Removing hair permanently is a big decision, but it can improve your appearance and self-esteem. A lot of people put off this process, which only means it takes longer to achieve the results that you want. Some people have minimal body hair that doesn’t really bother them or require a lot of time to remove, but it can still be annoying to have to keep up with it. There are other people who have a good deal of body hair and would love to be free of it forever. Whatever your situation is, I want to talk to you about three different hair removing tools that you can conveniently use from the comfort of your home.

The reason I personally started looking into hair removal is that I have very sensitive skin. Having to shave certain areas often results in dry and irritated skin in my situation. Also, it becomes daunting to have to shave daily or keep up with waxing appointments. I looked into laser treatments for permanent hair removal on my legs, underarms and bikini area, but determined it was going to be an expensive process. That’s when I came across intense pulsed light devices. Three top models that we’ll be discussing in this article are the Jovs Venus Pro II, Nood Flasher 2.0 and the Braun Silk Expert Pro 5 IPL.

What Is an IPL Hair Removal Device?

IPL stands for intense pulsed light, and this technology can be used to administer very gentle pulses of light to the root of hair. When this light is applied, it makes the hair go into a resting phase so it will eventually fall out. As you complete more and more treatments, your body will eventually grow less hair in those areas. The amount of time it takes to achieve permanent hair loss will be determined by the specific device that you’re using.

IPL hair removal devices can be used on all different areas of the body, and on both men and women. This is a common application on the legs, underarms, bikini area and even face. Depending on the device you’re using, there may be different attachments based on the area that’s being treated. This reduces the need for shaving, waxing and other hair removal products while the hair is gradually thinning out, and eventually you won’t need any other options for hair removal. The end result is smooth and healthy skin.

Do They Remove Hair Permanently?

The intent of IPL hair removal devices is to eventually get rid of hair permanently. When you first start applying your device, you won’t immediately remove the hair forever. It will fall out, but you’ll see some of it grow back eventually. If you follow the directions closely that have been provided with your device, you should expect permanent hair removal in anywhere from two to four months. That time frame is impacted by the device being used, the thickness of your body hair, the color of your hair and the color of your skin. It works best on dark hair / light skin. People with very light hair or very dark skin may not benefit from IPL hair removal.

IPL Hair Removal vs Laser Hair Removal

The goal of IPL hair removal and laser hair removal are similar in that you want to utilize light to heat up the hair follicle to prevent growth and remove existing hair. The difference between these two processes is that IPL hair removal is a little more painful. Laser removal doesn’t produce any pain. However, you’re taking on a little bit of discomfort for a more convenient form of hair removal.

The type of light that is being used for both processes are different as well. Laser therapy utilizes one wavelength of color that goes in one direction towards hair follicles. IPL devices have a broader wavelength of light that is either white or orange in color. The process is the same with both. The light hits the skin and is then absorbed by the pigment in the shaft of your hair and hair follicle. IPL devices attempt to avoid heating up the skin too much.

Narrowing it Down to Jovs Vs. Nood Vs. Braun IPL Devices

Overview of Jovs Venus Pro II Hair Remover

The Jovs Venus Pro II Hair Remover features an ICE cooling head and is made from ultra-thin sapphire. This unit will maintain a constant temperature during your application process, stabilizing right around 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s very comfortable and pain-free compared to other IPL devices. Six different modes are available based on the area of the body that you’re treating. Each of those modes comes with six different levels of intensity. A 330-degree rotating head removes hair in seven minutes or less thanks to a 0.7 flash burst.

How It Works

When using the Jovs Venus Pro II Hair Remover, you’ll want to start by shaving your hair in the area that you’re going to be treating. Then, plug in your device and turn the power switch to the on position. Choose the level of application that you want to utilize and put on your protective eyewear. Make contact with the skin in a vertical motion, completely addressing the entire area that you want to treat during this application.

Pros

• Completely painless process thanks to its cooling feature
• Can be used in the most sensitive areas
• Long-lasting results
• Targeted treatments
• No more ingrown hairs
• Seven-minute treatments

Cons

• The device itself is a bit bulky

Overview of Nood Flasher 2.0 Hair Remover

The Nood Flasher 2.0 Hair Remover allows you to safely remove unwanted hair on any part of your body. This includes your underarms, legs, face and bikini area. You can start to see results in just two to three weeks, while permanent hair removal can be achieved in six to eight weeks. It’s a very small device that is easy to hold and maneuver. It’s painless and effective, providing some of the fastest IPL results around. A UV filtered lens blocks harmful ultraviolet light, so your skin is protected. Treatments only take ten minutes, and 600,000 flashes are guaranteed with your purchase. If your device stops working, you’re guaranteed a replacement free of charge.

How It Works

The Flasher 2.0 is an upgraded model from the brand’s original Flash model. It works faster with a much wider treatment window, providing you with fast results. A higher intensity bulb is also used, and you can better control your treatments thanks to a completely digital display. Nood guarantees results in eight weeks, or you get your money back. This is an FDA-approved IPL device that is safe for your skin and body. Nood has put The Flasher 2.0 and The Flasher through rigorous testing to ensure that this is the safest and most effective option that you have for hair removal.

Nood does express that their device will not work on blonde or red hair. It also isn’t as effective on very dark skin.

