Wondering if at-home IPL hair removal really is all it's cracked up to be? Hey, a dose of skepticism is HEALTHY, especially when it comes to skincare and hair removal. It’s important to do your due diligence before introducing a product or a device into your routine. Because some of those methods that promise to perfect your skin… just don’t work.
Fortunately, at-home IPL hair removal isn’t one of them. At-home IPL hair removal is clinically proven to actually work, and it is safe to do IPL hair removal at home.
So, if you’re frustrated with frequent shaving and waxing and looking for a permanent hair removal alternative you can still do from home… you’re on to something.
IPL permanent hair removal is convenient, pain-free, affordable, and easy to do on your own. Hundreds of thousands of formerly-hairy girlies have gotten rid of unwanted body hair for good with the help of at-home IPL devices like Lumi.
Learn how at-home IPL hair removal works, how it compares to other hair removal methods you might be more familiar with, and whether at-home IPL might be a good option for you.
The Basics of IPL Technology
So how does at-home IPL work?
IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light. This technology targets unwanted hairs at the root and destroys them with light pulses, without burning or damaging the skin. It locates hair follicles by detecting melanin. Many clinical trials have found that IPL is a legitimate and useful source for effective hair removal.
You may or may not have heard much about IPL by now, but though it’s innovative and relatively new, it’s well-researched and widely regarded to be safe. The FDA has cleared some at-home IPL devices for safe and effective use.
How does IPL compare to laser hair removal? Both at-home IPL and laser treatment offer permanent hair removal, and they both use light to target hair follicles. But the technology is different – to get a little technical, laser systems use just one powerful wavelength of light to target hair follicles, while IPL systems deliver a range of wavelengths with each pulse. But only IPL is safe to use at home, and at-home IPL hair removal comes at a much lower price point than professional laser hair removal.
IPL hair removal treatment is also available in some professional salons, but many prefer the convenience & cost savings of using IPL hair removal at home.
How does IPL compare to traditional hair removal methods?
Shaving, waxing, epilating, depilatory creams, tweezing, laser hair removal… how does using an at-home IPL hair removal device stack up? Here’s a quick overview of how IPL compares to traditional hair removal methods.
- IPL hair removal is permanent. IPL offers a permanent reduction in hair removal in 8-12 weeks.
- You can do it at home. IPL handsets allow you to get salon-quality hair removal at home.
- It’s easy. It may take some getting used to, but IPL is a very intuitive process.
- It’s fast. IPL covers large areas of the body effectively. The best at-home IPL devices allow for full-body treatment in just 30 minutes. (Then, after treatment, you won’t have to spend any time on hair removal at all aside from occasional touch-ups as needed.)
- It’s a one-time cost. An IPL device costs more than a razor, but it’s a one-time cost for permanent hair removal – no refills, no add-ons. (And on that note, it costs less than even just one laser hair removal session.)
- It takes 8-12 weeks to see full results. IPL hair removal requires a bit of a time investment – plan on doing at-home IPL treatment 1-2 times a week for up to 12 weeks.
- It’s not for everyone. IPL treatment isn’t suitable for some skin tones and hair colors – learn more.
- It’s suitable for sensitive skin. IPL devices allow you to choose your own intensity level. At the lowest treatment setting, IPL is very gentle.
- The device you use matters. The experience you have and the results you get will depend a lot on which IPL handset you choose to use – learn more.
- It’s pain-free. No razor burn or wax pulls here – IPL hair removal does not hurt.
Is IPL effective for head-to-toe hair removal?
Yes, IPL works for hair removal just about anywhere on your body. You can use an at-home IPL handset for leg hair, armpit hair, pubic hair, arm hair, back hair, and even facial hair removal. However, we recommend not using IPL above the cheekbones.
Lumi features special settings to make treating different areas of the body easier. It’s also lightning-fast – you can perform full-body treatment at home in just 30 minutes.
With at-home IPL, you can get hair-free wherever you want to be – whether you focus on just one area or permanently remove body hair from head to toe. (Oh, it works on toes, too!)
