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The Iluminage Precise Touch and Me Chic are both small handheld, mains-power devices which use Elōs technology. Both are safe for ALL skin tones and work on fair hair as well as dark. Their branding and looks are slightly different, but they work in exactly the same way.
TIP:For this review I tested the Iluminage Precise Touch device by Iluminage Beauty. The Me Chic device is an alternative brand choice from the same manufacturer, with identical technology, indications and ease of use.
The Precise Touch and Me Chic are safe for ALL skin tones because they use much gentler IPL than other devices, and combines it with Radio Frequency (RF) current. The two energies work together making the IPL energy more efficient. Therefore, they can use much gentler (but still effective) IPL, that’s safe for dark and black skin too. The combined IPL and RF energy is called Elōs. Learn more about this FDA-cleared technology for dark and black skin here.
After each session your hair growth slows and is softer. Eventually it stops growing altogether and periodic use keeps your skin silky smooth.
Safe for ALL skin tones
The devices from Iluminage are safe for dark and black skin, as well as light and medium. They’re safe because they use IPL combined with Radio Frequency. The two energies work together creating more heat around your hair follicles, right where it’s needed, to cause damage which stunts your hair growth.
So, this means the Precise Touch and Me Chic use much gentler IPL that usually wouldn’t work, and that’s safe for dark skin tones. Both the devices are clinically proven and FDA-cleared safe and effective on all skin tones. The technology is called Elōs (electro-optical synergy) and you can learn more about how Elōs works here.
Quality & lamp lifetime
The mains powered Precise Touch is simple glossy-white and good quality. The boxy shape and finishing lack the refinement of other rivals, but at 285g, it doesn’t feel fragile or flimsy. The 175cm power cable is long enough to work next to a power outlet or with an extension cable. It’s thin compared to rivals, but is durable enough. You also get a 2-year warranty for peace of mind.
Based on our standardised calculations, the 300,000 flashes from the IPL bulb last 10+ years of monthly use, for face and smaller body areas (bikini line and underarms). It’s excellent value. But on legs, you’ll use too many flashes from the small flash window, plus it’ll take ages to cover such large areas.
p
TIP: The Me Chic comes with less flashes than the Iluminage Precise Touch. You get 120,000 flashes from the IPL bulb. This is still a good amount for treating your face and small body areas. It’s enough to get to hair-free and stay that way for years. And, because it has less flashes, the Me Chic is often cheaper than the Iluminage Precise Touch.
Design & speed
Despite the bulky design, it’s comfortable to grip with your fingers and thumb resting in the top and underside dimples. And because the shape tapers to the small flash window, it’s also easy to see where you’re flashing. The device’s long length helps keep the power cord out of your way too.
It’s simple to operate. There’s no faff with skin tone sensors either because the Precise Touch is safe for all skin tones. So, there’s just the power button and Elōs button to control it. The Elōs button cycles up through the three intensity levels shown by the star icons. Be sure to start on LOW and work up to MEDIUM and HIGH levels only if it’s comfortable.
There’s no flash button to press either. The flashes come automatically when the two silver RF contact bars are against your skin, creating the RF circuit. Slowly glide it along your skin for continuous flashes. Or, stamp the applicator against your skin for single, precise flashes.
The RF contact bars double as an eye safety mechanism too, because you can’t accidentally flash into open air anywhere near your eyes.
The Precise Touch flashes every 0.9 to 1.9 seconds. It’s fastest on LOW level. Cover your skin in adjacent flashes, then repeat for a total of 2 or 3 times. You can cover your skin in up/down flashes, then rotate the window 90 and do left/right flashes for no hairs missed coverage! Zapping your face and smaller areas takes only minutes.
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TIP: The Me Chic has a slightly different shape but the same size flash window and operation as the Iluminage Precise Touch.
For dark & fair hair
For fastest, longest lasting results on dark hair you must shave before your sessions.
And if you’ll be zapping facial or neck hairs I recommend dermaplaning as an alternative to shaving. Learn more about dermaplaning here and there are buy links at the end of this review.
However, the Precise Touch is also clinically proven effective on fair hair (blonde and red) if you pluck, wax or epilate immediately before your sessions too.
This helps the IPL work on hair colours without the melanin pigment found in dark hair. Instead, the IPL energy targets the small blood droplets left behind in the follicle after it’s pulled out.
