"I'm *finally* in a committed relationship – but it’s with my laser hair removal device"
Squealing like a little puppy (read: b*tch), I hesitate for 10+ minutes with my Braun IPL laser hair removal device hovering millimetres over my freshly shaven legs... says the girl whose job it is to test and write about beauty. Pathetic, I know. Not to mention that I have multiple tattoos and piercings but hey, what's a little public humiliation if not character-building?
Alas, once I did seek the courage to start zapping ["Oh, is that it?"], it didn't take long before becoming infatuated with the tool and the science behind laser hair removal. Oh, and by infatuated, I mean, the honeymoon-stage kind of love you feel when first entering a relationship; the dependency you can rely on from a partner when in need of reassurance; comfort, companionship, acceptance... etcetera, etcetera. Need I go on?
OK, you get it. I love my IPL device more than I could any man and here is precisely why...
To preface with some context, I am Greek and although I do get to brag about being the descendant of a Goddess (obvs), I am somewhat hairy – pros and cons, y'know. My entire body (all but my arms, admittedly) is – or rather, was – covered in dark, thick hair and I have been shaving it away for the past 12 or so years. 'Tis a hard life.
Personally, I prefer having no hair on my body and so, when the Braun Skin i-Expert IPL Pro 7 PL7387 landed on my desk, I decided that after years of hard labour and many 'everything showers' later, I would invest the time in a more permanent method of hair removal.
How does the Braun Skin i-Expert IPL Pro 7 work?
First things first, before any laser hair removal sesh, you must shave the area/s first – not wax, not thread, not pluck but shave. By shaving the selected treatment area beforehand, you provide the device with a clean canvas for precise targeting. This allows the laser to reach the hair follicles (aka, roots) without interference from longer hairs. You must not wax or pluck the area as these techniques remove the hair from the root, which defeats the purpose of laser hair removal.
Once you've removed the hair with a razor, you can get zapping!
To do this, download the handy 'Braun IPL' app on your smartphone, sync your device with it and schedule a plan. As shown below, I created a 10-week plan (the app will recommend the length of time) which consisted of one session per week to remove the hair from my lower and upper legs, pubic area and underarms.
These plans are totally customisable in terms of dates, times and of course, the area in which you would like to remove hair. I chose to schedule my sessions – which, for all areas, take me, in total, 30ish minutes – every Sunday at 1pm. And thanks to the app, I am reminded of this on the dot with a notification.
However, if, like me, you are a menace with last-minute plans, you can totally reschedule a session. It's all on your terms and will not jeopardise results.
In terms of using the device itself, when starting a session via the app, it will recommend what head (wide, standard, precision) to use. This differs in certain areas. For example, the precision head is best for the pubic area but the wide head is perfect for the upper legs. Then it will tell you whether to use the gliding or stamping method when zapping. Again this differs depending on the area in which it is used.
How does it differ from other IPL devices?
As the brand itself states: "The technology in this Skin i-Expert Pro 7 set is more advanced than both the IPL Pro 3 and Pro 5 ranges."
In fact, the Braun Pro 7 IPL range constitutes the fastest way to achieve smooth skin of any Braun IPL device – so, like when you're buying the latest version of an iPhone, you expect better, faster and more improved technology.
You may have noticed that the device is sold in four different package variations. If you want, you can go all out with the entire set that I tried; this includes the standard head, wide head, x2 precision heads, the Venus extra smooth razor and a hard case. However, personally, I don't think two precision heads are a necessity unless you were to lose one, of course. Instead, I would recommend the set with one of each head.
That if you want to save a little more money, you could opt for the packages where the device is sold with the standard and precision heads alone.
Of course, there are many different laser hair removal devices on the market including the Philips Lumea IPL Series', Foreo Peach 2.0 and Smoothskin Pure Fit. Read more about our thoughts on them, here.
Is at-home laser hair removal painful?
Pain-wise, the Braun IPL Pro 7 does not hurt at all. This is something that I – as I'm sure most people – was concerned with the most. The sensation can be described as a hot zap that only feels uncomfortable in certain sensitive areas. Other than that, it's totally tolerable!
At-home laser hair removal tips
Shave the day of/the day before your hair removal sesh. This ensures more accurate results
Do a patch test 24 hours before initially using the device to ensure your skin can tolerate it
Despite wanting to, do not apply any lotions/creams to the skin before laser hair removal. It will create a film over the skin and therefore, make it harder for the laser to reach the hair's root
Start with the lowest laser intensity and once you're used to the sensation, amp it up for faster results
Do not tan/expose the area to the sun post-session. Sun exposure encourages the production of melanin, which can interfere with your IPL's results
Take your time! Read the manual, whack on a Netflix film and work at your own pace
Are at-home laser hair removal devices worth the money?
To put it quite simply, 100 per cent yes! I have never felt more liberated than after 8 sessions of using this device. Knowing that I never have to prepare to shave and action shaving ever again fills me with so much relief.
Understandably, however, you may be hesitant to part with such a large chunk of cash. If so, there are payment plans on offer! Still unsure? Well, to help you decide, I have weighed up the pros and cons below. You're very welcome.
Pros
You can work at your own pace
Results are faster than in-salon sessions – you don't have to wait for available appointments in-salon
Less expensive than in-salon laser hair removal
Permanent
Cons
Spenny AF
And with that, I say no more 2am pre-sneaky link emergency shower shaves... IYKYK. Hallelujah!
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