Braun IPL Silk·Expert Pro 5 PL5157 Latest Generation IPL, Permanent Visible Hair Reduction, at-Home Hair Removal System with Soft Pouch and Precision Head

I just did my 6th session today, so this is a partial review, but the over-the-top title really is how I feel about this thing. I got this IPL because I trust the brand and there was no way I would ever go with a cheap no-name brand for this kind of thing. It's expensive, but IMO, the freedom it gives you is worth a lot more than that. There aren't many things that actually change your life for a few hundred bucks - but if you fit the restrictions on skin and hair colors, this is one of them. I'm medium-white with dark hair - mostly black where it counts, a few shades of brown in other places like my upper lips. I've never shaved regularly. Shaving meant rapid and prickly growth and after a couple of times I would have to do it every day on my legs, bikini and armpits. So instead I used to either wax or use an electric epilator. So I've been zapping a lot of body parts for 6 weeks now: entire legs, bikini line, armpits, upper lip and chin. After a few weeks I added a few more (around the nipples (since hair there is growing around them, not on them), extended bikini, and my forearms. Since I didn't want to shave my face, I did wax my upper lip before the first time, thinking that maybe it would take longer to work, but I didn't care. It's completely painless for me, at the higher level. Get a little zap now and then, but even that is more surprising than painful (say, 1/10 on the pain scale, and it only lasts half a second). At first you will probably smell some burning hair, I suppose that's normal (because that's how it works). If you see black spots on the machine's window after using it, it's because you either didn't shave, or you missed some hairs. Those got nuked, and the black spots are their remains. Very hard if not impossible to remove, try cleaning the head with a moist microfiber cloth. They don't affect anything, though. I use the small head on my upper lip, chin, the lower parts of the bikini line or where I want to be extra precise (gotta try for straight lines, eh), around my wrists, and on the lower legs for the shin bones, ankle bones and front of the knees. I use the big one everywhere else. So here's my results after 5 weeks (I only did week 6 today so it doesn't count): The first week, the hair grew as it normally would after a shave. Meaning after 5 days, it was clearly visible (a few mm) and prickly. Ew. I didn't notice any change. The second week I noticed that while the regrowth seemed to be the same in terms of length and amount, the hair was a lot thinner, especially on my legs, and definitely not scratchy. Win. The third week, my armpits were at maybe 30%. The rest of me was also showing very good progress, I want to say 50%. After that I noticed that regrowth was very patchy, clearly mostly stalled, and some hairs were growing without a root - I could pluck them off with my nails. Now, I'm mostly hairless everywhere. - Upper lip never really grew back at all, save a few very short, light hairs that are really invisible. Remember, I waxed there instead of shaving before the first session. The machine would have been worth the price for that alone. - Armpits are completely hairless. I haven't shaved them for two weeks now because there's nothing to shave anymore. Total win. - Lower legs have a couple small patches around the shin bone that are more resistant so I still have little dark spots there but they barely even breach the skin anymore, and a few stragglers here and there that I probably missed before. I only shaved before my session today out of an abundance of caution to get any small straggler that I may not see in the back. - Upper legs have like 10 single hairs on the both of them. Those I probably missed a couple of times. - Bikini line is mostly hairless except for two patches with the same small spots on my pubic area. Those seem to be mostly dead but they won't grow enough to fall off. Also a few are still growing where the tendon of the thigh muscles meets the bikini line. - Nipples only have one little hair growing back. - Still have two or three hairs growing on the chin (or rather they're *trying* to grow, but failing). Didn't shave those this week because they haven't breached the skin since last week. So after 3-4 weeks, I didn't have to worry about going out wearing shorts. After 5 weeks, I can go to the pool or something without even checking if I have any visible hair and I don't have to shave some areas before zapping anymore. - Extended bikini line is going well but I've only been at it for 3 weeks. - I also started doing my forearms, the part between my butt cheeks, and the lower part of my labia last week. Can't talk for that yet. And no it doesn't hurt either, it's just a real pain to shave well down there. I will keep doing it weekly for another 6 weeks. I think it's important, to catch the hairs that were in sleeping phase before. At any point in time, some are sleeping, some are growing, and among those, some haven't broken the skin yet. So you have to keep at it until you've zapped them all, and that takes a few months. I will update in a few weeks.