Although the Iluminage clinical tests don’t include grey/white hair, it should be effective in precisely the same way as blonde and red hair.
You can also pluck darker hairs on the face if you suffer with fast, daily growth and don’t want to shave. But, for both fair and dark hair you pluck, you’ll need more than 7 weekly sessions to see results. More on this next.
Results
Treat weekly for seven sessions to get smooth. You may use the device more frequently on facial hair if needed – up to 2 to 3 times per week. Then switch to monthly top-ups.
Seven weekly sessions is usually enough to get smooth. But on darker skin using the low intensity level you may need a few more sessions. And some people may need slightly more frequent top-up sessions to maintain smooth, fuzz-free skin.
For fair hair, be prepared you may need over double the recommended sessions. So, around 14+ weekly sessions. That’s because, to be effective, the IPL relies on just a micro dot of blood in the follicle. Therefore, hairs must be waxed/epilated and zapped several times to be effective. Also, 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. Please be prepared for the extra commitment!
The negatives
There are a few negatives with the Precise Touch.
First, not so much a negative as an FYI. Don’t buy the Precise Touch (or Me Chic) if you want fuzz free legs. The small flash window talks ages to zap larger areas and you’ll use up all the flashes. Instead, check out the Iluminage Touch.
Next, on fair hair you’ll need several more sessions than advertised. So, be prepared for significant weekly commitment and effort. Unfortunately, there are no clinically proven alternatives to try for fair hair.
And finally, there’s no money back guarantee and the Precise Touch is pricey compared to rival compact models. You’ll pay a premium precisely because it’s FDA-cleared safe and effective for both dark/black skin and for fair hair. You could consider the cheaper Silk’n Infinity for dark skin. But for fair hair, it’s the only option clinically proven to work.
Precise Touch Summary
The Iluminage Precise Touch (& Me Chic) is a top choice especially for facial and small areas hair removal. The clever combined IPL & RF mean it’s gentle and safe for all skin tones, including the very darkest. And it works on fair and grey hairs if you pluck before hand. But note, it takes longer to work on fair hair.
Lamp lifetime
⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡
The flashes last for 10+ years of monthly sessions for face & smaller body areas (bikini line & underarms). That’s more flashes than you’ll need for decades of smooth skin.
Ease of use
👍👍👍👍
Decent quality, simple, precise, comfortable & fast to use on your face & small areas. Gentle, no stinging sensation. For fair hair removal, pluck/epilate/wax before zapping.
Effort & Results
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Medium & gentle power IPL. Seven weekly sessions for smooth skin, then top-ups every month or so to stay that way. But results take weeks longer on fair hair!
Pros
Clinically proven & FDA cleared for ALL skin tones
Clinicall proven on blonde & red hair as well as dark hair
Decent quality & comfy
Small accurate flash window & easy flashes
Decades of flashes for face & small areas
Works even if your dark facial hairs turn grey
Can pluck, wax, or epilate hairs before sessions
FDA-cleared & CE certification
Cons
It’s expensive at full RRP
No money back guarantee
Several more sessions than advertised for fair hair users
Not suited to large areas & legs
No longer available in the UK
View Iluminage Precise Touch & Me Chic deals
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The Smoothskin Pure Fit uses intense pulsed light energy (IPL) to damage and disable your hair follicles, slowing and then stopping hair regrowth. Periodic top-up treatments keep your skin smooth. Learn more about how home IPL works here.
First impressions
I love this small and neat, understated, classy black and gold box. Keep the sturdy cardboard box because it’s perfect to store and protect the Pure. It fits in a standard-size draw or looks good on a shelf.
The packaging is majority recyclable cardboard ♻ with just a few small protective plastic bags.
What’s in the box?
Pure Fit device
Precision window
Power cable
Quick start guide
Before you start
Before you start, read the user manual and do a skin sensitivity test.
The Pure Fit comes with a concise 9-step quick start guide with just the basics. So, you must download the full user manual here. It’s a comprehensive but easy read with helpful diagrams. It explains how the Pure works and what to expect, potential side effects, details of the clinical study, how to use it, skin sensitivity test, features and modes, maintenance, troubleshooting and technical specs.
Please pay close attention to the contraindications and other safety warnings because there are several reasons you could be unsuitable to use home IPL. These include being pregnant, having epilepsy, taking photosensitising medications, having skin conditions, over tattoos or after skin peels. Learn more about home IPL contraindications here and read the manual too!
