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Best IPL Machines
If you love that silky-smooth skin feeling from the comfort of home, an IPL machine is a long-term hair removal solution that could save you salon trips and bills. Continue reading...
Philips Lumea Prestige IPL
· includes 8 listingsPrice (RRP) $799.00
Price $799.00 Bing Lee
- Value for Money3.1 (10)
- Causes Irritation Yes (2) · No (6)
- FeaturesCordless and Skin Tone Sensor
- Target Areas Face, Body / Legs, Underarms and Bikini
- Power Settings5
The Remington i-LIGHT PRO claims to use advanced technology for a completely comfortable at-home hair removal solution.
Price (RRP) $799.95
- Value for Money3.0 (4)
- Causes Irritation Yes (0) · No (4)
- FeaturesSkin Tone Sensor
- Target Areas Body / Legs and Face
- Power Settings5
The At-Home IPL Hair Removal Device by Elettra Skin allows you to feel hair-free and carefree in no time. Not only do they guarantee hair reduction, but they also feature a special 'Skin Rejuvenation' mode which brightens and tightens your skin.
Safety sensors
600,000 flashes or 20 years of use
8 light settings
- Value for Money5.0 (9)
- Causes Irritation Yes (0) · No (6)
Latest review: Works just as good as a laser clinic only I can do when and where I want and as much as I like. Not only am I hairless in all the areas I made the purchase for, I use it for rejuvenation of my face
- Value for Money5.0 (1)
- Causes Irritation Yes (0) · No (1)
Philips Lumea Advanced IPL
· includes 2 listingsThe mid-range offering of the popular Philips Lumea Prestige, the Lumea Advanced IPL retails at the more affordable price of $559.
Price (RRP) $599.00
RoseSkinCo IPL Laser Hair Removal Handset
· includes 2 listingsThe RoseSkinCo IPL Laser Hair Removal Handset is an affordable solution for anyone looking to try out laser hair removal at home. It uses powerful light pulses to destroy unwanted hair follicles and offers quick and long-lasting results.
Price (RRP) $343.00 to $359.00
Philips Lumea Prestige IPL
· includes 8 listingsOne of the most popular IPL machines in Australia, the Philips Lumea Prestige IPL features attachments for underarms, bikini, body and face, and tailored programs that give it versatility.
Price (RRP) $799.00
Price $799.00 Bing Lee
HappySkin Co Classic
· includes 2 listingsHappy SkinCo Classic offers a cheap home IPL machine for the bikini line, body, face and underarms that claims to be quick and easy to use.
Price (RRP) $299.00
Glow SkinCo IPL Laser Hair Removal Handset
· includes 3 listingsLatest review: Bought this at the end of 2019 and only used a handful of times with no results. Decided to try again 2 weeks ago and halfway thru stopped flashing. Had to unplug and restart. Went to use for the
Price (RRP) $199.95 to $299.95
Latest review: Purchased smoothskin Bare. Used everyweek post shaving, with no reduction of hair growth. contacted support and advised to do more reguarily. still no reduction in hair growth. Shaver shop was
This is an at-home laser hair removal solution that can be applied all over the body, including on the face and intimate areas, to give you smooth and hair-free skin.
Price (RRP) $129.00
Latest review: I bought this from the shaver shop for $488 3 months ago. At first I used it sporadically, but after a couple of months I properly read the instructions, set up the app, and started using it weekly
HappySkin Co Gen 2
· includes 3 listingsLatest review: Did 12 sessions and still no results at all! Most people who advertise are influencers who have no idea what they are talking about. You rather get it done professionally. The reviews on their
Price (RRP) $299.00
Latest review: Spent $600 for something that doesn't do what it's supposed to do. E.g..Won't work on chin and any areas that aren't flat enough no matter how many times you change angles even with the small lamp
Price (RRP) $499.00
Price (RRP) $199.00
Price (RRP) $429.00
Price (RRP) $399.00
Philips Lumea Prestige IPL
· includes 8 listingsPrice (RRP) $799.00
Price $799.00 Bing Lee
- Value for Money3.1 (10)
- Causes Irritation Yes (2) · No (6)
- FeaturesCordless and Skin Tone Sensor
- Target Areas Face, Body / Legs, Underarms and Bikini
- Power Settings5
How does IPL work?
IPL, which stands for intense pulsed light, uses a broad-spectrum light to target melanin or dark pigment in hair. The melanin absorbs the light, which damages the hair follicle. With continuous treatment sessions, this hinders the follicle from growing new hair.
It’s important to note that IPL hair removal treatment doesn’t permanently remove hair. Hair growth is reduced substantially over time. Hair takes longer to re-grow, and is thinner and easier to manage with infrequent maintenance sessions.
IPL is not the same as laser hair removal. While they both draw upon intense light sources to damage hair, a laser machine is larger and uses a targeted single wavelength of light, whereas an IPL machine uses a small flash lamp to release anywhere from 590-1200 wavelengths per burst of light.
While this guide focuses on at-home IPL machines, professional salon treatments are an option for both IPL and laser. These can be expensive, however as the laser or lamp will be higher in intensity, you’ll have to book in less treatments than the number you’d schedule into your diary for home.
Which body areas does IPL work on?
