Pros:
- Affordable
- Low pain
- Results appear quickly
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Not permanent or long-term
- Requires three months to get full results
We’ve all been there: You’re on a spontaneous beach day or decided to wear shorts, and hair gets in the way. Hair removal can be a hassle no matter which route you take. Shaving or waxing can be high-maintenance and time-consuming, and laser hair removal seems daunting and, not to mention, expensive. So when I had the opportunity to test an allegedly painless at-home hair removal device (sans ingrown hairs or razor bumps), I jumped at the chance.
Without getting too much into my relationship with body hair, shaving was (at least) a weekly ritual that I did not enjoy. Not to mention the occasional ingrown hair. I debated getting laser hair removal, but the timing never seemed right, and I was unsure about my pain tolerance. My only experience with laser hair removal was with electrolysis on small areas. Upon finding out that the SmoothSkin Pure Fit IPL device could mimic in-office results in as little as four weeks, I had to investigate and see exactly how the IPL process worked.
SmoothSkin Pure Fit IPL Hair Removal Device
SmoothSkin Pure Fit IPL Hair Removal Device
Now 15% Off
How does IPL work?
IPL (intense pulsed light) emits multiple wavelengths of light, which is converted into heat, to destroy the hair follicle. What sets IPL apart from other hair removal lasers is that it uses multiple wavelengths—as opposed to other lasers that use a single wavelength—to select the pigment of the hair follicle only to minimize damage of the surrounding skin. "Since laser hair removal works by targeting the pigment of the hair follicle, dark hairs tend to respond the best to laser hair removal," Marisa Garshick, M.D., F.A.A.D. previously told BAZAAR.com.
Before diving into the full experience, I spot-tested the laser on one part of my leg to ensure I was sensitized to the laser. Before any SmoothSkin session, you have to remove the hair and create a clean canvas for the laser to work on. My preferred method is shaving, so I shaved my legs and underarms, which is where I tested the device.
Is the SmoothSkin Pure Fit easy to use?
Though the SmoothSkin Pure Fit IPL device comes with a smaller tip for precision areas like above the lip, I started with the bigger tip for my legs. It's very user-friendly: It will never zap light or heat without perfect skin contact (dots on the side light up white when there’s good contact and red when there is poor contact). I loved this feature, because no matter which direction I was going in, it took the guesswork out of trying to get the laser in the right spot to work. The only downside to the dot indicators was that it can be tricky to get skin contact in some areas (like the shins or knees). I found I had to rotate the laser vertically or horizontally in some spots to get the right contact. To use the device on my legs and underarm area, it took me about 20 minutes each time.
Is it painful?
At first, I was hesitant to start using the device, because I thought it would give a burning or painful sensation. But, much to my surprise, the multiple wavelengths made the pain level relatively low. You feel a warming sensation and a feeling similar to rubber bands snapping. The pain was so minimal that the heat felt nice. During my first use, my pain level was a two or three out of 10. Part of my legs hurt slightly more (near my shins or ankles where there’s more prevalent bone), and my underarm area hurt more than my legs overall.
SkinSmooth says that after three to four weeks, you start to see noticeable lack of regrowth, and that was definitely the case for me. I didn’t believe the technology would work that quickly, but after three weeks, hair started to grow back slower in some areas. By the fifth week, I went about nine days without needing to shave. In fact, I went to Europe for a week halfway through this eight-week trial, forgot a razor, and didn’t even need to make an emergency pharmacy run to get one.
After using the SmoothSkin device once a week for eight weeks, I had very minimal hair growth at all. The brand recommends continuing weekly sessions for 12 weeks, but I am amazed at the results 75 percent of the way in. Of course, there’s a catch: Due to the low pain level and affordable price compared to in-office laser treatments, touch-ups will have to be done every few weeks to keep the regrowth at bay.
As someone who spent 20 minutes a week lasering my hair off with the SmoothSkin, I picked up a few tricks. First, if you’re shaving, I recommend waiting about 10 minutes after showering to use the device since slightly damp skin makes the device hurt more. Also, just because it doesn’t hurt doesn’t mean it’s not working; I occasionally went over areas more than once, and it didn’t add any value.
Final Rating: 5/5
I am still in awe of how this low-pain device zapped nearly all of my body hair. For the price and ease of use, I’m giving the device a perfect score. The only downside, I’ll say, is that it’s not as permanent as laser hair removal—but I never expected it to be, so I am very satisfied with these results.
SmoothSkin Pure Fit is on sale for $303 (regularly $379) online at currentbody.com.
FAQs
It took a few weeks of consistent use (I was using it every 5-8 days, depending on when I had time) but the results do show. I first noticed the decrease in hair along my bikini line. When I started, I used to shave every other day. Now, after 8 weeks, I can easily go 2 weeks without shaving along the bikini line.