Take care with sun exposure too. It increases your skin’s sensitivity. To avoid sunburn after your treatments and reduce the risk of burns, blisters and discolouring during your treatments, Smoothskin advise:
DO
✔️ Wait 7 days after sunbathing before treatments, or wait for your tan to fade
✔️ After your treatments, avoid the sun for 7 days
✔️ Cover up and use a sunscreen of SPF 15+ after your treatments to avoid unprotected sun exposure
DON’T
❌ Don’t use the Pure Fit on recently tanned or sunburned skin, including artificial tans
Therefore, during your start-up treatments, it’s best to avoid tanning altogether. Both by sunlight and artificially with light or creams. There’s more on tanning and sun exposure here.
To check your skin sensitivity, test each area you intend to treat with a few test zaps! Wait 24 hours and if your skin is normal, crack on with your first session (but avoid the test patch until your next weekly session).
Here’s a quick summary of how to use the Pure, and there are loads more details in the following sections.
Just follow these steps:
Shave before every treatment (unless there’s no hair left!)
Plug in, the sensor shines blue and you’ll hear the fan start up inside
Select your mode; power, gentle or speed
Position flat on your skin so the power bars light up and press the flash button
Slide to the next spot and repeat. Cover your skin in adjoining flashes avoiding overlap.
When you’re done, unplug from the mains and the Pure powers down. The Pure goes into standby mode after 10 minutes if you don’t press any buttons. Just press the power mode button to bring it back to life!
I tested the Pure on my full legs, extended bikini line, underarms and face. Here’s my feedback.
Quality & design
I love the stand-out glossy-black design with classy gold trim. The simple controls and power bars blend in seamlessly with the clean, sleek and sexy look.
The Pure Fit is lightweight at 270g but feels sturdy and solid with no creaks or cracks. The IPL bulb gives unlimited flashes too. So, no need to worry about ever running out. The power cable is fixed into the handle for extra durability too. It’s a quality device, built to last and will keep going for decades of smooth skin. You get a 2-year warranty and Smoothskin says it’ll run for a minimum of 10 years when used as directed.
There’s even a strong black elastic band looped through the power cable so you can’t lose it. Simply wind up the cable and slip the band around it to keep everything neat and tidy. I love this simple attention to detail.
Compact & comfortable
The Pure Fit measures 18cm long, 7cm wide and 4cm deep. The precise curves and compact dimensions fit comfortably in hand in a few different grips. And the angled handle keeps the power cord out of the way too.
In the Smoothskin videos and photos you’ll see the lovely model holding the Pure like this:
I find this hold tires my wrist because you must bend it downwards to position the flash window flat on your skin. It’s especially uncomfortable zapping legs. Instead, I prefer to grip the device from the side with either my thumb or fingers on the flash button. There’s much less strain on your wrist and arm.
However, with these grips, it’s easy to obscure the side power bars with your hand. So sometimes you can’t tell if the red lights are on. It takes just a bit of practice to master and you soon find the most comfortable way.
Multi-purpose flash window
The business end tapers gently to the flash window, so it’s precise to position and easy to see where you’re flashing. The flash window. is multi-purpose It’s a very versatile shape, good for most body areas. But some areas are trickier. Try holding the Pure Fit side wards or diagonally to flash knees, bony ankles and shins.
But rather surprisingly, my upper lip is easy to flash too. Not so with some rivals which require funny faces to get a flash. So, what’s different? It’s the shape. The zapping end of the Pure fits perfectly on either side of my top lip under my nose. You can also feel the edge of the flash window on your skin so you know where you’re flashing. And it flashes first time. Woohoo! No faff on my jawline or chin too. Finally! 🥳
Precision window
Personally, I didn’t feel the need for a smaller flash window because it’s very easy to flash in most areas without it. However, you do also get a smaller precision window. This clips over the main window and covers the ends so there’s a smaller opening.
Powerful & clever skin tone sensor
The Pure Fit is one of the most powerful home IPLs with IPL energy ranging from 3 to 6 J/cm2. The highest intensities are safe for lighter skin tones and give longer-lasting results than less powerful IPL. The lower intensities still work and are safe for darker tones up to type V.
Rest assured, the Pure Fit is clinically tested safe for home use and it passes the necessary UKCA and European manufacturing and safety standards. It’s FDA-cleared in the US too. And it has some neat, super-safe sensor tech inside.
