IPL hair removal devices have rocked the world because they are the most effortless method of hair removal and provide incredible results. But with the popularity of IPL came hundreds of IPL devices from various big and small brands. Moreover, each brand offers two or more devices, so the availability of these devices for laser hair removal at home is unlimited.
But not all devices are the same in terms of their appearance and functions. There are also big differences in prices. So if you want to see the best that an IPL device has to offer, you have to do a lot of research into choosing the right IPL device for hair removal , right? To make your search easier, we have put together 14 tips that you can consider when buying an IPL hair removal device.
Table of contents:- Part 1: List your requirements
- Part 2: How to choose the right IPL hair removal device (14 factors)
- Part 3: Our recommendation: Ulike Air 3
- Part 4: Conclusion
List your requirements
Before you buy a hair removal device, you need to know what you want the device to do for you and whether it is suitable for you or not. So, below are some prerequisites for buying an IPL hair removal device for home.
You can also find out about the contraindications of IPL hair removal.
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Hair color
Typically, the energy from IPL devices is absorbed into the pigment of the unwanted hair. This is why IPL devices are most effective on dark hair, such as black, brown and dark blonde hair. However, some devices use a combination of IPL and radio frequency technology to work on lighter hair colors as well.
So keep your hair color in mind when purchasing a device.
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Skin type
The IPL light should be absorbed by the hair and not the skin, right? That's why IPL devices are safe and effective for light skin tones like ivory, fair and tan. In addition, some IPL devices work on dark skin tones because they contain another technology in addition to IPL.
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budget
Although IPL devices are economical compared to laser and electrolysis devices, they can be quite expensive, so consider what your budget is and look for an IPL device that falls within that range.
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expectations
It is important that you consider how quickly you want the device to work, how much time you can plan for the treatment, how often you can do it and how sensitive your skin and how sensitive you are to pain are.
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Portability
If you travel often, it is important that you buy a device that you can easily carry around, so pay attention to the included case, accessories, weight and size of the device.
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Body areas you want to treat
Some hair removal devices are suitable for the face and body, while others work on sensitive areas and intimate areas, so determine the parts of the body you want to treat with IPL hair removal.
How to choose the right IPL hair removal device (14 factors)
Below you will find the factors that make a big difference as to whether the device is right or wrong for you.
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Design and window size
The first point is the design. IPL devices come in a gun shape that fits well in the palm of your hand and offers the best grip, a curved wand shape that makes it easy to reach difficult areas, and a straight, slim shape that is easy to hold and use all over the body. Also, choose a device that is made of high-quality, durable material.
Also, choose a device with a window size that is large enough to treat large areas like the legs quickly and small areas like the upper lip efficiently. It should not be too large or too small.
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Power supply
IPL devices work with either a rechargeable battery or a power adapter. The battery version allows you to use the device anywhere without a cable, but charging the device may not be as convenient.
The wired devices are also plug-and-play, but you have to keep the cable with the device.
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Energy output
The higher the energy output, the more efficient the device is. However, with a higher energy output, the risk of redness and skin irritation also increases. For this reason, most IPL devices only use 6-10 J/cm² of energy.
However, some devices have no harmful effects on the skin even at 20 J/cm².
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Lightning speed
The flash speed indicates how fast a device covers a certain area in a certain amount of time. It also helps calculate the treatment time for the whole body. Treatment with IPL takes between 10 minutes and an hour, depending on how fast the flashes are.
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Number of flashes/lifetime
Since you'll be spending several hundred dollars on IPL, you want a device that will last for years, so pay attention to the number of flashes on any device you're considering. A device with 250,000 flashes can last up to 20 years with average use, and a device with 1 million flashes can last a lifetime.
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Technologies to protect the skin
Because IPL uses a broad spectrum of light that can also be absorbed by the skin, and the light flashes from an IPL have a wavelength in the range of 400 nm to 1,200 nm, you should choose a device that does not emit UV light onto your skin, especially if it is dark.
IPL devices either use a safer wavelength of light or are equipped with UV filters that prevent the shorter wavelength from attacking your skin.
In addition, the skin tone sensors help keep dark skin free from side effects and the contact sensors play a role in protecting the eyes and other body parts.
