IPL - less expensive still effective?

[Smiler1972]

Lidl has an IPL system for £69 does anyone have experience of a less expensive version than say the Lumia? I haven't tried either but I don't want to waste £69 on a system that isn't very effective.

I also can't afford £300

I am thinking of going for it too
.

Did you get it? I haven't but I think they are still in my local store...

@Littlelambpeep

I've been thinking about it too. Apparently takes 18 months to work and I'm not sure I'd be that dedicated.

I’ve got it. For the money it’s very good value.
You just need to use it regularly to see an effect.
Like all ipl systems they appear to take a long time to work.
This isn’t due to the ipl machine it’s the fact that only around 30% of hair is growing at any time, and it only kills off growing hair.
Also you have dormant follicles where new hair grows.
Depending on your personal hair growth cycles it will take different times to have a visible effect,
So you need to keep using it to kill off the newly growing hairs.
Then all of a sudden as there are less and less new hairs you are the difference,
I have extremely sparse hairs on my legs underarms and bikini line now and just go over individual stray hairs and zap them as I see them.

You see the difference

Ooh wow. I like the sound of this. Can you use it daily for each new hair that comes through?

I have the lumia. You need to use it for months to see a result. I’ve had mine for two years and use it every 4-6 weeks. You have to keep it up.

"I’ve had mine for two years and use it every 4-6 weeks. You have to keep it up."

Not sure I'd have the dedication.

Also, is it true that you can't use it and go into the sun, which would be a problem at the moment. Suppose I could buy it now and start using it when the heatwave is over.

I use it every few weeks or so there’s not much point using it too often as you the new hairs take a while to come through so it’s a waste.
You shouldn’t use it if you have dark tanned skin. This is because the light energy is turned into heat by melanin which is the brown colour in hair and tanned skin. So you could get burnt if your skin is dark tanned.

It makes sense to use it during the winter when your skin will be paler. I don’t think there is a issue with using it in the summer although I would avoid it if you are sunburnt or if your skin is sore on that area.

I go bare legged in the summer and that doesn’t stop me doing a quick zap. I rarely get my bikini line out except for holidays and my armpits don’t get tanned anyway.

Bertha - i can't bear the new hairs coming through and compulsively pull them out, ruining my chin. I am happy to get only 1 or 2 at a time, but i am wondering if using it daily will damage my skin.

I'm tempted to go to Lidl and see if there are any left

@Badumdumdum
If you zap them a few days later you can pluck them out and you know they are dead because it doesn’t hurt.
I can’t do it so much now as I haven’t got that many hairs left.
I have also done my chin and upper lip. That’s a bit of a challenge as there is a safety thing that stops the flash if it’s not in contact with the skin.
It won’t damage your skin if you aren’t tanned although it does sting if you have got thick coarse hairs as they absorb the most energy - but that means it’s most effective.

Thanks Bertha. I won't make it to lidl but i have seen phillips ones on amazon for 150 ush. I could stretch to that perhaps.