spectrum pulse of light. Professional laser treatment is high-energy and focuses on selected areas.â Simply put, laser uses a single, concentrated light, whereas IPL uses a broader spectrum. âThere are many names given to laser hair removal, but it is important to understand that IPL is not laser,â she adds.
So, why are the two so commonly confused? It's really to do with the results: both methods target the melanin in the hair follicle and can provide smooth skin in the long term.
Is IPL permanent?
âEven with laser treatment there is no guarantee of permanent hair removal completely,â confirms ChloĂ©.
Currently, the only way to get rid of hair permanently is through a treatment called electrolysis. However, IPL offers permanent hair reduction, meaning if you keep on top of the maintenance treatments, the hairs will remain at bay.
What skin types can try IPL?
Itâs important to remember that IPL is not a suitable treatment for every skin type and tone.âIPL is only effective on naturally dark blonde, brown and black hair and on skin tones from very pale to dark brown,â says ChloĂ©. âThis is because there needs to be enough of a contrast between the skin and hair colour for the device to pick up the hair follicle. IPL will also not work on white, grey and ginger hair.â
Furthermore, certain skin tones are not compatible with IPL treatments. Darker skin (five or higher on the Fitzpatrick scale) should steer clear of IPL hair removal, as the higher amounts of melanin in the skin will be picked up by the light, potentially causing damage.
In short, the most suitable candidates for IPL will have pale skin and dark, contrasting hair. If youâre unsure, thereâs no need to worry, as many of todayâs best IPL devices come with in-built safety features to alleviate any guesswork.
How to use an at-home IPL device
Of course, every IPL device will come with its own bible-sized booklet of instructions and yes, you must read it in full.
Generally speaking, though, you'll need to shave with a razor beforehand, then simply press your device onto the skin where it will deliver a flash of light. As for the pain? Itâs not so bad: think of a quick elastic-band flick and you're in the right territory.
Thereâs usually a treatment phase of up to 12 weeks, which youâll need to commit to properly, and then top-ups roughly once a month thereafter.
Clare Stephenson is the Senior Fashion and Beauty E-commerce Writer for Cosmopolitan, ELLE and Harperâs 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 â whether thatâs 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 Womenâs 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 Londonâs Columbia Road Market, pouring her fourth coffee of the day or heading to a Pilates class.
Follow Clare on Instagram @clarefrancesstephenson.
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