The Smoothskin Pure and Bare+ use 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.
Quality
The Smoothskin devices are top quality, long-lasting choices designed with your ease in mind. They’re beautifully presented without being wasteful, and they’re a joy to open too.
Classy, compact & simple black boxes with slide-off info sleeves.I love the compact, eco-friendly packaging with both devices ♻. They fit in a draw so double as protective storage too.The contents of the Pure & Bare+ boxesBoth devices come with a quick start guide or full manual – download the full user manuals hereExcellent materials, robust build quality, with classic, stylish looks.
Both devices give unlimited flashes from the IPL bulb, so there’s no worry about ever running out! They’re excellent value and the only home IPL devices to offer this. They also come with a reassuring 2-year warranty. Oh, and extra peace of mind with a worldwide 90-day money back guarantee. Top job.
Shape & design
Sleek & sophisticated Pure (left), curvy cute & fun Bare+ (right)Distinctive, sleek, glossy-black styling, the Pure with gold trim, and the Bare+ with rose-gold.Ergonomic & compact shapesComfy & lightweight even for small handsThe Pure gently curves into the handle. The rounded Bare+ tapers to the flash window.The handle works to keep the cord out your way as you workThick & strong fixed power cables for extra durabilityBoth have 2-metre long thick & supple power cablesLarge, easy-press flash buttons. The Bare+ has just one button, & the Pure’s mode button blends seamlessly into the sleek design.The cooling air vents on the underside of each. The Pure’s can get blocked if placed on a soft surface.Both have a multi-purpose medium-size 3cm2 (1 by 3 cm) flash window.
The white rim around the flash windows is the skin contact sensor on each. This is to stop accidental flashes near your eyes. Your skin must be touching all along the sensor or else the device will not flash. There’s more on safety and power next.
Safety & power
Here’s a quick spec and features comparison for safety and power.
Power & Safety comparison
Pure
Bare+
Skin tone sensor
Skin tone sensor
3 to 6 J/cm2
4 J/cm2
10 energy increments
Just 1 energy level
Won’t flash if your skin’s too dark
Matches every flash to your skin tone
Won’t flash if your skin’s too dark
Flashes the same intensity each time
Gentle mode
No gentle mode
Both devices protect skin that’s too dark with a skin tone sensor.
Blue skin tone sensors continuously scan your skin toneThe skin tone sensors stop flashes if your skin tone is too dark, and show red lights.
The Pure has a low to high IPL intensity range of 3 to 6 J/cm2. Dark skin tones can use the low intensities and fair skin the higher ones. It keeps your skin safe because, before every flash, the sensor auto-adjusts the IPL level to match your skin tone. There are 10 intensity level shown on the power bars.
The Pure’s power bar showing the highest IPL intensity safe for fair skin tones
Using the high IPL levels on fair skin gives faster and longer-lasting results. This means with the Pure you can get smooth faster and stay smooth for longer between top-ups than with a lower power device. So, if you have lighter skin, the Pure’s powerful IPL may appeal more than the Bare+.
That’s because, in contrast, the Bare+ has just one medium IPL intensity of 4 J/cm2. It’s safe for light to dark tones. The medium IPL still works on fair skin, but you may need more sessions and more frequent top-ups to stay smooth. If you have a medium skin tone, the Bare+’s medium strength IPL is your perfect match.
However, if your skin is dark type V, the Pure offers more control then the Bare+ for the comfiest sessions. That’s because, if you find the IPL too hot, you have an optional gentle mode to lower the intensity below 4 J/cm2, and down to 3 J/cm2.
How to use them
Smoothskin recommend shaving immediately before your sessions. If you don’t want to shave your face, try dermaplaning instead.
Then, once you’ve found a comfy, well-lit spot you’re good to start a’zappin!
Both devices give you plug-in-&-go simple operation.
Simply plug them into the mains. They start up immediately. Then, place the flash window flush against your skin and press flash. After each flash, move to an adjacent spot and repeat. You can keep the flash button pressed and glide over your skin for continuous flashes. Or press and release for single flashes where you need more precision and control e.g., on the face, bikini line etc.
When you have good skin contact and the device is ready to flash, you’ll see white lights.
Remember: If your skin tone is too dark or it’s not flush against your skin, you’ll see red lights.
And that’s it for the Bare+. Fast, no-faff and super-simple!
But you get more control with the Pure.
Press mode button once for gentle mode (feather icon) & less intense IPL
First, if you find the flashes sting a bit, press the mode button once. This lowers the IPL intensity a notch or two in gentle mode, so it’s less hot. It’s comfier for darker skin tones and for sensitive areas like bikini line.
Press mode button again for speed mode (speedy-stopwatch icon) & medium IPL power
Next, there’s speed mode. Press the mode button again and you see the speedy stopwatch icon. This lowers the IPL intensity to 4 J/cm2. And this is good because the IPL bulb recharges faster in between flashes versus on the higher IPL intensities. So, the flashes are quicker and you can cover your skin much faster. I love this mode for zapping my legs.
Which is easiest & fastest to use?
Both devices are fast, simple, and comfortable to use. But the Pure is more sophisticated, a little easier and faster. Let’s compare them now.
Comfy grip with thumb on the flash button, good for legs, tummy & bikini linePrecise, controlled grip with fingers on the flash button, good for face, chest & underarms
The grips are similar and comfy with both devices, and it’s quick to find the easiest way. You hold them directly over the flash button between your fingers and thumb. They fit comfy in your hand without strain, and are intuitive and handy to manoeuvre around your body.
The cord sometimes gets in the way with the Bare+ as it has no handle.
However, the Pure’s shape is slightly easier because the handle keeps the cord out of the way. With the Bare+ you must move the cord frequently, especially along your legs. However, it’s easy after a little practise. Both cords are very long giving plenty of slack if you’re near a mains outlet.
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TIP: An extension may be helpful if you want to work on your bed or near to a mirror without an outlet close by.
I also find it easier to gauge where the flash window is with the Pure. That’s because the shape of the treatment head moulds around the flash window better. So, it’s easier and more accurate to position. The shape is a perfect fit with easy flashes on my upper lip too.
Pure’s treatment head is easier to position & flash (perfect fit on upper lip!)The Bare+ is a little tricky to zap your tache (puffing-out your cheeks helps) and jaw line.The spacing, shape and extra sensitive skin sensor make for slightly easier flashes with the Pure
Both devices have the same features on the treatment head. However, the Pure’s blue skin tone sensor is slightly further from the flash window. And the skin sensor (white rim around the flash window) looks slightly wider and is more sensitive on the Pure. Therefore, it’s easier to flash on uneven surfaces.
However, with both devices it’s still a little tricky to flash small or uneven, bony surfaces, such as shins and ankles. It helps to rotate the flash window, angling it along the bone. It’s easy once you know how, but because the Pure is a little easier to flash than the Bare+, its sessions are faster.
Pure is fastest: 7 mins per full leg vs 11 mins with the Bare+
In my speed tests the Pure comes out on top. It’s not just about the advertised flash rate – the shape, comfort, manoeuvrability, consistency, and ease of flashes all play a vital role. Here’s how the Pure and Bare+ compare in my speed tests. I tested both on myself over several sessions and took the average times.
Speed of sessions comparison
Pure
Bare+
Face, small bits, legs & large areas
Face, small bits, legs & large areas
Up to 130 flashes per min
Up to 100 flashes per min
The flashes slow as the device heats up and then are steady & consistent.
The flashes slow as the device heats up and then are steady & consistent.
9 mins per full leg (high) 7 mins per full leg (speed)
19 mins for whole body
11 mins per full leg
30 mins for whole body
What do they feel like?
With both models you’ll hear the cooling fan whir and a small pop with each flash. The flashes are bright but harmless to your eyes. You can wear sunglasses to ease any irritation.
The Bare+ feels mostly gentle and warm on medium and fair skin tones. On darker skin the medium IPL intensity may feel hot, and you can’t lower the intensity any. So, it may not be the best choice for you. However, you can test it and see and return it within 90-days if it’s not for you.
The Pure feels warm to hot depending on your skin tone and sensitivity of your treatment area. If it stings or feels too much, use gentle mode. It’s good to have this extra control for darker skin tones.
Treatment schedules & results
The start-up schedule is the same for both the Pure and Bare+. Treat weekly for 12 weeks. You’ll typically see noticeable to significant results after 6+ weeks.
During your start-up phase, you’ll notice hairs grow slower, softer, finer and lighter after a few sessions. Shaving is easier without vicious stubble, rash or ingrown hairs. Eventually bald patches appear and get bigger. You may see these results very quickly, or slower and more gradually over 12 weeks.
Smoothskin recommend you complete all 12 sessions so you catch all hairs during an active growth cycle. It also means you can go longer in between top-up sessions from the start. You’ll typically need top-up sessions every month or two with the Pure, and between 2 to 4 weeks with the Bare+ (because it’s slightly less powerful). However, for most people, once you’ve done several top-ups you can usually wait even longer between them.
Both the Pure and Bare+ are excellent choices, and top choices in my best allrounder devices round-up, especially for whole-body sessions. The Pure outperforms the Bare+, so if you’ve got the cash, go for it! But if you need something more affordable for medium to light skin tones, rest assured the Bare+ is a fast, quality choice too.
Here’s a quick summary comparison table of the spec, test and performance data for the Pure and Bare+ to help you decide:
Everything comparison
Pure
Bare+
Face, small bits, legs & large areas
Face, small bits, legs & large areas
💰💰💰
💰💰
Clinically proven CE certified FDA-cleared
Clinically proven CE certified FDA-cleared
2-year warranty
2-year warranty
Worldwide 90-day money back guarantee
Worldwide 90-day money back guarantee
Mains-power
Mains-power
Optional precision flash window with Pure Fit model
Optional precision flash window with Bare+ Fit model
270g
200g
Unlimited flashes!
Unlimited flashes!
3 to 6 J/cm2 10 energy increments
4 J/cm2 Just 1 energy level
Skin tone sensor
Skin tone sensor
Won’t flash if your skin’s too dark
Matches every flash to your skin tone
Won’t flash if your skin’s too dark
Flashes the same intensity each time
g
3x Modes: Power (default), Gentle, Speed
g
1x standard mode (❌ gentle mode)
Feels warm to hot. Use gentle mode if it stings!
Feels warm. No gentle mode for dark skin tones.
7 mins per full leg
19 mins for full body
11 mins per full leg
30 mins for full body
12 weekly sessions, then top-ups 4 to 8 weeks.