The powerful IPL is controlled in ten small intensity increments, which is double that of most rivals. This means you get a more precise match to your individual skin tone. But there’s no guesswork in choosing your best intensity because the clever skin tone sensor does all the hard work for you. It works like this…
The blue sensor light above the flash widow scans your skin and if your skin tone is too dark, it won’t flash.
You’ll also see these red lights if you don’t have good skin contact when you flash. The skin contact sensor runs around the flash window. It won’t flash unless your skin covers it and so prevents accidental flashes into open space anywhere near your peepers!
If you have good skin contact and your skin tone is safe, the power bars light-up white. The lights show the strongest and safest intensity matching your skin tone.
My skin is fair so I get all 10 lights on full power. The sensor does this before every single flash so you don’t need to stop and check. Therefore, it’s the safest and easiest choice if you have varied skin tones across your body parts!
NOTE: Smoothskin says the Pure Fit is the most powerful home IPL with “20 Watts of hair-stopping power”. This is confusing because scientists don’t use Watts to measure the strength of IPL energy flashes. They measure it in joules per centimetre squared (J/cm2). Confusion aside, along with the Lumea Prestige and Braun Pro 5 IPL, the Pure is still the most powerful home IPL you can buy.
Gentle mode too
But with all this power, what if it stings?!?! I hear ya. Fret not.
The Pure Fit has a gentle mode. Just press the small mode button once and the feather icon shows white. This reduces the intensity of the IPL flashes. So, you’ll see fewer white lights on the power bar and feel less owie in sensitive areas like the bikini line and underarms.
But the product designers over at Smoothskin HQ were not yet content with this 🤓📋.
Zooooom!
They also gave the Pure Fit a speed mode.
Press the mode button again for ultrafast flashes in speed mode. Keep the flash button pressed and glide the Pure along your skin 1cm between flashes. It makes zapping large areas like your legs ultrafast. Smoothskin says you get up to 130 flashes per minute. That’s roughly a flash every 0.45 seconds and is the fastest flash rate of all home IPLs 🥇.
To flash so fast in speed mode, it drops the IPL intensity to the lowest setting. For light skin tones that’s at 4 J/cm2, and for darker tones in increments down to 3 J/cm2. In my tests, the flashes start ultrafast with a smooth, quick glide along your leg. Then, after half a leg they slow just a bit to a very fast and steady pace. A very meticulous full leg takes an average of 7 minutes. That’s the fastest, smoothest and most controlled glide we’ve tested on all home devices. So, if you have more important things to do and speed is what you need most, this is the bestestest choice.
How fast are the sessions?
Smoothskin says you can zap your whole body in 10 minutes. That’s a tad optimistic, even on speed mode. That’s because ankles, shins, knees, backs of legs etc slow you down.
However, my whole-body session – using speed mode on my legs and power mode on my face, bikini line and underarms – took a rather impressive 19 minutes. That knocks the previous champ Braun Pro 5 IPL off its throne and is simply the fastest home IPL you can buy 👑.
Sessions take a little longer on gentle or power mode because the flashes are slower. But even then, it’s still one of the fastest! On gentle mode, the flashes start every 0.5 seconds then, after about 30 seconds, slow to just under a second. On power mode, the flashes start as fast then slow to a flash every second or so. It takes around 9 minutes for a full leg zapping on gentle and power modes.
But because the option is there – and mainly because I’m lazy – I choose to zap my legs on speed mode and save myself a few precious minutes.
What does it feel like?
You hear the cooling fan whir and a soft pop with each flash.
The flashes are bright but harmless. However, they can get a bit irritating. To help, use the Pure in a well-lit room (this lessens the glare), or wear sunglasses if it’s too much 😎. (You don’t need protective goggles!)
The flashes feel warm and tingly against your skin. And on power mode, they get hot and can smart on sensitive areas. This is generally where hair is thicker and denser like your bikini line and underarms. I also find ankles and tops of my thighs sting a bit too. If it’s too much simply use gentle mode to reduce the heat and intensity.
The Pure is fast so you’re done before getting bored or tired. And once the flashes settle to a consistent pace it’s easy to time the gliding for accurate coverage. Bony and uneven areas take a bit more time and precision but are easy enough after a few sessions.
Skin redness is a common skin reaction to IPL. Your skin may also feel a bit hot and tingly. It’s normal and should wear off within 24 hours. Cool it with a damp facecloth or ice pack. Cooling water sprays are good too, as is Aloe Vera gel or a non-scented moisturiser.
