In the last year the home hair removal market has expanded dramatically, and ways of defuzzing have gone far beyond your trusty razor. Now ladies (and men) have the option of salon quality treatments at home, and a new player has just entered the game. The E>One is already well established in France, but has just landed in the UK and is offering consumers the benefits of IPL hair removal at home.
The first thing that struck me about the machine was just how heavyweight it was, as it was far thicker and sturdier than the other hairdryer like models on the market. Having experienced in salon IPL, the machine just looked like a smaller version of the equipment used there. Surprisingly it's suitable for both men and women, and can be used on the face as well (but not the eyebrows), which is normally a no go area.
It's also suitable for ALL hair colours (apart from white and grey), which is another unusual aspect, as normally those with red hair or very fair hair don't get a look in. They also say you can use this on tanned skin- and fake tanned skin, as the IPL isn't affected by the colour of the epidermis. Those familiar with laser hair removal may find this confusing, but remember- this isn't laser, it's Intense Pulse d Light which works a different way.
IPL works by flashing light onto the skin, which is absorbed by the melanin in the hair follicle and turned into thermal energy which cauterizes the vessel at the base of the hair.
To use, you log in to the machine, each time completing a short safety questionnaire, and then select your sex, skintone, and hair type. The skintone selection is fairly limited, as there are just three options, and the hair types follow the same path. Once selected, you place the provided goggles on your face and put the head onto your skin. Press and release and a flash of light is emitted. It feels fairly warm when you apply it (and I was on the lowest setting) so I could imagine it might get a little painful if you try a higher setting. Simple repeat the process over the area, and then you're done. The first treatment should be repeated after four weeks, the next after around 6 weeks, and then at a 6-8 week frequency. This is to try and get the hair in all its various stages of growth.
The creators of the E>One say that repeated use will lead to permanent hair loss, rather than the hair reduction which is more common with other devices. Then again, they do say that after 10-12 treatments you'll be completely hair free- and then contradict this with the fact you need 'only 1 or 2 uses per year to maintain this'. Either it's permanent.. or it's not, and I wish they'd clarify this more clearly.
Regardless, it seems that you will get permanent hair reduction, and the machine certainly covers a large area in one go. I also like how it works on a mains charger, so it won't cut out halfway through- but you do pay for this!
The £1450 price is rather mind boggling, but they do have an instalment plan, and if you add up how much treatments in a salon cost, you do save a significant amount. I'll e trialling this, so check back for pictures soon!