A photoepilator is a device that acts on the hair roots (follicles) with a flash of light. A powerful impulse (up to 70C) cauterizes the hair and destroys its hair follicles. Those weaken and fall out. Vegetation will not appear on the treated area until the bulb itself is restored. Depending on the area of the nozzle, the photoepilator burns out three to five hair roots at a time.
Photoepilators are designed for the body, some models are suitable for the face. The devices have different intensity settings for different parts of the body. With help, you can easily do hair removal at home in a matter of minutes. Just press the desired button and move the photoepilator over the skin - the flashes are played automatically. Convenient like never before!
In general, photoepilation is a gentle way to get rid of unwanted hair on your face and body. But compared to hair removal, there is no lightning-fast result. It will be possible to remove vegetation only after 4-6 procedures. After just three procedures, the result will become obvious - up to 75% less hair, and the effect will last up to 8 weeks! The number of sessions varies depending on skin color, hair and device characteristics.
Photoepilation has a fat bonus - the skin condition improves. Since you will no longer be tearing it with blades or wax, dryness and flaking, red spots and ingrown hairs will disappear over time. Feathers and silk scarves will also slide off your legs, like those of the beauties in commercials.
How does the photoepilator work?
The principle of operation of the photoepilator is simple:
- Light energy is concentrated on the dark pigment of the hair (melanin) and turns into heat.
- Heat attack puts the hair follicle into a resting phase.
- The weakened hair falls out and does not grow for some time.
Over time, the hair roots will regenerate. You will have to repeat the epilation, first once every two weeks, then once a month. But the hairs will slow down growth, thin out, become like a fluff.
The laser device has a safe operating principle:
- special filters cut off the radiation spectrum affecting the skin. The force of heatstroke is directed to the hair follicle. But there are still contraindications to photoepilation. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have skin problems or diabetes, you will need to get rid of unwanted hair in a different way. The list of contraindications is described in the instructions for the device.
How to use the photoepilator
- 2-3 weeks before ...
Don't sunbathe. Swarthy skin is easy to burn. If you have recently done shugaring or used an epilator, you will have to postpone photoepilation. Pulling out hairs weakens their roots, and the principle of laser treatment is to act on strong follicles, which concentrate maximum thermal energy.
- Before using
Shave off your hair, otherwise the flash will burn the hairs. Paint over the moles with a white cosmetic pencil. Avoid them when epilating to avoid scalding. The skin must be dry. It should be borne in mind that the lighter the hair, the more problematic it is to remove it.
- How to do photoepilation at home
- Charge the epilator and choose the mode for you.
- Position the device at a 90 ° angle to your skin, pressing lightly.
- Press the impulse button, move the device between flashes until you have treated the entire surface.
- Do not re-walk the treated areas.
- After application
Wipe the shaved area with chlorhexidine (or another disinfectant) to keep germs away.
Photoepilation: pros and cons
- It does not hurt. The most unpleasant thing that is felt is intense warmth.Discomfort sometimes occurs in the delicate areas of the armpits or bikini, but this is easily resolved by reducing the radiation intensity. But from my own experience: it was unpleasant, because I have sensitive skin prone to burns. Before the first photoepilation, I sprayed my legs with Lidocaine spray. But I do not advise you to do this: you can get burned and not notice it.
Don't rush to apply moisturizer, as it will irritate. Better to sprinkle with baby powder. Especially in the deep bikini area. Do not use the powder with a self-tanner immediately after shaving. Wait a couple of hours.
Do not tan for two weeks after photoepilation, so as not to provoke the appearance of pigmentation on the skin.
How to choose a photoepilator
In order not to miscalculate with your purchase, look at six parameters.
1. Safety
Good photoepilators have several stages of protection. Including from accidental pressing when directing the beam into the eyes. Protection works on the principle: no contact of the lamp with the skin - no flash.
2. Power type
- Rechargeable devices are more mobile, but with a longer interval between flashes. The charge lasts, on average, one hour. We'll have to interrupt more often to recharge.
- The device works "more vigorously" from the mains and without interruptions. But it is not always convenient to use it.
I advise you to choose a 2-in-1 photoepilator: bikinis and armpits are easier to handle wirelessly, and legs and arms are easier to handle by connecting the epilator to an outlet.