Faster & longer lasting results on the high power levels/light skin tones.
12 weekly sessions, then top-ups 2 to 4 weeks.
More sessions / top-ups needed.
Excellent quality Simple Very comfy Easier Faster
Excellent quality Simple Handy Fairly easy flashes Fast
Takes practise on shins & ankles
Easy to accidentally cover the air vents
Shows grubby finger prints!
Cord sometimes gets in the way
Takes practise on shins & ankles
No gentle mode for dark skin tones
Smoothskin Pure & Bare+ deals
When you shop via my links I earn a small commission (but your price stays the same). And I really appreciate your support 🙏!
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) hair removal slows and reduces hair regrowth after each treatment. Eventually, hair stops growing and periodic use will keep you fuzz and stubble free. Learn more about how home IPL works here.
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IMPORTANT: Silk’n in the US and Canada don’t promote the Infinity safe for the darkest and black skin tones. That’s because it’s FDA-cleared for Fitzpatrick types I to V, but NOT the darkest type VI. However, in Europe – where the FDA has no jurisdiction it’s advertiused safe for the darkest skin tones with a small study as evidence.
First impressions
The Silk’n Infinity comes in a neat, hot pink and white box. It shows all the key info including skin colour and hair colour chart, body areas you can treat, and a diagram explaining eHPL (galvanic and IPL energies).
The box is sturdy and has a slide off info sleeve printed in several languages. The box prominently says ‘Permanent hair removal’. However, it’s proven to give ‘permanent hair reduction’ just as with all other home laser & IPL devices. Diagram explaining eHPL (galvanic and IPL energies).
Slide off the information sleeve and underneath is a strong pink and white cardboard box.
The compact, sturdy silver storage case cuts down on protective plastic packaging so there’s only recyclable card board. Top marks.The storage case is lovely quality with a silky feel, strong zip and Silk’n branding.Un-zip the lid and inside is the Silk’n Infinity device and power cable nestled in a secure moulded bed.There’s a fabric sleeve where you can keep the user manual, warranty card and cleaning cloth.
Everything is neat and in its place. The storage case is a super extra from Silk’n. The full contents inside the storage case are shown below:
The Silk’n Infinity box contents.
What’s in the box?
Silk’n Infinity 400,000 device
Mains adaptor with UK, europe and US plugs
User manual
Warranty card
Hard zip-up storage case
Cleaning cloth
Keep reading to learn the pros & cons of the Infinity!
Before you start
Before you start zapping away, first read the user manual and do a skin sensitivity test.
The Silk’n Infinity user manual is an easy but slightly dry read. It has helpful photos and diagrams to help get you acquainted with the device and is presented in a logical order. It describes the possible side effects, clinical study results, how to use it and what to expect during your treatments.
The Silk’n Infinity user manual and Silk’n warranty card (UK and Europe).
Read the important warnings and reasons the Infinity may not be safe or suitable for you. Such contraindications include being pregnant, having epilepsy, taking photosensitising medications, skin conditions, on tattoos or after skin peels plus more. Learn more about general contraindications for home IPL. You can download the user manual from silkn.eu.
There’s also some important tanning advice in the user manual too. There’s more on tanning and sun exposure here. You must:
✔️ Wait at least 4 weeks since sun exposure or sunbathing before using the device
✔️ Cover-up and avoid sun exposure on treated areas for at least 2 weeks after your treatment.
✔️ Apply SPF 30+ sun protection for the duration of your regimen
However, Silk’n UK and Europe advise you can use the Infinity after sun bathing and sun exposure, but only on intensity level 1. This means you can keep using the Infinity in Summer months for top-ups to keep your skin smooth. Then, in the winter months, use your usual intensity level again.
PLEASE NOTE: Silk’n.com US and Canada DON’T say you can use level 1 on suntanned skin because it’s not FDA cleared as such.
The skin tone chart at the start of the manual recommends which intensity levels are safe for your skin tone.
Skin tone & intensity level chart from the user manual.
The user manual says to do skin patch tests starting at level 1 and at each higher level that’s noted safe for your skin tone, or that you find comfortable. Do this for each individual body area. Wait 1 hour and if it’s all clear you can select your preferred level and start with your full treatment.
Here’s a quick summary on how to use the Silk’n Infinity, and there’s loads more detail in the following sections.
Just follow these steps:
Shave before every treatment (unless there’s no hair left!)
Plug in and press the power button. You’ll hear the fan start up inside, the level one intensity light illumiates and then the ready light flashes
Select your intensity level by pressing the power button to cycle through the levels
Position flat on your skin at a 90-degree angle, and with your thumb or fingers on the silver base plate, press the large 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 Infinity powers down.
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TIP:Galvanic current opens your pores making your skin is extra absorbent, so apply a body moisturiser immediately after for super-soft skin!
For this review I tested the Silk’n Infinity on my full legs, extended bikini line, underarms and face. It’s gentle, simple and fast. Here’s my feedback.
Shape & design
The Infinity device is slightly bigger than expected, but still compact compared to other devices. The design is simple, clean and functional with a large flash button. It’s light-weight (228g), feels good to hold and is very easy to manoeuvre. The simple controls and a secure mains-power cable are tucked away on the curvy base.
The curvy shape fits comfortably in your hand. It’s like a large smooth white pebble.The airvents, silver Glavanic plate and simple controls on the underside of the Infinity. The business-end tapers to the flash window. The under-side has a slight indent on the silver base electrode plate which provides a natural, comfortable grip.Hold the Infinity either with your thumb on the flash button (as above) or your fingers on it instead. Both grips are comfortable and without strain.
The Infinity has one 2.7 cm2 multi-use flash window. This is a decent size for larger body areas. However, the end of the device is quite bulky, so it’s difficult to position and flash on the upper lip and jawline. It takes a bit of practise – puffing your cheeks helps to get good skin contact on the upper lip.
The 2.7 cm2 (0.9cm x 3cm) flash window next to smaller skin tone sensor window.
It runs on mains-power only with a decent 180cm cord. But use an extension cable so you can sit anywhere and not put strain on the cord e.g. next to a full-length mirror or on your bed.
The power cable is 180 cm long, good quality and is thick enough.
You get 3 inter-changeable plug adaptors; a UK, European and US adaptor. They’re easy to change, handy if you’re travelling and all fit neatly in the storage case.
The 2-pin European, 2-pin USA and 3-pin UK power plug. It’s perfect for travelling or on holiday.Slide the ‘open’ button and the adaptor pops out. Take another plug and slide the lip at the top in first and then push in at the bottom. Simples.
The design is clean and simple, there’s no fancy ergonomic grip, but it’s comfortable to maneouvre around your body like a smooth and lightweight electric shaver or epilator. And it’s good quality too. you get 400,000 or 500,000 flashes from the IPL bulb (depending on the model). That’s enough for more than 200 full body treatments (full legs, bikini line, underarms and face). So, the lamp lifetime is excellent and the flashes will last 15+ years of monthly use.
N.B. I’ve used only the bulb life to calculate the years of use. General usage and wear and tear can also affect how long the machine keeps working.
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TIP:Connect your Infinity device to the App via Bluetooth and you can see how many flashes you’ve used per treatment, overall and how many are left!
The App also lets you lock the device, preventing use by any little monsters or curious big kids.
Gentle & galvanic circulation
Press the power button to cycle-up the levels to 5 and back to 1 again.
Like most other home IPL devices, the Silk’n Infinity has 5 intensity levels. But it’s different to other home IPL devices because it’s boosted with galvanic energy too. Galvanic energy is a very low electrical current passed through the skin. It’s widely used in cosmetic treatments for a few decades now.
Left: Silver touch electrode around the flash window, Right: silver base electrode plate on the bottom of the device. Touch both with your skin to complete the galvanic circuit.
The Infinity has silver-coloured electrodes around the flash window and on the base. With the window against your skin and your fingers on the base this completes a galvanic circuit and the energy circulates through your skin.
You won’t see the current (the’re certainly no sparks!) and you won’t feel it, but it temporarily opens your pores. And wider-open pores uncovers more of the hair, which then absorbs extra IPL energy. Therefore, the Infinity can use gentler, less intense IPL energy and still get similar results as more powerful devices.
Level one IPL is a gentle 3 J/cm2 & safe for dark & black skin. The highest IPL level five is 4 J/cm2and safe for lighter tones.
This gentle IPL means not only are the lower IPL levels safe for dark and black skin, but sessions are more comfortable for everyone with less risk of any side effects. If you’re looking for a gentle home IPL, this is the one.
And don’t forget, since your pores open with the galvanic current, body lotion penetrates deeply for softer, well moisturised skin. So don’t forget to apply some afterwards!
Eye & skin safety
The Silk’n Infinity is clinically proven safe for home-use. It passes the necessary European manufacturing and safety standards for the CE mark. It’s FDA-cleared in the US too (but not for skin type VI).
There’s an in-built safety feature to protect your eyes. It only flashes if your skin completely covers the galvanic flash window electrode. Therefore, you can’t accidentally flash it in open air and potentially harm your eyes.
It also protects your skin with an inbuilt IPL filter blocking UV light wavelengths. And, as described above, it uses gentler IPL than you’ll find in other machines. This reduces the risk of side effects and discomfort during your sessions.
However, there’s also a skin tone sensor to protect the darkest skin tones. It’s clever because it checks the intensity level you’ve chosen is safe for your tone.
The smaller sensor window sits just below the flash window. It tests your skin at the start, when you change intensity level and periodically throughout treatment.
If your tone and intensity level is safe, the Infinity flashes.
However, if the level is too intense for your tone, the Infinity won’t flash. Instead, the indicator light between intensities 1 and 5 flashes blue. You must then lower the intensity to a safe level. And only those intensity levels safe for your skin tone are activated. So, simply select one of these lower levels and start your treatment.
Intensity levels 1 and 2 are safe for the darkest skin tones Fitzpatrick types V and VI.
Although the skin tone sensor doesn’t automatically choose the best intensity level for you, I do think it’s a neat little safety feature that keeps darker skin tones safe.
It’s fast
Keep the flash button pressed for continuous flashes in glide mode.
The Infinity’s flash rate is quick, between 1 to 2 seconds. It’s fastest on the lower intensities. Keep the flash button pressed for continuous flashes in glide mode. After each flash slide the handset 1cm along your skin (the height of the flash window) to the next position. It’s not quite a smooth continuous motion, but it’s fast enough and you’ll pick up a good rhythm with a little practise.
