How to Use IPL Hair Removal Devices at Home

In today's fast-paced world, the desire for a convenient and effective method of hair removal at home is commonplace. In this context, the Braun Silk·expert Pro IPL range provides reliable results. IPL, or intense pulsed light, offers an innovative solution for long-lasting hair removal. These Braun devices use technology to ensure smooth skin in a short time. Operating them is not only uncomplicated, but also promises visible results from the 1st use¹. Let's take a closer look at how this IPL hair removal device works and the benefits it offers for convenient at-home use.

The Braun Silk·expert IPL range makes IPL hair removal at home easy. In just a few minutes, the light pulses ensure smooth skin, whether in precision mode for sensitive areas or gliding mode for larger areas. The built-in sensor technology ensures constant, automatic adjustments are made to reflect skin tone and hair colour. Dermatological tests have been carried out to ensure the safety and effectiveness of long-lasting hair removal at home. This means you can also use an IPL device on sensitive areas.

Before an IPL treatment, careful preparation of the skin is crucial to achieve optimal results and minimise potential risks. Unlike other hair removal methods such as waxing or epilation, which only remove the visible hair, IPL treatment aims to destroy the hair follicles in a long-lasting way - regardless of gender - by directing intense light at the melanin in the hair follicle. This means that IPL hair removal is also suitable for men. Nevertheless, an IPL device is not designed for the male face, neck and genital areas. Pregnant women and teenagers are not recommended to use the IPL device either.

By the way: IPL hair removal works without additional lotions or gels. It is also not necessary to buy replacement heads.

Before you IPL at home to remove hair, you should avoid solariums and sunbeds, tanning sprays and creams. Make sure that your skin is undamaged and has no inflammation. Also, avoid intensive peeling to prevent inflammation caused by an IPL treatment at home. Protective goggles are not necessary, however, since this technology does not harm the eyes.

Check whether IPL at-home hair removal is suitable for your skin tone and hair colour. Note that the Braun Skin Pro 2.0 sensor automatically adjusts the intensity to your skin tone. IPL treatments are particularly effective on light and medium skin tones with natural blonde, brown and black hair. They are less effective on light blonde, red, grey and white hair, as there is less melanin to absorb the light. For darker skin tones with higher melanin levels, the skin can absorb more light energy, which might lead to potential pain.

What about the safety of IPL - does the treatment hurt? Unpleasant sensations during long-lasting hair removal at home are minimal. Braun Silk·expert Pro IPL devices can be used in sensitive and extra-sensitive mode - so getting started with IPL treatment is nearly painless.

Below, you can find out how to use a Braun IPL device at home.

Step 1: Do you have to shave before an IPL at-home treatment? Yes, firstly, remove all visible hair in the area to be treated, preferably with a razor. This will help the light pulse to penetrate the hair root more easily. No hair should remain on the surface of the skin. Pat your skin dry.

Step 2: Choose the right attachment for the IPL device. The standard attachment is recommended for the legs. For sensitive areas, such as intimate body parts, choose the precision attachment.

Step 3: Place the IPL device against the skin's surface fully. This is the only way the IPL device will work properly. When the power indicator lights up white, you can trigger the light pulse. This is followed by a soft cracking sound when the skin will feel warm.

Step 4: When treating larger areas, such as the legs, activate glide mode and keep the button pressed while you slowly move the device over the skin.

For other areas, such as armpits, switch to stamp mode, which allows you to work more precisely.

For sensitive areas, including the bikini line, use the gentle mode. You can find useful tips in the information on intimate hair removal with IPL in our guide.

Both sensitive and extra-sensitive modes are suitable for beginners, too.

Step 5: Wipe the light window of the IPL device clean after each use.

Step 6: The Braun Skin i·expert smart IPL has an app that checks the skin tone and creates a personal treatment plan based on the hair colour, hair density and body area to be treated. Using it helps to track both weekly and subsequent treatments. The app also suggests the perfect settings for you.

For long-lasting hair removal at home, use your IPL device once a week in the initial period. After 3 to 12 weeks, start to use it every one to two months.

How long it takes for the result to be visible depends on your individual hair growth. You can see visible results as of 1st use¹ with smoother skin. Regrowth on the forearms, lower legs and bikini line takes a particularly long time. Only actively growing hair can be removed with IPL. So, if you don't see any hair regrowth, you can take a break with weekly IPL hair removal at home.

Avoid artificial light in solariums as well as irritating skin care products and activities (sauna, whirlpool, perfumed products, peeling, bleaching creams).

Tight or scratchy clothing can also trigger itching and redness.

No, Braun Silk·expert Pro IPL devices for home use automatically adjust to your tanned skin tone. If necessary, you will receive a warning if your skin is too dark for it. After using IPL at home, we recommend using sun cream to protect the treated areas.

For long-lasting hair removal at home, Braun Silk·expert Pro IPL devices are an excellent choice. With their innovative skin tone sensor, they adapt to your skin and hair colour with precision. Enjoy smooth skin in the long term. Convenient, safe, and more than 2x faster than the leading competitor²: these hair removal devices for home use have many advantages to offer.