Bodycare • 03 January 2023
An increasing number of men are looking for a more permanent solution to hair removal, especially for reducing coarse hair across problem areas such as the back and chest.
Maybe you're looking for a less time-consuming option to waxing or shaving, or a cheaper alternative to in-salon laser treatments. Whatever the reason, we’re here to give you the lowdown on everything you need to know about at-home hair removal devices for men.
So read on to discover how they work, our top tips for men's hair removal and find out which IPL device is right for you.
How does IPL work?
IPL (intense pulsed light) works by sending light energy into the skin which converts into heat. This energy then gets absorbed by the melanin within the hair follicle, stunting hair growth straight from the root.
As your hair grows in different growth cycles, it’s important to keep up with regular IPL sessions for approximately 12 weeks to make sure you achieve an even result. The best time to use IPL is during the growth (anagen) phase when the follicle contains the most melanin for absorption.
In the transitional (catagen) phase, the lower part of the hair stops growing and the follicle is reabsorbed. This makes it difficult for IPL treatments to be effective. In the resting (telogen) phase, the hair falls out in preparation for restarting a new hair growth cycle. IPL will not be effective during this stage.
What are the benefits of IPL hair removal for men?
As well as permanent hair removal, there are other benefits to using an at-home IPL device. It’s quicker. Most IPL devices can complete a full body treatment in just 10 to 20 minutes, shaving time off your usual hair removal routine. Plus, after your initial treatment period, you can go anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks before needing a top-up treatment.
Ditch the hair removal creams and male waxing strips, an IPL device can effectively help with full body hair removal and razor burn. The more treatments you complete, the thinner your hair will grow back, along with being much lighter in colour.
You’ll no longer have to deal with unsightly red bumps and ingrown hairs from using your razor either. Think of the time you could save! Compared to in-clinic laser hair removal appointments, IPL is a practical and time-efficient alternative.
Which IPL device should I buy?
SmoothSkin Pure Mini IPL Hair Removal Device
Emitting over 100 flashes a minute, SmoothSkin Pure Mini treats your entire body in just 10 minutes. The device has a built UV filter and skin sensor to ensure your treatments are always safe. It even comes with a Glide mode, so you can effortlessly glide the device over larger surface areas for hair-free skin in no time.
Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 IPL Hair Removal Device PL5124
A powerful entry, the Braun Silk-Expert Pro 5 PL5124 IPL Hair Removal Device has 10 different smart intensity levels to ensure you get a pain-free treatment. You can use it anywhere including the face, chest, bathing suit area and arms. It kills off a lot of visible hair in just 10 minutes a week over just 4 weeks. And you don’t have to babysit the device either. The skin-safe sensors prevent damage and ensure you’ve got a good placement for each flash. And with 400,000 flashes, you’ll have a lifetime of full-body treatments.
JOVS Mini Cordless Hair Removal Device
JOVS are back with their latest innovation. This cordless, high intensity pulsed light (HIPL) device can be use anywhere. Treat your whole body in just 10 minutes from the comfort of your home, or even take the device on holiday. Plus, with the additional skin rejuvenating attachment, treat fine lines and wrinkles, reduce pigmentation and even eliminate dark spots.
SmoothSkin Pure Fit IPL Hair Removal Device
If you’re looking for an IPL device with ultimate hair-stopping power, then let us introduce you to SmoothSkin Pure Fit. This device is the strongest, most powerful device on the market, harnessing 20W of hair-stopping power; this means you’ll be able to go for 4 to 8 weeks between your top up treatments.
E-One Clinic Permanent Hair Removal Device
This isn’t your wife’s IPL. This device uses Rapid Intense Pulsed Light technology. That’s more powerful than just about anything else outside of a clinic. And it’s still safe and effective hair removal for your whole body. You just don’t need to do these sessions every week. That gives you a lot of your time back while you strive for a perfect, hairless finish.
You only need treatment once every 6 to 8 weeks. The E-One even works on blonde hair and tanned skin. Most IPL devices don’t. It’s designed with men’s very thick hair in mind too. Lastly, with the included shield – protect hair you DON’T want to remove, like your moustache, goatee or beard. Get smooth, hairless skin from the very first session with permanent results that build across 10 to 12 treatments total.
