ConsFirst / At-home IPL hair removal

Iluminage

Iluminage Touch Permanent Hair Reduction System: the downsides first

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#2 of 8
$$$IPLScore 3.7/5
23%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Very small sample (37 ratings).

Combines IPL with radio frequency, and Forbes says it was the first at-home device cleared by the FDA for all skin tones. InStyle's light-haired tester saw results at six weeks with no pain. It is slower to show results, has a short cord, and has few Amazon ratings.

Top complaints

  • Short cord, bulky dock

    Byrdie lists the short cord as a con. Forbes says the charging station is quite large.

    Source: Byrdie, Forbes Vetted
  • Few Amazon ratings, many 1-star

    The Amazon US listing has only 37 ratings, 19% of them 1-star. Amazon shows no review summary for it.

    Source: Amazon.com product page
  • Very bright flashes

    InStyle warns of super-bright flashes and says to use safety goggles where included.

    Source: InStyle

What owners love

  • Wider skin-tone and hair-color range

    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.

    Source: Forbes Vetted, Byrdie
  • Worked on light hair, painlessly

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

    Source: InStyle
  • Unlimited flashes

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

    Source: Forbes Vetted, Byrdie
Good for
  • Deeper skin tones that most IPLs exclude (per Forbes and Byrdie)
  • Blonde or red hair (InStyle, Forbes)
  • People who want a painless feel

Scores (tap for why)

  • Results (as reported)3.0
    Why 3.0?InStyle's light-haired tester saw slower, patchier regrowth from six weeks, with reduced thickness and amount by the end. Little other test data.
    Source: InStyle
  • Comfort (pain, heat)4.5
    Why 4.5?InStyle's tester didn't feel even one zap, and InStyle recommends it for sensitive skin.
    Source: InStyle
  • Speed & coverage3.0
    Why 3.0?Byrdie names it best for large areas, but results took six weeks for InStyle's tester, and the cord is short (Byrdie).
    Source: Byrdie, InStyle
  • Skin-tone range5.0
    Why 5.0?The only pick that Forbes and Byrdie describe as FDA-cleared for all skin tones; also works on blonde and red hair per InStyle and Forbes.
    Source: Forbes Vetted, Byrdie, InStyle
  • Durability & flash life3.0
    Why 3.0?Unlimited flashes (Forbes, Byrdie), but the 1-2 star share is 23% on a very small Amazon sample.
    Source: Forbes Vetted, Amazon.com product page

What experts say

  • Forbes Vetted: Best for dark skin tones (2026-10-02): IPL plus RF, FDA-cleared, all skin tones; the brand says results after two treatments and full results in seven weeks.
  • InStyle: Best for blonde hair (updated 2026-09-17): results from six weeks with no pain; very bright flashes.
  • Byrdie: Best for large areas (updated 2026-06-18): FDA-cleared for all skin tones and hair colors, unlimited flashes; short cord.
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If that catch is a deal-breaker

Highly ranked at-home ipl hair removal whose biggest complaint is something else.

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An app-connected version of Braun's IPL that GH says is mostly the same hardware as the Pro 5. Women's Health and InStyle testers got strong results with little pain. The main drawbacks are the roughly $500 price and an app some users dislike.

Its catch: expensive#3 in at-home ipl hair removalUlike Air 10 IPL Hair Removal Device

The Amazon best seller and a pick at GH, Byrdie, Forbes, InStyle and Women's Health, with an ice-cooled head that testers found comfortable. Results were uneven in Wirecutter's panel, and a few GH testers got irritation, including hives.

Its catch: results vary between people#4 in at-home ipl hair removalBraun Silk-expert Pro 5 IPL

Wirecutter's only pick and Forbes Vetted's best overall: simple to use, with testers describing the flash as a brief 'heated flick'. It is not for melanin-rich skin or light hair, legs take a while, and Amazon owners report units that stop working or flash unreliably.

Its catch: some units stop working or misfire

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