Struck by lightning: IPL device from Braun tested
3.10.2019
Translation: machine translated
Goodbye bloody Achilles tendons and pimples. At least that's my hope for the Braun Silk-Expert Pro 5, an IPL device that should soon make my razor superfluous.
The razor is to me what the stone is to Sisyphus. As soon as I've shaved my legs, I can reach for the blade again. It feels like the smooth skin lasts just as long until I'm out of the shower. This is annoying not only because it takes time, but also because my skin suffers and expresses this with small pimples and red spots. What's more, disposable razors are completely unsustainable and produce a lot of waste. You should be aware of this since my dear colleague Natalie's razor test at the latest.
Like a rolling stone
As only a rolling stone doesn't grow moss, I'm ready for something new. Namely an IPL device for home use. More specifically, the Braun Silk-Expert Pro 5. IPL stands for "Intense Pulsed Light" and, alongside the diode laser method, is a procedure for "permanent" hair removal or reduction. The hair will never be completely gone. The technique works best on light skin types with dark hair. Women with dark skin can save themselves the money for an IPL device. Unfortunately, it won't work as the contrast between skin and hair tone is too low. The same applies to red and grey-haired people.
The Silk-Expert Pro 5 comes nicely stowed away in a kind of toiletry bag. It contains the IPL device, a large and a small attachment and the power cable. The clear operating instructions tell me that I first have to completely depilate the areas to be treated. Unfortunately, the separation from the shaver was short-lived. As soon as my legs are in danger of being mistaken for a child's bum, I start using the Silk-Expert Pro 5.
Intensive instead of sensitive
I choose the large attachment for my legs. Choose the small one for difficult areas such as armpits and bikini line. The device is switched on with a long press on the sensitive mode button, which is labelled with a spring. If you select this mode for your treatment, the light pulses are reduced. This makes sense for sensitive areas such as the face. I don't need this for my lower legs, I want the full programme. As soon as the two sensors on the left and right of the attachment touch my skin, the device automatically sets the right intensity. It's quite high for me. However, this level is not set in stone. The IPL device constantly adapts to the skin tone of the area you are treating.
At Zeus!
During the pulsed light procedure, the two sensors must be in constant contact with the skin, otherwise nothing will work. I start with a little trepidation by holding down the elongated white button. Red light and flashes shoot out of the thing. I really have to pull myself together not to stare directly into the light. That wouldn't do my eyes much good. I slowly run the device up my lower leg to my knee. My skin gets warm, but nothing more happens. No tingling, no burning, no pulling. I am relieved and continue until both lower legs have been illuminated. Finally, I switch to the precision attachment to treat my armpits. Instead of going over the area continuously, it's a good idea to send off flashes of light in staccato and restart after each time. Nothing hurts here either. Not even the deodorant afterwards.
Conclusion
The application is child's play. No associated apps, no extra batteries, no bells and whistles. Just two buttons and a plug. I only briefly encountered problems with the shin, as the area is too narrow for both sensors. Equipped with mental blinkers, it doesn't occur to me for minutes that I could simply turn the device 45 degrees and move the leg up lengthways. Wow. Apart from that, I have no problems with the application. It remains to be seen whether the results are also convincing. I'll flash my legs every week for a good month and then let you know.
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My life in a nutshell? On a quest to broaden my horizon. I love discovering and learning new skills and I see a chance to experience something new in everything – be it travelling, reading, cooking, movies or DIY.
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