And it’s quick to finish a session.
Silk’n say you can cover a full leg in 8 minutes. In my tests, I can meticulously cover a full leg in 12 minutes. Silk’n also say you can cover your full body in 20 mins. That also is a little optimistic. It took me just over 40 minutes for a whole-body (full legs, extended bikini, underarms and face).
You get easy and fast sessions with the Silk’n Infinity. It’s just a little slower than most of the fastest – and more expensive – premium devices.
What does it feel like?
You’ll hear the quiet whirring of the cooling fan. Each flash makes a clicking sound. It’s louder on the higher intensities, and louder than most rivals (which make a gentle ‘pop’ sound).
The flashes are bright white too. But against your skin they’re harmless to your eyes. However, they can seem annoyingly bright. Use in a well-lit room (so they don’t appear so intense). And wear sunglasses to help ease the glare.
The flashes feel warm but don’t smart. Our tester (medium skin tone), felt no stinging sensation on those sensitive areas where other IPL devices sting, such as underarms, bikini line and ankles. The soft sensation is because of the gentle IPL pulses.
However, the device does heat up on larger areas like legs. Therefore, it’s a good idea to start with smaller more sensitive areas if you’re treating your whole-body or multiple areas.
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TIP:As with all home devices, make sure you get a good clean shave. This reduces any heat on your skin surface and makes the IPL energy more effective down in the follicle.
It takes concentration to remember where you’ve zapped, especially on curvy legs. But after a session or two you’ll work out the best way to cover your skin.
A common reaction to the IPL is slight skin pinkness around the hair. It’s normal and should fade quickly within 24 hours. Silk’n recommend moisturising after your session. Not only is this soothing, but remember your skin is extra absorbent because the galvanic current opens your pores! So, get extra-soft and hydrated skin from your favourite body moisturiser.
And cover up and/or wear a high SPF 30+ in the sun. This helps protect your skin from sunburn and reduces the risk of developing any of the rare home IPL side effects.
Schedule, effort & results
All 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. This schedule is longer if you have darker skin and will use the lower IPL intensities.
On lighter skin tones using the higher intensities, it’s easy and one of the least effort home IPL devices. You need around 4 sessions, 1 every 2 weeks. A whole-body session takes around 40 minutes. Continue these every 2 weeks until smooth. Then, once smooth, do monthly sessions. After around 3 monthly sessions you’ll likely be able to go longer between these top-ups. Do them as frequently as you feel you need.
Start-up schedule for fair skin/IPL intensities 4 or 5
However, on darker skin tones using the lower intensity levels, it’s more effort. To get smooth, you needaround 12 sessions, 1 every 2 weeks. It’s the same 40 minutes for a full body session . So you must commit this time and effort for a little longer to see your best results. Then, do top-up sessions as often as you need them (typically monthly) to keep you smooth.
Start-up schedule for dark skin/IPL intensities 1 to 3
Therefore, for darker skin tones, it’s important to have realistic expectations about the effort required. You must have patience and commitment to the cause. Stay strong!
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TIP: If you can’t fit in the full 40 minutes for your whole body, you can zap different body areas on alternate days. Just remember to keep track of what you’ve done!
What results can you expect?
The following outlines results on lighter skin tones using the higher intensity levels. For darker skin tones, the results appear slower and more gradually during the 12 sessions.
Hairs still grow during the first few weeks. However, the rate slows. Shave before your next sessions.
A few sessions in you’ll notice fewer hairs growing. They’ll
be softer, finer and lighter too. And much easier to shave. Around this stage,
you may not need to shave in between sessions.
After 4 or 5 sessions you should be smooth, or have just a few patches of hair remainig. You can continue treatments every 2 weeks until you have totally smooth skin, or switch to monthly sessions to manage the stragglers.
Keep going with monthly sessions as you need them i.e. if soft growth appears. You can eventually increase the time between these top-ups to 6 or even 8 weeks. But keep doing them. Because if you don’t the hair will grow back! And the more you do the longer lasting your results become. Learn more about the importance of top-ups here.
The negatives
There are just a few negatives with the Infinity device. And
then a few more with how Silk’n advertise it.
First up, the Infinity device.
A bit bulky
The business-end of the Infinity is a bit bulky compared to the size of the flash window. This makes it tricky to position and flash on awkward areas like your upper-lip and jawline.
Harder to position & flash on the upper-lip and jawline.
Face-pulling helps. Puff-out your cheeks and flatten your lips for a ‘flashable’ surface. It takes a bit of practise, but still works.
Puff out your cheeks for easier flashes on your upper lip!
Next, the skin tone sensor baffles a few dark skin tone users because it won’t flash on the higher intensities. Silk’n do explain it activates just the safe intensities for your tone, but they do this only very briefly in the user manual. It’s easy to miss and thus cause confusion and frustration. So, Silk’n should make it much clearer (I hope it’s clear in this review 🧐).
If you want a more sophisticated design with improved comfort, better flash windows, and sensors that automatically select your best IPL intensity, then try the Lumea Prestige, Smoothskin Pure or Braun Pro 5. But if your skin is dark, or affordable simplicity is what you need, then you can’t beat the Infinity.
Silk’n niggles
Next, a few niggles with how Silk’n promote the Infinity.
First, the guidance on safe skin tones differs in the US. In the UK and Europe, Silk’n promote it safe for types I to VI. But in the USA the range is I to V. It’s confusing, but there is a simple reason. It’s because of the FDA-clearance required for home IPL devices in the USA. Learn more about Silk’n Infinity and FDA-clearance here.
Second, Silk’n do a very poor job explaining what to expect on darker skin tones. It takes much longer to see results when using the lower intensities safe for dark skin, compared to lighter skin using the highest intensities. You’ll also need more regular sessions to stay smooth. This isn’t a defect with the Infinity, it’s just how the science works. But Silk’n don’t mention this anywhere in the user manual or in their sales materials. Learn more about it in the Silk’n study results on skin type V and VI.
And finally, if you live in the UK or Europe, you don’t get a money back guarantee with the Infinity. Boo. However, buy from Silkn.com in the US or Silkn.ca in Canada, and you get a 60-day money back guarantee. Hurrah! So, you can buy and try without risk on fair hair or dark skin to see if it works for you.
Silk’n Infinity Review Summary
Yup, the Infinity is rather special because sessions are quick, and the clever, combined technology means it’s gentle and safe for dark skin tones too. It’s well-made, comfortable to hold, and easy to manoeuvre. And whilst not the easiest to flash on more awkward areas, it just takes a bit of practise to get right.
Here’s a summary of my Silk’n Infinity test scores, and pros and cons to help you decide:
Lamp lifetime
⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡
It’s well-made and super value with flashes to last 15+ years of use. One of the best.
Ease of use
👍👍👍👍
Simple, light-weight & comfy, corded design. Clever skin tone sensor detects darker tones and activates only the lower, safe intensities.
Effort & Results
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Gentle to medium power IPL. Get smooth with 4 treatments, 1 every 2 weeks, then switch to one per month to stay smooth. However, it takes longer on dark skin using the lower intensties.
The Smoothskin Pure and Braun Pro 5 IPL use 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.
Quality & long-lasting
Both are top-quality home devices.
Professional, neat & attractive small packages with little plastic waste ♻
The Braun Pro 5 IPL uses little plastic and secures the device and bits in an attractive storage pouch inside the outer cardboard packaging. However, Smoothskin’s cardboard box does a slightly better job than the pouch. Reuse it and protective inners to safely store the Pure. Both fit easily in a draw but the Pure box gives sturdier protection.
Smoothskin Pure packaging doubles as storage box vs storage pouch extra with the Pro 5Pure vs Pro 5 box contentsBraun’s comprehensive user manual, and a quick start guide with the Pure – download the full user manual!
The build quality is excellent with both, and amongst the best of the home IPLs. The materials are different with each, but equally strong and robust with no creaks or cracks. You get a 2-year warranty with each.
Quality, strong & robust build with fixed power cables for extra durability
And both give plenty of IPL flashes so there’s no need to worry about running out.
The Braun Pro 5 gives a whopping 400,000 flashes which can cover around 1,200,000 cm2 of your body. Based on our standardised calculations this equates to 200+ whole-body sessions (face, underarms bikini line, full legs) or 15+ years of monthly sessions. It’s one of the best.
But the Pure has no limit on the number of IPL flashes you get. It’s the only high-power home IPL to give unlimited flashes from the bulb, so it’s easy to see it’s super value. However, both devices score top marks because they each give many more flashes than you’ll ever need to get and stay smooth. They’re superb value.
So, there’s very little difference between quality and lamp life time with the Pure and Pro 5. Both score top marks.
Styling & design
The classic white and gold styling of the Pro 5 is distinctly Braun. It’s attractive, but I prefer the sleek, glossy black Pure. I love how the controls blend into the design so it’s unfussy, with just a touch of bling from the thin gold trim. It really stands out compared to the Pro 5 and other rivals.
Classic white & gold vs sleek glossy-black & goldThe Pure’s controls blend into the sleek designThe underside of each device with cooling air vents
During use, the Pure’s air vents block easily when placed on a soft surface. To stop this and the Pure heating up, place it on its side or top instead. The Braun’s vents don’t have this problem.
Both have a medium-size 1 by 3 cm flash window 10 power bars on the sides light up to show the IPL intensity levelThick, no-tangle cords with ample 2 metres of slackThe Braun Pro 5 handle is more angled
And both devices have a similar weight and feel balanced. The Pro 5 weighs 285g and the Pure just a little lighter at 270g. The shapes look almost identical too. They’re the same length and width, however the Pure’s shape is a gentler angle. This, and the fact the flash button is a bit lower too, means slightly different grips for each.
Similar shapes & weights, but they feel different in useBoth have comfortable side grips & the handle keeps the cord out of your way
However, the angle of the Braun handle gives it a comfortable third grip as shown below. This doesn’t work with the Pure because it creates an awkward and uncomfortable wrist angle. In use, this means the Pure is simpler, quicker and easier to get to grips with (literally) whilst working around your body.
Comfy grip for the Pro 5, not so much for the Pure.The Pure is slightly more intuitive and comfortable to use than the Braun Pro 5
Whilst your styling preference is a personal choice, the shape and design of the Pure is slightly more intuitive and comfortable than the Pro 5. So, the Pure comes out top here.
Flashing your upper lip & other tricky bits
You can get good coverage and easy flashes on your upper lip with both devices.