For women, IPL is suitable for using from the cheekbones down. This includes the upper lip, chin and jawline, legs and arms, and bikini line.
For men, an IPL machine is suitable for using neck down, including neck, shoulders, back, chest and upper body. It cannot be used on the face due to the density of beard hairs.
IPL machines should not be used on pubic hairs.
Scroll down below to see reviews for IPL machines that are suitable for using on the face (for women).
Is IPL painful?
IPL is described by most people as less painful than waxing or epilating. It’s often likened to the snap of a rubber band against your skin, or a quick zap. The amount of pain you experience will depend on your pain threshold, which is different for everyone.
Is IPL hair removal safe?
While IPL is generally safe with some exceptions, there can sometimes be unpleasant after-effects. These include skin redness that lasts a few hours, eye damage and some pain. Some side effects are unpredictable but rare, such as turning hair white.
Tips for safer home IPL treatments
To protect your eyes, wear safety goggles, and engage in good before and after-treatment care.
Before care
Avoid sun exposure 48 hours before your treatment. Prepare the treatment area by exfoliating, then cleanly shaving. Also wash your skin to remove any cream, sunscreen or other residue, followed by thoroughly drying it.
Make sure you shave directly before an IPL session, and avoid waxing or epilating as substitutes. Since IPL targets the hair follicle, treatments are effective when hair is in active stage of growth, which shaving encourages.
Aftercare
If your skin is red or stinging, rub a fragrance-free cream to help soothe it. Also avoid sun exposure 48 hours after a session, as IPL makes your skin sensitive to light, which can cause it to burn.
IPL is not safe for:
- Very dark skin tones: IPL machines target melanin, which dark skin tones are rich in. This high level of melanin means the light intensity can become dangerously high, causing skin to discolour or even burn. To check whether a particular model is safe for you, consult the skin tone chart before you buy.
- Light hair: This includes light blonde, light red, grey or white hair. There is not enough melanin in these hair colours, making treatment ineffective.
- Skin conditions: Such as psoriasis or photosensitive skin. If you have a skin condition, it’s best to check with a dermatologist if IPL is suitable for you.
- Tattooed skin: in the area of skin that is inked.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women: as the risks have not been properly researched.
Unfortunately, IPL is not the right home hair removal method for everyone. If you tick any of these boxes, there are other popular at-home hair removal options, such as shaving, waxing and epilating.
Quick Q&A for at-home IPL 
Skin and hair colour – do they matter for IPL?
Yes. For best results, IPL hair-removal treatment works best on fair skin and dark hair.
This combination helps the machine to more accurately target the melanin in the hair. As mentioned above, IPL doesn’t work on very dark skin tones or light hair.
How much do IPL machines cost?
At-home IPL machines cost anywhere between $100-$1000. This will depend on the particular model and brand, but generally an IPL device is more expensive than its counterparts. If your coveted model includes separate attachments for smaller skin surface areas like the upper lip, expect higher prices.
Also, a model that advertises a ‘lifetime’ or ‘infinity’ bulb means the manufacturer expects the lamp to have the requisite amount of flashes to complete treatments. This will again hitch up the price, compared to a model that needs replacement flash cartridges (which represent an added cost at a later date).
The lamp life of an IPL machine ranges from 50,000 – 250,000 flashes.
How long does it take to see IPL results?
IPL machines offer a long-term hair removal solution. They require patience, and a commitment to following the manufacturer’s schedule for treatment schedules.
You might need to have 3-6 treatments, with two weeks to one month recovery in between (this varies according to the particular model). Some reviewers report seeing results in just 1-2 weeks, with hair already growing back sparser. However this shouldn’t be a reason to stop the treatment schedule – stick to it.
Not all IPL machines are the same when it comes to the time it takes to see results. It also depends on hair colour, skin tone, and hormones. Due to this, treatment times may take longer than stated by the manufacturer. To be safe, purchase a model with a warranty that outlasts the time the manufacturer claims it will take to see results.
Features of IPL machines
- Battery powered or corded operation : Corded models mean you don’t waste time waiting for your device to charge. They’re also lighter than portable IPL machines, made heavier by batteries. However, you are are stuck in one spot during your session. Look for a model with a long cord for more freedom. If a portable model is more your style, some units display LED alerts when your battery is low.
- Skin tone detection: Automatically adjusts the light intensity level to the skin tone of a targeted body area. If the skin tone isn’t suitable, the device won’t activate. This is a safe option for users with darker skin tones.
- Skin contact sensor: Stops the IPL machine from emitting the light flash until the device is making full contact with the skin.
- Single and multi-flash mode: Single flash mode helps navigate those tricker – smaller, or curvier areas, like your upper lip or knees. Multi-flash releases several flashes in one go, to make treating larger areas like legs quicker.
- Precision and facial hair attachments: Designed to more easily treat smaller ‘spot areas,’ such as the bikini area and upper lip. Not all models have this, and since a standard bulb size can be as wide as 6cm, included attachments make navigating smaller areas easier.
We hope this buying guide has answered all your hairy questions about home IPL machines (along with your regular ones). To help narrow down your selection so you can make a purchase you’re happy with, you can browse our IPL Machine reviews in Australia, including the popular Philips Lumea Prestige.