Does SmoothSkin IPL work? ›
SmoothSkin products are clinically proven to be safe and effective and use salon-standard IPL technology at home. To summarise, IPL can give the same standard of results as laser-treatments, as long as you follow the prescribed treatment regime – and keep on top of top-up treatments!
How effective is the IPL hair removal device? ›
IPL treatments, according to a study in the Journal of Clinical Aesthetic Dermatology, show that people get 83.3% less hair growth after one month and 78.1% less after three months. Results can last for years or even permanently. This makes IPL an excellent choice for those who want to enjoy long-lasting smoothness.
Is SmoothSkin pure fit IPL hair removal device FDA approved? ›
Absolutely! All SmoothSkin products are clinically proven to guarantee safe and effective permanent hair reduction. All studies adhere to international medical and safety regulations, are FDA-cleared and ethically approved.
Do IPL devices permanently remove hair? ›
Neither treatment is permanent permanent, but the results for both IPL and laser hair removal can last for months, and both devices are FDA-approved for reducing the amount of hair regrowth over time.
Does Pure Smooth actually work? ›
I started noticing a lighter, slower growth after about 5 uses. The growth is not gone yet, but I had every intention of needed to go through 8-12 uses before seeing any real benefit. I am so thrilled with the results I am seeing!! Amazing for Hair Removal!
Are at home IPL lasers worth it? ›
According to the Cleveland Clinic, these IPL and other devices do work to remove unwanted hair, but it often takes many sessions, and the results are rarely permanent. IPL devices are generally safe, and they have been approved by the FDA for hair removal.
Can you use IPL on pubic hair? ›
IPL hair removal is a progressive treatment that offers full body hair removal - but you can use IPL to treat separate areas, such as your arms, legs, or pubic area, depending on your individual needs. When using IPL, you'll hold a flashgun device that delivers a spectrum of light to the skin.
Do at home IPL hair removers work? ›
These studies proved that an IPL is a legitimate and useful light source for effective hair removal. Clinical results of the IPL for hair removal on darker skin types were also published, showing that with appropriate cut-off filters, the IPL can be used successfully in all skin types.
How long does IPL take to permanently remove hair? ›
After completing a session of 12 weeks, the hair growth will reduce completely, providing you with silky, smooth skin for a longer time. However, you may have to continue touch-ups as needed. It is most effective on darker coloured body hair, as the melanin absorbs the light.
It's still an investment, as all safe IPL devices are, but for those looking for a reliable, easy-to-use IPL device that's equipped for treating all areas of the body, the SmoothSkin Pure Fit is an easy recommendation.
Who should not use IPL hair removal? ›
So, IPL may not be for you if: You are sensitive to light. You have tanned your skin recently through sunlight, tanning beds, or tanning creams. You use a retinoid cream.
Which is the best IPL hair removal machine? ›
If you have fair skin and light hair, the Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 IPL Hair Removal System may be the best option for you. If you have a medium skin tone, the Philips Lumea Prestige IPL Hair Removal Device or the Silk'n Infinity Hair Removal Device may be better suited to your needs.
What happens if you use IPL too often? ›
Can you overuse at-home IPL? You can overuse at-home IPL. If you use your device too often, you won't speed up your hair removal treatments and could set yourself up for side effects.
Why is my hair still growing after IPL? ›
Why do hairs 'grow' after treatment? Contrary to other treatments, hairs are not vaporised by IPL treatment. The hair follicles are killed by the heat but the hairs remain in the skin and often become attached to the epidermis.
What is the strongest IPL at-home? ›
Most powerful: SmoothSkin Pure Fit IPL Hair Removal Device
The Pure Fit is an easy to use IPL device that achieves up to 99% hair reduction in 12 weeks, and visible results in just 2 weeks. It stands out as one of the most fast and powerful hair removal devices on the market.
Does IPL work on peach fuzz? ›
In order for the treatment to be successful, that pigment in your hair has attract the laser light into the skin. Without the pigment unfortunately the procedure will not be effective. Because peach fuzz in general is lighter in colour it's not likely the laser will be able to target it successfully.
How often can you use SmoothSkin IPL? ›
It's important to follow the recommended treatment regime to get maximum results from your SmoothSkin device. For SmoothSkin Pure and Pure FIT: We advise treating once a week for 12 weeks initially, and then just topping up as required, usually once every 4 – 8 weeks to keep regrowth at bay.
Is the SmoothBeam legit? ›
Research shows that the SmoothBeam is very effective, fast and safe. It creates the perfect balance between cooling and heating the skin, which treats various skin conditions while maintaining unmatched safety. The SmoothBeam can be used to treat enlarged oil glands, scars, wrinkles, fine lines and active acne.
Is SmoothSkin FDA approved? ›
Yes. Our devices are FDA cleared and have been clinically proven to be safe and effective, with over 5,500 clinical treatments performed on different skin tones.