3. Working area of the lamp
The larger it is, the faster you will cope with the procedure. With a compact nozzle, you will have to “pass” the same place several times, wastefully using the flash.
4. Cartridge resource
An epilator lamp does not last forever: its "life" is limited to a certain number of flashes. It is more profitable to buy a device with the highest rate.
It is worth paying attention to two nuances:
- window size: a small 3 cm² area consumes more flashes than a 4.5 cm² window;
- Replacing the cartridge: It is cheaper to replace the lamp than to spend money on a new fixture when the flashes run out.
5. Flash strength
Powerful flash enhances epilator performance. For home models, it varies from 5 to 12.5 J / cm².
6. Interval between flashes
Ideally, up to three seconds. It's good if your photo epilator has a special function that speeds up the process: hold down the button and move the epilator over your body. The flashes click automatically.
Which photoepilator is better in my experience
Photoepilator Philips SC1995 / 00 Lumea Advanced
The light module of this model has a colossal resource - 250 thousand flashes. This is enough for many years of work. The area of the working window with a nozzle is 4 cm² - it is ideal for quick treatment of large areas on the body. Philips SC1995 / 00 is powered by the mains, includes a long cord that does not interfere with epilation.
The scope of the device:
- hands,
- legs,
- stomach,
- bikini area,
- armpit area.
This photoepilator is not used to remove facial hair.
Larissa in his response: “The operation is simple, lightweight and does not weigh down the hand. No pain or irritation. For two months of use (4 times), the hair became much smaller, it grows slowly and became thin, both for me (dark blond and light skin) and for my daughter (black, dark skin)».
Photoepilator Remington IPL6250 i-Light Essential
The device is equipped with a built-in skin type sensor. Conveniently, you don't have to manually adjust the flash intensity level. The Remington IPL6250 automatically recommends the correct intensity setting for each area of the body. You just have to choose for yourself the mode of a one-shot or multiple flash.
The epilator is powered from the mains. In the hand like a glove. It features an ergonomic design. There is only one drawback: the area of the nozzle for the body is 3 cm², this is clearly not enough for quick hair removal of the legs.
Tatyana: «Using this device is simple, the main thing is to properly prepare the skin. The result is visible after the third procedure. And most importantly, it is absolutely painless. Advise».
Photoepilator Babyliss G930E
Due to the absence of ultraviolet radiation, the device is suitable for owners of any type of skin. But if there is a sunburn - beware, otherwise you risk getting a burn.
Babyliss G930E is safe in operation, the contact sensor will not work if there is no touch to the skin. The radiation intensity of the lamp is powerful - up to 5 J / cm², so the manufacturer has provided safety glasses in the kit. So that the flash does not blind.
The device weighs 660 grams. Battery powered, but nimble - 36 flashes / min. Screen size 3 cm² - comfortable for treating underarms and bikini areas. In addition, the device has a quartz lamp that retains power throughout its life. You don't have to buy spare parts or accessories.
Frolova Sveta: «The device looks compact, it looks like a hairdryer. It is convenient and safe to use. Unwanted hair is not only less, it simply does not exist».
Photoepilator Panasonic ES-WH80-P820
Easy. In hand, like a glove. Powered by a resource-intensive lithium-ion battery and delivers over 600 pulses per charge cycle.
Settings are adjusted on the Panasonic ES top panel. And thanks to the enlarged light window (20% wider than other photoepilators of the brand!) You will be epilated twice as fast.
Erika: «The epilator is super, presented by my beloved husband for his birthday. The procedures are painless, the lamp responds quickly. To say that the hair has stopped growing completely, no, most likely, it grows, but slowly».
Photoepilator Beurer IPL 5500
Already after three procedures, the hair will be half as much. This is because the epilator deactivates the hair roots deep under the skin. They stop growing.
The Beurer IPL 5500 is a pleasure to work with for two reasons:
- It has a built-in UV filter to protect the skin.
- The lamp has up to 200,000 light pulses.
The device recognizes the type of skin and only works on contact with it. Treatment of problem areas for only 20 minutes at the minimum power level, there are three of them.
Marino4ka: «I used wax and shugaring for hair removal, the result and pain did not please. And so every month, or even more often. I decided to buy, although I doubted. The first couple of sessions did not give much results, but then the effect was amazing, the hairs completely stopped growing, nothing pricked anywhere. Now I'm really happy».
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Watch the video how the photoepilator works