I’ve been using this at-home laser hair removal device for 3 months now, and I’m so happy with the results. About 15 years ago, I had professional laser hair removal on my legs and armpits. After a full 10-session package, those areas were completely hairless, so I knew I was a good candidate for laser treatment again. I have fair skin and dark hair, which typically responds well. After having kids, some hair returned. Maybe 50 hairs per leg and a lot more under my arms, though not super dense. After just two treatments on my lower legs, all but a few stubborn hairs were gone. My armpits are now completely hair-free after 3 months. I was especially impressed by how quickly the device worked on areas that had previously been treated professionally. I also wanted to try it on my bikini line and pubic area, which had never been treated before. I wasn’t sure I’d get the same results, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised. After 3 months, everything outside of my “landing strip” is smooth and hairless, with just a few stragglers I’m still targeting. I no longer need to shave to feel confident in a swimsuit. Even the more stubborn landing strip area has seen about a 60% reduction in hair, and shaving there is now super easy. I’ll keep treating it, but even if I stopped today, I’d still be thrilled. That said, I didn’t follow the included instructions exactly, and I think that’s part of why I saw such fast results. Here’s what worked for me: - I treat areas on the day I shave, going over each section 2 to 3 times and letting the light go off twice before moving the device. This means each hair gets zapped 4 to 6 times in a session. The first zap barely hurts. The second can feel like a rubber band snap, uncomfortable but totally manageable, even in sensitive areas. - The next day, with a little stubble, I do it again. That second-day treatment is key. It helps me spot which hairs are still growing and target them directly. - I wait 3 to 4 days, shave again, and repeat. This means I treat each area twice a week instead of once. I never had any skin irritation from this schedule, just a little redness for about 10 minutes after treatment. Pulling the skin taut (like my professional tech used to do) really helps the light reach the follicle more effectively. At first, treating my legs, armpits, and pubic area took about 40 minutes. Once my legs were clear, it dropped to 20 minutes, and now I’m down to under 10 minutes per session. Overall, I’m extremely happy. The device is easy to use, and the results have been faster and more dramatic than I expected. It has already saved me time, money, and hassle compared to booking professional sessions again. And best of all, I can keep maintaining my results from home. Just keep in mind that hair grows in cycles, so retreating now and then is totally normal. If you’re consistent and willing to treat a bit more often than the manual suggests, I think you’ll be just as happy as I am.

I have fair skin and dark, coarse hair so I am an ideal candidate for IPL. I have been using it on my legs, bikini, underarms and face. I use weekly, on the same day every week and the auto-intensity setting. It takes me maybe 15-20 mins to do all the areas I'm focusing on. The pain can be intense on the highest setting but moving quickly and pulling the skin taut makes it more comfortable. My hair is already growing back slower and softer. I have another brand IPL that was cheaper and wasn't working so I was skeptical about this one but it's definitely worth the money. I recommend getting a pair of safety glasses to protect your eyes from the light pulses. Only negative comment I have is it won't work unless you have good contact between the head of the device and your skin, so areas like my ankles and knees I have trouble with since I'm kinda boney. There is a second, smaller head attachment I haven't tried, so once I've been treating for awhile, I might try that to hit any missed areas.

This works well when used regularly, per the instructions. It does effectively slow re-growth. When used per instructions I had little hair regrowth after 8 weeks. But then didn't use it for 6 months and 90% of hair grew back. (That's my own fault.) I had my upper lip professionally lasered in the past which resulted in permanent hair removal (after 6 treatments). But that would be too expensive for legs and underarms and the Braun is less painful than professional lasers. I've been using this on my legs and have tried under arms. It is not painless as stated, but I use the highest level for more effectiveness, possibly the lower level would hurt less but I'm able to handle the discomfort. TMI about me: I have pale skin and brown hair, and the hair on my legs is very fine. Shaving irritates my skin so much I can't do it. Waxing is more likely to just break the hair on the surface instead of pulling out the root which is the only way to slow regrowth. Believe it or not, I have spent last few years carefully plucking the hair from my legs. I also have terrible problems with in-grown hairs which is very irritating. I use the "gliding" treatment mode and it takes me about 20 minutes on each leg which is why I have only 4 stars for ease of use. There is a delay between "zaps" and if it zapped more frequently it would go faster but that might not be possible on a home device. My legs have a little redness after use but you can easily go out with bear legs right after and no one would notice anything. Conclusion: This is effective for slowing regrowth and I've had no problems with ingrown hairs. I would recommend this product if you have realistic expectations and do not expect the kind of permanent hair removal from professional lasers. Great if you are traveling because if used regularly before leaving you won't have to worry about shaving while away. (Unless you go for 4 months or more.) I continue to use this product, for me it is better than any other available options for hair removal.

