We Tried Ulike's At-Home Hair-Removal Laser (2024)

We Tried Ulike's At-Home Hair-Removal Laser (1)

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Societally, women are often expected to be hairless. (Whether or not that's fair is hotly debated.) Biologically, my body disagrees, as it tends to sprout new hairs every single day.

The most daunting part of my grooming routine has to be shaving my armpits, which I do every day to avoid looking like a hairy girl, so when I learned about Ulike's brand-new Sapphire AIR3 ($379) hair-removal device, I was immediately intrigued. Similar to professional laser hair-removal treatments, with continued use, this at-home tool promises to not only get rid of your hair but also cause it to grow back more slowly over time.

My underarm hair is pretty average in terms of density and is a dark brown color, so to be honest, I'm over having to shave before hitting the gym or a Pilates class every day. (It's a real fear of mine for people to see my armpit hair. Don't ask.) With the Ulike Sapphire AIR3, which utilizes cooling technology and intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy, you can expect to reduce your shaving sessions. And that sounded right up my alley.

Continue reading to see how it went when I took the tool for a road-test.

About the Ulike Sapphire AIR3

  • This hair-removal device comes with three operating modes for different parts of the body: soft (for your face, upper lips, and bikini); body (legs and arms); and power (chest and armpits).
  • IPL uses beams of light to target the pigment in the hair follicles, which then heats up to remove the hair.
  • The tool is equipped with a cooling sensation (at 20 degrees Celsius) to minimize any pain from the zap.
  • The packaging also comes with safety goggles and a razor.

What I Like About the Ulike Sapphire AIR3

I'll be honest: I was afraid of the pain going into using the Ulike Sapphire AIR3 device, but to my surprise, it was virtually painless. All I felt were little zaps, which felt like a little tickle or tingle to my skin. The device itself is lightweight and easy to handle, and I also appreciated that the directions were super easy to follow.

I can't speak to the decrease in hair density or the reduction of hair count quite yet because it requires multiple uses, with one or two weeks in between each session, but I have high hopes that after continued use, I'll be seeing results in just a few months.

How to Use the Ulike Sapphire AIR3

We Tried Ulike's At-Home Hair-Removal Laser (3)

This was my first foray into laser hair removal, so I was shocked to learn I needed to shave all visible hair before using the laser. (I later learned this is so the light can target the dark hair follicle.) After using the provided razor to remove the visible hair on my armpits, I connected the adapter to the handset and plugged it in. From there, I popped on the ultrastylish IPL safety goggles — which honestly just look like black sunnies — and was ready to get my laser on.

Since I decided to focus on my armpits for this review, it was recommended to use the Power operating mode, and that's exactly what I did. After switching it over to my desired setting (and doing a skin patch test), I pressed the treatment button and got to work. The light would go off, effectively zapping the area I had the device on, and I'd move it over to a new area each time.

I wanted to ensure I got each and every area, so I pressed the button each time I wanted to activate the laser. However, I would like to note there is the option to hold the button down for two seconds, which activates the "gliding" mode. I think this is better suited for larger areas of the body, like the legs.

What to Consider Before Trying the Ulike Sapphire AIR3

Like many other laser hair-removal devices, it's important to note that this one won't work as well on all skin tones and hair colors. The Ulike Sapphire AIR3 isn't deemed safe for those who have deeper pigmentation (like dark brown, brown black, and darker skin) and is considered to be ineffective for people who have light-blond, white, gray, or red hair.

My skin tone and hair color fall under the "safe" and "effective" scales, so I was able to accurately test it out, but I do think that's something the brand can work on for the future to be more inclusive. I'm sure there's a bunch of science behind it that goes beyond my comprehension, but it would be nice to see an option out there for people with darker complexions and lighter hair.

We Tried Ulike's At-Home Hair-Removal Laser (4)

Is the Ulike Sapphire AIR3 Worth the Splurge?

At $379, the Ulike Sapphire AIR3 is not cheap, but when you factor in how much you spend on razors and shaving cream each month, in the long run, it might actually save you money. Plus, if you were to go to a treatment center to get laser hair removal, you'd be spending thousands of dollars and have to go multiple times. This at-home option might require more sessions than if you were to go to a professional, but to me, this is a great alternative and worth the splurge.

Rating

★★★★

We Tried Ulike's At-Home Hair-Removal Laser (2024)

FAQs

We Tried Ulike's At-Home Hair-Removal Laser? ›

I was skeptical but desperate and I can honestly say I'm pleasantly surprised with how it is actually working! The pros: easy to set up & use, customizable, able to be used everywhere, mostly unable to be felt, my skin is smoother and already hair is growing back thinner & more slowly with some areas bare.

