Dreaded by many of us, hair removal with laser, wax or razor is far from a piece of cake. If one irritates the skin and the other tears it off, the latter is as painful for you as it is for your wallet. But how do you get rid of stubborn hairs without bringing tears? I tested 2 Braun IPL epilators, find out which of the two will win this match!
Too numerous, dark and often thick, the hairs are dreaded by many of us. With the beautiful days coming, sun rhymes, for some, with hair removal. Far from being a pleasant moment, there are many techniques to get rid of these unwanted roommates. Absolutely not permanent and most of the time painful, the wax and the Shaver are not your only options. For the more adventurous, there is laser hair removal. Definitive, it is no less trying and expensive. However, in recent years, a new way to remove hair is a hit: pulsed light.
Painless and much more affordable than laser, IPL devices were, for a long time, reserved for institutes. The concept is simple: the light burns the hair bulb, but requires more sessions to completely eliminate it. This is called semi-permanent hair removal. A victim of its own success, this hair removal method is now accessible to everyone. To win the hearts of people tired of repeated hair removal, some brands have created “pocket” IPL epilators for home use. Like what, you don’t always have to suffer to be beautiful!
A few months ago, I had the opportunity to test 2 Braun Silk Expert Pro IPL epilators. I let you discover which of these two devices is the most effective!
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What does the brand promise?
Hair removal will no longer be an ordeal with the Silk Expert Pro 3 PL3133 IPL epilator! Adopt semi-permanent hair removal in just 3 months. Fast, precise and gentle on the skin, the device analyzes the skin tone of your skin and your hair in real time to adapt the intensity of the flash. Always with the aim of making this moment as pleasant as possible, the soft mode, perfect for beginners, allows you to adjust the intensity of the light on 3 levels. For delicate areas such as the face, armpits or bikini line, Braun includes a standard head and a precision head with this epilator.
Little more : to facilitate storage and carry the epilator everywhere with you, this small accessory is sold with its carrying pouch and a razor.
How about painless semi-permanent hair removal at home? This is the bet that the Braun brand has taken on with its Silk Expert Pro 5 PL5257 IPL epilator. In just 4 weeks, hair growth is significantly reduced! Enjoy 6 months of smooth, soft skin. Thanks to SkinPro 2.0 (SensoAdapt) technology, the device automatically and continuously adapts to your skin tone (10 intensity levels). The 125 flashes per minute as well as the different heads (standard, precision and large), allow you to epilate all areas, even the most sensitive! For the most delicate skin, the 3 gentle modes adapt the intensity of the pulsed light: painless hair removal guaranteed!
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Braun Silk Pro Expert 3 VS 5 IPL epilators, which one will come out on top?
PACKAGING
- The Silk Expert Pro 3 IPL epilator
The device arrived in a cardboard box as big as a jewelry box. Inside, I discover the warranty, the user manuals translated into several languages, as well as the epilator stored in its carrying pouch. Ultra practical, the latter is divided into three compartments: one for the epilator, the second for the cable and the last for the special “sensitive areas” head. A razor with a blade is included in the kit, enough to wax anywhere and anytime!
- The Silk Expert Pro 5 IPL epilator
Just like the Model 3, the Silk Expert Pro 5 epilator arrived in a cardboard box. Information and instructions for use are written on all sides, hard to miss. Once the box is open, I discover a gray leatherette storage pouch, in which is the epilator, the 3 heads and a razor with its blade.
VERDICT
The Silk Expert pro 5 IPL epilator wins this first round! Even if the packaging is almost identical, it is the style of the cover as well as the number of heads sold with the device that made the difference.
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SIMPLICITY OF USE
- The Silk Expert Pro 3 IPL epilator
A big fan of waxing and razor hair removal, this type of device is, at first glance, a real mystery and rather impressive to hold in hand. Ultra simple to start, just plug in the epilator and press any button. The ventilation starts and the indicator lights come on. Once the head is fixed, I can finally start. Important thing to know, the skin must be shaved and dry. The sensors allow the epilator to automatically detect contact with the skin and activate, or not, the flashes. To summarize, when the device is ready to flash, the sensors are white, when it is misplaced the sensors are red. For safety reasons, the flashes are triggered only on contact with the skin. 3,2,1, flash!
Question pain, there is none. With each flash, it is possible to feel a small sensation of heat or slight tingling, even in the bikini area! Big cozy since always, I didn’t need the soft mode, that’s to tell you how bearable it is. I also really liked the continuous mode, which is great for large areas like the legs. Little advice, I use the epilator directly after shaving, but if your skin is too raw, you can epilate the next day.
