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Spring is in the air, which means shorts and bathing suit season are just around the corner. And if you’re tired of shaving, waxing, or expensive med spa appointments, you’re not alone.

I first dabbled in laser hair removal pre-pandemic, getting professional IPL treatment on my face at a med spa. After spending hundreds of dollars, I started noticing regrowth and needed a touch-up—but the thought of paying nearly $100 for a 30-second treatment wasn’t exactly appealing.

I knew I didn’t want to cut corners with a budget-friendly device—laser hair removal is one area where quality matters. So, I turned to The Curator’s beauty editor, Adriana Monachino, for expert advice. She quickly sent me a link to the .

“It’s all the rage on ,” she texted back, and reviewers claim it’s safe, it works, and it’s pain-free. I slept on it and then decided to go for it. It takes about four weeks to see the full effects, making spring the perfect start.

The Air 3 is an IPL laser hair removal device that you can use at home. You’ll start to see a noticeable reduction of hair in about three weeks. There’s a ‘soft mode’ for your face and bikini area, a ‘body mode’ for legs and arms and a ‘power mode’ for chest and armpits. The kit comes with the device, a charger, protector glasses and a bag to store everything in.

Want to kick things up a notch? Ulike has just released the Air 10. Equipped with the latest technology, it promises results in just two weeks. This device also has dual lights, making it more powerful. Now, it also comes with a bigger price tag, but if you have a lot of unwanted hair and it tends to be dark and coarse, then this device is a great option for you.

(IPL) works by emitting light that passes through the skin’s surface and is absorbed by the melanin in the hair follicle. This process essentially kills the hair follicle, preventing future hair growth.

In order for the light to effectively target the hair follicle, there needs to be contrast between your hair colour and skin tone—the greater the contrast, the better the results. Ulike created this chart to help you figure out if IPL is the right hair removal method for you.

Curator tip: Always do a skin test before you do a full treatment. I tested on a small area on my leg to see how my skin reacted. I had no issues, so the next day, I started.

My target areas: Armpits, bikini and legs.

Step 1: Shave the area before treatment.

The kit includes a handy travel razor, which I used. Make sure the area is completely smooth before treatment for the best results.

Step 2: Choose your power setting.

Plug in the device and hold down the power button. Make sure you select the right setting for your skin and target area:

• Soft mode for face and bikini
• Body mode for legs and arms
• Power mode for armpits.

Step 3: Glide and zap!

Place the device on your skin and press the flashing button to activate the light pulse. Move the device slowly along the treatment area, pressing the button as you go. For larger areas like legs, hold the button down so the light continuously flashes as you glide it over your skin.

Step 4: Repeat three times a week.

For the first four weeks, it’s recommended you perform the treatment three times a week. I went with a Wednesday/Friday/Sunday schedule. Note: Be sure to apply sunscreen after each session. Slathering on your favourite SPF will be key during the entire hair removal process.

For the first week, I played it safe, using ‘soft mode’ everywhere to see how my skin would react. The device stays cool to the touch, so even though intense heat penetrates the skin, there’s no burning sensation. After treating my armpits, I felt a mild stinging for a few minutes—nothing that would make me reconsider using the device.

By the second week, since my skin was responding well, I levelled up. I switched to ‘power mode’ for my armpits and body while keeping ‘soft mode’ for my bikini area and upper lip, as recommended. After each session, I made sure to apply to all treated areas.

Once week four rolled around, I finally started seeing some results! My armpit hair was noticeably thinner, and my bikini area and legs? Virtually no hair. Even though the Ulike treatments added time to my morning routine, seeing the results made it all worth it.

Having gone through that round of laser hair removal at the med spa a few years earlier, I knew hairs would eventually pop back up. That’s why I continue to use the Ulike once a month for maintenance. I’ve noticed that armpit hair tends to grow back first—probably due to hormones—while some leg and bikini hair has never returned.

Depending on the coarseness of your hair, you may want to do a weekly touch-up treatment during the second month and gradually to once a month. What I love about my at-home device is the flexibility. I can do my monthly maintenance whenever works for me, without the stress of booking appointments weeks in advance.

Oh, and the best part about the touch-ups? They’re free.

Another trusted and respected IPL at-home brand is this model from CurentBody, which offers an 82 per cent reduction in hair growth after just eight weeks.

If wax is what you’re after, this Sliick kit has you covered. Simply heat the wax beads up in the silicone cup in the microwave, apply, and peel!

Need something for on-the-go touch-ups? The Finishing Touch Flawless device has you covered. With no nicks, bumps or redness, and a price point that’s hard to beat, it’s a must-have!

If only you could use a hair removal device on your eyebrows—alas! I swear by a dermaplaning tool—with Schick Hydro Silk being at the top of my list. It’s perfect for defined brows and tackling that pesky peach fuzz.

If the body and legs are your target area, it doesn’t get much easier than this. This Veet gel cream is suitable for all skin types, removing those pesky stubborn hairs while keeping your skin hydrated for 24 hours.

IPL for your bikini line is a game-changer, and a trimmer helps keep everything else in check. This cordless bikini trimmer is perfect for wet or dry use—and you can keep it right in your shower for easy touch-ups.

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