How to Use IPL Hair Removal at Home — A Man's Guide to Chest, Back and Body Hair

At-home IPL (intense pulsed light) won't remove hair overnight. Used on a steady schedule, though, it can thin chest, back and body hair to the point where you barely need to shave. It only works for some skin and hair combinations, and there are areas men should never flash. Here's who it works for, how to use it, and which devices to buy.

How IPL Works — and Who It Works For

IPL flashes broad-spectrum light that is absorbed by the pigment in the hair. The heat damages the follicle so the hair grows back finer and more slowly, and in some cases not at all. That is why these devices promise permanent hair reduction, not complete removal.

Because it relies on pigment, it works best with a strong contrast between dark hair and lighter skin. Cleveland Clinic notes at-home devices work on a narrow range of hair and skin colors (Cleveland Clinic: the pros and cons of at-home laser hair removal):

• Blond, red, gray or white hair: too little pigment; IPL won't do much.
• Dark skin: the skin's own pigment absorbs the light too, which risks burns and discoloration. Modern devices have skin-tone sensors that lower the power or refuse to flash, but if your skin is dark, see a dermatologist about professional laser options instead.

Where Not to Use It

• Your beard area, face or neck — unless you want your beard permanently thinner. Philips, for example, says its face attachment is for women only, below the cheekbones.
• Around the eyes.
• Over tattoos, dark moles, birthmarks or freckled patches.
• On sunburned, irritated or broken skin.
• Any area your device's manual does not list.

If you take medication that makes you sensitive to light, check with your doctor first.

Step 1 — Shave First (Don't Wax)

Shave the area before every session. Surface hair absorbs the flash and can singe, while the root needs to stay in place for the light to reach it — so don't wax, pluck or epilate between sessions.

For chest, back and body hair, a body groomer is easier than a razor. The Philips Norelco Body Groomer 7000 has a shaver head and a trimmer head, 11 lengths from 0.2 to 7 mm, a folding back attachment, and a 120-minute battery, and it works in the shower, for about $72.

Step 2 — Patch Test

Before your first full session, flash a small area at the setting you plan to use and wait 24 hours. Mild redness that fades is normal; blistering or lasting discoloration means stop.

Step 3 — Flash in a Grid

Hold the window flat against the skin so the sensor can read it, flash, then move one window-width along. Work in rows, and don't flash the same spot twice in one session.

Chest and shoulders are easy to do yourself; the middle of your back is not, so get help there or skip it. The Braun Skin i·Expert Pro 7 helps with coverage: its app tracks which areas you have treated in real time. It costs about $375.

Step 4 — Stick to the Schedule

Results come from repeated sessions while hairs cycle through their growth phases. Each brand gives its own schedule:

• Braun: two sessions a month for three months, then touch-ups.
• Philips: every two weeks to start, then once a month.
• Ulike: every two days for the first two weeks.

Expect visible thinning within a month or two and fuller results over about three months. Missing sessions early on is the main reason people give up on IPL.

Step 5 — Aftercare

Keep treated skin out of the sun, and use sunscreen on any area that will be exposed. Skip hot tubs, saunas and hard workouts for the rest of the day if your skin feels warm or red.

Which Device to Buy

The Braun Silk·Expert Pro 5 is the one we would buy for most men at about $280 (sold by Amazon). It has a skin-tone sensor that adjusts every flash, a standard head and a precision head, and Braun says its UV filter makes it eye-safe without goggles.

The Ulike Air 10 costs about the same at $279 and is built for comfort. Ulike says its sapphire cooling keeps the contact surface below 65°F, and that its dual lamps cover an 18% wider area. It has a high-power mode for coarse areas like the chest and underarms, plus a skin sensor that stops flashing on skin that is too dark (sold by Ulike Official US).

The Philips Lumea 9000 costs about $399 (sold by Amazon). It comes with four curved attachments for different body areas, and its SenseIQ system uses three sensors to read your skin and check contact, so no goggles are needed.

FAQ

Does at-home IPL work for men?

Yes, on chest, back, shoulders and body hair, as long as the hair is darker than the skin. It works poorly on blond, red, gray or white hair and isn't suitable for dark skin.

Can I use IPL on my beard?

Only if you want the beard permanently thinner. IPL reduces hair growth for good, which is why most men avoid the face and neck. Philips, for example, says its face attachment is for women only.

How long does IPL take to work?

Most people see thinning within a month or two of regular sessions, with fuller results after about three months and occasional touch-ups after that.

Is IPL hair removal permanent?

It gives permanent hair reduction, not total removal. Some hairs grow back finer or more slowly, which is why touch-up sessions are part of every schedule.

Comparing devices? See our best IPL hair removal device guide. Prefer trimming? See our best body groomer guide.

Sources: Cleveland Clinic: the pros and cons of at-home laser hair removal