I love the results with continuous use but my only complaint are the button locations. Location makes me having to reset the intensity button over & over to reset. Having side buttons would be more convenient and fit ones hand better. The unit itself is a bit large & awkward. You do need to be consistent with use. I use in all areas 👍

I was kind of scared of buying this since is $$$ and i have very sensitive (like really reactive to EVERYTHING, you name it) skin, and this little piece of heaven delivered like a champ. I have very thick hair in my legs, i did laser like twice in my lifetime, full 10-12 sessions each time, and my hair grew back after a short time and i wasn’t spending more money like that, so i just started shaving and that brought me here, im not saying professional laser doesn’t work, it does, but i don't have the time or money to keep going to the spa for retouch. I use it in my face (no breakouts), in my legs, bikini line and underarms, the hair does not grow back thicker or fast, and some places are like hairless after like a week without shaving (i got bit by a mosquito and that always gets infected). This is it, after my skin gets better, ill try again, im still doing it in my underarms and bikini, i had less hair there so im not taking that in consideration, the real battle is with my face and legs. It doesn’t hurt or make my skin any different than what i feel everyday, i do use a heavy cream after washing with cold water, and antibiotic wash, use clean towels and let the cream air dry, no clothes until my skin fully absorbed everything and no makeup til the next day. This so far is worth every penny.. i even relax while doing it. Will update further on. (Sorry for the sensitive skin part being so long). ********** UPDATE: Please digest the photos before reading my update. As you can see i have severe reaction to almost everything in my skin, i had an accident in 2020 and since then it all got worse, i was exposed to so many things (dirt, debris, hard antibiotics, really hard meds in general) and it too a toll in my already sensitive skin. I did everything, and when i say everything i mean it, im a very conscious atopic person, so i was always cautious with everything i tried, nothing worked, bought my own wax, my own sticks, my own warmer, i didn't shave with a used before razor (never), did exfoliate with gentle scrub before every procedure, washed with antiseptic soap after and used the Dermacortine, Avene, and other soothing products after (always staying still until each one dried)… etc. Again, nothing worked for me. After the allergy of the second photo (already healing by then) broke i was hospitalized for several days with the doctors worried the infection might get in the bone or the material inside (lots of titanium) and risk my legs. After that i gave up. No shorts ever, no skirts, and it was fine. But then my dermatologist suggested IPL, she suggested i do it as an in office treatment, but i seriously cant afford the traveling and cost of it as i said before. Now, this is a very heartfelt thank you to this company. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making this product, you saved my legs. This works. THIS WORKS! I do it only once a week, after a soft scrub exfoliation, and antiseptic soap, lotion and cream (and sometimes cold Alucal or brief cold gel bags on them) after treatment. Its a long way to go, i know, and retouches and care, but i finally found a hair removal solution that works, works me doing it, and in my own house, only one $ for it. I couldn't be happier. (Sorry for the very graphic pics, they were worse trust me)

Long story short, I used this device twice a week for 6 months and saw absolutely no change in the amount of body hair I had. I used it on my legs, arms, pubic hair, and upper lip. There was no reduction in hair anywhere. Because of that, I absolutely would not recommend this product. The manual does warn that it may not result in any hair reduction, or that it might even increase your body hair - but I was surprised that I didn't actually get any results at all! Supposedly, this product works best on pale-skinned people (like me), who have thick dark body hair (like me), who shaved prior to each use (like I did), and who aren't using tanning beds or spending a lot of time in the sun (like I wasn't). Some reviews said that using it once a week was enough, while other reviews mentioned that they only started seeing results if using it twice a week, so I used it twice a week. I don't think I could have done anything differently. For anyone who has been benefited by this product, great! But it seemed like I met all the criteria for the kind of person who this would be effective on, yet it was a huge waste of my time, effort, and money. That really surprised and disappointed me. I have gotten laser hair removal done at a med spa before, on my armpits, and that was really effective. Going to a med spa is more expensive, and you have to leave your house to do it, but at least it actually works.

This product works really well. Results vary based on location. I barely need to shave my legs anymore. I am very satisfied with that. It seems to be working less well on my underarms. I like the different size attachments and the nice quality case. The process is quick and mostly easy. On some places like knees and ankles, it is difficult to angle the device in the perfect way so that the light flashes. I did buy extra eye protection, even though it claims it is not necessary. It checks for the right conditions before flashing, but it is always possible to move it in the wrong way while the flash happens, and I'd like to protect my eyesight.