Cover up and avoid tanning and sun exposure after your session. If you don’t there’s a higher risk you’ll experience the rare home IPL side effects.
Schedule, effort & results
Home laser and IPL devices demand effort and commitment. There’s a start-up routine to get you to smooth, and then top-up sessions maintain your results.
For start-up, do 12 weekly sessions with the Pure Fit. This catches all hairs actively growing and gives you your longest-lasting results from the start. A whole-body session takes around 20 minutes so it’s easy to fit in. Most people see noticeable results within 4 weeks, and significant results after 6 sessions.
Once you’ve finished the start-up, switch to less frequent top-ups to maintain your results. Smoothskin suggests every 1 month, but you may be able to stretch up to 2 months. That’s because your hairs get a larger dose of hair-stunting IPL from the 12 session start-up stage. After several top-ups, you’ll likely need them even less frequently. The Pure Fit gives excellent smooth skin results.
What results can you expect with the Pure Fit?
Shave before every treatment, and/or between sessions as you need.
Our user trial reports excellent results. Hair growth slows and softens after around 3 sessions. It gets even softer and lighter over the next few sessions until large bald patches appear. Shaving is much easier and without irritation and after 6 sessions skin is smooth. There are just a few tiny patches to shave before the next sessions. And by session 11 there’s nothing to shave anymore. Smooth and silky, and no ingrown hairs too!
Results are a little slower on legs using speed mode versus power mode on bikini and underarms. That’s because the IPL intensity on speed mode is less. It still works, and I love the option for faster sessions. But you can still use power mode if you prefer.
Once smooth, do top-ups as you need them. Shave if you need to before these. Do a few at one-month intervals then see if you can stretch to two, three and even further.
p
TIP:Top-up sessions are vital with all home IPL and laser devices. Studies show the more top-ups you do, the longer-lasting your results. So, over time you need top-ups even less frequently.
The Smoothskin Pure Fit Negatives
I found just a few minor negatives with the Pure Fit.
First, as mentioned earlier, it’s a bit faffy to get a flash on knees, ankles, shins and toes. It’s the same with most rival devices too. I find rotating the flash window 90° or 45° helps better line-up along the contours in these areas.
Second, the air vents on the underside sometimes have breathing difficulties. If you rest the Pure on a soft surface like a carpet or bed, it blocks the vents. This causes the fan to work extra hard, the device to heat up and the flashes to slow down. It’s simple to avoid this issue though. Just rest it on its back or side, or place it on a hard surface.
And then I get a bit clammy during sessions 😅. This obviously isn’t the Pure’s fault, but his delicious glossy exterior shows every single grubby fingerprint I leave on it. So, remember to rub him down with a cloth when you’re done, so he looks pretty for next time.
You also don’t get a fancy storage pouch or case with the Pure Fit. But who cares because the box it comes in does the same job! It also means there’s less waste. 🌎😇
And finally, the Pure Fit is expensive. But less so than the other premium models Braun Pro 5 and Philips Lumea Prestige. I think it’s well worth it for the fastest and easiest sessions with a quality device. Oh, and there’s a discount code below, just for you.
Here’s a quick summary of the scores and a round-up of the pros & cons to help you decide if the Pure is right for you.
Smoothskin Pure Fit review summary with pros & cons
The easiest & fastest, best value premium at-home IPL
This handsome and nimble zapper is so sleek and straightforward to use. That’s thanks to the powerful point-and-zap tech, with a gentle mode for extra control. In my tests, it’s the quickest to zap a whole-body too. A top choice for any body area, you get a WORLDWIDE 90-day money back guarantee too, so you can try it risk free. It’s ace.
4.9 / 5
Face, small bits, legs & large areas
💰💰💰
Here’s a quick recap of my test results and pros and cons of the Smoothskin Pure Fit:
Lamp lifetime
⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡
Excellent quality & build. Unlimited IPL flashes so you’ll never run out. Get smooth and stay that way for years to come. With a 2-year warranty. The best of the best for value.
Ease of use
👍👍👍👍👍
Auto-adjusts the IPL to match your skin tone before every flash. Light-weight & handy, with power, gentle & speed modes for extra control. And a small precision window for easy flashes everywhere. Full leg takes from 7 mins (speed mode). The fastest and easiest high-power home IPL for no-faff sessions, done in a jiffy.
