Why IPL is the smart choice

Tedious, short-lasting and painful hair removal is so last year. There’s a new kid on the block (well, it has been around since 2007 but it’s growing in popularity). In this article we’re taking a deep dive into why IPL (intense pulsed light) hair removal is the smart choice for people wanting to get long-lasting, smooth skin.

At-home IPL has been around for almost 20 years, though it’s had a major glow up since its beginning days. In fact, SmoothSkin was the first brand to launch the technology – so you could say we know a thing or two about it (since it’s all we talk about).

IPL hair removal really started taking off around 2020 when the global pandemic shut salons and people looked to at-home solutions (the less we talk about the homemade box dyes the better). And it shows no signs of slowing down.

So, why are more and more people choosing IPL?

From speaking to women who remove hair through traditional means such as shaving there’s a few downsides that the quick treatments can’t counteract – things like razor bumps, how quickly stubble grows back and painful ingrown hairs. Women are looking for low maintenance, fast treatments that they can do from the comfort of home that give them long-lasting results.

That’s where IPL comes in – IPL hair removal stops unwanted hair growth at the root, giving clinically proven long-lasting smooth skin all from the comfort of home.

What is IPL hair removal and how does it work?

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is a light-based hair removal method, that targets the melanin (pigment) inside the hair to interrupt the hair growth cycle and prevent hair regrowth, without damaging the skin. It’s just as safe, just as effective as the salon, without the price tag.

IPL hair removal works in 3 steps:

1.      The light energy is transferred through the skin’s surface and is absorbed by the melanin present in the hair shaft.

2.      The absorbed light is converted to heat energy (below the surface of the skin), which disables the hair follicle preventing further growth.

3.      Treated hairs naturally fall out over a period that can vary from a few days to 1-2 weeks depending on the individual.

Repeat once a week for 12 weeks to ensure all hairs are caught during the growth phase (when IPL is most effective). Read more about IPL hair removal here.

How does IPL hair removal compare on cost and time versus other methods? 

When we look at cost, we not only look at the monetary investment but also your time, effort and energy. Over 40% of women surveyed said they found their hair removal regimen time consuming.

Timing and cost based on full body; legs, underarms, bikini line.

^{1 -} $149 pricing is Pure Mini Lite and Pure Switch $499

² - Pure Switch in Ice Mode and Speed Mode

³ – Pure Adapt and Pure Switch/Ice – individual results may vary

When does IPL “pay for itself”?

If you purchase an at-home IPL hair removal device like SmoothSkin, it’s yours to own. No on-going appointment or subscription needed, just smooth skin at the touch of a button.

Let’s compare our latest IPL device, Pure Switch against mid-to-long term solutions such as waxing or laser hair removal.

Over 12 treatments, Pure Switch breaks down as:

• $499 / 12 = $41 per treatment
• Time per session: 7 minutes
• Time accumulated over 12 sessions: 84 minutes

Good to know: 

• Up to 95% hair reduction in 2 uses⁴
• Unlimited flashes, so you never have to worry about running out
• Treatments take just 7 minutes for a full body, with just 1 treatment a week needed

4 - In a clinical study of 40 participants on the lower leg. Individual results may vary. 

So how does this compare to other treatments in a real-life situation? We’ll compare how SmoothSkin stacks up versus other mid-term methods for removing hair. 

·       Waxing - We know you’re probably not getting a full body wax every month, so we’ll base this on a full leg wax which typically costs between $60 - $100 per session. So, an average cost will be $80 per session, that’s $960 for the year.

o   Break-even in 6 months

o   Saving over 12 months: $461

o   Saving over 2 years: $1421 + $960 for every 12 months on top

o   Time per session: up to 45 minutes

·       Laser – a full leg laser session costs between $175 and $200 per session, with 6-8 sessions recommended. That’s an average of $187 per session and a total of $1496 for 8 sessions without factoring in any maintenance sessions.

o   Break-even in 2.5 months

o   Saving over 12 months: $997

o   Saving over 2 years (based on 8 sessions + maintenance every 6-12 months): $1371

o   Time per session: up to 60 minutes

So, what does this mean? SmoothSkin saves you time and money with the added convenience and comfort of treatments from your home. With an initial regimen of 1 treatment a week for 12 weeks, it easily slots into your routine – for up to 12 months of smoother skin. Like with laser hair removal, complete maintenance treatments as and when needed to keep your smooth skin – typically every 6-8 weeks, or as needed.

