3 best home IPL hair removal for blonde, red, grey & white hair

S o you thought you’d give home laser hair removal a try because you want long-lasting silky smooth skin. But then you found most devices won’t work on fair hair.

It is a total bummer. But you do have a few options to consider!

So, read on through this guide. It explains why not all home devices will work on your fair hair, and shortlists 2021’s best home IPL devices for hair that’s blonde, red, grey/white. You’ll learn how each option works and why else I recommend it as a top choice.

The best home IPL devices for fair hair

The Iluminage Touch and Precise Touch devices are my top recommendations because they’re clinically proven and FDA-cleared to work on fair hair. And for light blonde hair (but not white blonde) Smoothskin say the powerful Pure home IPL may work, and it comes with a 90-day money back guarantee to try it too.

In this best for fair hair devices round-up

The first part compares how to use these recommended devices from safety & sun exposure, preparing your hairs, how they feel, skin reactions, results and treatment schedules. The second part gives a round-up the pros and cons of each recommended device.

Before we get to the detailed recommendations, let’s first look at why home laser and IPL don’t usually work on fair hair.

Why most laser/IPL doesn’t work on fair hair

Dark hair responds best to home laser and IPL hair reduction. That’s because it has lots of a dark melanin pigment called eumelanin. This absorbs the IPL and laser light energy, heats up and damages key areas of the hair follicle. After several sessions it slows and stops your hair growth.

But it doesn’t work like this on fair hair and so all home lasers and most home IPL devices won’t work for you. That’s because:

Boo. But there are a few options.

How do some home devices work & are results just as good?

A few of the most powerful home IPL devices may work on lighter blonde hair. That’s because, if there’s enough dark eumelanin pigment, the strong IPL flashes could create enough heat to gradually slow your hair growth. This excludes blonde hair that’s virtually white.

However, only Smoothskin suggest trying their Pure IPL device on light blonde hair, as shown on the chart.

There’s no clinical test data for results on lighter blonde hair. The advice is based on customer feedback. However, the Pure comes with a 90-day money back guarantee. This means you can treat your light blonde hair during the guarantee period and, if you aren’t happy with the results, organise a return for a refund. Yay!

Bear in mind, it will take several more sessions to see results on blonde and light blonde hair. That’s because, with less eumelanin, there’s less hair-reducing damage done to your follicles than with darker hairs. You may need more frequent top-ups too. Consider this extra commitment in your decision.

The Pure is the only high-power IPL in this list for blonde hair, based on the worldwide money back guarantee AND brand advice. Other high-power IPLs are the Philips Lumea Prestige and the Braun Pro 5 IPL. You could try these alternatives on blonde hair too, but be sure to check there’s a valid money back guarantee where you live.

So, what about other options, and for other fair hair colours too?

For blonde, red, grey and white hairs you can try the Iluminage devices. Both are clinially proven to work on fair hairs. The Iluminage Touch is suited to face, small and large areas whereas the smaller version, called the Precise Touch, is suited to face and small areas.

Next, onto how these devices work..

IPL & Radio Frequency by Iluminage

The Iluminage devices are the only home devices clincally proven effective on blonde and red hair. And, although white/grey hair participants weren’t part of the clinical test, hair reduction results should be exactly the same on these hair colours too. That’s because they don’t rely only any dark melanin pigment in your hairs.

They work in two ways:

👉 #1 You must pluck, wax or epilate your fair hairs immediately before your session. This way, the IPL energy targets the small, dark blood droplets left behind in your follicles after they’re pulled out. The blood droplets absorb the IPL energy and convert to heat creating damage.

👉 #2 They also send Radio Frequency (RF) current into your skin. The IPL and RF work even better together to heat your hair follicles, even if they lack eumelanin.

It works like this:

RF is a painless electric current sent through the skin from one electrode to the other. The spacing of the RF electrodes is just right to send the RF current down to your hair root depth. You can’t feel it at all. But as it flows through your skin, the RF encounters resistance and this creates heat in your tissues.

