IPL device or botox???

[Jiggy16]

So I have just got a bonus from work - £250 and I have thought for ages if I had enough disposable income I would get either botox on my forehead or one of the ipl machines. Now I have the money I can't decide what would be best!

IPL machine - I've very dark hair that grows fast- in summer it cracks me up as I would really need to shave my legs every day to be smooth, also makes fake tan pointless as the constant shaving just makes it patchy, plus I have 'strawberry legs' which I've heard the laser can help with. Looked at the Philips lumeas which seem good tho none on offer at min, are they really worth it???

Botox - my 11 lines are increasing, and a few prominent horizontal lines on forehead - every time I look in the mirror they're all I can see. I'm 38 so what will they be like in a few years?! Tho am nervous, never had botox before so what if its a disaster, plus keeping on top of it. I tried fillers a few years ago as I have sagging around my nasolabial lines - i was pretty disappointed as it didn't really do much and was a lot of money! I just feel my face is full of lines, it really gets to me!

Has anyone any suggestions on what's better to get, and what product is best? Very privileged to have this money to spend I accept, just wanted to use it on something to make me feel a bit better about my appearance, everything has taken a nosedive the past few years due to kids, stress etc so just need a bit of a lift!

All advice welcome! Thank you

I’d go with IPL, sounds like you are perfect for it colouring wise. It will save you time as well as giving aesthetic benefits whereas botox is only aesthetic. Also the IPL machine will be reusable over and over whereas the botox wears off… so overall IPL seems like better value.

I bought a “joint” IPL with some friends, it didn’t work well for me (fair) but did for my dark haired friends.

I like my Lumnia its been great for bikini line as that used to be dark, stubbly and itchy and now its hardly there. But I dont have the patience to do it on my legs. Also ideally you should IPL in the winter, you cant do it on tanned skin.

If it's a one off I'd go with the ipl as that will last you whereas the Botox will be temporary and wears off after a few months.

Appreciate this is completely not what you asked, but I'd get one of these 😊

https://www.currentbody.com/products/currentbody-skin-led-light-therapy-mask?awc=127811683919148865d07d33cf221f6f509e8de450a815c2&utmsource=Skimlinks&utmmmedium=affiliates&utm_campaign=78888

Another vote for IPL. Until my 30s, had very dark haired legs, jungle pubes, and arm pits you could plait! No kidding, 5 o’clock shadows on legs after I shaved every morning. Did IPL every 3 months for first year, less in second year. For next few decades, all I’ve had to do is zap an occasional bit on legs, usually around bony bits maybe once a year with a shave maybe once every 6 months. That’s it. Best beauty investment ever.
Be careful of ingrowing hairs in first year and exfoliate. I just used coffee grounds and olive oil for that.

Thanks for the replies guys, may have to have a closer look at the ipl. I have fair skin and dark hair so hopefully would work OK with me. So many models tho, has anyone recommendations? I remember seeing the lumeas on offer around Xmas but of course all full price now. But also seen other brands, it is such a minefield!

Ohh flip looked briefly at that mask, ahh another consideration now! I'll end up not knowing what to pick and just wasting the money on extra groceries lol

I'm literally Lumea-ing with my other hand as I MN.
2 yrs into zapping my legs and the hair is gone. Pale skin, dark thick hair. I'd waxed for 30yrs and never weakened it.
What I would say is be very careful for the first few weeks, don't put the strength up too high. It might not hurt too much when you zap but it can be excruciatingly itchy and sore afterwards if you go in too hard. I had to get anti itch cream and put ice on my legs a few times. And it took me a year to clear the hair. Not the 6 months like the instructions suggest. It's saved me a fortune in waxing now.

Bought a lumea in lockdown. My legs are pretty much hair free now. Weirdly it hasn't worked on my underneath bikini area or my armpits but I'm still overjoyed.

£250 would buy you 1.5 sessions of Botox at most, depending on how many areas you get done (although I have my 11s done and am very pleased with the results).

Thanks all for the messages! Sorry been down with the flu so haven't been active on here!
Has anyone tried or heard of positive things about other IPL devices? Now I actually have some money I'm weary of spending it all on 1 luxury item lol. Have seen some machines with good reviews on amazon etc or the brain machines have offers at min.

Just worry about safety- are lasers really safe? No potential cancer risks etc?

Thanks for everyone's help so far!

Photo an example of one found cheap online