It’s tricky to flash this area with the medium size attachment on the Braun Pro 5. It’s just a bit too big. So, most models also come with a small precision attachment to make it easier. It’s good for fingers, toes and jawline too.
The Pro 5’s smaller 1.1cm by 1.5cm flash window for upper lip
The Pure has just the one medium-size flash window. And it’s easy to flash your upper lip with it, so you don’t even need a smaller window. It works because of the curved-out shape and the position of the small skin sensor window. It fits perfectly for easy, first-time flashes. And it’s just as easy on other awkward areas too.
The shape fits perfectly on the upper lip for easy flashes
Therefore, both devices work well here, but the Pure is simpler and a little less faff.
Safety & power
Both models are clinically proven safe and effective for home use. And both have FDA-clearance too. They also have similar safety features. Here’s a quick overview comparison and there’s more detail below:
Power & Safety comparison
Pure
Pro 5 IPL
3 to 6 J/cm2
3 to 6 J/cm2
10 energy increments
10 energy increments
Skin tone sensor
Skin tone sensor
Won’t flash if your skin’s too dark
Checks & matches intensity to your skin tone before every flash
Won’t flash if your skin’s too dark
Checks & matches intensity to your skin tone before every flash
Use Gentle mode if it stings
Use Gentle or Extra Gentle mode if it stings
Skin contact sensor (prevents accidental flashes)
Skin contact sensor (prevents accidental flashes)
UV filter
UV filter
Clinically proven
CE certified
FDA-cleared
Clinically proven
CE certified
FDA-cleared
The skin sensors keep your eyes safe. Unless covered by skin they won’t flash, so stopping accidental flashes into open space potentially into your eyes. And they protect your skin with a built-in UV filter too.
The Braun has two blue skin tone sensors and the Pure just one
And both devices have the same clever skin tone sensor technology developed by British company Cyden Ltd. They scan your skin and won’t flash if your tone is too dark. But they’re even more helpful than that. For safe skin tones, they auto-adjust the IPL intensity to your best match. They do this before every flash. So, you needn’t stop and faff to guess which level to use.
The power bars show red if your skin is too darkThe power bars light up white showing which intensity level the clever sensor matches to your tone
They’re both simple, super-safe and straightforward to use.
They also share the same IPL intensity range too, of 3 to 6 J/cm2. They’re amongst the strongest home IPL devices. And this is good news if you have fair skin and can safely use the highest intensities. That’s because these give you your fastest and longest lasting results. This means going longer in between top-ups.
Pure’s Power mode and Braun’s standard mode range from 4 to 6 J/cm2 in 10 small increments
However, you can’t safely use these higher intensities on darker skin tones. That’s because you have more dark melanin pigment in your skin which gets too hot under strong IPL. It can cause pain and even burns and scarring. Instead, the skin tone sensor only flashes the safe to use lower and gentler IPL levels for dark skin.
Feather = gentle mode for softer IPL flashes down to 3 J/cm2
And there’s also a gentle mode with both devices too, for extra control where you need it. This lowers the intensity a few notches and lessens the sting on sensitive areas like bikini line. The controls on the Pure are slightly easier to use and understand than on the Braun Pro 5, but both do exactly the same thing.
The Braun Pro 5 has another gentle mode, rather imaginatively called extra gentle mode. This lowers the intensity right down so every flash is 3 J/cm2. This is good if the flashes sting even in gentle mode. A further advantage (but not a promoted feature) is the flashes are fast at around one every 0.6 seconds. So, you can use this mode if you’re inpatient or short on time too.
Now, the Pure also has this lowest intensity mode but it’s slightly improved, and they call it speed mode. Learn more about this in the next section.
Fast sessions
The Pure and Pro 5 give the quickest home IPL sessions. They’re fastest on the lower IPL intensities. Here’s a quick comparison overview of the two:
Speed of sessions comparison
Pure
Pro 5 IPL
Face, small bits, legs & large areas
Face, small bits, legs & large areas
Speed mode (4 Jcm2)
Extra gentle mode (3 Jcm2)
Flashes slow gradually at first
Then flash rate is consistent
Flashes slow gradually at first
Then flash rate varies depending on skin contact
9 mins per full leg (power) 7 mins per full leg (speed)
19 to 25 mins for full body
9 mins per full leg (standard) 6.5 mins per full leg (extra gentle)
19 to 28 mins for full body
Pure flashes every 0.45 to 1 second (up to 130 per min) vs Pro 5 at 0.6 to 1.2 seconds (up to 125 per min)
Keep the flash button pressed and you can glide quickly over your legs. Both devices start super fast, but the flashes slow gradually to a manageable speed over the first minute. I find the Pure is just that little bit faster and easier with more consistent flashes. And that’s because of speed mode.
Pure’s speed mode gives fast, consistent flashes at 4 J/cm2
On speed mode, it lowers the IPL intensity so each flash is 4J/cm2. That’s a decent amount of hair zapping power for good results, with ultrafast flashes so you don’t spend ages doing it. The flashes start every half second, then after a minute they slow just a bit to a very fast and steady pace. In my tests, a full leg takes an average of 7 minutes. It’s fast!
Pro 5 fastest on extra gentle mode with 3 J/cm2 flashes
The Braun doesn’t have speed mode. Extra gentle mode is closest and, in my tests, averaged 6.5 minutes per full leg. But it has less hair zapping power at 3 J/cm2. So, the disadvantage is you’ll need slightly more frequent top-ups to maintain your smooth than with the Pure.
Also, as mentioned earlier, the skin tone sensor on the Braun is also a little different to the Pure. On the Braun there are two blue sensors on either end of the flash window. On the Pure, there’s one, centred and above the flash window. This affects the flash rate with both. With the Pure it’s steady and consistent because the window must have close contact with your skin. But with the Pro 5, if one or both sensors lose contact slightly, the flashes speed-up. So, it can take a little getting used to.
My tests show that with both devices when using the highest IPL intensity, a full leg takes around 9 minutes and a whole-body just under 30 minutes. But use the Pure with speed mode on legs and power mode on bikini line, underarms and face, and it takes just 19 minutes.
So, both devices are fast, and you’ll be happy with either. Personally, I prefer the Pure because of the option of Speed mode, and the consistent flash speed.
What do they feel like?
With both models you’ll hear the cooling fan whir and a small pop with each flash. The flashes are bright but harmless to your eyes. You can wear sunglasses to ease any irritation.
Flashes feel hot with both the Pure and Pro 5 when used on the highest intensities. They can sting on more sensitive areas like the bikini line but generally are very bearable. If it’s too uncomfortable just use gentle or speed mode instead.
The Pure’s single skin sensor means consistent speed flashes
Sessions are quick and easy with both so you’ll finish before you get bored or tired. However, the Braun requires just a little more concentration than the Pure. That’s because the speed of the flashes varies, so it’s a little harder to get accurate coverage. It happens because the proximity of the two skin sensors either side of the flash alters the intensity. So, if both aren’t flush against your skin it flashes faster and at a lower intensity. Therefore, it’s trickier to glide the right amount between flashes.
The Pure is easier because it has a single sensor window above the large flash window. This must be flush against your skin to scan it, so the flash intensity is consistent.
Treatment schedule vs results
Both the Pure and Braun Pro 5 need up to 12 weekly sessions during start-up. You’ll typically see significant results after 6+ sessions.
Up to 12 weekly sessions with both for smooth skin
Smoothskin recommend you complete all 12 sessions so you catch all hairs during an active growth cycle. It also means you can go longer in between top-up sessions from the start. Braun suggest you switch to top-ups once your skin is smooth. Both brands recommend top-ups at every 1 to 2 months.
During your start-up phase you’ll notice hairs grow slower, softer, finer and lighter after a few sessions. Shaving is easier without vicious stubble, rash or ingrown hairs. Eventually bald patches appear and get bigger. You may see these results very quickly, or slower and more gradually over 12 weeks.
Either complete all 12 sessions or, if you’re smooth before this, switch to top-ups. Do them as soon as you see any regrowth or at least every month if you’re still smooth. The more you do the longer you can eventually go between top-ups.
Smoothskin Pure vs Braun Pro 5 IPL comparison summary
We love both, but the Pure wins!
Both the Pure and Braun Pro 5 are superb choices and two of my recommended best buys. There’s not much difference between them, and you’ll be made-up with either. But for me, the Pure wins because it’s slightly faster, more precise and comfortable to use, and a tad more affordable too.
Here’s a quick summary table of the spec, test and performance data above and then a round-up of the pros and cons to help you decide:
Everything comparison
Smoothskin
Pure
Braun
Pro 5 IPL
Face, small bits, legs & large areas
Face, small bits, legs & large areas
💰💰💰
💰💰💰💰
Clinically proven
CE certified
FDA-cleared
Clinically proven
CE certified
FDA-cleared
2-year warranty
2-year warranty
Worldwide 90-day money back guarantee
UK 100-day money back guarantee
Mains-power
Mains-power
Optional precision flash window with Pure Fit model
Additional precision & wide flash windows with latest models
270g
285g
Unlimited flashes!
You’ll never run out
400,000 flashes
15+ years of monthly use
3 to 6 J/cm2
10 energy increments
3 to 6 J/cm2
10 energy increments
Skin tone sensor
Skin tone sensor
Won’t flash if your skin’s too dark
Matches every flash to your skin tone
Won’t flash if your skin’s too dark
Matches every flash to your skin tone
g
3x Modes: Power (default), Gentle, Speed
g
3x Modes: Standard, Gentle & Extra gentle
Feels warm to hot. Use gentle mode if it stings!
Feels warm to hot. Use gentle mode if it stings!
9 mins per full leg (power)
7 mins per full leg (speed)
19 to 25 mins for full body
9 mins per full leg (standard)
6.5 mins per full leg (extra gentle)
19 to 28 mins for full body
12 weekly sessions, then top-ups 4 to 8 weeks.
Do all 12 sessions for your longest lasting results and less frequent top-ups.
4 to 12 weekly sessions, then top-ups 4 to 8 weeks.
Do all 12 sessions for your longest lasting results and less frequent top-ups.
Excellent quality Simple Fast Easy Very comfy (slightly moreso than the Pro 5)
Excellent quality Simple Fast Easy Comfy
Takes practise on shins & ankles
Easy to accidentally cover the air vents
Shows grubby finger prints!
Latest models are more expensive than the Pure
Extra flash windows don’t warrant a higher price
Flash speed varies when gliding on legs
No Worldwide money back guarantee
View Smoothskin Pure & Braun Pro 5 IPL 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.