Effort & results
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Do 12 weekly sessions. Hair growth slows & softens after 3+ sessions, then stops for hair-free skin after 6+ sessions. Finish all 12 sessions for your longest-lasting results. Then, do top-ups every 4 to 8 weeks. After several you’ll can get months of smoothness between top-up sessions. Excellent, quick results.
Pros
Excellent quality
Handsome, handy, lightweight & comfy
Powerful IPL auto-adjusts to your skin tone – fool proof & super-safe
Gentle mode for stingy bits
Fastest sessions, with speed mode for legs
Easy flashes with a precision window for tricky areas
Clinically-proven
UKCA & CE certified, & FDA cleared
The only WORLDWIDE money-back guarantee (90-days)
Cons
Easy to accidentally cover the air vents
Shows fingerprints & smudges
Expensive (but best value of the premium choices!)
SmoothSkin Pure Fit deals 🏷
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BODYBEAUT
Use this code at CurrentBody for an extra discount on SmoothSkin!
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NOTE:The Iluminage Touch and Me Sleek are both mains-power devices which use Elōs technology. Both are safe for ALL skin tones and work on fair hair as well as dark. Their branding and looks are slightly different, but they work in exactly the same way.
TIP:For this review I tested the Iluminage Touch device by Iluminage Beauty. The Me Sleek device is an alternative brand choice from the same manufacturer, with identical technology, indications and ease of use.
The Iluminage Touch is safe for ALL skin tones because it uses much gentler IPL than other devices, and combines it with Radio Frequency current. The Radio Frequency travels through your skin down to the hair root creating gentle resistance and so heat. This gives the IPL flashes easier passage through our skin by following the path of the RF. Therefore, it can use much gentler (but still effective) IPL, that’s safe for dark and black skin too. The combined IPL and RF energy is called Elōs. Learn more about this FDA-cleared technology here.
Your hair growth slows after each session until it’s greatly reduced. Eventually it stops growing altogether and periodic use keeps your skin silky smooth. Learn more about how home IPL works here.
Safe for ALL skin tones
The devices from Iluminage and Me are safe for dark and black skin, as well as light and medium. They’re safe because they use IPL combined with Radio Frequency. The two energies work together creating more heat around your hair follicles, right where it’s needed, to cause damage which stunts your hair growth.
So, this means the Touch and Me Sleek use much gentler IPL that usually wouldn’t work, and that’s safe for dark skin tones. Both the devices are clinically proven and FDA-cleared safe and effective on all skin tones. The technology is called Elōs (electro-optical synergy) and you can learn more about how Elōs works here.
Quality & lamp lifetime
There are two Touch models; one with 120,000 and the other with 300,000 flashes. The first lasts around 2 years of monthly whole-body sessions and so is probably best for just face and small areas. The latter lasts for around 5 years of monthly whole-body sessions. It’s enough to get you smooth and keep you that way for many years. But, depending on how frequently you need top-up sessions, you may eventually run out of flashes.
These models aren’t as good value as the Silk’n Infinity (also safe for all skin tones), but it’s decent enough. Replacement flash cartridges are available (but quite expensive).
The Me Sleek model gives unlimited flashes!
The mains-powered base unit and corded applicator is now a slightly out-dated design. But despite that, 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.
Design & speed
The device is easy to operate with simple controls and three intensity levels. The advantage of the applicator is it’s small, lightweight, and familiar, just like an electric shaver. Therefore, it’s very comfortable to hold and intuitive to position around your body.
And it’s even easier than other rivals because there’s no flash button to press. It flashes automatically when the two RF contact bars are against your skin. So, you’ll feel no strain as you zap away! It also means you can’t accidentally flash anywhere near your eyes. Simply stamp the applicator against your skin for single, precise flashes.
There’s no faff with skin tone sensors either because it’s safe for all skin tones. But, be sure to start on LOW and work up the levels only if it’s comfortable.
The Touch flashes every 0.9 to 1.9 seconds. It’s fastest on LOW level. You must cover your skin in flashes 2 or 3 times. Iluminage suggest it takes around 10 minutes per full leg. We find it closer to 15 minutes on the lowest level. It therefore takes even longer on the higher intensity levels.
For dark & fair hair
For fastest, longest lasting results on dark hair you must shave before your sessions.
And if you’ll be zapping fatcial or neck hairs I recommend dermaplaning as an alternative to shaving. There are dermaplane tool deals at the end of this review.
