Skip to main content

IPL Hair Removal: Four Myths You Shouldn’t Believe

5/25/2022

Notino

5-minute read

IPL epilators are based on intense pulsed light and have been around for some time. They can hardly be considered new, and yet there are an incredible number of myths about them that drive me absolutely mad. First of all, because they are not true. Secondly, because more than one of my friends was firmly discouraged from trying them. Fortunately, only until I talked some sense into them!

If you also have questions about this method of hair removal, make sure you read on. I’ve tested quite a few IPL epilators and I’m happy to refute the rumours I’m still hearing today.

 

Myth 1: IPL hair removal burns

Honestly, I’ve never burnt my skin while epilating. Maybe it happened back in prehistoric times, when IPL hair removal was just getting started. Nowadays, every good-quality epilator has a safety sensor and allows you to adjust the intensity of the flashes, so the grilled chicken look really isn’t a risk. 

Products

Myth 2: Home IPL is expensive and takes ages

Obviously, you’re going to be spending more on the one-off payment for an IPL epilator than you would for a session at a beauty salon. But if you calculate how many times and how often you need to go to a salon to get the desired result, a home epilator is an absolute steal. Not to mention the maintenance visits, which you have to keep going to after the basic series of treatments.

The average epilator lasts for about 200,000 flashes, which is about 15 years of use. This means it’s better to choose a device with a larger flashlamp. Plus, you can use it whenever you want and don’t need to wait for your beautician to find time for you.

 

Myth 3: IPL hair removal is permanent
 

I’m going to disappoint you here a bit, but it isn’t. IPL does not destroy the roots, so the hair keeps growing back. But it’s true that the more thorough you are at the beginning, the more slowly the hair grows. What’s more, after a while the hair enters a resting phase and begins to fall out spontaneously. I know this from my own experience – for the first two months I used the epilator all over my body like a crazy person every two weeks. Now I only play with it once every four to six weeks and enjoy having perfectly smooth skin in between.

 

Myth 4: IPL is going to leave me childless

My friend Rachel told me this one. She couldn’t even remember where she’d got the “information” from any more, but every time we had a conversation about permanent hair removal she’d happily tell me, “Did you know that if you do IPL hair removal down there regularly, you’ll end up infertile? That’s why the manufacturers always put on the packaging that their IPL epilator must not be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding.” And just when I was hoping she’d stopped saying this, she started back at it again... 

It’s not about her concern for my health, but this method of hair removal has probably never even been tested on pregnant women or new mums. So, logically, the manufacturers can’t recommend it.

Who is IPL hair removal suitable for?

Just have fair skin, darker hair, and you’ll have results with home IPL in next to no time. It can also be used on all parts of the body, including the face and intimate areas. It doesn’t work on dark skin, blonde or red hair, overly sensitive skin, eczema, rashes, freckles, varicose veins, blackheads and other skin ailments.

Products

How to use an IPL epilator

Using home IPL is really easy. Just follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and the correct procedure.

  1. First, shave the area you want to “go over” with the IPL epilator  thoroughly, approximately three to five hours previously.
  2. Then choose the attachment for the part of the body you want to remove the hair from.
  3. Then turn on the epilator and choose the best flash intensity or leave it to the sensor, which automatically adjusts its strength according to the shade of your skin and hair. It depends which model you’re using.
  4. As soon as the IPL epilator is ready, you can get going.

 

The best IPL epilators I’ve ever tried

Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to test over 20 different IPL epilators. Some were absolutely perfect, others were a waste of time. These are my top six.

  • Philips Lumea Series 9000 BRI955/00 – like the other devices I’m about to introduce you to, this one is suitable for the face, bikini area, underarms and the rest of the body. It performs the best and the results are visible right after the first use.
  • Braun Silk Expert Pro 5 – A super machine. And I have to say, it’s even more comfortable to hold than the Lumea. However, I did have to wait longer to get the desired effect with this one.

Do you also have certain preconceptions about IPL epilators ? Maybe it’s time to put them behind you and try out IPL hair removal for yourself.

  • Concept IL3020 IPL Perfect Skin – this was my first IPL epilator, which I used to see if IPL hair removal was for me. I chose it because it wasn’t as expensive as the other models. I’m guessing you can tell that it convinced me of the excellent benefits of IPL hair removal .
  • ETA Fenité 8347 90000 – in addition to its hair removal, this Czech epilator boasts the ability to rejuvenate and firm your skin. I’m probably too young to notice the anti-ageing effect, but my aunt can’t get enough of this gadget.
  • Silk'n Infinity Smooth – this IPL epilator is a joy to use because it is incredibly lightweight. It’s also the reason why I use it when I’m travelling.
  • BEURER IPL 5800 – this one boasts an incredible lifespan of up to 600,000 flashes. I lent it to Rachel (yes, THAT Rachel) a few months ago and in the end she was so happy with it that she ordered one not long ago.