Small, neat & classyMulti-language basic info and skin tone chartSimple, sturdy, black cardboard box to store it inSnug & secure inside the box (just a little protective plastic)👍 Clever use of cardboard to secure & protect the power cableProudly British 🇬🇧Smoothskin Pure Box contents. The Pure Fit model has an extra precision flash window.
What’s in the box?
Pure Fit device
Precision window
Power cable
Quick start guide
Keep reading to learn about the Pure device!
Before you start
Before you start, read the user manual and do a skin sensitivity test.
Download the manual for a full list of contraindications
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).
Getting started
Shave or dermaplane your face before every session, unless you’re totally smooth!
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
Sleek quality
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.
Delicate gold trim along the sides accentuates the gentle curvesSimple large flash button with gold Smoothskin branding, & a smaller power mode button10 small power bar indicator lights on each side
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.
Thick, strong & durable fixed power cable2-metre-long & flexible power cable to the power pack, then 50cm mains cable.
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.
Simple but effective attached elastic band to neatly tie up the cable
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:
Not so comfy grip with the handle under your palm
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.
Thumb-on flash button to glide up and down legs, also good on bikini line & tummy.Fingers on the flash button for face, underarms, ankles, and bikini line.
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
Easy & precise to position for accurate coverage
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.
1cm by 3cm multi-purpose flash window, easy flashes on upper lip too
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.
Blue sensor light scans your skin before every flashNope – red light says your skin is too dark!
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.
Yup – white lights say off you go! This is the default power mode.
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.
‘Feather’ gentle mode for less intense flashes
But the product designers over at Smoothskin HQ were not yet content with this 🤓📋.
Zooooom!
They also gave the Pure Fit a speed mode.
‘Zoomy stopwatch’ mode on the lowest intensity to cover legs and large areas fast
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!)
No sting on sensitive areas with gentle mode
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.
When powered on, lay the Pure on its side so as not to block the cooling vents
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.
My grubby fingerprints
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 🏷
Found this review helpful? Please support future reviews and shop via these links. I earn a small commission, but your price stays the same.
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Use this code at CurrentBody for an extra discount on SmoothSkin!
The Smoothskin Bare+ uses Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) that’s safe for use on the body and face. It slows and reduces hair regrowth after each treatment. Eventually hair stops growing and periodic use will keep you fuzz and stubble free. Learn more about how home IPL works here. Or keep reading to learn all in this Smoothskin Bare+ review.
First impressions
I love the Smoothskin Bare+ packaging. It really stands out. It’s a neat, sturdy black box with a cute, fun and friendly pink and black slide-off sleeve. Everything is secure and tidy inside the box and made mostly from recyclable cardboard too. The attention to detail is beautiful so it’s like unwrapping a thoughtful and expensive gift.
Compact, cute and friendly packagingBasic multi-lingual info and skin tone chart on the info sleeve.
p
Hmmm: The safe skin tone diagram below implies the Bare+ is safe for all but the darkest skin tones. However, the medium power IPL means it could smart a lot on darker tones. So, I double checked the guidance and confirm it’s best suited to light to medium tones (which shouldn’t need the option of a gentle mode either).
Although the chart shows safe light to dark skin tones, it’s really best suited to light to medium skin tones.The Smoothskin Bare+ device nestled on a carboard moulded bedSimple, classy styling and proud to be British. Tidy cardboard wrapper for the power cables and small user guide booklet The contents inside the attractive packaging
What’s in the box?
Smoothskin Bare+ device
Fixed power cable and power pack
UK plug adaptor
Quick start user guide
The Bare+ device is light-weight but feels solid and well-made. It’s the smallest device I’ve tested and the shape fits perfectly in my palm. It feels very good to hold.
Before you start
First, you must read the user guide, full manual and do a skin sensitivity test.
The simplified 9 step user guide
The printed user guide you get with the Bare+ is a very quick and simple read. It outlines very simple steps to use the Bare+ over just 9 pages explaining to shave, plugin, press on your skin, press the flash button, glide & stamp mode, unplug, and the treatment schedule.
Check all the contraindications in the full guide online
On the final page the user guide notes a few key reasons you are not suitable to use the Bare+ home IPL such as varicose veins, pregnancy, over freckles and medications. There are more medical and skin conditions which apply too, listed in the online user guide. You can learn more about home IPL contraindications here, and see the full Smoothskin Bare+ user guide here.
Smoothskin give guidance on tanning and sun exposure too, to keep your skin safe and avoid side effects. On the website, Smoothskin advise:
DO
✔️ Avoid tanning for 48 hours before using the Bare+
✔️ Avoid tanning for 24 hours after using the Bare+, and cover up or use a sunblock (SPF50) in the sun for 48 hours after a treatment
You’ll also find instruction in the full user guide to do a skin sensitivity test in each treatment area. If, after 24 hours, your skin is normal, crack on with your first session (but avoid the test patch until your next weekly session).
Getting started
Dermaplaning is an effective and feminine alternative to shaving your face!
Here’s a quick summary on how to use the Bare+, and there’s
loads more detail in the following sections.
Shave before every treatment (unless there’s no hair left)
Plugin and press against your skin
Press the flash button, then slide to the next spot
Repeat until the treatment area is all zapped
For this review I tested the Bare+ on full legs, extended bikini line, tummy, underarms and face. And it’s one of the simplest, fastest, least faff home IPLs you can choose. Here’s my detailed feedback.
Quality & design
Classy colours and tactile, quality materials
I love the simple black and rose-gold styling with a glossy back top and grippy bottom where your fingers naturally rest. And whilst it’s light-weight at around 200g, it’s reassuringly robust and solid with no creaks or cracks.
Cute details and Smoothskin branding13cm long, 7.5cm wide and 4.5cm deep. Curvy little beaut
The compact, curvy shape is simple and ergonomic. And the size is perfect. It’s slightly fatter in the middle so the curves give a secure and natural grip. It’s very handy and I can change grips without help from my other hand.
Left: Grip #1 for legs, tummy & bikini. Right: Grip #2 for face & underarms
The shape tapers neatly to the business end so it’s easy to see where you’re flashing too.
A fixed medium-sized multi-purpose flash window (1cm by 3cm)
There’s a thick and flexible 2 metre power cord to the power
pack which then attaches to a separate 50cm long mains cable. The long cable is
fixed in the device, so the weight of the power pack won’t pull it out. It
doesn’t tangle and it’s long enough to manoeuvre around your body, but an
extension cable is handy to have too. There’s more on this later.
There’s even a small elastic attached to the cable so you can neatly wind and secure it once you’re done. I love this simple attention to detail.
2-metre thick and flexible power cableFixed power cable so it won’t fall out mid-zap!
Straightforward
The simple design is straightforward to use too.
There are no dials or buttons to select an intensity level. That’s because it has just one medium power intensity level of 4 J/cm2. There’s not even a power button. Just plug it in and it powers on. Position it on your skin and press the large flash button with the rose-gold ribbon running through the middle. It’s that simple.
One large flash button. That’s it.
To keep your skin safe, there’s also a skin tone sensor. It’s the little blue light above the flash window. It scans your skin and won’t flash if it detects your skin tone is too dark. And to protect your eyes, it also won’t flash unless your skin covers the entire flash window. In both cases it shows a red light around the flash button.
Small bright blue light of the skin tone sensorRed light say no!
But if your skin tone is safe and you have good skin contact, you’ll see a white light around the flash window. It’s best to keep the button facing you as you work around your body so you can check these lights.
White light say go!
Fast
The Bare+ is nippy too! Smoothskin say you get 100 flashes per minute which is a flash every 0.6 seconds. That’s fast, and matched only by the more expensive Braun Pro 5 IPL and the even quicker Smoothskin Pure. In our tests it takes around 11 minutes to flash a full leg and just under 30 minutes for a whole-body (very thorough full legs, bikini, underarms and face).
One of the fastest – a full leg zappage in around 11 mins.
That’s not as fast as Smoothskin suggest. This is likely because, as our testers found, awkward and bony areas slow you down a bit. Also, the flash rate slowed a bit after a few minutes too. That’s because the Bare+ heats up and needs a little longer to recharge in-between flashes.
Regardless, the Bare+ is one of the fastest home IPLs. Keep the flash button pressed for continuous flashes at a quick, steady pace. This makes for a smooth and controlled glide over your skin. It works for legs and underarms, and a stamp motion gives more precision on bikini line and face.
What does it feel like?
You hear the cooling fan whir and a soft pop with each flash.
Quick but bright flashes (caught on camera!)
The flashes are bright, but harmless to your eyes. However, they can get a bit irritating. Try not to look directly at them. To help, use the Bare+ in a well-lit room (this lessens the glare), and wear sunglasses if it’s too much. But don’t worry. You don’t need protective goggles!
Mostly warm, sometimes hot – but always bearable.
The flashes feel warm, and sometimes a bit hot on sensitive areas like the bikini line and underarms. Weirdly, I also find tops of my thighs feel it more. However, compared to more powerful IPLs I experience zero ‘smarting’ sensation and it’s totally bearable.
p
TIP:Smoothskin suggest you zap more stubborn hair such as bikini and underarms up to 3 times in one session.
The Bare+ is very fast. To start the flashes come fast and you can simply glide the device over your skin. However, after a minute or so as the Bare+ heats up, and so the flashes slow down. It’s still fast and personally I don’t mind that because I find the pace ideal to concentrate and get good, accurate coverage. And you’re done before you can get bored or tired anyway.
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, 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.
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.
Do 12 weekly sessions with the Bare+. Most see noticeable results within 4 weeks, then getting even better over the course. A whole-body session takes just under 30 minutes.
After the start-up stage, switch to top-up sessions as you need them to stay smooth. Smoothskin suggest every 2 to 4 weeks. The Bare+ sessions are fast, easy to fit in a busy schedule, and to stick with.
What results can you expect?
Shave before every treatment, and/or between sessions as you need.
You may not see any change after the first few sessions. Then your hair grows slower, softer, finer and lighter too. For most this is noticeable between 4 and 6 weeks.
After this, bald patches eventually appear and gradually get bigger until you’ve large smooth patches of skin. Keep going even if you’re smooth and complete the recommended 12 sessions. This zaps all your hairs whilst they’re actively growing and gives you your longest lasting results from the start.
Some people see hair reduction results quickly and others
need a bit longer. Eventually, you may not need to shave in-between sessions.
Shaving rash fades and ingrown hairs disappear.
