For those who remove their body hair, one of the best IPL hair removal devices can make a great addition to the at-home grooming routine. Not only can these tools achieve expert removal but they can also reduce regrowth and save you time in the long run.
IPL devices work by firing rapidly flashing light at melanin (the pigment) in your hair follicles, which converts to heat beneath the skin. This damages the hair at the root, almost "putting it to sleep". Not only is the existing hair removed, regrowth is also reduced—a clear upgrade from hair removal creams.
It's important to highlight that most IPL devices are not suitable for very dark skin tones (our guide to hair removal for dark skin covers the best methods), or combinations of very light blonde or auburn hair and very light skin. This is due to the lack of contrast between skin and hair color. In our in-depth guide, we’ve covered further need-to-knows about IPL hair removal as well as the best at-home devices our beauty expert tested firsthand.
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How to choose the best IPL hair removal device for your needs
Meet the experts on IPL air removal devices
- Jess Gregory is consumer marketing manager for Philips Beauty, an industry leader in health and wellbeing technology. Ahead, she explains the difference between IPL and laser hair removal.
- Emily Buckwell is product expert at CurrentBody, an online retailer for salon-quality at-home tools. Here she breaks down how this method works and what you can expect from the results when using one of the best IPL hair removal devices.
When shopping for an IPL device, whether you're looking to make your first purchase or upgrade an existing tool, there are a few different factors to consider to help you find the right one for you and your needs that also fits your budget.
- Area of use: Look for one suited to larger areas if you are targeting legs, for example.
- Budget: Have an idea of this before browsing, then work out which features you can get for your money.
- Extra features: Such as built-in guides, unique technology, or a smartphone app.
The best IPL hair removal devices as reviewed by a beauty expert
Probably the simplest tool in our edit of the best IPL hair removal devices from a user experience point of view, mainly because there are only three settings to content with—"gentle", "speed", and "power". This device does, however, still include that all-important built-in skin sensor to adjust the light intensity based on skin tone, so there’s no scrimping on safety—which is especially handy if you have naturally drier skin.
Again, the glide mode gets speedier results on larger areas, but I really liked the stamp mode on this device, as it was easy to slowly and precisely use on my upper lip and underarms. I definitely saw a noticeable difference in hair regrowth after eight weeks. If I could make one change to the device it would be to make it cordless, but overall, it's pretty great.
This chic, matte forest green gadget may look closer to the Dyson Supersonic than a hair removal tool, but it's the only one here that targets both unwanted hair and skin aging (useful if you're trying to compare the JOVS Venus Pro vs Philips Lumea). It comes with six attachments and can be used on both the face and the body. It's another with a built-in skin sensor that checks skin tone suitability before use.
The device is pleasingly technical; I found the 180° rotating head makes tackling harder-to-reach areas like the backs of the legs far more comfortable, while cooling technology numbs the area you're treating, for an almost pain-free experience. I also loved the red-light mode, which boosts skin cell repair and collagen production for plumper and smoother skin with time—like two salon treatments in one super gadget. And with 500k flashes, there’s enough for a lifetime's worth of treatments, so you're set for a very long time.
This device has a huge 10 different intensity settings—double that of many competitor tools—including a gentle mode for sensitive skin and a Venus razor. I found the body attachment covers larger areas in a short space of time, which made testing this particular device much easier. In fact, speed is what sets it apart from other at-home hair removal tools.
There are two treatment modes, "stamp" and "glide". The latter speeds up the process by delivering more flashes to larger body parts, like the legs—appealing to those short on time and nervous newbies. I was neither, but when you can tackle the bikini line in minutes, I think it’s a godsend. It treated both of my legs in under five minutes on the lowest setting, which I thought was pretty impressive. My hair was also sparser after eight weeks. Equipped with over two decades' worth of flashes, I deem it a worthy investment.
Most IPL devices resemble a nineties hair dryer (AKA, kinda bulky). But Silk'n's teeny tool is different—more like a computer mouse. Despite this, it has some pretty impressive features. For me, the standout was "eHPL", essentially a combination of galvanic energy with standard light energy. The first briefly widens pores so that the IPL reaches hair follicles more easily. It doesn’t feel any different on the skin, but is designed to make the treatment less painful and prevent ingrown hairs—which I can confirm it achieved. This treats body hair in 20 minutes which, according to the brand, is twice as fast as usual.
