Right, I'm going to splurge on an at-home hair removal device. Which one should I get?

[SomeDayMyPrinceMightCome]

Have had a course of salon laser hair removal for legs over the winter and now that the sun's out I'm realising (no exaggeration) that it's changed my life. I could never shave as my skin was too sensitive and I'd get HORRENDOUS razor rash and still had stubble; I used to wax but that left me with appallling ingrowns so my legs were always red and bumpy...

Suffice it to say I used to wear trousers and long skirts all summer long, and just SWELTER.

Now (only halfway through my laser course) I can bung on a pair of shorts or a shorter skirt without a thought and it feels fantastic. I just got so sick of being the only person dreading the warm weather as my legs were always such a state.

So... I want to get an at-home device which will help me tackle facial hair . I've had salon treatment for this too very effectively but it was 5+ years ago and it's all starting to come back. Can't afford the time or money to keep up the salon visits, of which I'd need about another 8ish I think.

Which is the best at-home laser or IPL device? I can afford to spend up to about £400 which seems to open up the range. I have very fair skin and dark hair so I'm a good candidate. No hormonal issues, I'm just getting older and hair seems to be sprouting from my upper lip and chin at a scary rate these days...

No you shouldn't use it on moles, but you can cover the mole with white eyeliner and then zap. In fact, you should dot all your dark moles with white eyeliner to prevent burning.

I love my Remington especially cos you can get replacement bulbs. Mostly I've used it for legs and bikini. You're not meant to use it on the face, but I have done so (rebel!) and seem to have gotten away with it. I shield my eyes while pointing it at my chin and use the lowest setting.

Thanks for the mole/eyeliner tip!

I have just started using a Lumea in my chin bristles, although it does not seem to be working, it's only been once a week for three weeks though.

It is very weird having to shave my chin every day. Has anyone else had no success with chin bristles? Or should I keep the faith?

Keeping an eye on this thread and hoping Elgar gets some answers about the chin bristles. I'm looking at getting a lumea but want in mainly for my chin hairs which are very thick. I currently have to shave them as nothing else has worked

F

It's oddly satisfying shaving, but very weird residing the urge to pluck.

I will zap again on Wednesday and keep you updated. All the shaving makes me look a bit like Desperate Dan

Chin bristle success here. Did take a while but kept at it and now more or less gone.

Has made such a difference to my confidence.

Oh that is good news Dimple.

Can I ask how long did it take, and did you do it every week or every two?

Are these sort of gadgets painful to use?

Not at all (unless you haven't shaved properly!). However the lens can get a bit hot so advisable to let it cool at this point. It's just a quick light zap.

And I use of top setting (level 5)

Thanks Swinging! Might have to investigate these further.........

Does the lumea by any chance have dual voltage? I can't find the ones on boots in the US, quite weirdly. The Phillips site in us only has one model, only for body.

Chin bristle success here too. I can't remember how long it took but it was pretty fast...that's why I can't remember! Even if I don't zap for a month or more now, the bristly hair doesn't grow back or is so thin its unnoticeable.

Why is it not advised to pluck chin hairs?

Also, are any of the permanent light-based hair removal options suitable for very fair hair?

Because the lumea works by burning the root of the hair by targeting the melanin in the hair. When the hair is above skin level it just singes the hair so doesn't work. If there's no root (due to plucking) there will be nothing for it to target. The hair needs to either be trimmed very short or shaved.

Mine gets hot and can feel bit twingey on sensitive skin (bikini lines for eg). Worth it for the results but not painless. Though equally not agony either.

I have the Boots IPL one. It is time consuming but the results have been great. I no longer have underarm hair on unwanted hairs on my bikini line.

I'm surprised that the Tria home laser device isn't more popular, since Lumea use IPL which is not permanent. Whereas Tria use diode laser technology which is the only permanent hair removal type of laser. I'm thinking of getting one - does anyone have one?

DIY laser is a scary prospect

Chin was quick. I did it roughly weekly for s while and now I just zap when I remember, which is probably monthly. It takes about 3 seconds to do a chin!

Armpits also major success. Even if it grows back its so fine and soft it's not noticeable.

You need to stick with it, I remember the first few weeks being disappointing but then it all coming together.