And it works so well with the IPL because warmer structures are less resistant to electrical current. This means, as each IPL flash heats the blood droplet and the surrounding follicle, it draws the RF current towards it. This then concentrates around the follicle, right where it’s needed. So, your follicles get an extra dose of heat from the RF. This gradually damages areas of the hair follicle and slows your hair growth.

This is how the Iluminage devices work without relying on melanin-rich hair. And explains why it should also work on white/grey hair too.

However, because the blood droplets are so small, it’s less efficient as it is on eumelanin-rich dark hair. Therefore, you must zap each treatment area 2 or 3 times per session to ensure the follicles get a big enough dose of heat. And, during the start-up stage, you must wax/epilate/pluck and zap hairs several times to be effective. So, prepare yourself you’ll need over double the recommended sessions. There’s more on this next.

What results will I see when?

All home laser and IPL devices recommend a start-up treatment schedule, followed by less frequent maintenance sessions.

The following table shows the advertised schedules for each of my recommended devices, plus any additional guidance for blonde or all fair hair colours.

Device treatment schedules:

* Iluminage shares for the first 6 or 7 weeks, you can use their devices 2 to 3 times per week on your face.

With the Pure, shave your hairs before each session. Pluck, wax or epilate immediately before sessions with the Touch and Precise Touch.

It will take several weeks of sessions before you’ll notice slower and softer growing, or fewer hairs. So be prepared for the extra time and commitment!

👉 With the Pure on dark hair, most see noticeable results between 4 to 6 weeks. It’s likely to take longer on light blonde hairs, perhaps the full 12 session start-up schedule.

👉 Although not published anywhere, Iluminage previously shared you’ll need at least double the start-up sessions (14+) to see results on fair hair.

So, keep going and complete the full start-up schedules. You may even need more sessions. The switch to top-ups. On dark hair, brands suggest these monthly. However, you may need them more frequently, every couple of weeks or so. Remove your hairs and zap them as you notice growth.

TIP: with the Iluminage devices your reduction in growth rate and hair thickness is not as obvious as it is on shaved hairs. Therefore, it may seem like it’s not working. Stick at it!

Results range from totally hair free results to slower growing, much finer hair that’s much easier and less time consuming to manage. And remember, inactive hair follicles can wake-up and sprout new hairs. So, you’ll need to shave/pluck and zap them as they appear!

How to stay safe

The Iluminage devices are sage for ALL skin tones, but the Smoothskin Pure is not safe for the very darkest skin tones.

Before you start your sessions, read the user guide carefully. There’s an important list of warnings and reasons you may be unsuitable to use home laser and IPL devices. Such contraindications include pregnancy, breastfeeding, diabetes, medical & skin conditions, photosensitising medications, chemical peels and more. Stay safe and learn more about home laser & IPL safety and contraindications here.

✅ Women can use these devices from the cheekbones down

✅ Men can use them from the neck and down

❌ Don’t use them on the male beard or face, your genitals, anus, nipples, or on birthmarks, moles, or large freckles.

You must also do a skin sensitivity test in each treatment area. Follow the instructions in the user guide, and wait the specified time. If you have no skin reactions, proceed with your treatment. Do another skin sensitivity test after sun exposure or recent tanning.

You must also protect your skin from sun exposure before and after your sessions. Sunlight and tanning increase your skin’s sensitivity and so the risk of skin reactions and side effects.

Here’s the sun exposure, tanning (natural sunlight, artificial light, and tanning creams) & sensitivity test duration guide for each device:

How to prepare for your sessions

You MUST pluck, wax or epilate your hairs immediately before zapping with the Iluminage devices. The Iluminage Touch comes with an epilator attachment so you can pluck and zap at the same time. However, you may find this too intense depending on your tolerance for epilation!

You MUST shave your hairs immediately before zapping with the Smoothskin Muse. Try dermaplaning if you don’t want to shave your face!