It's another tool with a built-in sensor to check skin tone and hair color compatibility and ensure the device emits the correct light pulse. You can also use a paired smartphone app to set out a treatment plan. I noticed a reduction in hair growth and thickness after the initial four weeks, though this was more noticeable by around 12. I thought the ergonomics of the machine were a downside, however, as I didn't find it all that easy to hold; you have to simultaneously touch the metal base at the back and press the button on the top during use. This felt unnecessarily fiddly and increased my overall treatment time.
The Sensilight Pro has a built-in sensor to allow it to customize settings to your skin tone and hair color. But it takes this to a new level by continuously reacting to your skin's tone and condition, even if you have dark spots. If the sensors detect that skin in one particular area is too dark, no flash will be emitted—a nice added safety measure that I found very reassuring. There are six energy levels and two attachment heads included, one for the face and one for the body.
The tool also features a "glide mode", meaning you don’t have to continuously press the button and wait for a "click" before zapping your area of choice. This quickens the process as you only have to move the handset up and down—handy when tackling larger areas like the legs. The longer I used this tool, the more impressed I became, though if I'm being extremely fussy I’d raise one drawback: the device’s bulkiness. The overall design is quite cumbersome and heavy, and I found it a little difficult to change between the attachment heads.
With sleek lines and advanced technology, this device is also easy to use. Targeting the body and the face (attachment depending), it has five light settings and, once the head is slotted into place, a built-in sensor selects the right one for your skin tone and sensitivity. This is both reassuring and practical, removing any guesswork for those not familiar with the Fitzpatrick scale for skin tone and hair color. The device treats naturally dark blonde, brown, and black hair on very white to brown skin tones, while a free app offers both advice and the option to create a tailored treatment schedule for each area. The reminders really helped me to stick to my routine and made my at-home treatments feel very bespoke—a bit like an affordable alternative to laser hair removal.
The curved attachments are easy to maneuver, and the device is especially ergonomic around the bikini line, which wasn’t the wince-inducing experience I expected. Philips claims the device can achieve results in as little as four treatments, and that additional sessions further reduce regrowth. And it delivered—I used the device for a full 12 weeks on my armpits, legs, bikini line, and even my upper lip. Most have stopped growing back altogether, and those that have are definitely finer. Despite the large price tag, it's cheaper than a course of salon treatments, so I think it's worth it.
Everything to know about how IPL hair removal works
What is IPL?
IPL stands for intense pulsed light, a broad-spectrum light that is scattered across the skin to help remove body hair. The level of discomfort varies—for some, IPL will feel hot on the skin, while others compare it to being flicked with an elastic band. Most rate IPL as much less painful than epilating, but if you experience any irritation you should seek medical advice.
How does IPL work?
"IPL transfers light energy to the hair shaft," Emily Buckwell, product expert at CurrentBody, explains. "Once absorbed, this light energy is converted to heat, which prevents further hair growth. As our hair grows in cycles, you will need to repeat the treatments until you eventually catch each phase of growth, resulting in a reduction in hair over time."
Laser hair removal vs IPL: the key differences
IPL is often confused with laser hair removal because both methods target the melanin in the hair follicle. But as Jess Gregory, consumer marketing manager at Philips Beauty points out: "They are two different light technologies." While laser uses a single, concentrated beam of light, “IPL progressively reduces hair regrowth by applying gentle pulses of broad-spectrum light and heat to the root. This means that larger areas of skin can be treated with IPL, while laser only works point by point." We've explained more about laser hair removal vs IPL in our dedicated guide.
Is IPL hair removal permanent?
IPL results aren’t permanent, but the hair will grow back finer and more slowly—some people even find that the hair doesn't grow back at all. "What IPL does offer is permanent hair reduction, depending on its color, density, and texture," Buckwell notes.
"To see results you need to carry out regular at-home treatments for at least eight weeks, followed up with top-up sessions to maintain results. Hair can grow back due to hormonal changes like childbirth and menopause, but having a device at home means not forking out for further salon sessions."
How long does it take to see IPL results?
The best IPL hair removal devices should be used regularly for 4–12 weeks to ensure that all the hair has been treated. Typically, body hair requires treatment every two weeks for the first four weeks, then once every four weeks from then on. Top-up sessions can then be done where and when there is any regrowth.
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