However, the Precise Touch is also clinically proven effective on fair hair (blonde and red) if you pluck, wax or epilate immediately before your sessions too.
This helps the IPL work on hair colours without the melanin pigment found in dark hair. Instead, the IPL energy targets the small blood droplets left behind in the follicle after it’s pulled out.
Although the Iluminage clinical tests don’t include grey/white hair, it should be effective in precisely the same way as blonde and red hair.
The Iluminage Touch also comes with an epilator attachment, to speed up sessions for fair hair users. The attachment sits in front of the flash window so you can pluch and zap together. Your hair thickness and density determines if this is a sensible approach for you. If not, you can wax or epilate first, then zap with the Touch.
(Note: the Me Sleek does not have an epilator attachment.)
p
TIP: You should shave dark hair before using the Touch for faster and longer lasting results.
You can also wax or epilate if you have dark hair. Or pluck darker facial hairs if you suffer with fast, daily growth and don’t want to shave. But, for both fair and dark hair that you pluck, you’ll need more than 7 weekly sessions to see results. More on this next.
Results
Treat weekly for seven sessions to get smooth. You may use the device more frequently on facial hair if needed – up to 2 to 3 times per week. Then switch to monthly top-ups.
Seven weekly sessions is usually enough to get smooth. But on darker skin using the low intensity level you may need a few more sessions. And some people may need slightly more frequent top-up sessions to maintain smooth, fuzz-free skin. Learn more about home IPL results here.
And for fair hair, be prepared you may need over double the recommended sessions. So, around 14+ weekly sessions. That’s because, to be effective, the IPL relies on just a micro dot of blood in the follicle. Therefore, hairs may need to be waxed/epilated and zapped several times to be effective. Also, 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. Be prepared for the extra commitment!
Negatives
There are rather a few negatives to consider with the Iluminage Touch. Here goes…
First, unlike other IPL devices you must cover your skin with multiple flashes. And passing over each area 2 or 3 times is more time consuming. You won’t notice it so much on small areas like face, bikini line and underarms, but you’ll really feel it on legs. Especially on the high intensity levels. Therefore, the Touch is a lot of time and effort for whole body or legs sessions. Try the Silk’n Infinity for much faster sessions. It’s safe for dark and black skin too.
Second, on fair hair you’ll need several more sessions than advertised. So, be prepared for significant weekly commitment and effort. Unfortunately, there are no clinically proven alternatives to try for fair hair.
And finally, there’s no money back guarantee and the Touch is pricey. It’s expensive because it’s a premium device that’s FDA-cleared for both dark skin and fair hair. But if the price tag still makes your nose bleed, try the Silk’n Infinity instead. It’s a cheaper alternative for darker skin and gives faster zapping sessions too.
Iluminage Touch & Me Sleek Review Summary
The Iluminage Touch (and Me Sleek) are easy to use and quality devices. But they really stand out because the clever combined IPL & RF mean it’s gentle and safe for all skin tones, including the very darkest. And it works on fair and grey hairs if you pluck before hand. They’re the only devices clinically proven to do so.
Here’s a summary of my test scores, and pros and cons for the Iluminage Touch to help you decide:
Lamp lifetime
⚡⚡⚡⚡
The Touch’s flashes last around 5 years of monthly whole-body sessions. That’s long enough to get you smooth and stay so for many years. Very good value. Or choose the Me Sleek with unlimited flashes!
Ease of use
👍👍👍👍
Simple to use with a lightweight corded applicator. Flashes with skin contact, no button to press. Very comfortable to use, average speed sessions and gentle on the skin. Wax or use with the epilator for fair hair removal.
Effort & Results
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Medium & gentle power IPL. Seven weekly sessions for smooth skin, then top-ups every month or so to stay that way. But it takes twice as long on fair hair!
Pros
Nimble applicator, robust & easy to use
Flashes on skin contact, no button to press!
Use low intensity for dark skin, gives fastest sessions
Me Sleek gives unlimited flashes
Clinically proven on ALL skin tones including the darkest black
Clinically proven to work on fair hair (blonde & red)
FDA-cleared & CE certification
Cons
It’s expensive at full RRP
No money back guarantee
Slow & time consuming sessions vs rivals
Longer than advertised results for fair hair users
Some models give fewer flashes (but you can buy replacement cartridges)
View Iluminage Touch & Me Sleek deals
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