At-home IPL hair removal: the downsides, first

InStyle's skeptical tester saw slower regrowth after one treatment and shaved her legs only once a week by 12 weeks. Women's Health's tester didn't need to shave her underarms for weeks after the first treatment.

The app tells you which of the four heads to use, tracks coverage and reminds you when treatments are due (Women's Health, GH).

GH's analyst praised the contact and skin-tone sensors: it won't flash until the lamp is fully pressed against skin, so you don't accidentally look into it.

Forbes says IPL plus RF makes it suitable for more skin tones and hair colors, including blonde and red, and calls it the first at-home device FDA-cleared for all skin tones. Byrdie says it is FDA-cleared for all skin tones and hair colors.

InStyle's editorial director, who has light hair, saw slower, patchier regrowth starting at six weeks and didn't feel a single zap.

Unlimited flashes, with a precision adaptor and epilator attachment (Forbes). Byrdie names it best for large areas.

The sapphire head is cooled to about 65°F (Forbes, Women's Health). Wirecutter says the glide mode and skin cooling made treatment less painful, and GH's tester felt condensation form on the cold head. Pain-free is a positive Amazon topic (368 mentions).

GH testers gave it the highest scores for hair reduction after repeated use and for ease of use on all body parts, and it gave the fastest results of the devices tested. Women's Health's tester saw thinning in three weeks.

Four modes, including a stubborn-hair mode that fires two flashes per press, an auto-glide mode and a skin-tone sensor that sets intensity (GH, Forbes).

Most Wirecutter testers noticed a significant reduction in hair growth after about three weeks, and four said some areas stopped growing entirely after three months. Forbes' and GH's testers noticed results after about four weeks.

Wirecutter testers said the flashes weren't painful. It has standard, gentle and extra-gentle modes, and a sensor that reads skin tone and adjusts intensity (Wirecutter, GH, Forbes).

Two buttons, three modes and a glide function. The sensor prevents flashing on skin tones that could be injured, per Wirecutter. A Wirecutter staffer's unit was still working after almost three years.

GH testers said it was super easy to hold, with a comfortable power level and consistent flashes, and it did not burn skin. Expert Reviews found it mostly comfortable, with a slight zap at high settings on thin skin.

Expert Reviews' tester (pale skin, thick dark hair) saw leg, stomach and face hair almost disappear after four treatments two weeks apart, though underarms needed more. Philips claims over 90% hair reduction in three treatments (GH).

Five energy settings, four attachments (face, bikini, underarms, body) and SenseIQ sensors that read skin tone, plus a contact check before flashing (GH).

InStyle's tester did both legs in about 15 minutes and saw a difference at two weeks. Forbes says sessions take around 10 minutes, and WH says legs take 15-20.

GH testers raved about the easy device and instructions, and liked having an on-off button. Forbes' tester found it light enough that long sessions don't feel like a chore.

Nood offers a full refund within 90 days and will replace the device if you ever run out of its 600,000 flashes (GH).

GH testers found it easy to use as a newbie, with an informative user guide. Ease of use is a positive Amazon topic.

GH testers noted minimal discomfort in speed and gentle modes. InStyle's tester with easily irritated skin was surprised how non-painful it was, describing quick hot flashes that faded within a second or two.

It won't flash if skin is too dark or the head isn't held properly against skin, and it has unlimited flashes (GH).

Forbes' tester found it incredibly precise and easy to grip, ideal for underarms, lower face or neck.

In We Are Body Beautiful's trial, bald patches appeared after 4 sessions and most hair was gone after 6; underarms were still smooth after 11. Tria claims 'up to 75%' hair reduction after 2 treatments, based on its own clinical trial.

Unlike IPL, there are no bright flashes, and it runs cordless (We Are Body Beautiful). Tria says it is FDA-cleared for permanent hair reduction, defined as a long-term stable reduction in regrowth.