‘I’m a beauty editor and I’ve not shaved my armpits in six months’ (2024)

Actually, let’s start with a factual clarification. It could be five, six, seven months since I last shaved my armpits. I couldn’t tell you exactly when it was; only that it must have happened at some point. It certainly wasn’t some conscious, end-of-an-era decision to retire my trusty triple-blade from underarm duty and embrace Mother Nature.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that option, of course. If you’re happily housing something that resembles Halle Berry’s armpit wigs under there, you’ll get no judgement from me – each to their own – but I spent years shaving those darn pits, and a thankless chore it was too. Not only did I suffer ingrown bumps and razor burn, the dark, densely packed hair was still visible beneath the skin anyway.

I’ve sought more permanent hair removal solutions from professionals, too. As a young beauty journalist, I vividly remember laying on a couch, shrieking, while a lady at a laser clinic zapped my underarms as if she was tackling a bug infestation. I lasted about two minutes. (Later, I did manage a full course, with help from extra-strong numbing cream, but it only thinned the hair a bit.)

Thankfully, salon technology has come a long, long way since the Noughties, but I’ve not found a need to go back. My solution hasn’t come from a clinic but in the comfort of my own home, using an intense pulsed light (IPL) gadget. And do note that word ‘comfort’; I’ve been as surprised by the lack of pain as the results themselves.

The two devices I tested are an investment but if you’re thinking of buying, Black Friday season is the time to do it. The first gadget I tested, Braun IPL Silk Expert Pro 5 is now £329, reduced from an RRP of £739, and the brand's new AI-powered upgrade, Skin i-Expert Pro 7 (which I'm using currently), is now £429, down from £929.

The latest Braun Skin i-expert Pro 7 has recently been tested and approved by the Good Housekeeping Institute, scoring 84/100 in its tests. The GHI has also rigorously tested many IPLs – read our recommendations here – and we've got our eye on the best seasonal deals, like 30% off our top-rated Bondi Body IPL.

What is IPL?

Before I get to my personal experience, here's how the tech works. IPL sends targeted wavelengths into the skin with one specific mission: to lock onto the melanin pigment in hair. In doing this, it knocks out the follicle; not just zapping what it’s producing right then and there, but turning off the hair-making factory itself for good.

The challenge is that follicles can only be switched off by IPL if they’re in the growth phase. At any given time, only a certain amount are active, and you can’t tell where they are, so you need to go back every week and zap your skin all over, in the hope of hitting more. If you’ve ever played Battleship, you’ll get the idea.

I was told that if I did this every week, for 12 weeks, I should have sent pretty much every active follicle packing. After that, I’d only need maintenance treatments to get rid of any that emerged after a longer period of resting. (The hair follicle equivalent of ex-soap stars who only hear from their agent when panto season rolls around.)

However (and this is a big however) the results you get very much depends on your skin and hair tone. I'm a pale brunette, so it's ideal for my underarms: not only does the dark hair have lots of melanin to target, the contrast between that and my skin make it easier for IPL to 'spot'. Generally, the bigger the contrast, the better the results.

Advances in technology have increased the range of skin tones that can be treated with IPL at home, but very few gadgets are suitable for the darkest complexions (Fitzpatrick scale Type 6). Whatever your skin tone, IPL will always be ineffective on hair that’s very fair, grey, or pale red as there’s not enough pigment for the wavelength to home in on.

Review: What is IPL like to use?

I won’t lie; I was as nervous as I was sceptical. The gadget I tested initially (Braun Silk Epil Pro-5) offers you a choice of sensitive and ‘regular’ settings, but even on the most wimpy setting I was still bracing myself for a tasering. And yes, it was a shock all right – but only because I hardly felt a thing. There was the odd snap, crackle and pop as I ran the gadget up and down my calves, but I’ve had more painful jumper static.