Once smooth, do top-ups as you need them. Smoothskin suggest every 2 to 4 weeks. This is slightly more frequent compared to more powerful rivals (at 4 to 8 weeks). That’s because with the Bare+’s medium IPL power you’ll need slightly more sessions to match the results of the most powerful home IPL machines. There’s more about this in the next section.
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 negatives
There are just a couple small negatives with the Bare+.
First, it’s tricky to flash on bony shins, ankles and the awkward upper lip area. Most other home IPL devices share this problem too and take just a bit of practise to work out how to get a flash.
On ankles and shins, try pivoting the device 90 degrees and positioning the window vertical or at an angle. This makes it easier to fit over the uneven surface. You can also squish your skin/calf up to the window with your free hand.
Left: too bumpy, red light says no! Right: Angled just a bit to cover the window – white light says Go!On shins, position the window at an angle or vertical against the shin bone
For the awkward upper lip area, try blowing out your cheeks or curling your upper lip over your teeth better coverage. Here’s a face I pulled earlier.
Don’t knock it. It works.
Next, the long power cord sometimes gets in the way. This is common to all the compact models because they don’t have a long handle keeping the cord away from the flash window. It helps to use a power extension socket and move this as you work around your body, giving you plenty of slack and keeping the cord to one side.
Keeping the power cord out of the way
Medium vs high-power IPL?
And finally, depending on your priorities, you may want a high-power IPL device. That’s because, if you have light skin, you could safely choose a higher power IPL device. A higher IPL intensity won’t remove more hair, but it does mean your results from the sessions are longer-lasting. So, once you’re smooth, you’ll need fewer or less regular top-ups to stay that way. But by how many or much it’s not possible to say. You can read this article to understand the compound effect of home IPL sessions.
Therefore, consider if the longer-lasting results from a more powerful device are worth a higher price tag to you. If yes, check out the Smoothskin Pure for similar fast, plug’n go simplicity. If not, rest assured the Bare+ is very effective, and one of the fastest home IPLs so very easy to stick with.
Smoothskin Bare+ Review Summary
I love this little beaut for large and small body areas because it’s cute, handy, quality, fast and no-faff. It’s best for light to medium skin tones, but not dark as there’s no gentle mode if it stings. This medium-power, no-nonsense Bare+ IPL is affordable at under £200, with a Worldwide 90-day money-back guarantee too.
Here’s a quick recap of my test results and pros and cons for the Smoothskin Bare+:
Lamp lifetime
⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡
Unlimited IPL flashes so you’ll never run out. Superb value.
Ease of use
👍👍👍👍
No-frills compact, light-weight yet robust. Very comfortable & handy, fast, plugin-&-zap simplicity. Won’t flash if skin’s too dark.
Effort & Results
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Medium power IPL for smooth results over the course of 12 sessions. Then switch to regular top-ups every 2 to 4 weeks.
Pros
Affordable quality, light-weight & fast
Unlimited IPL flashes for decades of use
No faff – just one medium IPL level
Won’t flash if you’re skin’s too dark
Plugin-&-zap, one-button simplicity
Cute & recyclable packaging
Clinically proven, CE certification & FDA-cleared
Worldwide 90-day money-back guarantee
Cons
Cord sometimes gets in the way
Tricky to flash on shins, ankles & upper lip
No gentle mode so may smart on darker skin tones
Smoothskin Bare+ deals
When you shop via my links I earn a small commission (but your price stays the same). And I really appreciate your support 🙏!
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Use this code at CurrentBody for an extra discount on SmoothSkin!
The Smoothskin Muse is now discontinued and no longer readily available. You may find final stock available from some retailers. Try the new Smoothskin Pure model instead (it’s cheaper & even better!)
The Smoothskin Muse is safe for use at home on the body and face. It uses Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) which slows and reduces hair regrowth after each treatment. Eventually hair stops growing and periodic sessions keep your skin silky smooth. Learn more about how home IPL works here.
First impressions
It arrives in a neat and compact black and orange box. I love the packaging. It’s stylish and colourful without being garish.
The sleeve is clear, concise with clear safe skin tones, what to expect, unlimited flashes and skin tone sensor info. It’s a brilliant first impression.
The sleeve shows all the important information about the Muse. I love the friendly, down-to-earth tone. It’s unlike any other brand.
Smoothskin also do a fab job of setting realistic expectations. Because no where do they use the word ‘permanent’. I really like their simple explanation of long-lasting stubble-free results:
“As long as you keep up with top-ups, the chore of daily shaving will soon be a thing of the past”.
Overall, it’s friendly, clear and kinda playful. Now I just want to see what’s inside!
The small black box with lift-up lid.
I lift it and the first thing I see is the glossy, speckled-gold stardust swirl along the top of the Muse and a small square orange envelope that greets me…
Opening it is a thoroughly delightful experience. You’ve nailed it, Smoothskin.
“hello smoothie”
Why, hello.
Standout character and creative fun with the Smoothskin welcome invitation. It makes me feel special.Everything is neatly packed. The Muse is secure in a plastic moulded bed and the cables in small cardboard boxes. Box contents: Muse IPL device, user guide booklet, support programme invitation, power cable / pack and mains plug (UK shown here), black satin storage pouch.
Keep the box. Not only is it beautiful, but it’s perfect to store everything safely and small enough to fit in a draw.
What’s in the box?
Muse IPL device
Power pack & cable
Mains socket plug
User guide booklet
Support programme invitation
The Muse device
I need more speckled gold dust in my life.
Firstly, I love the gold dust sprinkled speckle across the glossy back top. The black and gold colourway is unlike all the others. It’s sleek and sophisticated.
It’s smooth and cool to the touch. There are only 3 buttons on the top. It looks simple. But also like it means business.
Along each side is a matt-black silicone grip that your fingers naturally rest on. It’s a bit bigger than I expected but not too heavy. There’s a natural grip and it’s balanced in my hand. It feels quality, well-made.
Sleek and powerful lines, and a touch futuristic. And it feels every bit as good as the beautiful styling. It’s stunning.
Before you start
First, get acquainted with the user manual. Read the important information for reasons you may not be suitable to use it (contraindications) and guidelines around tanning.
Do a skin patch test too, shave your hair and get yourself setup to do your treatment. Keep reading to learn more.
Start with the user guide
This one is distinctive because it’s a pleasure to read.
The user guide is very easy to follow, clear and concise. I love the conversational tone however some of the print is very small.
The opening paragraph took me by surprise. There’s none of that serious dull language you get in other guides.
Carefully read the warnings, precautions, contraindications and eye safety guidelines to check there’s nothing preventing you from using the Muse.
The guide is well laid-out, logical and beautifully designed with clear headings and diagrams. But most of all the tone of voice is friendly and conversational. It’s clear, concise and easy to absorb. Top job.
Important tanning guidelines
After tanning, your skin is extra sensitive with increased risk of IPL side effects such as burns, blisters, discolouration and scarring. It’s more sensitive after treatments too so there’s a higher risk of sunburn if you go out in the sun.
Smoothskin say don’t use the Muse on recently tanned skin, including artificial tans. After your treatments also cover up and use a sunscreen of SPF 15+ to avoid unprotected sun exposure. The website FAQs say avoid the sun for at least 7 days before and after your treatments.
It’s best to avoid tanning altogether, both with sunlight and artificially, during your start-up treatments. There’s more on tanning and sun exposure here.
Do a skin patch test
The user guide explains how to do a test patch. It’s very simple.
Shave your test area (for each body area you’ll treat), power on the Muse and do two side-by-side test flashes on each treatment area. Wait 24 hours and if your skin has no reactions, you’re good to do the full treatment.
TIP: If you’ve not used the Muse for a while and your skin has darkened (i.e. after Summer) you should do another skin patch test.
Shave it!
Shave your treatment areas immediately before your treatment.
Your treatment areas must be totally smooth with no hair above your skin. If there is, it can sting when zapped by the IPL!
Also, you want your hair follicle (the bit below your skin) to absorb all the IPL energy. It’s where IPL works to give you hair reduction.
Once shaven, dry your skin. Nomoisturisers or deodorant please!
Use a good, sharp razor
Use shaving cream for a close shave. Try using hair conditioner – it does the job (but can leave the tub a bit slippery!)
Take your time to get a close shave without any nicks!
TIP: Smoothskin say don’t wax or epilate because you need hair in the follicle for IPL to be most effective.
Comfort & privacy
Next, choose a comfortable and private spot to do your treatment.
Some people set up in the living room and watch TV. Others choose a private bathroom or their bedroom. Whilst it depends on which body areas you’re treating, there are a few tips to help you get started.
In front of a mirror: I like to have a full length mirror. This is very helpful for a thorough bikini line, underarms and backs of legs
A mains extension cable: the Muse has a very long power cord, but an extension cable from the mains gives you more flexibility on where you situate yourself. If you’re treating large areas you’ll want to use it corded because it’s faster.
Find privacy: back to the bikini line again! It’s far from elegant and not something you’ll want to share with housemates, kids, window cleaner etc.
Choose the right time: you don’t want to be rushed or interrupted, so choose a time when kids are tucked up in bed.
So, if you’ve got all that sorted, you’re ready to go.
Is it easy to use?
It’s one of the easiest. That’s because it has some clever tech inside that does all the hard stuff for you. Therefore, it’s as simple as point-and-zap.
First-time users comment in the reviews their surprise at how easy it is to get going.
Super-simple steps
Wait 24 hours after your skin test and if there’s no reaction you can start. It’s the most simple to use.
Shave before every treatment (unless you’re smooooth).
Plug it in and press the power button. The buttons change from blue to white. and the sensor indicators illuminate blue.
Press the handset at 90 degrees firmly against your skin. Your intensity illuminates white from 1 to 10. Press the flash button.
Slide to the next spot and repeat. Cover your skin in flashes avoiding overlap.
If not in use for 3 minutes the device reverts to standby mode with a blue power button.
The flashes are bright, and the user manual tells you to look away for each flash. Make sure you use it in a well-lit room and you can try wearing shades if it’s too much. Your skin must cover both skin tone sensors before it’ll flash, so this avoids any accidental flashes.
Ergonomic design
The Muse is comfortable to hold and easy to manoeuvre around your body. It weighs just 367g. It takes just a little practise to get comfortable with the different grips.
Grip 1: The best grip for covering large areas like legs.
