Like lasers, at-home IPL devices heat hair pigment (melanin) with intense pulsed light. But, if you’re looking for permanent hair removal, there is one critical thing you need to understand! So, let’s get into the BIG things you should definitely know about IPL devices like the nood, Silk’n, ULike, and Iluminage, etc. so you can make a smart decision about whether this might be the right for you!

For many women, a monthly allowance for beauty — including things like hair, nails, and makeup — is a non-negotiable necessity.  But whether you consider yourself low-maintenance, high-maintenance, or #WokeUpLikeThis for real, swapping out regular spend on things like mani-pedis, waxing, or facials for longer-term beauty treatments like electrolysis, permanent makeup, and facial fillers (e.g. Botox), can be very freeing and just makes good sense!

We used to make little habits for ourselves like, “stop in the kitchen and chug a glass of water every time you come back from a bathroom break.”  Then we learned that the “eight glasses of water a day” rule has virtually no science behind it, and also chugging water doesn’t really hydrate you because your body can only absorb about 4oz of water in 30 minutes (if you’re working out and sweating profusely, that amount increases to 8oz in 30 minutes).  If you drink more than you can process, you basically just pee it out.  Who has time for all those bathroom breaks?

The best and most accurate way to assess your individual tolerance for electrolysis is to try it! We offer a free consultation for new clients with a patch test (where we treat a small area of hair with electrolysis). This allows you to experience the sensation before you commit to more, so we highly encourage everyone to take advantage of this no-pressure offering! That being said, I’ve personally experienced many hours of electrolysis and for me, electrolysis is not painful (certainly not like waxing or getting an IPL photofacial — those really hurt!).

At Prickly Pear, we aren’t shy about about taboo topics like hairiness. If you’re not a fan of body hair, this Q&A will help you understand your best (and most painless) options for being bikini ready all summer long and beyond!