Feeling emboldened now, I aimed the gadget at my armpits. In theory, this area could have been more sensitive because darker, more densely populated hair can attract more energy build-up, but the zaps were either painless or a very fleeting flash of heat. It felt, at worst, like a speck of cooking oil hitting skin. It was a similar story on the bikini line (where I’ve had great results, too.)

Is IPL easy to do?

I found both Braun devices quick, easy and intuitive. All I had to do was hold down the ‘trigger’ button to deliver continual pulses while gliding the device over my skin (great for legs), or squeeze it for individual zaps (ideal for smaller areas, I found).

Positioning the gadget is key, I’d say. Before each zap, the sensor's light bar shows how good your skin-to-device contact is, which in turn determines the energy output. The more lights, the more powerful - and effective - that pulse will be. I found that adjusting the gadget’s position slightly could make a big difference to the strength of the pulses. More lights didn’t equal more pain, thankfully. However, for comfort and safety, the sensor does automatically limit the maximum power on areas where the skin is darker.

How good are the results from IPL?

I used to curse my combination of pale skin and dark armpit hair, but in terms of IPL, it’s a godsend. After three months of weekly treatments, my pits were impressively clear, and all I had to do was the odd top-up, as needed.

The regrowth became less and less, and eventually I started forgetting about my armpits entirely. I’d go months without giving them a thought, then be quite surprised to notice a few eyelash-length sprouters. (Sorry for the overshare).

Around six months ago, I just stopped shaving full stop. The hairs are now so few and far between, I prefer to just pick them off, sniper style, with my IPL when I spot them. I should stress that you’re advised to shave before using IPL, but I don't experience any discomfort and I can’t resist the satisfaction of inspecting those fried, shrivelled hairs. (Again, overshare apologies.)

Does IPL work on legs?

For me, the answer here is yes, but it does need more perseverance and patience. It’s a bigger area, easier to miss bits and, in my case, the hairs are lighter and so less of a sitting duck for IPL. Beyond the initial 12 weeks, I’ve used IPL more sporadically here which hasn't helped, but whenever I’m lazy about shaving, I can really see how much they’ve thinned out.

I’m now back on the case with Braun’s latest Skin i-expert Pro 7, which has refined the original tech for faster results, and uses AI to help keep you on track. The device links to your phone then sets up a programme tailored to your skin tone, target zones and hair colour and density. There’s then a virtual coach to guide you through each treatment - how long, how quickly, which head to use etc. While the technology doesn’t (yet!) map your body to tell you if you’ve missed a bit, I do like being gently cheered on. Plus, a lower leg treatment only takes five minutes so there's really no excuse for me to slack off.

A month into IPL2.0 and I’m finally getting close to smooth shins, too. I reckon they're now about 90% clear. (Downy, blonde thigh hair is impervious to IPL, so it'll never be a total break-up with the razor.) Without a doubt, it's one of the best at-home beauty technologies I’ve ever used.

I really rate both the gadgets I used, but with the sales on, I think it's worth considering paying more for the i-Expert Pro 7 because of the speed and nifty AI features. If you want your hair removal with some extra hand-holding, it's ideal.

IPL FAQS

Does IPL work for everyone?

As mentioned above, very few IPLs are suitable for the darkest skin tones. All IPL devices should clearly state which hair and skin tones it can be safely used on. But remember, the big colour contrast of darker hair and lighter skin will give optimal results. For peace of mind, many IPL offer a money-back guarantee.

Will IPL get rid of my hair forever?

Officially, IPL is called permanent hair reduction not removal because you can never know when a follicle might decide to wake up. So do expect some light maintenance, even years in.

Is IPL safe?

Any reputable IPL device is made with safety in mind. Follow the instructions, and use it in accordance with your skin tone. Many devices, including the Braun devices I’ve tested, come with built-in safety sensors which automatically adjust the energy output to your skin tone. If your skin tone isn’t suitable, the device won’t fire; simple as that.

Where on my body can I use IPL?

This varies from device to device, but most IPL devices can be used on legs, arms, under-arms, bikini line and face.