After 18 weeks of using the Keskine IPL Hair Removal Handset, a tester with sensitive skin noticed a considerable slowing in hair regrowth and switched from monthly waxing, saving money on salon visits. The device, which retails at £299, is currently available for £129.35 with code BF35 on the Keskine website.
Why I tried at-home IPL
With sensitive skin, hair removal has always been a costly affair. Shaving left the tester with dry, irritated skin, and epilators were described as "their own special kind of torture." As a result, monthly waxing was preferred over shaving multiple times a week.
The Keskine IPL is designed to reduce unwanted body hair across areas such as the legs, underarms, face and bikini line, offering a convenient alternative to salon visits. Full-body treatments take around 24 minutes.
How IPL works and what's in the box
IPL (intense pulsed light) works by targeting hair follicles with powerful beams of light to heat them up and, in theory, stunt growth, resulting in up to 98% hair reduction in just four weeks when used according to instructions, IPL manufacturer Keskine claims. It is crucial to wear the provided goggles to protect the eyes from the intense light pulses.
The box includes instructions, a power adaptor, the handset, a disposable razor and safety goggles. The handset has five settings: face, armpit, body, bikini and beauty.
Cost comparison and results
Considering monthly waxing appointments costing around £30 per month, the Keskine IPL effectively pays for itself after around five months of use. The tester followed the schedule for the full 12 weeks, only to discover they had been using a weaker setting than recommended for leg hair.
After switching to the most powerful 'beauty' mode, within a further two weeks a considerable slowing in hair regrowth was noticed. Now, 6 weeks later (18 in total), the tester goes almost as long as between waxes (3-4 weeks) without needing to shave, and the regrowth is very patchy, with some patches gone altogether.
Skin sensitivity and final verdict
The most impressive aspect was how gentle the treatment was on the skin. The device is equipped with ice-cooling technology to cool the skin on every pass, and the tester never struggled with sensitivity after a treatment session.
While waxing offers more polished results at this stage without the need for shaving, the cost and convenience of performing pain-free IPL treatments at home far outweigh the benefits of salon waxing appointments. The tester is officially an IPL-convert.