Pros

• Fast, 10-minute treatments
• Can be used on all areas of the body, even your upper lip and underarm areas
• Painless and effective
• Features a UV-filtered lens to block out harmful ultraviolet light
• Comes with 600,000 flashes out of the box

Cons

• There are some negative reviews listed on the website in regard to the ordering process and how easy the unit is to use

Overview of Braun Silk Expert Pro IPL Hair Removal

The Braun Silk Expert Pro IPL Hair Removal tool is the latest generation IPL tool from this brand. It features a wide head for larger application areas as well as two precision heads included. This device will target the melanin in your hair follicle, breaking the cycle of hair re-growth so you eventually achieve permanent hair reduction. You can see results in as little as four weeks. This device adapts to your skin tone and offers 10 different intensity levels. There are three different sensitivity levels to choose from as well. Braun Silk Expert Pro IPL Hair Removal has been cleared by the FDA.

How It Works

The Braun Silk Expert Pro IPL Hair Removal features a start-up phase where you will treat the desired areas once per week for four to 12 weeks (depending on your initial results). During this time period, the hair will fall out and be delayed in its growth. Once you’ve hit the maintenance phase, you’ll want to continue your IPL sessions once every one to two months to remain hair-free.

Like other IPL devices, you will need to shave the area that you’re going to treat before you begin. Your treatment head will be based on the area you’re treating. For example, the gold head that is standard on the device is great for underarms and legs. There is also a precision head for smaller / more sensitive areas like your bikini area, upper lip, etc. This device plugs in, and you’ll need to select the mode that you want to use. Standard is three lights; gentle is two lights and extra gentle is one light. Place the nozzle on the unit on your skin and wait for the flashes of light to begin. The light should be white in color if it’s working properly. A red light means that you have an invalid skin tone that won’t work with the device. Treat the areas once per week for four to 12 weeks. You should start to see hair fall out and become thinner over time, before it finally doesn’t come back at all.

Pros

• Features three sensitivity modes
• Comes with three different interchangeable head designs
• Permanent results in four weeks
• Comes with a 100-day money back guarantee

Cons

• Results aren’t permanent right away. You have to keep up with regular treatments to achieve permanent hair loss, and this can take up to six months depending on the color of your hair, its texture and other details.

Comparing Hair Removal Effectiveness

All three of these IPL devices utilize different modes and features to provide you with effective hair removal. As with any IPL device, you should expect to apply the unit periodically for a few weeks before you see any results. After that period of time, you’ll need to keep up with the process until you achieve permanent hair loss. The Nood and Jovs devices are my top options if you’re looking for fast, comfortable and long-term results from your IPL hair removal device.

Comparing Ease of Use

I personally really like the Nood IPL device because of its size and how comfortable it is to hold onto. The Jovs is a little bit larger, but it has a long and slender handle that makes it easy to hold. Braun’s device is relatively small and comfortable as well, but I’m not a big fan of the handle design. It seems like it could slip out of your hand easily if you’re working on some hard-to-reach areas. Regardless, a quick read over of the manual included with any of these devices will quickly educate you on how to perform your applications in a way that is comfortable and simple.

Comparing Cost and Overall Value

The current cost of the Braun Silk Expert Pro 5 IPL is set at $429.99. You’re probably thinking that this is a pretty high investment, and you’re right. However, consider the amount of money that would accrue if you were going to regular appointments with a professional. This price also provides you with the convenience of being able to do your own treatments from home.

The Jovs Venus Pro II currently costs $379. It includes free accessories such as protective goggles to wear during your treatments, as well as a special razor that you should use prior to using your hair removal tool. This product from Jovs comes with a two-year replacement warranty.

The Nood flasher 2.0 costs $189 according to the Nood website, and this includes free shipping. It works in just six to eight weeks and can be used virtually anywhere on the body. I would have to say that this is a really great value. I also love the small, handheld unit that Nood provides. It’s a lot less bulky than the other devices I’ve covered.

Main Differences between Nood, Jovs and Braun IPL Devices

Size is a main difference that I notice between the Nood, Jovs and Braun IPL devices. The Nood and the Braun are similar in their size, with the Braun being the smallest option. Nood seems to be very comfortable in your hand and easy to maneuver. The Jovs model is larger, but some people might be looking for a more durable and sturdy option, especially with the amount of money you pay for one of these tools.

Price is another differing component that you can’t help but take note of. The Nood flasher is the most affordable option, and I recommend it if you’re new to IPL devices and really just want to see what one of them can achieve. The Jovs Venus Pro II is the next step up and provides you with a few additional features and a more comfortable handle. The Braun IPL is the most expensive option amongst these three, but I’m not convinced that there’s a need to invest in such an expensive IPL device unless you really know that it’s going to work, and you need the specific features offered by this brand’s product.

Which Is Better: Braun, Nood or Jovs IPL Hair Removal Device?

When it comes to hair removal, I would have to say that the Nood and the Jovs devices are the best options. Nood has a 4.8 star rating out of five stars on their website, which plenty of happy customers raving about the fast and painless hair removal that they achieved with their unit.

Jovs has a few before and after photos listed on their website, but you can’t view any ratings or reviews directly on their site. While I do like the Jovs model, I prefer when a brand is transparent about their customer’s experiences, regardless of whether they are good or bad.

Braun’s IPL device has a 4.4 star rating out of five stars on their website, and there are approximately 460 reviews listed. Most people saw a difference in their hair growth after just a couple of weeks of using their device. Some people did express that it took a little bit of time to figure out how to use their device, and that the learning curve affected the pain-level of their application.

Final Thoughts

I’ve found that permanent hair loss is a great way to give your self-esteem a little boost. Also, I hate spending too much time in the bathroom shaving and then applying all kinds of creams to keep my skin healthy and hydrated. I invested in an IPL device not that long ago, and I’m now in the maintenance phase. It was amazing how quickly I was able to achieve results, and a little maintenance here and there is nothing compared to the amount of time that it takes to shave or the amount of money I would have to spend in order to keep up with professional hair removal appointments.