- The Silk Expert Pro 5 IPL epilator
This version is used in the same way as the Silk Expert Pro 3 model. The length of the cable is identical, the same for the operation of the sensors (red means that the epilator is badly placed and white means that it is ready to flash ). But how to differentiate them? First, the number of heads sold with the device. This model has 3 epilation heads so that no area is neglected, even the most sensitive ones such as the bikini line. I must admit that this head is very practical! Another difference is the soft mode. This version has a 3-level soft mode. A rather light mode, a medium mode and an ultra soft mode. Just press the + to change the intensity. I must admit that at the very beginning of the treatment, I activated the second level of the gentle mode for the bikini area.
As for the “sensoadapt” sensor, it scans skin and hair color with great precision. This step is visible to the naked eye thanks to the light gauge located on the side of the epilator. The brighter it is, the more the flash intensity is adapted to your skin tone. As for the flash frequency, the continuous mode is much faster than with the IPL 3 model. To give you an order of measure, I epilate my lower legs in 8 minutes compared to 15 with the epilator plus ancient ! The little extra? The machine automatically shuts off after 10 minutes of non-use.
VERDICT
It is once again the Silk Expert Pro 5 epilator that wins this round. In addition to being ultra practical, this model is faster than its predecessor. What ended up convincing us? The different soft modes. They allow the most sensitive people to benefit from the benefits of pulsed light hair removal without suffering.
Personal advice: Even though Braun IPL epilators are designed to be effective without damaging your eyes, I recommend investing in protective goggles which you can easily find on Amazon.
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THE RESULTS
- The Silk Expert Pro 3 IPL epilator
Although at first I expected the pain and results worthy of laser hair removal, it didn’t take long to show up. After 3 months of use, once a week, my skin felt much softer and regrowth took longer. I used the epilator on the armpits, the bikini line and the lower legs. My hairs are now growing back more slowly, in certain areas only, fewer, very fine and very light (the first appear at the end of the second week). The brand affirms that the passage of the epilator once a week for 3 months is necessary before being able to space out the sessions. I must admit that so far, the promise has been kept!
- The Silk Expert Pro 5 IPL epilator
Upon receipt, I wondered what this epilator could do for me more than the previous model. I quickly had my answer, and this, from the first use. The faster, more intense flashes got the better of some of my stubborn hairs. I must admit that the results obtained in 3 months with the Silk Expert Pro 3 IPL epilator were obtained in 1 month with this new version. A slight touch-up is necessary on certain areas every 2 weeks. I am starting the second month of testing today and I can clearly see the difference: my legs are almost free of hair, as are my armpits.
VERDICT
Once again, the Silk Expert Pro 5 IPL epilator wins this round! Impossible to deny the obvious, the results are impressive and ultra fast. To sum up, the skin is very soft and the hairs are almost eliminated. Even if it is only a semi-permanent hair removal, the touch-ups (all areas included) do not take me more than 15 minutes maximum.
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THE PRICE
- The Silk Expert Pro 3 IPL epilator
Available at €288 on Amazon, this device represents real value for money. I grant you, an epilator at this price is not cheap. However, if we take into account the results associated with the frequency of use and compare them to the frequency of your appointments with the beautician, this little gem pays for itself in less than 6 months! It’s a great gift to make yourself!
- The Silk Expert Pro 5 IPL epilator
356€ for an epilator, it makes you think. However, this small investment can be very useful! Paying for itself in just a few months, it allows you to say goodbye to painful hair removal at the beautician (which represents a year-round budget) and avoid laser sessions (which are not a cakewalk). We must also admit that the end justifies the means: in just a few months, you will be rid of the hairs that bother you for a while!
VERDICT
This time, the Silk Expert Pro 3 IPL epilator wins this round! Even if the results take longer to appear, this device is still effective. It is perfect for slightly more modest budgets!
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Which of the two epilators wins the match?
Unsurprisingly, the Silk Pro Expert 5 IPL epilator wins this match! A real alternative to expensive and painful hair removal techniques, it allows you to get rid quickly and for a long time of your most capricious hairs as well as all the inconveniences that accompany them (pimples, irritations, ingrown hairs…). However, it is important to specify that it is a “treatment” to be taken seriously and to be done frequently for visible results over time. This will allow you to obtain semi-permanent hair removal at a lower cost!
Prevention point: these home appliances are specially designed for home use. On the other hand, it is still advisable to invest in protective glasses in order to preserve the health of your eyes.