Is there an at-home laser hair removal that actually works? ›

Best Diode Laser: Tria Beauty Hair Removal Laser 4X

“It's one of the most powerful and effective at-home laser hair removal devices available,” says Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.

Is the Ulike 3 worth it? ›

If effortless, nearly pain-free hair removal leading to a smooth body is your goal, then the ULIKE AIR 3 is an absolute essential. Its effectiveness, combined with minimal discomfort, makes it a game-changer in the realm of at-home hair removal.

Is Ulike hair removal FDA approved? ›

Safety: Ulike Laser Hair Removal is FDA-approved, assuring users of its safety and efficacy when used as directed by trained professionals.

What are the downsides of at-home laser hair removal? ›

Downsides of At-Home Laser Hair Removal Treatment

Although the FDA clears most at-home laser hair removal devices, there's still some risk of side effects such as injuries, burns, and skin irritation. The risk is especially high if you use a machine that's incompatible with your hair color and skin tone.

Can you use Ulike for Brazilian? ›

In conclusion, the Ulike IPL Hair Removal device offers a convenient and effective solution for achieving smooth, hair-free skin in the Brazilian area.

Is home IPL better than laser hair removal? ›

IPL works best for light to medium skin types with dark hair, as well as targeting light brown hair. Neither method is suitable for blonde, gray, red or white hair. Although laser devices and IPL technology both use light energy, laser hair removal machines are proven to be more powerful.

Does Ulike remove hair permanently? ›

Permanently remove unwanted facial and body hair comfortably from home. FDA-approved IPL (intense pulsed light) handset for salon-quality hair removal. Adjust the intensity for every treatment area with 3 comfort modes.

How many flashes are needed for Ulike hair removal? ›

The flash of this Ulike Sapphire IPL hair removal device is a single person unlimited number of rounds, a person is not used up Oh, a single person to carry out a full body hair removal only need about 3200 flash!

Can you use Ulike on pubic hair? ›

Ulike IPL hair removal – The use of IPL hair devices, such as the Ulike hair removal device is one perfect way to treat your pubic hair removal process in quality and style. It works efficiently by sending mild radiation laser light to concentrate and damage hair follicles underneath the skin.

Do you shave before using Ulike? ›

Yes, we recommend that you shave the treatment area before using your handset. Shaving the hair to the appropriate length will help IPL effectively focus on the hair follicles. How frequent should I use this product? We recommend using the handset three times a week for the first month to achieve the best results.

How long does it take for Ulike to work? ›

Compared to other laser devices for home use, the Ulike Laser Hair Removal Handset is smaller and lighter, which makes it great for carrying around. It's also really easy to hold and use – you can't mess it up. Plus, it not only slows down hair growth after just three weeks but also helps prevent ingrown hairs.

How many times a week should I use Ulike? ›

Use up to 3 times a week for best results.

What happens if you do home laser hair removal too often? ›

Overdoing laser hair removal can result in skin irritation, redness, and swelling. This can happen if the skin is exposed to too much laser energy, causing damage to the surrounding skin tissue. The skin can become sensitive, making it more prone to burns and hyperpigmentation.

What happens if you don t shave before at home laser hair removal? ›

Potential Risks of Skipping the Shave

Reduce efficacy: Hair above the skin absorbs laser energy, diverting it from the follicles, leading to diminished results. Cause skin irritation: Unshaved hair can lead to post-laser redness, inflammation, and swelling.

Can anything go wrong with laser hair removal? ›

Rarely, laser hair removal can cause blistering, crusting, scarring or other changes in skin texture. Other rare side effects include graying of treated hair or excessive hair growth around treated areas, particularly on darker skin.

What is the most effective laser hair removal technology? ›

For laser hair removal, the most popular devices are those using Diode, Alexandrite, Nd:YAG and IPL technology. These provide the safest and most effective results for permanent hair reduction.

Is IPL at home permanent? ›

Neither treatment is permanent permanent, but the results for both IPL and laser hair removal can last for months, and both devices are FDA-approved for reducing the amount of hair regrowth over time.

What is the difference between laser and IPL hair removal? ›

The difference between Laser and IPL hair removal

The key difference between laser and IPL is the type of light used. IPL is a broadband pulsed light source, whereas laser is a monochromatic coherent light source. Both methods target the melanin in the hair follicle and deliver permanent results.

Does IPL remove hair permanently? ›

The hair will grow back over a long period of time – so it's not 100% permanent, but the expensive, long-lasting hair removal treatment offers almost-permanent hair removal after a series of repeat visits.

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