It's the same thing every time. You shave in the evening and wake up the next morning feeling like you need to start all over again. But there is a way out of that loop. An at-home IPL device is a quick and easy way to get rid of unwanted hair without setting foot in a salon. Here's everything you need to know.
How IPL hair removal works
IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light. Unlike a laser, which targets one follicle at a time with a single concentrated beam, IPL uses a broader spectrum of light pulses and covers a larger area in one go – which is exactly why it works so well for home use.
The device emits gentle pulses of light beneath the skin's surface, where they target the pigment (melanin) in the hair follicles. The light energy converts to heat inside the follicle, which then enters a resting phase and the hair naturally falls out.
The catch is that IPL only works on hairs in their active growth phase – and not all hairs are in that phase at the same time. That's why treatments need to be repeated at regular intervals. The result, though, is skin you don't have to think about every single day.
Can you use an IPL device in summer? What about tanning?
Yes, you can. But there's one rule you need to follow: don't use IPL on freshly tanned skin, and avoid exposing treated areas to direct sunlight for at least 48 hours after each session.
The reason is simple – IPL reacts to melanin. After sun exposure, your skin contains more of it, making it more sensitive and more likely to react more strongly than you'd want.
In practice, this doesn't mean summer is off-limits. It just means a little planning. Heading to the beach next weekend? Do your session at the start of the week. That's really all there is to it.
When should you start to see results before summer is over? With regular use, a visible reduction in hair growth typically appears after about four weeks. Start now in June and you'll notice the difference before the peak of summer.
How the Truelife BELLE IPL E5 works
The Truelife BELLE IPL E5 is built for home use, with a focus on making treatments comfortable even for sensitive skin.
TrueIPL® technology works with light pulses in the 510 to 1100 nm wavelength range – the optimal range for effectively reaching the melanin in the hair follicle and interrupting its growth cycle. Your skin gets a little smoother after each session, and the effect builds with every treatment.
SensCool® technology cools the skin immediately after each flash. That means no burning sensation, no irritation, and no reason to dread treating more sensitive areas. The device also monitors its own temperature continuously – if it exceeds 60°C, it shuts off automatically. It's a safety feature that runs in the background without you having to think about it.
The eye protection sensor ensures a flash is only emitted when the treatment window is in full contact with the skin. It won't flash into open air.
Two modes: For larger areas like legs, the automatic mode is the most convenient – flashes are emitted continuously as you glide the device across your skin. For more sensitive spots (underarms, bikini line, face), the manual mode gives you more control, with each flash triggered by pressing a button.
Three interchangeable lamps: Alongside the standard hair removal lamp (HR), the box includes an SR lamp for skin rejuvenation and regeneration, and an AC lamp to help with skin imperfections. So the BELLE IPL E5 keeps working for you even outside of hair removal season.
The device is suitable for legs, underarms, the bikini area and the face. The only area to avoid – with any IPL device – is the immediate area around the eyes.
How to get started: step by step
1. Shave the day before. IPL doesn't target hair above the skin's surface – it works on the follicle beneath it. Shaving beforehand means the light reaches exactly where it needs to go. Not shaving is the most common reason people don't see results early on.
2. Do a patch test. The very first time you use the device, try a small area – your calf works well – and wait 24 hours. If your skin doesn't react, you're good to go.
3. Start on a lower intensity. The device offers multiple intensity levels. Start low – your skin needs time to adjust. You can increase the intensity gradually as you go.
4. Stick to a schedule. The first four sessions: once every two weeks. After that: once a month. Consistency is what gets results.
5. Calm your skin after treatment. An aloe vera gel or panthenol cream works well. And remember – keep treated areas out of direct sunlight or sunbeds for at least 48 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Does at-home IPL hair removal hurt? At the right setting, no. SensCool® technology cools the skin after every flash, so treatments feel like mild warmth rather than pain. For more sensitive areas – like the bikini line – start on the lowest intensity and work out what suits you from there.
Who should avoid IPL hair removal? It's not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, anyone under 18, or on areas with tattoos or prominent pigmented lesions. If you have a skin condition in the area you want to treat, check with a dermatologist first.
Does IPL work on light or red hair? Results are weaker on light, red and grey hair. IPL targets melanin, so it needs enough contrast between the hair and the skin. It works best on darker hair on lighter skin.
Can I share the device with someone else? Yes. The lamp has a capacity of hundreds of thousands of flashes – more than enough for two people over the long term. And with interchangeable heads, sharing is hygienic.
How long do the results last? After a year of regular use, most people find their skin stays smooth for up to six months without needing a session. After that, the occasional top-up is all it takes.
Shaving every day? It doesn't have to be that way
At-home IPL has come a long way in recent years. Devices are safer, quieter and more comfortable than they used to be. And the results that once required multiple salon visits are now something you can achieve at home, on your own schedule.
Results don't happen overnight. But they do happen. And once they do, you'll find yourself thinking about shaving less and less – which in summer makes a bigger difference than you'd expect.
Explore the Truelife BELLE IPL E5