Then, make sure your skin is clean and dry too. Don’t apply moisturisers, lotions, creams, cosmetics, or deodorant before your sessions.

WHAT DO THEY FEEL LIKE?

You’ll hear the cooling fan whir and a small pop or click with each IPL flash. The IPL flashes are bright but harmless when flush against your skin. You don’t need protective goggles. If you find the flashes irritating, wear sunglasses to help ease the glare.

With these IPL devices, the flashes feel warm to hot on your skin. But some body areas are more sensitive. For me, the flashes feel most intense on my thighs and ankles. Most brands liken this sensation to an elastic band snapping against the skin. It’s instantaneous, uncomfortable but bearable.

Based on the online feedback, you’re more likely to feel it sting if your skin is a darker tone. But don’t worry because you can select gentle mode or drop the intensity level a notch or two if it’s too much. Also, try starting with your face and more sensitive areas when the flash window area is cool.

Here’s how the devices compare for power and sensation:

POSSIBLE SKIN REACTIONS & SIDE EFFECTS

Hot, tingly, red, dry or itchy skin are all common skin reactions. They usually fade within 24 to 48 hours. Sooth them with ice, a cool face cloth, cooling water sprays, Aloe Vera gel or a non-scented moisturiser. If they don’t fade, go see your doctor.

Remember: you must avoid the sun, cover-up or wear a sunscreen SPF30+ to protect your skin from skin reactions and side effects.

Side effects are rare but can occur. They include temporary or permanent patches of light or dark skin, burns, excessive redness and swelling around your hair follicles, blisters, and scarring. In these cases, consult your doctor.

Another extremely rare side effect on the face and neck is called Paradoxical Hypertrichosis. Paradoxical Hypertrichosis is increased hair growth in the treatment areas. The reasons behind it are unknown but it’s thought to occur more frequently in users of Mediterranean descent, and/or with underlying medical conditions such as hirsutism.

So, now let’s take a closer look at each device and what they’re like to use:

Best for fair hair IPL devices pros & cons

Here’s a quick summary comparison of the key spec and performance data for these best for fair hair home IPL devices. Then a review of each device in more detail.

Download the complete comparison guide, spec and test data for these three devices. It’s all the same info just in handy comparison table format. Sign-up using this form to get this exclusive report! 👇

1. Iluminage Precise Touch

Clinically proven to work on fair hair

👍 Face & small areas
❌ Not legs!

If you’ve missed how the Precise Touch works on fair hair, find out here.

I recommend the Iluminage Precise Touch for fair hair users especially if you’ll treat your face and/or small body areas. That’s because it’s clinically proven to work on blonde and red hair (white and grey works in the same way) it gives decades of flashes for small areas, and is particularly suited to facial use.

TIP: You must remove your fair hairs at the root immediately before your session!

The Precise Touch is a mains-powered hand-held device. It’s very comfy to hold and easy to position despite a slightly bulky shape. The small flash window is the perfect size for your upper lip and is very easy to flash around your chin and jaw too. It’s also good for underarms and bikini line.

It’s decent quality, although the mains-cable is a little thin and tangly. However, you get ample flashes for face and smaller areas lasting around 10 years of monthly use. It’s not suitable for legs and large areas as it uses up too many flashes and takes ages with the small flash window.

It very simple to use too. Choose from the three Elōs intensity levels, then place flush on your skin. Wait for it to flash then move to the next spot. There’s no flash button to press – the flashes come on skin contact. Cover your skin in adjacent flashes, then repeat for a total 2 or 3 times. It’s quick on face and small body areas. You can treat facial hairs 2 or 3 times per week if needed.

It’s also clinically proven safe on all skin tones, so a top choice for darker tones.