1) The long handle fits snug in the palm of my hand as my index finger naturally rests on the large flash button. It’s in the perfect place. This is the most comfortable grip for covering large areas (like legs) with speed. It gives a bit more reach for backs of legs and knees too. And it felt most natural on the feet, toes, bikini line and underarms.
Grip 2: for precise placement on inner thighs and tummy.
2) Alternatively, try resting your thumb on the flash button, grip the side of the handle with your fingers wrapped underneath. This works well for the insides of your thighs, bum cheeks, backs / top of legs and tummy.
Grip 3: for your face and neck
3) Another grip I find helpful for my face (chin, under chin and upper lip) is resting the underside on my thumb and pressing the flash button with my index and fore finger.
The other buttons are further along the top so they’re safely out of the way. Therefore, with both these grips you can continue without interruption.
It’s easy to get accurate coverage because the angles ensure perfect visibility of the treatment end. Simply slide it along 1 cm at a time.
Long power cable
There’s no waiting about with the Muse because it’s mains-powered. Several reviewers love you don’t need to faff about charging it. Plug it in and off you go. It’s ready when you are.
You get 2 metres of good quality flexible cable for plenty of room to manoeuvre.
The cable is 2 metres long to the power pack. The mains cable plugs into this and is an additional 40 cm long. So, the power pack sits just below the socket and you get the full 2 metres of cable to play with without being weighed down.
The power cable detaches and fits snug in the end of the long handle.
It’s flexible and not too thin. It doesn’t wind around itself and end up in knots.
One flash window
The Muse has one single flash window. It’s safe for both body and face. At 1 cm high by 3 cm long it’s the best size and shape for a multi-use flash window.
The 1 cm by 3 cm flash window is the perfect multi-use size for around your body and face
It’s big enough to cover your skin fast on large areas like legs. And it’s narrow enough to position on small areas like your upper lip. As feedback in the reviews suggests, this can take a bit of practise. But you soon work out how to do it.
For your upper lip try blowing out your cheeks or turning your lips in around your teeth. This makes a flatter surface.
For shins and other bony or uneven areas, you can try turning the device 90 degrees so the length of the flash window runs down the bone.
Would other specialist windows improve it?
I do like the no-faff design off the Muse. And I think additional attachments would detract from the brilliant plug-and-go simplicity. It may take a bit more manoeuvring on some areas but it does the job better then most. They do help but aren’t necessary.
Pssssst: The Braun Pro 5 IPL has a smaller attachment. Check it out if you really want one.
How long will it last?
The Smoothskin Muse gives THE best lamp lifetime.
In recent years Smoothskin, Philips and Silk’n have released models with 100s of thousands of flashes. Because IPL results get better and better over time, that’s likely more than you’ll ever need. But just to be sure, Smoothskin have gone either further.
The Muse is the first high-power home IPL device to give unlimited flashes from the lamp. So, you’ll get unlimited full body treatments and / or small area treatments. The flashes keep coming as long as the device doesn’t break. So, you never need worry you’ll run out.
Several reviewers appreciate these infinite flashes so they never need to think about repurchasing.
N.B. General usage and wear and tear can also affect how long the machine keeps working.
So, is this thing safe?
Is it safe?
Yes. The Muse is clinically proven safe for home-use. It’s also FDA-cleared so that gives extra reassurance.
There’s an in-built UV filter in the flash window to protect your skin. And other impressive and high-tech safety features.
Let’s start with eye safety and then look at the clever skin tone sensor.
Eye safety
The skin tone sensors (illuminated blue here) must have full skin contact or it won’t flash.
There are 2 smaller sensor windows at either end of the flash window. Both must have full skin contact before the Muse will flash. This safety feature protects your eyes so you can’t accidentally flash it into open air.
They’re also the skin tone sensors.
Advanced skin tone sensor
Like other skin tone sensors, the Muse keeps you safe by checking for a suitable skin tone (Fitzpatrick tones I to V). If your skin is too dark it won’t flash and the side LED indicators light up red.
The side LED indicators light up red if your skin is too dark.
But the skin tone sensors are clever too.
They continuously check your skin and set the best intensity level for your tone. They do this before every flash. Each flash therefore adjusts to the perfect balance of safety and power.
The skin tone sensors adjust the intensity to match your skin tone and the LEDs show white up to the level set (1 to 10).
The Muse has 10 intensities – 1 is low and 10 is high. The IPL energy output ranges from 3 J/cm2 to 6 J/cm2. It’s one of the most powerful home IPL hair reduction systems available. You get faster and longer lasting results using the highest intensity that safe for your skin. The 10 LED lights along each side show you which level is set.
Some refer to this as Variable Pulsed Light (VPL).
So, there’s no need to stop and check your skin tone across different body areas. It’s perfect for you if you’ve varied tones across your body. You just press the button and keep going until you’re done.
Online reviewers appreciate the technology because it minimises irritation from too high an intensity level. And it’s better than fiddling around with a manual intensity guage and potentially using an incorrect strength.
The blue skin tone sensors scan you skin 80 times per second to flash the perfect intensity in every flash.
But you do have an option if you find the flashes smart in more sensitive areas. You can activate ‘gentle’ mode.
Gentle mode
Press the ‘feather’ button for gentle mode. Press it again to turn it off.
Some areas are more uncomfortable than others. Such as underarms and bikini line. That’s because hair is thicker and denser there. So, you may want to reduce the intensity a bit, especially for the first few sessions when more hairs are actively growing.
Pressing the ‘feather’ gentle mode button reduces the IPL intensity output of the flashes.
Gentle mode effectively halves the IPL intensity so you’ll see half as many LEDs showing white.
It’s a good option to have. But remember, you get faster and longer lasting results using the highest intensity that’s safe for your skin.
You can also control the speed of flashes using ‘glide’.
Glide mode
Press and hold the flash button for glide mode. It flashes every 1 to 2 seconds.
For Stamp mode: Press and release flash button for a single flash. Move to the next spot and repeat. This is good for small areas like upper lip or around ankles where you need precise placement.
For Glide mode: Press and hold the flash button for continuous flashes. Flash, glide 1 cm to the next spot, flash and repeat. The flashes come every 1 to 2 seconds so it’s pretty close to a gliding motion. Be sure to only flash each area of skin once.
Glide means there’s no repetitive button pressing (annoying on large areas) and it reduces strain on your grip. It’s also fast to cover your skin.
How fast is it?
It’s one of the fastest.
The big 3 cm² window flashes every 1 to 2 seconds. The flashes are faster on the lower intensities.
Smoothskin say you can cover a full leg in around 8:30 mins. For me it took around 12 minutes, however I’m meticulous. I zapped my full body (full legs, extended bikini line, underarms and face) in just under 50 minutes.
Some reviewers share it takes longer than 20 minutes for a full body because you must make sure you don’t miss any bits. And others, comparing it to other slower home IPL devices they’ve used in the past, say it’s fast.
It’s a good choice for treating large areas or your full body but check out the latest Smoothskin Pure model for even faster sessions.
The Muse is incredibly simple to use. Simply shave, plug it in and off you go. So, it’s a super choice for first time users. But here’s a bit more information about what it feels like.
What to expect during treatments?
When you power it on you hear the quiet whirring of the cooling
fan. Each flash makes a gentle pop sound.
Most users say the flashes don’t hurt. They simply feel warm against their skin. However, certain body areas can smart!
Reviewers say it doesn’t hurt as much as waxing or epilating, but on these sensitive areas it’s like a hot sensation for just a few milliseconds. For some it stings on the denser, thicker hair on the bikini line or underarms. I feel it most on my bony ankles and at the tops of my legs. So, sensitive areas differ by person.
A few online reviewers share the Muse gets hotter as you use
it too. Therefore, they start with their most sensitive areas before it heats
up too much. And those who find it stings too much simply press the “feather” button
to lower the intensity in gentle mode so it’s more comfortable.
TIP: Make sure you get a close, smooth shave because otherwise, if there’s hair above the skin surface, it stings!
The flashes are bright white, but harmless to your eyes whenagainst your skin. However, some find them annoyingly bright. To remedy this use the Muse in a well-lit room (so they don’t appear so intense). The user manual tells you to look away for each flash. But this makes it awkward to get precise coverage. Instead, try looking slightly to the side of the Muse (not directly at the flash window). Or you can wear regular sunglasses which eases the glare.
It takes concentration to remember where you’ve zapped. But after a couple of sessions, you’ll find your rhythm and routine. And it’s fast too, so you’ll be done before you get tired or bored.
What to expect after your treatments?
A common skin reaction to IPL hair removal is skin redness. Skin can also feel hot, tingly and a bit itchy too. This is normal, and disappears within 24 hours. You can cool your skin with an ice pack, water spray, soothing Aloe Vera gel or an unscented moisturiser if you like.
If there’s no reaction you can apply your usual toiletries, deodorants
and moisturisers. Wash them off if you later feel irritation.
Avoid anything that irritates your skin for a day or 2 after your sessions. Things such as exfoliating, using bleaching creams, enjoying saunas and hot tubs or wearing tight clothing.
And if you go out in the sun, cover up and / or wear a high SPF 15+. This helps protect your skin from sunburn and reduces the risk of developing any of the rare side effects.
Rare side effects?
The Smoothskin Muse treatments are super-safe because of the clever skin tone sensor. It means you can’t flash too intense IPL for your skin tone. So, you’ve virtually no risk of blisters and burns or scarring.
The rare IPL side effects are below. Most won’t experience
them but if you do and they don’t go away in the times shown, go see your
doctor:
Skin redness which doesn’t go away after 24 to 48 hours
Swelling and redness around the hair follicle which doesn’t go away within 2 to 3 days
Temporary lightening or darkening in skin colour
Effort & results
You need 12 weekly sessions taking 11 weeks to complete the start-up phase. Then less frequent monthly top-ups to stay soft and smooth.
A full body session takes around 50 minutes. That’s fast, which makes the Muse a low effort at-home IPL device. However, the new Smootksin Pure model is even faster with a full body zapping done in just 20 minutes. Wowser.
So, what happens during the 12 weeks?
Shave before every weekly session, and in between as you need. You’ll still see hair growing in the first few weeks. These are hairs not yet treated in their active / Anagen growth stage.
After 4 weeks most see a noticeable hair reduction. This means fewer hairs growing. And those that do grow slower, look finer and lighter, and feel softer. You’ll need to shave less frequently between sessions. And it’s quicker and easier too because there’s soft and less hair.
After 6 sessions your hair reduction should be significant. You may have bald patches or be almost entirely smooth!