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Virtually painless technologies
IPL hair removal is never as painful as waxing or plucking. However, you may feel like a rubber band is snapping on your skin or your skin is burning during the treatment. Therefore, some manufacturers use ice cooling technology to avoid even minimal pain and give you the best experience.
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Intensity levels
Energy level requirements vary from person to person. Likewise, the energy needs of different parts of a person's body vary.
So choose an IPL device that offers an optimal number of intensity levels that will allow you to treat your body, face and areas with stubborn hair without being unsure about what intensity to work with.
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Treatment modes
The treatment modes are useful for treating body hair quickly and facial hair precisely. Some devices offer a stamping and sliding mode, while others work with just stamping the light window. Also, there may be a thumb-press or thumb-less sliding mode. It is good to buy a device that offers both treatment modes.
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Contents of the kit
For IPL hair removal, you will need a safety razor to shave the hair, an IPL device to burn the hair follicles, and UV protective glasses to protect your eyes. A storage case is the icing on the cake. Although you can buy all these accessories separately, you should get an IPL device that includes all these things in a single kit to save money and hassle.
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Price
IPL hair removal devices can cost between $99 and $199. However, the results and quality of these devices are only average. The other devices fall in the $200 to $600 category.
These devices offer satisfactory results, ergonomic designs, safety features, and multiple treatment heads. Also, the most expensive IPL devices are not necessarily the best, so look at what you want and how much you can spend.
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guarantee
An IPL hair removal device is a robot that can fail like any other device. That's why you should buy a device that has at least a 1 to 2 year warranty. This way, you can be sure that if something goes wrong, you can get the device replaced or repaired without having to spend any extra money. The money you would spend on other methods of hair removal will also be recouped during this time.
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Additional guarantees
A money-back guarantee and a specific refund policy are the best things to look for when buying an IPL device. Most high-end brands offer a 1 to 3 month money-back guarantee so you can keep the device if it lives up to its claims or simply return it if you are not satisfied with the results.
This time is enough to determine whether the device is worth the money you spent.
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Customer reviews and brand reputation
Finally, customer reviews are also important. Look at what customers think about the device, what their experiences were and what results they achieved before and after to find out if the device is right for you.
Also, you should invest in a reputable brand because such brands offer good customer service that will support you along the way rather than leaving you without guidance.
Our recommendation: Ulike Air 3
Based on the factors mentioned above, here are some of the best IPL hair removal devices. Of these devices, let's take a look at the features of the first device mentioned here. The Ulike Sapphire Air 3 IPL handheld hair removal device is also one of the best IPL devices on the market in terms of design, price, effectiveness and safety.
Characteristics
The following describes the basic features of the Ulike Air 3 IPL hair removal device.
- Flashes: The Ulike Air 3 IPL device has 1 million flashes, which is more than enough to last indefinitely, making it your best partner for lifetime hair removal.
- Energy Levels: The Ulike Sapphire Air 3 IPL handheld device has a soft mode, a body mode and a power mode. These three modes help you treat thin, thick or coarse hair.
- Energy output: Although the Ulike Air 3 feels comfortable and is gentle on the skin, it has a high energy output of 21J/cm².
- Design: The Ulike Sapphire Air 3 has a slim design, robust material, good workmanship and a low weight of only 271g.
- Exclusive technology: The Ulike Air 3 features built-in dynamic sapphire technology that keeps the device, the heated IPL rays and your skin cool throughout use.
- Treatment and Results: Ulike offers effective hair removal with a treatment time of 7 minutes for the whole body, a significant reduction in hair growth within 3 weeks and results that last for 6 months.
- Customer Reviews: Ulike is a reputable and reliable brand with over 4 million satisfied customers.
- Price: With these amazing features, the Ulike Air 3 is an affordable device that costs only $329.
Conclusion
While finding a good hair removal device is no easy task, you can do it right by listing your requirements and the features of an ideal IPL hair removal device and comparing them to each device you are thinking of buying. We have also explained the top 14 things to look for in an IPL device.
Ultimately, the right IPL device for you is the one that best suits your skin, hair, budget, and other expectations. Also, find out how often you should use an IPL device .