Here’s a quick recap of pros and cons with the Iluminage Precise Touch:

• Clinically proven to work on fair hairs
• Clinically proven & FDA-cleared on ALL skin tones
• Decent quality & comfy
• Small accurate flash window & easy flashes
• Decades of flashes for face & small areas

• No money back guarantee
• Not suited to large areas & legs

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2. Iluminage Touch

Clinically proven to work on fair hair

👍 Face, small & large areas

If you’ve missed how the Touch works on fair hair, find out here.

I recommend the Iluminage Touch for fair hair users especially if you’ll treat a combination of large & small body areas. That’s because it’s clinically proven to work on blonde and red hair (white and grey works in the same way), and its suited to face, small amd large body areas.

TIP: You must remove your fair hairs at the root immediately before your session!

The Iluminage Touch works the same as the smaller Iluminage Precise Touch, but the design and operation is better if you’ll treat large areas as well as small.

The Touch’s mains-powered base unit and corded applicator design is slightly outdated, but it’s robust and very comfortable to use. The applicator-cord is durable, long, and supple, and the applicator itself compact, lightweight, and easy to manoeuvre around your body. It’s very easy to flash, even on uneven areas like shins and ankles. The medium flash window (3cm²) fits most body areas, and the precision cap covers half for easy flashes on your upper lip.

There are two models; one with 120,000 and the other with 300,000 flashes. The first lasts around 2 years of monthly whole-body sessions. The latter lasts for around 5 years of monthly whole-body sessions so is much better value. Depending on how often you need top-up sessions you may eventually run out of flashes. Replacement flash cartridges are available (but quite expensive).

The materials feel quality, the build is sturdy and the applicator cord is flexible and robust. It feels durable and long-lasting. You get a good 1 or 2-year warranty depending on where you buy it. Unfortunately, there’s no money back guarantee.

There are 3 IPL intensity levels. Start LOW and move up only if comfortable.

It’s simple to work. Just choose your Elōs intensity level and place the flash window flush on your skin. Wait for it to flash then slide to the next position, covering your skin in adjacent flashes. Then repeat for a total 2 or 3 times. It flashes on skin contact, so there’s no button to press.

The flashes are consistent so you can work to a steady pace. And it’s very easy to get a flash too thanks to the RF sensor bars. However, it takes ages to cover your whole legs because you must do multiple passes. Two passes are reasonable on large areas like legs and each takes me around 20 minutes. I recommend three passes for smaller areas like underarms and bikini line where the hair is usually thicker and more stubborn. You can also treat facial hairs 2 or 3 times per week if needed.

Here’s a quick round-up of the pros and cons of the Iluminage Touch:

• Clinically proven to work on fair hair
• Clinically proven & FDA-cleared on ALL skin tones
• Gentle IPL
• Robust & comfy
• Lightweight applicator with easy flashes on skin contact
• 300,000 flashes model gives several years of flashes for whole-body sessions

• Very time consuming on large areas like legs
• 120,000 flashes model is best suited to face & small areas
• It’s expensive at full RRP
• No money back guarantee

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3. Smoothskin Pure

May work on light blonde hair (but not white-blonde hair)

👍 Face, small & large areas

The Pure is quality, handsome, powerful, incredibly comfy and easy to use, and gives the fastest sessions of all the home IPL devices I’ve tested. It’s so easy because it has a super-safe skin tone sensor which auto-adjusts the IPL intensity level to your skin tone for every flash. Simply plug-it-in, position, and zap! There’s also a gentle and speed mode for extra control.

It’s a powerful IPL too. And this is why it may work on light blonde hair. Try it if you have fair skin and can use the highest intensity levels. It’s a top choice and I love the worldwide 90-day money back guarantee so you can try it and return it for a refund if you change your mind.

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Learn more in the Touch review, Precise Touch review and Pure review. If you’ve found this review helpful please support future reviews and shop via these links. I earn a small commission, but your price stays the same.

Download the comparison guide, spec and test data for these three devices. It’s all the same info just in handy comparison table format. Sign-up using this form to get this exclusive report! 👇