Why Choose SmoothSkin?

• Unlimited flashes + 2-year warranty
• First to launch an at-home IPL hair removal device
• Over 7 million devices sold worldwide
• Over 5500 clinical treatments performed
• World’s #1 IPL technology
• Designed and developed in the UK
• In-house manufacturing
• FDA cleared, dermatologist approved

Is at-home IPL safe to use?

IPL hair removal is now smarter, faster and more convenient than ever with smart built-in features for safety, ease and convenience. SmoothSkin has unrivalled features that protect your skin and give great results, including:

• Ice cooling technology: painless treatments, even in your most sensitive areas. Read more about our Sapphire Pro Ice Cooling technology here. ⁵
• Patented auto skin tone sensor: reads your skin over 80x per second and auto-adjusts each flash to your unique skin tone across your body
• UV filter and skin contact systems: unrivalled skin safety features to protect your skin and eyes from accidental flashes and light leakage.
• Fast, full body treatments: enjoy full body treatments in just 7 minutes⁶ with just 1 treatment per week, that’s a third less than some other popular brands
• Additional attachments for personalized treatments: tailor your treatment with additional heads for larger or smaller areas⁷

5 – ice cooling available on our Pure Switch IPL devices

6 – when using ice mode and speed mode on Pure Switch

7 – depending on model. Check product description for more information. 

Who is IPL hair removal best for?

IPL is a great option for most people that are looking to achieve salon-results from home. Before we jump in, it’s not suitable for everyone with some exceptions on hair color and skin tone – you can check your suitability here.

Whether you’re a busy mom with no free time for herself, someone who’s always on the go or just enjoys the feeling of having beautifully smooth, hair free skin without irritation – IPL hair removal is perfect solution for a few reasons:

• Full body treatments in 7 minutes
• Up to 95% hair reduction in 2 uses⁴ 
• Can be used on body and face
• Only one treatment per week
• Can be done from the comfort of home
• One-time investment

4 - In a clinical study of 40 participants on the lower leg. Individual results may vary.

Does IPL really work?

Yes, SmoothSkin IPL devices are clinically proven to be safe and effective, backed up by over 5,550 clinical treatments. Our latest IPL device, Pure Switch is proven to reduce up to 95% of hair in just 2 uses⁴

4 - In a clinical study of 40 participants on the lower leg. Individual results may vary. 

Is IPL permanent?
IPL provides long-term hair reduction by targeting the hair follicle during its growth phase. SmoothSkin is clinically proven to give up to 12 months of smoother skin, occasional maintenance treatments are recommended to maintain smooth skin.

Does IPL hurt?

IPL hair removal is well tolerated, with most users describing it as a 3/10 on the pain scale. Our latest IPL device, Pure Switch has Sapphire ice Cooling technology which cools the skin to a comfortable level, so you don’t feel a thing, even on the most sensitive areas. 95% of users found the treatment on their underarm gentler to the skin than shaving⁸.

^{8 – Pure Switch when used in Ice Mode.}

Wrapping up, the bottom line is IPL hair removal is a great hair removal choice if you’re looking for salon-level results without the salon price tag or hassle.

IPL hair removal gives you the freedom to treat wherever and whenever you want, whether that’s from your couch, your bed or bathroom. Giving you privacy, comfort and control over your treatments – no awkward positions or chit chat needed.

Discover more about our IPL product range here.