As summer approaches, the question of hair removal also comes up. For a few years, pulsed light epilators have been very trendy … They offer almost permanent and lasting hair removal, so you might as well enjoy being at home! Explanation, advice and selection of the 3 most effective devices
This technique is similar to laser hair removal (IPL) with the difference that it is not a laser beam but a pulsed light emitted by the lamp of the device. Called "flashes", the light rays are sent directly to the root of the hair bulb.
The IPL laser is much more powerful, and only practiced by professionals in institute.
Pulsed light hair removal can be done at home, provided you have an effective device. The result: semi-permanent and almost permanent hair removal.
Hair growth has 3 phases:
– The anagen phase: hair growth phase
– The catagen phase: the follicle shrinks
– The telogen phase: regression and death of the hair
Semi-permanent hair removal via pulsed light destroys the hair bulb and delays regrowth. It acts during the hair growth phase. By capturing the light, the root is "asleep" by the heat. It is thanks to melanin, the hair coloring pigment, that the hair bulb stops growing.
This depilatory method is effective especially on dark hairs. It will have little or no effect on blond or white hair, as well as on fine duvets (which would tend to grow back thicker and black!)
What are the contraindications?
Pulsed light hair removal is offered in beauty centers, at certain dermatologists, or at home. However, be sure to respect these criteria before you start:
- This method is incompatible with taking drugs such as anti-diabetics, anti-inflammatories, photosensitizers or chemotherapy
- Pulsed light hair removal is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
- Only fair skin is compatible: dark and black skin may react to flashes by "burning" because to be effective, the light must detect a sufficient contrast between the hair and the color of the skin.
- Moles, tattooed areas and spots on the epidermis must be protected from rays
- The sessions should not be performed in case of irritation or skin damage
Pulsed light hair removal is performed over several sessions, each spaced several weeks apart. It is recommended to perform 4 consecutive sessions spaced 2 weeks apart. Once this first cycle is finished, you will simply have to touch up the treated areas every 3 to 6 months.
Time required for the sessions: 15 minutes maximum.
What are the advantages ?
- It’s a very effective method, just like laser hair removal. It removes between 80 and 90% of hair, and considerably slows regrowth:
After treatment, the hairs are thinner and rarer, they fall off by themselves and grow back. It is therefore indeed a lasting (and almost permanent) hair removal
- The results are sometimes visible from the 2nd session, but it will be necessary to repeat at least 5 to 8 times the sessions to maximize the depilatory effects:
By respecting the number of sessions and the right intensity, hair removal will only be more effective:
- This technique is ideal if you have fair skin and dark brown or blond hair
Be careful if the contrast of the hair and your skin is not great enough, you may not have the expected results!
- It’s a method painless : at most you will feel a little tingling
- Pulsed light is a method less expensive than laser hair removal and all the traditional hair removal techniques that, in the long run, end up being expensive.
- It is possible to depilate the following areas of the body: half-legs, armpits, face (in case of black hair), and bikini line (except the mucous membranes)
Some advice :
– Check that the color of your hair contrasts with the skin. If they are too bright, they will catch the light badly. Hair must be darker than the skin.
– Avoid any exposure to the sun at least two weeks after the intervention to avoid the appearance of pigment spots.
– Before each session, remove the hair from the treated area: either by shaving or by epilating 24 hours before. This allows light to pulsate directly onto the root.
– After the session, apply a neutral vegetable oil to soothe the skin, such as coconut oil, known for its healing properties (any other cream is to be avoided).
Pulsed light hair removal is the cheapest technique for long-lasting hair removal, but is still expensive if you do it in an institute. Given that it takes between 8 and 10 sessions per zone, the figure can quickly increase:
- For half legs: around 1,000 euros
- For the armpits: around 600 euros
- For the down (lips): around 25 euros
The 3 best pulsed light epilators
It is quite possible to get a pulsed light epilator to perform the sessions at home. Here are the three most effective models of epilators on the market, detailed just below: The Lumea Prestige by Philips, the Silk-Expert from Braun, and the Beurer.
The most complete: Philips Lumea Prestige
– Lumea Prestige by Philips, from € 304.52 on Amazon
With smart tips and a Smart Skin sensor to assess the complexion of treated areas, the Lumea Prestige guarantees efficiency on 92% of hair from the 3rd session.
His characteristics :
Number of possible flashes: 250,000 (up to 15 years of use on average)
Number of intensity: 5 (to be evaluated using the sensor)
Operation: mains or wireless for practical use
Accessories provided: 4 smart tips (armpits, bikini line, body, face), cleaning brushes, a storage case.
The SmartSkin sensor detects skin color and indicates the most comfortable light intensity setting. Accredited and designed with dermatologists.
Why do we like it?
– Its 4 tips are adapted to specific areas such as the armpits or the bikini line, which allows greater precision.
– The free Lumea IPL application (available on IOS and Android) allows you to schedule upcoming sessions and receive tips and advice.
– The light is only triggered if the screen is perfectly placed on the skin, to avoid any light beam sent inadvertently.
– Continuous mode eliminates the need to fire the flash every time.
The most compact: Silk-Expert Pro 5 from Braun
– Silk Expert IPL Pro 5, from € 349.99 on Darty
Equipped with an intelligent SensoAdapt complexion sensor, the Silk-Expert continuously detects the complexion of your skin (80 times per second) and adapts the intensity of the light beam for a treatment in complete safety.
The device's IPL technology (intense pulsed light) produces up to 125 flashes per minute.
His characteristics :
Number of possible flashes: 400,000 (up to 22 years depending on the brand)
Number of intensity: 10 (a soft and ultra-soft mode-
Operation: without batteries or recharging
Supplied accessories: 1 Venus Extra Smoot razor (for prior shaving), 1 precision head (bikini line, underarms, face), and 1 storage pouch
Medical accreditation by the Skin Health Alliance as being safe for the skin.
Why do we like it?
– Its 400,000 flashes make it one of the most durable models, and at this price, it's a very good point. He will be able to follow you for several years without the need for an appointment, either shaving or refinement by strips of wax.
– Braun Silk · expert Pro application (available on iOS and Android) allows you to record your sessions, and plan the next ones, to be sure not to forget them! It also tells you how the SensoAdapt skin tone detector works in real time.
The cheapest: Velvet Skin Pro from Beurer
– Beurer's Velvet Skin Pro, from 283 € on Amazon
This Beurer epilator guarantees efficiency on 50% of the hairs treated from the 3rd session. It is supplied with a 2-in-1 sensor to assess the type of skin tone and detect contact with the skin.
His characteristics :
Number of flashes available: 300,000 flashes
Number of intensity: 6 levels
Operation: mains or wireless (autonomy of 550 flashes)
Accessories supplied: a precision tip (bikini line and underarms), a storage pouch;
For the face, arms, legs, armpits and bikini line as well as the back, chest and belly.
Pulsed light technology validated by dermatologists
Why do we like it?
– Its free MyIPL application (available on IOS and Android) allows you to schedule future sessions.
– The auto-flash mode allows the zones to be treated continuously.
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