Related: How to Lumi
Suitability and Safety for Different Skin Types
Full disclosure: while IPL is an excellent hair removal option for many, it’s not for everyone. Because IPL technology targets melanin in the hair follicle, it requires contrast between the skin and hair to work its magic. IPL isn’t a good fit for people with very dark skin or very light hair. Consult the Skin Tone Chart to determine whether IPL is safe for you to use.
Also, note that IPL permanent hair removal devices should only be used as directed, and are not approved for any purpose other than hair removal.
Choosing the Right IPL Device
Quick PSA: not all IPL devices are created equal. As one clinical study put it, “IPL devices have shown both safety and efficacy in hair removal, but consumers must be properly educated on which of these numerous devices in the market actually work.” Some devices have been reported to cause burns or simply not have any hair removal benefits at all.
As you search for the right at-home IPL device for you, keep an eye out for the following:
- FDA-Cleared
- Speedy Treatment
- Speedy Results
- Easy to Use
- Great Customer Reviews
- Advanced Cooling Tech
- Customized Intensity Levels
- Long-Lasting Device
- Satisfaction Guaranteed
Lumi: The Best At-Home IPL Hair Removal Device
Lumi is the #1 at-home IPL device. It checks all the boxes:
- FDA-Cleared ✅
- Full-body treatment in 30 min ✅
- Noticeable results in 3 weeks ✅
- Super user-friendly ✅
- Thousands of happy customers ✅
- Unmatched cooling technology ✅
- 6 intensity levels ✅
- Lasts 30+ years ✅
- 90-day money-back guarantee ✅
Maintenance and Long-Term Care
While many users start to see results after just 3 weeks of Lumi treatment, a full regimen of IPL hair removal at home can take up to 12 weeks. In 8-12 weeks, you’ll notice a permanent reduction in hair growth!
That being said, everyone is different. Some people might experience slower or faster results, and some sporadic hair growth may still occur every once in a while even after 12 weeks. Lumi is equipped with enough flashes to last up to 30 years, so you can use it for touch-ups as needed or extend regular treatment for areas with really stubborn hair.
Real User Experiences and Results
Hundreds of thousands of people have seen great results from at-home IPL hair removal. We’ll pass the mic over to some happily hair-free customers – hear their experiences!
“Already seeing results!!! Honestly a great investment. I've only been using Lumi for 5 weeks but there are already spots on my legs where the hair has stopped growing. Super easy and quick to use, and it's so nice that there is no pain involved. Definitely recommend!!!”
- Grace
“OMG! Honestly don't believe the change. I've used my handset 3 times so far and I already see a huge difference. I suffer from PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) and one of the symptoms is excess hair. I had to shave my face every single day for years and I was absolutely fed up with it (as any woman would be). The facial hair and shaving every day is a jab to my self-esteem and made me feel manly to an extent.
I ordered Lumi a tiny bit skeptical because I had done in-office treatments before and I thought to myself, "How is this device going to match up to a professional machine?" Well, you guys proved me wrong and I'm so happy with my purchase so far!
To see the difference I have as quickly as I have speaks volumes. Thank you guys for producing this and I will continue to be a fan and tell everyone about this device!
I know there are other women out there that suffer this reality and I want you to know you're not alone and there is a way to get rid of your facial hair for good! Give this device a try and I promise you will not be disappointed!
I honestly cried while writing this review, that's how happy I am so far! Thank you so much!”
- Nicole
Related: Lumi Reviews
The Future of At-Home Hair Removal
The growing popularity of at-home IPL is evidence of an emerging hair removal trend: people are simply fed up with frequent short-term hair removal. And with the technology that exists today, there’s no reason you still have to shave all the time.
You’re catching IPL somewhat early on – it’s a well-researched technology that’s widely regarded as safe and effective, but the whole world doesn’t really know about it yet. We predict that eventually, MOST people will opt for permanent hair removal with at-home IPL, and shaving will be a total thing of the past. (It already kinda is, isn’t it?)
So, what’s next for IPL and at-home beauty care? We’re optimistic that the current limitations of IPL technology will be addressed, or that another great alternative will be developed that can safely provide permanent hair removal for people with very dark skin. We’re constantly keeping a pulse on the hair removal tech landscape and are eager to share new advances with the world as they’re proven to be as safe and effective as IPL is.
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Sources:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2921762/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/intense-pulsed-light
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2921762/
