DIY Laser/IPL Hair Removal: Which laser should I get?

[PrincessCrystal]

So, me and a friend are talking about going half-and-half on a laser to remove some of our facial hair (starting with the neck, as widely recommended, of course), seeing as professional lasering is expensive and DIY is relatively safe for pale people.  I was wondering if anyone here had tried that in the past few years, and if they could recommend a model?  My understanding is that the price isn't a good indicator of quality, since they're all pretty much just handles for the same lasers.

These are the ones we're looking at...

• Philips Lumea Comfort IPL Hair Removal System
• SensiLight Mini100 Permanent Hair Removal Device
• Lescolton ® Pro Light-based IPL Hair Removal Device
• Veet Infini'Silk Light-Based IPL Hair Removal System
• Silk'n Flash&Go Hair Removal Device

Has anyone here used any of these, or have any advice on which one we should buy?  We've done a bit of research, but there are so many options, and they're not cheap if you have to buy more than one...

[Megan.]

I've been using a lumea IPL on my arms and chest for the last 9 months and it's certainly helped reduce hair. Having also had laser in a clinic, it's not as effective, but is working for me, and alot cheaper! The model I've got doesn't have the facial adapter so I can't comment on that.

[PrincessCrystal]

The model I've got doesn't have the facial adapter so I can't comment on that.

Is this a huge issue?  We're looking at using it for our annoying neck-hair first and foremost, because that's about the most aggravating hair on the male-developed body, even for Cismales.

[Megan.]

Some of the Lumea models come with an additional lens for use on the face. You can just pick the model that's best for you. I know many in this site have mentioned the Tria, which I think is laser not IPL, so could be better, but I have no experience.

[DawnOday]

I just purchased a Remington ILight Pro Quartz unit off of Groupon for $274.00 including shipping and taxes. I have not used it yet. Just got it yesterday. I need to get some carbon dye as I have gray hair. I hope it does the job as it would be so wonderful to get the same job as if I spent thousands. I'm willing to give it a try. I have had trouble finding anything on YouTube showing how to apply it. Maybe I'll tape it and put it on YouTube.

[Megan.]

I just purchased a Remington ILight Pro Quartz unit off of Groupon for $274.00 including shipping and taxes. I have not used it yet. Just got it yesterday. I need to get some carbon dye as I have gray hair. I hope it does the job as it would be so wonderful to get the same job as if I spent thousands. I'm willing to give it a try. I have had trouble finding anything on YouTube showing how to apply it. Maybe I'll tape it and put it on YouTube.

Ooo, let me know how the carbon dye works for you, it sounds very interesting, and a good way to zap those white, blonde and grey hairs.

[PrincessCrystal]

Yes, Miss Oday, I would love to hear about your experience with the laser.  As I said, we are looking to buy one but neither of us have the experience with lasers to know what to look for, nor the money to get professional service, or buy another if this one sucks.

[PrincessCrystal]

So... What I'm getting from here and my ->-bleeped-<- thread is that this is pretty much unexplored territory?

I guess I'll wait another day or so, and if nothing happens by Sunday night, I'll just order the cheapest one that looks promising, then talk about my results in November...

[Megan.]

I think all the 'IPL' devices will offer a similar result, the difference will be cost, extra features and the ability to do face or sensitive areas if that's important to you.

[PrincessCrystal]

So far, about the only thing that's really irritated my skin or face has been caustic chemicals or shaving cuts: I have pretty tough skin.  Even still, I'm not looking for a permanent option, just something to start me off while I work towards other goals.

Neck, Chest, and Nipples are going to be the first thing to get de-haired.

[DawnOday]

Yes, Miss Oday, I would love to hear about your experience with the laser.  As I said, we are looking to buy one but neither of us have the experience with lasers to know what to look for, nor the money to get professional service, or buy another if this one sucks.

I kind of go overboard on reviews. This machine has been rated number 2 on several. It will be a while before I try it as I have a lot of doctors appointments next week and my eyes will be out of wack for a while.   

[newmichelle]

I just purchased a Remington ILight Pro Quartz unit off of Groupon for $274.00 including shipping and taxes. I have not used it yet. Just got it yesterday. I need to get some carbon dye as I have gray hair. I hope it does the job as it would be so wonderful to get the same job as if I spent thousands. I'm willing to give it a try. I have had trouble finding anything on YouTube showing how to apply it. Maybe I'll tape it and put it on YouTube.

I have this unit as well. I've been using it for about 6 weeks. It definitely works, but is is slow going because it treats a very small area.

By the way, the manual says it is not intended for use on mens' faces. I am not sure why, I discovered some conflicting information, but nothing definitive.

[PrincessCrystal]

By the way, the manual says it is not intended for use on mens' faces. I am not sure why, I discovered some conflicting information, but nothing definitive.

This may not be the safest or healthiest way to think, but I get the impression that they say that because they didn't design or test for that and don't want to be liable, even for something as simple as a cismale removing his beard and regretting it...

[Megan.]

Eye injury risk is serious when using these.

[PrincessCrystal]

Eye injury risk is serious when using these.

Oh yeah, well, duh: don't look at lasers.  That's probably it...

[PrincessCrystal]

So... We went with the SensiLight, just because the manufacturer had said it worked on men's faces AND it's rated for a longer lifespan, and $25 isn't much to pay for some security.

It should be here next week, at which point, I'll start talking about it...

[PrincessCrystal]

UPDATE TIME
The IPL Device came a couple days ago.  I tested it on the center of my chest, all 3 power levels.  None of them hurt or left a mark, so today I went ahead and hit my neck, chest, and tummy with it.  Wasn't too painful: kinda like the feeling of brushing against metal that's been sitting in the sun.

I intend to go after my neck beard before doing anything about the rest of my face, but I figured I might as well get the nipples, cleavage and tummy out of the way now, because I've never had any desire for hair down there, and something's always bothered me about even having stubble there.

I did get curious and hit my cheeks, and I understand why these things recommend against using them on the face: it pretty much lit up my sinuses to the point that I could see some light with my hand over my eye.  It didn't hurt, but it was enough to scare me away from trying it more than once.  I'll have to think about that when I get there.

In the meantime, I'll keep going and I'll tell you when I start noticing results.  The box says that'll be 5 weeks away, so I'll see you all in November...

[PrincessCrystal]

ANOTHER UPDATE
Well, it's November, so here are my results...

What I did...
I used it on the area from my neckbeard down to my bikini line.  At first, I was really timid, but as time went on I learned I could be more aggressive, and finally, the last couple times I just blasted away at dry skin.

Observations...
Neckbeard has seen no noticable improvement.
Chest hair has seen no noticable improvement... maybe?
My belly is definitely clearing up.
May have also managed to remove some hair from the back of my hands...

Conclusion...
It's pretty weak.  I'm wondering if I'd see better results if I kept being aggressive for another couple weeks.  I'm hearing that HRT makes it way more effective too, so maybe I'll wait until that comes into play.  It's also a small, cheap device.  I'm wondering if the $500 lasers I was seeing might be worth the investment down the line...

[DawnOday]

 I can now report on the effects of IPL on light / grey hair. Don't waste your time and money. Even with the carbon dye it is a pain and not effective in the least as they want you to pluck your hairs before applying, which kind of defeats the purpose. So my IPL was the Remington Ilight Pro. and while it was easy to use and had a fairly large application window it still was minimally effective.

[Deborah]

I have been using the IPL for a month and have seen some improvement.  I don't think it would be fair to say whether or not it's worth it at this point though.  I think that any fair assessment would have to be after at least six to nine months.


It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.
André Gide, Autumn Leaves