Although hair is more than ever in the current trend, it is still not forbidden to want to get rid of it! For those who want shiny legs all summer long (and beyond) there is an increasingly popular solution: pulsed light. What is it? Let's take stock.

What is pulsed light?

Its name is intriguing and sounds dystopian. But pulsed light is not the result of an atomic experiment from the future, we are talking about the present and it works rather well for our beauty! Pulsed light is a skin treatment technique developed mainly for hair removal (permanent or semi-permanent) but also for the reduction of pigment spots and reducing the visible effects of skin aging. When treated for hair removal, pulsed light ensures gentle and ultra-practical hair removal since it eliminates the hair right down to the root! In summer, it is the assurance of long days basking in the sun without even having to worry about unruly hair.

How exactly does pulsed light work? Quite simply. The device, which is similar to an electric razor, emits an intense blue light (this is the famous pulsed light). The device is specially designed to transform the light it emits into a heat source each time it comes into contact with the hair it recognizes under the skin. Able to heat up to 70° , it is this light energy that will burn the hair and weaken (or even destroy) the subcutaneous bulb. After several sessions (around three, spaced two months apart each), the hair can be permanently eliminated.

Good to know:

• Pulsed light does not work on downy hair (it heats the hair and stimulates its growth).
• Pulsed light works best on dark hair . The device distinguishes between hair and skin more effectively, and the risk of burns is reduced. But devices are now designed to meet all kinds of needs, so it is essential to pay attention to these criteria when purchasing your pulsed light epilator.

What is the difference between laser and pulsed light?

When we hear about the characteristics of pulsed light, we almost wonder what difference it makes with the famous laser! Indeed, both methods emit a light that transforms into heat ready to eliminate hair. The first difference is noted in the intensity and the sensation of heat. The laser is much more powerful than pulsed light (that's why it must be practiced by a professional). It concentrates its beam in a single and intense direction, where pulsed light emits rapid flashes of light. Its result for permanent hair removal is more assured and also faster. However, pulsed light has the big advantage of being able to be practiced at home by yourself (or in an institute if you prefer). No need to make an appointment with the surgeon or dermatologist, you save a lot of money and time.

How to choose a good pulsed light hair removal device?

In recent years, pulsed light has been gaining ground, and the major hair removal brands are competing in ideas and talent to bring out devices that are each more innovative than the last. In this fair of devices that all boast of being the best, it's easy to lose your mind and not know which one to turn to. To choose your pulsed light device, there are some good tips that are best put into practice.

• First: we always make sure to choose devices that are designed to European standards. Remember that this is a technological device whose use should not be taken lightly. Pulsed light, if misused, can cause burns! It is therefore important to choose a device that meets CE standards and is approved by medical professionals, even if the latter has a cost.
• Second: we pay attention to our skin color and the nature of our hair. Blond hair, white brown or black hair. Pulsed light is effective when it distinguishes the hair from the skin as well as possible. To do this, the latest generation of devices are specifically adapted to black and dark skin as well as white and light skin. The same goes for the nature of the hair (more or less fine or thick, more or less light or dark). All these small details are essential, and they must be taken into account in order to ensure effective and safe hair removal.
• Third: we set a budget. A pulsed light device requires a certain budget. Most standardized devices have prices ranging from 200 to 600 euros. It is an investment.

Good advice for hair removal with pulsed light

A pulsed light device can be used on almost all areas of the body with epilobium except the face! (By the way, we explain how to wax your eyebrows at home). In general, pulsed light is used to wax the lower legs (it seems that pulsed light is not very effective on the thighs), for the armpits, the face, but also the bikini line. Be careful, the area of ​​the labia minora should be avoided because the skin there is much thinner and more fragile. Precautions should be taken depending on the texture of the skin, depending on whether it has moles or lesions (eczema, psoriasis, pimples, or temporary injuries).

How to prepare for pulsed light hair removal? Before each pulsed light hair removal session, it is recommended to shave the affected area. Why? It may seem strange, knowing that the very purpose of the light is to get rid of hair! In fact, it makes perfect sense when you know that pulsed light acts subcutaneously. The heated light eliminates the hair at the root under the superficial layer of the skin. To best locate the hair follicle (and avoid burning ourselves), it must be able to distinguish the hair from the skin. Indeed, when the hair is shaved, its base thickens and therefore becomes more recognizable for the device. It's clever and above all very effective!

How many sessions before saying goodbye to hair for good? From the first sessions of pulsed light, the hair bulb is weakened. Regrowth is already slower. In general, it is recommended to have three or four sessions of pulsed light (each spaced two to three months apart so as not to weaken the skin too much) before seeing more or less definitive results (approximately 90% of the hair is eliminated). After each session of pulsed light, do not hesitate to apply a soothing cream to the epilated areas to soften the skin and avoid any possible feelings of tightness that can be caused by the heat under the action of the light.

• Practical information: pulsed light hair removal devices can last up to five years with regular use. The higher the flash reserve the device has, the more active it will be!