Decent quality IPL device. Abundant number of flashes. Needs better documentation.
This is an excellent entrant in the IPL market genre.  It follows an often used design form, that allows for comfortable handling and application.  The operation is deceptively easy, just keep in mind that the light energy is powerful, so use it cautiously and wear the provided protective eyewear.<br />IPL is Intense Pulses of Light, that is a treatment primarily for 'permanent' hair removal, and also in certain scenarios for skin treatments.  In this case, the product is designed for treating hair follicles with the eventual goal of permanent cessation of hair growth.  "IPL treatment is administered through a handheld flashgun device that emits pulses of light, which are absorbed by the melanin pigment in hairs. The light turns to heat that is absorbed by the skin, resulting in damage to the follicle effectively removing hair and slowing down regrowth significantly."(online reference).  After repeated treatment sessions, the regrowth cycles is disrupted to the point of no further hair renewal.<br />To be effective, the subject needs to qualify according to skin color and hair color.  Basically, light skin color and darker hair color are the ideal combination.  This is due to the intense light affecting melanin, the pigment. So, the contrast is necessary, and you want the light energy to affect hair pigmentation, and not skin, obviously.<br />Operation of this device is straightforward.  Plug in the AC power adapter cord.  A long press of the power button (with the power icon) will activate the IPL device.  The fan will start, and you'll see the display showing the number of flashes remaining, the intensity level (default is set at lowest), fan icon.  The display will also indicate if it's in auto or manual mode.<br />The user manual does a very poor job (actually non-existent) at explaining the manual mode.  In this mode, the user actually triggers the flash.  The significant other tells me that everyone uses the automatic mode because it's easier and faster.  Anyway, the large button above the power button switches between automatic and manual mode.<br />In automatic mode, when you press the flash window on skin it will trigger the flash. Then you lift it and move it to the next, adjacent target. Lower the flash window, touching the skin, which automatically triggers the flash again. This process is continued until you cover the targeted hair region.<br />They warn against overlapping and missing areas.  I wondered how a user can ensure that there is no overlap and avoid missing areas, when the flash window is not flush with an edge.  This is not an issue specific to this product, but to IPL devices in general.<br />I like the overall presentation and quality of the product.  Besides the IPL device, it includes a generic straight edge razor, protective eye wear, AC power adapter/cord and user manual.  While the user manual is adequate, I feel it could have been better, more informative.<br />Based on initial impressions and observations, this is a very competent and capable IPL device.  It is exactly as depicted and described in the product details.  It earns a 4.5 - 4.75 star rating, with a high level recommendation.
Rating: 5 stars