Hair, Where? We Tried 3 At-Home IPL Devices – And This One’s Our Favorite

When it comes to grooming and personal care, I’m all about going high-maintenance to be low-maintenance. That means investing more time and money in beauty treatments upfront, so for the next few weeks (or months) I can hop out of bed looking and feeling my best with little to no effort. My monthly brow wax and tint, biannual hair cuts, and quarterly facials have become non-negotiables. Now, I’m adding IPL (intense pulsed light therapy) to that list.

Shaving has been my go-to mode of hair removal for most of my life, but it doesn’t really fit into the aforementioned high-maintenance-to-be-low-maintenance lifestyle. While shaving is an undoubtedly cheap and easy method,  it requires very frequent maintenance, a constant stream of new supplies, and often comes accompanied by nicks, cuts, and razor bumps. 

Luckily for those of us who want an alternative hair removal option, there are plenty. IPL was one of the most enticing to me for many reasons. It’s more affordable than in-office laser treatments, promises semi-permanent hair removal (shaving and waxing could never!), and can be done from the comfort of your own home. There are many different IPL devices on the market, and I’ll be comparing three of the web’s most popular to see which is most worth your dough, but before that let’s do a quick lesson on all things IPL.

The IPL Intel 

IPL is a versatile treatment used to address a variety of skin concerns including uneven tone and texture, sun damage, hyperpigmentation, acne scars, and unwanted hair. When it comes to hair removal, IPL’s broad spectrum light with multiple wavelengths targets the pigment in each follicle, damaging the root of the hair and ultimately inhibiting future growth. It’s a similar process to laser hair removal, though traditional laser devices only deliver one wavelength of light. In non-techy terms this means IPL devices are able to treat larger swaths of skin with each flash, while laser devices are concentrated on smaller areas. 

Ideal IPL candidates are those with dark, coarse hair and lighter skin. The high-contrast combination makes it easier for IPL devices to target the hair without damaging any surrounding skin. If you’re wondering if an IPL device would work well for your skin and hair type, we found this helpful table from Nood based on the Fitzpatrick Scale. 

Testing, Testing…

Every IPL device offers different settings, energy outputs, advantages and disadvantages, but no matter the product the key to having a safe and positive IPL experience is to patch test. I’ll say it again: patch test! At-home IPL devices are totally safe and can be very effective, but any good brand will recommend that you try the device on a small area (best if done in the desired treatment area) to make sure your skin can tolerate the treatment. To conduct a skin test prep the skin by exfoliating/shaving, plug in the device, put on a pair of dark sunglasses to protect your eyes from the light flashes, and use the device on a small part of the area you want to treat, at the lowest level. Then, gradually move up to your desired level and see what you can tolerate without pain. Wait 48 hours to make sure you don’t have any reactions before treating the entire desired area. 

Now that that’s out of the way, it’s time for the throwdown. 

We’ll be comparing the Nood Flasher 2.0 with the Ulike Air 3 and the Braun Silk Expert Pro 5 on everything from efficacy to ease of use, safety and price before ultimately selecting our recommendation…

Efficacy

• Nood Flasher 2.0: The Flasher 2.0 has a flash rate of 0.7-1.2 seconds and seven treatment modes, making it highly customizable for different skin tones and areas. With a recommended treatment protocol of twice per week for eight weeks, followed by maintenance sessions every 1-2 months, it’s designed for effective, long-term results. It’s also worth noting that Nood recently launched a Serum that’s designed to enhance the results of the Flasher 2.0. The serum contains two botanicals that have been clinically proven to slow hair regrowth and reduce hairiness. It also helps keep hair in its growth stage, which makes IPL treatments more effective. Additionally, the serum itself reduces hairiness by up to 55% so you are getting a synergistic effect using both. 
• Ulike Air 3: With a flash rate of 0.7 seconds and three treatment modes, Ulike Air 3 requires an initial treatment period of 1-4 weeks with 3x weekly use, followed by maintenance sessions every 1-2 months. That means you’ll have to use it a bit more frequently – and remember to be consistent with it – to see the same results as the Nood Flasher 2.0, but it’s still a solid option.
• Braun Silk Expert Pro 5: With a flash rate of 0.6-1.2 seconds and three treatment modes, Braun’s device is designed to be used weekly for 4-12 weeks before users transition to maintenance treatments. Interestingly, Braun advertises that “with continued use, it leads to long-lasting hair reduction for up to 1 year” whereas both Nood and Ulike offer longer-term results. It also has the lowest star-rating of the three.

Ease of Use

• Nood Flasher 2.0 offers seven treatment modes, providing the highest degree of customization. Its full-body treatment time is around 10 minutes, making it a fast and versatile choice. The device includes an instruction manual to guide beginners, and the option to pair it with Nood’s serum enhances the overall experience by addressing post-treatment skin concerns.
• Ulike Air 3 is also user-friendly, with three treatment modes and a full-body treatment time of approximately 12 minutes. It also includes a carrying case, protective glasses, and a razor, making it a convenient option for those who want a complete kit without purchasing extra accessories.
• Braun Silk Expert Pro 5 offers three modes for targeted treatments and a full-body treatment time of 10 minutes. With additional caps for precision areas, it’s well-suited for quick, convenient sessions. 

Safety

• Nood Flasher 2.0: With FDA clearance and multiple treatment modes, the Nood device is designed for safe use across different skin types. According to Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Daniel P. Friedmann, Nood’s “PrecisionPulse™ IPL flashes at 10 ms, which is up to 4 times longer than competitor IPL.* This means light is less likely to be absorbed by the melanin in your skin and more by the melanin in your hair for safer, and more effective at-home treatments.”
• Ulike Air 3: Also FDA-cleared, Ulike’s device includes a patented Sapphire Ice Cooling Technology™ for safe and painless hair removal.
• Braun Silk Expert Pro 5: Braun’s device has less safety information listed in its description, with the brand simply stating that it is “Safe & Nearly Painless.”

Price

• Nood Flasher 2.0: Priced at $199, Nood’s device is the most budget-friendly option. Even better? Bundle it with the Nood Serum and save 25%! (Yes, that means it’s only $178 for both the Flasher 2.0 and the Serum right now!)
• Ulike Air 3: Retailing at $329, Ulike’s device sits in the mid-range price category.
• Braun Silk Expert Pro 5: At $379.99 (currently on sale for $299.99)  Braun’s device is a more expensive option, though its results are only for one year. 

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

Overall Winner: Nood 

The efficacy of any IPL device will vary from person to person, largely based on factors we mentioned prior like skin tone and hair texture. That’s one of the reasons we love The Flasher 2.0 so much – with 7 treatment modes and its new companion serum, it’s the most versatile and effective combo of the three. The cherry on top is that it’s also the most cost effective. 

It’s no wonder the brand is trusted by over 750,000 “noodists” – and boasts more five-star reviews than the other options on the market. We had a five-star experience with The Flasher 2.0 too, and it takes the cake in this IPL throwdown!

Shop our winner here.