I've been using my first IPL device for 3 months — and here's why I'm never spending $350 on salon waxes again

Hand holding ULike Air 10 IPL machine on a leg, photographed in front of a blue background.
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

I've decided it's time to ditch the salon. Not only was it costing me a ridiculous amount of money for each appointment, but it was also incredibly time-consuming. I don't have the busiest life in the world, but my time, like yours, is precious, and I don't want to have to rush around the city just for some self-care.

One menial task that I think we all forget takes a lot of time is hair removal — we feel a lot of pressure to be dolphin smooth. And while gliding through the water and being aerodynamically sleek would be an absolute win, with sensitive skin and what often feels like a minefield of hair removal methods, choosing the right one seems like an impossible task.

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Ulike Air 10
Ulike Air 10: was $349 now $259 at Amazon

The ULike Air 10 provides a cost-effective, pain-free at-home IPL method for lasting hair removal, delivering results similar to professional laser treatment. I saw noticeable results in just three weeks of consistent use. But note that IPL is ineffective on light hair and unsuitable for dark skin tones.

How the device works

ULike Air 10 IPL machine with fabric pouch, goggles and razor, photographed in front of a gray background.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

While laser is a popular hair removal method, IPL makes it accessible for at-home use.

The device stops hair growth with zaps of light that target the melanin in the hair and inhibit growth. This is because when the melanin absorbs the light, it is converted to heat energy, which disables the growth of the follicle. This means when the hair eventually grows back, it’s slower and thinner, before completely stopping with continued use over time.

This is not the same thing as laser hair removal, although the processes are very similar. Laser is more targeted and therefore more reliable, but IPL uses a broader spectrum of light, making it a better option for a wider range of people.

But there are some limitations. Since the process relies on light absorption, it won't work on dark skin tones or light hair.

Why I started using IPL

ULike Air 10 IPL machine photographed in front of a blue background.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

After seeing a whole host of devices all over my social media feeds, I was naturally curious about IPL treatment. Like many other women, I've used every method of hair removal out there on the quest to have smooth skin, and IPL promised to tick all of the right boxes for me.

What drew me in the most was the prospect of it being pain-free. Up until now, I have been using an epilator, and if you ask anyone who has tried one, they will tell you it's akin to a modern form of torture. This method plucks out the hairs from the root one by one — ouch!

IPL treatment is also a lot less time-consuming, and I can do a session in under 10 minutes.

My experience

ULike Air 10 IPL machine photographed in front of a blue background.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

This treatment couldn't be any easier. The sessions are short, and the device works everything out for you, so you just have to hit a button and start zapping.

The machine is a little loud during use, and that's because it uses cool air to create a completely pain-free experience. This also keeps the device cool to operate for longer. IPL flashes use a lot of energy, so it’s only natural that the device will begin to heat up with prolonged use.

I used the schedule set out by ULike in their manual, and this gave me great results. I saw results in just three weeks of use, and was totally impressed by how easy this has been to maintain over time.

Every person is different, and while my skin reacted well to the IPL, this won't be the case for everyone. Like with most beauty treatments, you need to do a test patch first, but I had no issues.

You can find out more about how the device works and my own results by reading my full ULike Air 10 review.


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Ashley Thieme
Staff writer, Reviews

Ashley is a staff writer on the the Reviews team at Tom’s Guide. She has a master’s degree in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and a BA in Journalism, Media and Sociology. She has written for titles including Women’s Health UK, writing health and wellness stories, and Virgin Radio UK, specializing in entertainment news and celebrity interviews. She has reported on a variety of topics including music, literature, motorsport, entertainment and health. She has previously reviewed live music events, books, and wellness products but discovering the top audio equipment on the market is what she does best. When she is not testing out the latest tech, you can find her either curled up with a cup of tea and a good novel or out hiking.

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