IP-Heaven or IPL? (Your guide to IPL hair removal)

So, this is a bit of a weird one for me. It’s not one of my usual posts. It’s a *multimedia* post. Oooooh.

I’ll keep the intro brief bc it’s already gonna be a lengthy post (heads up). But of course, you can always skim it or skip to the parts you want to know about, or just watch the video instead.

FYI the video is an accompaniment. There’s info in the text that isn’t in the video and vice versa.

So, I’ve trialed (and errored) a lot of hair removal methods in the past, (if you saw me between the ages of 13 – 18, you’ll understand why), but today I’m gonna be talking about the one I stuck with: IPL.

For me, shaving took too long and the results lasted mere hours, waxing was too expensive and time consuming, and epilating was not only painful, but gave me terrible ingrown hairs and bumps. I’ve also tried things like bleaching and threading (for my face) and hair removal creams.

IPL stood out bc it was not only supposed to be painless, it was supposed to be long lasting and effective. So, I gave it a go. I gave many different IPL devices a go, actually, and I've gained a lot of knowledge. I get asked quite often for advice and tips and tbh I’m lazy, so I’ve written this post and made a whole comprehensive video as a guide to everything you’d ever want to know about IPL. From the cheap and cheerful ones to the slightly more high-end brands. Which to snap up and which to steer clear of. Plus, a bunch of my own hints and tips that I picked up along the way. You’re welcome.

Let’s begin.

What It Is

IPL stands for Intense Pulsing Light and it's basically light targeting the roots of your hair. It's not a permanent method. But it will slow down your hair growth and thin your hair so it's much more manageable, especially if you have thick hair.

The Process

The concept is very simple. You remove the surface hair from your body or face. You can either shave or wax or thread, but if you do wax or thread, you have to wait until the hair grows back partially, below skin level. Basically, it's the follicle being targeted and it can't be zapped unless it's there. So, if you're removing hair that way, I'd recommend waiting a few days before using the product. Also make sure there is no hair on your skin. Make sure it's as close a shave as possible and get every single patch. You have to be this meticulous because otherwise it won't target the follicle, it will just burn the surface hair. And not only does that hurt, it makes your room and skin smell like burnt hair.

Once you've done this, you have to wait a minimum of 2 weeks (usually) before doing it in the same area again. And you repeat the process (remove the hair and then laser it). After a few uses you should start to see some results. Your hair will get much thinner and shorter. Theoretically, it's supposed to take about 3 months for the hair to stop growing completely, after which time you just touch it up by lasering every 2 or 3 months. This is a lot easier to manage bc you don't have any hair left to remove so you're effectively cutting out that whole part of the process. For me, personally, it becomes a lot easier at this point bc I can't see very well in the shower without my glasses, meaning it takes ages to shave. So not having to worry about getting all the hairs is a weight off.

What Kind of Hair and Skin It Works On

Each product will have its own skin/hair charts to tell you what is suitable but typically IPL doesn’t work on hair that is too light or skin that is too dark. You can use it almost everywhere on your body, (yes, even your chest – let’s not pretend women don’t have chest hair), but not above your eye level or on your nipples, or similarly sensitive areas. Read the instructions carefully!

Does It Hurt

Claims that IPL treatment is painless are usually false, unless using it on a very low level. The device gets quite hot and the flashes have been compared to "rubber band snaps". Redness is also a possibility. However, none of these issues should last very long after you've finished using the device. If pain, irritation or burning persists, STOP using it. Get your money back. I say this bc it has happened to me, more than once. Don't just put up with the pain. Lower the levels and if it's still painful, something is wrong.

Now, without further ado, here is the video of 4 different IPLs including two leading brands and one horror story. I talk through how they work, the different settings, accessories, shapes and sizes, pros and cons, and of course, any advice I have regarding the whole process.

Product Names From Video (Ranked Best To Worst)

1. Braun - Silk-Expert Pro 5

2. Philips - Lumea Comfort

3. Black LDN - Black Silk Laser

4. Philips - Lumea Advanced (Special Beauty Edition)

The product I used for ingrown hairs is: Nad's – Ingrow Solution

Terracycle

There is one last thing I wanted to mention. The great thing about IPL is it means you don’t have to buy multiple different types of hair removal products. This is not only cost and time effective in the long run, but it’s also more environmentally friendly.

Having said that, as mentioned in the video, as well as above, shaving is the best way to initially remove the hair before flashing it with the IPL. But this means you’re gonna get through quite a few razors, which obviously isn’t great for the environment.

I’m a bit of a weirdo and I’ve been hoarding old razors for years bc I just wasn’t sure how to dispose of them. It felt odd just throwing them away. Then I found out about Terracycle. They do a bunch of recycling schemes for things that aren’t typically recyclable, (crisp packets, food wrappers, toothpaste tubes, etc.), and they have a partnership with Gillette that helps recycle old razors of ANY brand.

It’s a really simple and easy process and it’s free! I really, really urge you to check it out and utilise it. It’s such a great solution to a common problem. Here is the link: https://www.gillette.co.uk/recycle.list

Finally, I’m gonna treat this like an awards show and thank my friends for their support. I won’t name names bc I don’t wanna brag about how popular I am but Kayya, especially, was really helpful with the whole editing process. We made it a little longer than it had to be but I really appreciate all the time she put into helping me and creating that amazing graphic. And yes, all my friends who are sick of seeing my face bc of the number of things I ran past them while editing, I appreciate you all.

As I mentioned, this started out literally as a way to explain things all in one go to my friends and family who had IPL questions. But I’m more than happy to do other videos/posts about stuff if you want me to trial and review them. Or if you have any other questions. Let me know!

Thanks for reading and/or watching. Hope you learnt something!

Divya x