Home laser and IPL devices demand effort and commitment. There’s a start-up routine to get you to smooth, and then top-up sessions maintain your results. Your overall effort depends on the number of start-up sessions and how fast each session is.Therefore, I’ve calculated this effort based on my controlled tests, so you can compare and decide if the Bare+ is right for you. The flashes are bright, but harmless to your eyes. However, they can get a bit irritating. Try not to look directly at them. To help, use the Bare+ in a well-lit room (this lessens the glare), and wear sunglasses if it’s too much. But don’t worry. You don’t need protective goggles! Mostly warm, sometimes hot – but always bearable. Firstly, if you have a darker skin tone (types IV or V) you can use only lower, safe intensity levels. Therefore, the Bare is perfectly suited to you. Unlimited flashes. You can also use it almost anywhere: on the bikini line, face, legs, arms, bum, tum and more

Let’s consider the guidance given with other IPL devices. Most have 5 intensity levels ranging up to around 6 J/cm 2. Using the highest level that’s safe for your skin tone gives the best results. There are no dials or buttons to select an intensity level. That’s because it has just one medium power intensity level of 4 J/cm 2. There’s not even a power button. Just plug it in and it powers on. Position it on your skin and press the large flash button with the rose-gold ribbon running through the middle. It’s that simple. One large flash button. That’s it. Using this once a week has changed as that. Four minutes per leg. with minimal to no discomfort. Treating at a steady pace I don’t forget where I’ve treated and the heat doesn’t build up so it’s not sore. At most some minimal discomfort but again that’s if I rushed it.

Permanent hair reduction in half the time vs other IPL brands*

As it’s corded, you are slightly restricted when using it, but it didn’t feel any less effective. Our reviewer had never tried an IPL device before and found the booklet, with big, clear pictures and instructions helpful and easy to follow. Simply plug it in, attach the power bank and get going. No controls other than the flash activation button on the side! So it’s incredibly simple. Design & comfort

They must be totally smooth with no hair above your skin. If there is, it can sting when zapped by the IPL! Press it 90 degrees firmly against your skin. Lights around the flash button show white to tell you your skin tone is safe. TIP: Smoothskin say don’t wax or epilate because you need hair in the follicle for IPL to be most effective. Choose a comfy placeTIP: The latest model – Smoothskin Bare+ Fit – comes with a smaller precision window. It slips over the fixed window, and creates a smaller opening which is easier to position and flash on more awkward areas. That’s not as fast as Smoothskin suggest. This is likely because, as our testers found, awkward and bony areas slow you down a bit. Also, the flash rate slowed a bit after a few minutes too. That’s because the Bare+ heats up and needs a little longer to recharge in-between flashes. TIP: Top-up sessions are vital with all home IPL and laser devices. Studies show the more top-ups you do, the longer-lasting your results. So, over time you need top-ups even less frequently. The negatives After your treatments, you should cover up and use a sunscreen of SPF 15+ to avoid unprotected sun exposure