Smoothskin recommend to keep going and complete all the 12 weekly sessions, even if you’ve got to smooth already. This catches any hair not yet in the Anagen growth stage and it compounds your results. You’ll get your highest possible hair reduction with long-lasting results right from the start.
At the end of 12 sessions you should be entirely smooth. Then switch to top-ups every 4 weeks. Top-ups are very important because hair will eventually grow back without them. You should stay continuously smooth with these regular sessions. Reduce the frequency to 8 weeks or more once you’re comfortable your hair growth has stopped.
Smoothskin Muse Review Summary
The Muse is a super choice for full body treatments because it’s fast. If you have light skin tones you can take advantage of the high IPL power for fast and long-lasting results. And for medium and varied skin tones it’s super-safe because of the effortless advanced skin tone sensor. It does all the hard work for you.
Lamp lifetime
⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡
Unlimited IPL flashes so you’ll never run out. Hands-down winner!
Ease of use
👍👍👍👍
Fast, sleek, sophisticated plug-and-zap simplicity. Adjusts each flash to your skin tone for non-stop no-faff sessions.
Effort & Results
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hello smooth with powerful IPL. 12 weekly sessions for long-lasting hair-free results, then top-ups every few months to keep it so.
Pros
Lasts forever with unlimited flashes
Sleek & sophisticated unisex design
Auto-selects the best intensity level for your skin before EVERY flash
Gentle mode for sesntive areas
Fast, straightforward plug-&-zap simplicity
May work on light blonde hair
Clinically proven, CE certified & FDA-cleared
90-day money back guarantee
Cons
It’s expensive (but handsome)
Not available in all countries
Quite big so a little awkward for petite hands
Tricky to flash on your upperlip
View Smoothskin Muse deals
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The Smoothskin Muse is no longer available.
👉 Try the latest model Smoothskin Pure – it’s cheaper & even better!
The Smoothskin Bare home-use IPL hair removal device uses Intense Pulsed Light to slow hair regrowth on your body and face, and with continued use keeps your skin silky-smooth. Learn more about how home IPL works here.
First available in late 2016, the Bare is the smaller and less expensive cousin of the Smoothskin Gold, Muse and the latest and best Smoothskin Pure. There’s a choice of colours; white and black, all-black and a summer collection in nude, pink and blue. The Bare+ now replaces this older model, but you’ll still find the Bare in some online stores.
It’s unique because the IPL flashes are at only one low intensity. This makes it super-simple to use, ultra-fast and suited to darker skin tones.
The Bare is unique. It emits IPL at just one low intensity of 3 J/cm2. This has 3 stand-out benefits.
#1 Firstly, if you have a darker skin tone (types IV or V) you can use only lower, safe intensity levels. Therefore, the Bare is perfectly suited to you.
#2 Secondly, it’s simply foolproof to use because it needs just one button to operate it.
#3 And finally, the low energy recharges in just 0.6 seconds between flashes. That’s incredibly fast. You can zap a full leg in around 4 minutes.
So, if you thought IPL was too boring and tedious, think again. The Smoothskin Bare makes it easier to commit to regular, fast treatments that keeps your stubble away.
But does the low intensity compromise results? Find out in the full review and decide if it’s a game-changing choice for you.
First impressions
The Bare comes in a teeny box that’s 18 cm long, 12.5 cm wide and 16 cm high. The black box is top-quality, robust, and with a bright blue and black sleeve. You’ll find all the important information about the SS Bare on it.
The box is dinky, fresh, feminine and playful.
The black and blue info sleeve concisely describes the key benefits of the SS Bare; it’s ultrafast, has a skin tone sensor, has unlimited flashes and gets results. It explains how IPL works, what to expect and who it’s suitable for.
The Bare stands out because it uses down-to-earth language that’s very easy to understand. It’s friendly and fun!
Even the underside of the sleeve has more information. It claims your legs, underarms and bikini line ‘are done and dusted’ in under 10 mins. There’s also a brief overview of ‘Your first treatment’ and ‘Staying smooth’ with regular use.
The packaging promises ‘long-lasting silky smooth skin’. There’s not a single mention of attention-grabbing ‘permanent’. It also puts emphasis on sticking with the treatment regimen to maintain your results. I think it’s honest and clear, and although you need to read the user manual to fully understand everything, it doesn’t set misleading expectations. Thank you SmoothSkin!
The thought and effort SmoothSkin have put in has definitely paid off. I’m impressed right from the outset. I can’t wait to see what’s inside!
The box without the info sleeve. Be careful with the security tabs as they can tear the surface of the box.Lift the lid to say hello to the Bare! I chose the the White and Black model.The device is attached to the power cable / pack and encased in protective cardboard, along with your country specific plug adaptor.The full contents of the compact Smoothskin Bare are the device and power pack, country specific power plug, user manual booklet and support programme card.
What’s in the box?
Smoothskin Bare IPL device
Powerpack
Country-specific mains plug
User manual booklet
Support programme invitation card
TIP: Keep the compact small black box to protect and store it.
The Bare device
The Bare fits perfectly in your hand and feels quality.
The Bare is no-frills, but the design, build, and quality of materials is great. There’s superb attention to detail from the black silicone grip to the neat, tapered treatment window. It’s light-weight but not flimsy. It feels superb in my hand.
And there are no controls or dials. So, with just the flash activation button in the centre, it’s inviting and familiar.
Before you start
First, get aquainted with the user manual. You must check it for any reasons you shouldn’t use the Bare. And guidelines around when and how to use it. It explains how to do a skin patch test first too.
You’ll also need to get yourself set up. Learn more in the next sections.
Start with the user manual
It’s a quick, easy and pleasant read. Some of the copy is quite small though.
I like this user manual. It’s like a very small book. And it doesn’t feel like your reading a user manual. It’s easy to read, concise and conversational. It sounds like a flesh-and-blood human is talking you through it all. It’s honest and straight-forward.
Read the large-print warning and contraindications to stay safe!
Carefully read the warnings, precautions, contraindications and eye safety guidelines to check there’s nothing preventing you from using the Bare.
Then, get acquainted with the design and learn how it works.
Smoothskin have done a super job with this, as they do with the Muse too. The guide is well laid-out, logical and beautifully designed with clear headings and diagrams. But most of all the tone of voice is friendly and conversational. It’s clear, concise and easy to absorb. Top job.
Important: Tanning guidelines
Please pay attention to the tanning guidelines in the user manual.
Your skin is extra sensitive after tanning, which increases the risk of IPL side effects such as burns, blisters, discolouration and scarring. Your skin is more sensitive after your IPL treatments too so there’s a higher risk of sunburn if you go out in the sun. There’s more here.
Smoothskin say:
After your treatments, you should cover up and use a sunscreen of SPF 15+ to avoid unprotected sun exposure
Avoid the sun for at least 7 days before and after your treatments
DON’T use the Bare on recently tanned skin, including artificial tans.
Do a skin test
The user manual tells you to do a skin sensitivity test on each body area you’ll treat.
Do two side-by-side flashes (3 cm x 2 cm) on freshly shaven and clean skin. If after 24 hours you experience no reactions, you can continue with your full treatment.
Shave it!
Shave your treatment areas immediately before your treatment.
They must be totally smooth with no hair above your skin. If there is, it can sting when zapped by the IPL!
Also, you want your hair follicle (the bit below your skin) to absorb all the IPL energy. It’s where IPL works to give you hair reduction.
Once shaven, dry your skin. Nomoisturisers or deodorant please!
Use a good, sharp razor
Use shaving cream for a close shave. Try using hair conditioner – it does the job (but can leave the tub a bit slippery!)
Take your time to get a close shave without any nicks!
TIP: Smoothskin say don’t wax or epilate because you need hair in the follicle for IPL to be most effective.
Choose a comfy place
Next, choose a comfortable and private spot to do your treatment.
Some people set up in the living room and watch TV. Others choose a private bathroom or their bedroom. Whilst it depends on which body areas you’re treating, there are a few tips to help you get started.
In front of a mirror: I like to have a full length mirror. This is very helpful for a thorough bikini line, underarms and backs of legs
A mains extension cable: the Bare has a 2m long power cord, but an extension cable from the mains gives you more flexibility on where you situate yourself. If you’re treating large areas you’ll want to use it corded because it’s faster.
Find privacy: back to the bikini line again! It’s far from elegant and not something you’ll want to share with housemates, kids, window cleaner etc.
Choose the right time: you don’t want to be rushed or interrupted, so choose a time when kids are tucked up in bed.
Sorted? Ready, steady, go!
Is it easy to use?
It couldn’t be any easier.
Shave before every treatment (unless you’re smooooth).
Plug it in. The fan starts and the skin tone sensor illuminates blue.
Press it 90 degrees firmly against your skin. Lights around the flash button show white to tell you your skin tone is safe.
Press and hold the flash button.
Smoothly slide over your skin as it flashes. Cover your skin in flashes avoiding overlap.
No controls other than the flash activation button on the side! So it’s incredibly simple.
Design & comfort
It’s no-frills, so don’t expect a fancy ergonomic shape or extra treatment attachments. Nonetheless, the basic curvy shape is comfortable to hold. It’s light (just 185g) and intuitive, just like an electric shaver or epilator.
Super-comfortable grip with either your thumb or fingers on the flash button.
The tapered end makes it easier to position than other compact models. The 3cm² flash window gives good coverage on large flat-ish areas like legs. It takes a bit more manoeuvring on trickier areas like your small upper lip and bones on your ankles.
There are no controls other than the flash activation button on the side. So it’s incredibly simple.
There’s one low intensity level that’s safe for all skin tones of Fitzpatrick types I to V.
Long power cord
The power cord is fixed in the bottom of the device so it can’t come loose. Don’t try to pull it out!
The cord attached to the Bare is super quality. It’s thick and supple so it can’t get twisted or tied up in knots. A small thing which makes a big difference.
The cord is 2 metres long from the bottom of the device to the power pack. The mains plug adaptor is around 50 cm long. This means the power pack sits on the floor just next to the socket. So you get the length of the cord itself because it’s not weighed down by the power pack. That’s super attention to detail to give you excellent freedom of movement.
The power pack won’t weigh you down.
Just one intensity level
The Bare is different to all others because it has just one low energy intensity level of 3 J/cm². This means application is fast because it takes less time to recharge between flashes.
No dials or extra buttons. It’s safe for light to dark skin (Fitzpatrick skin types I to V). Just plug-it-in and happy zapping.
The low intensity level means it’s a super choice for darker skin tones i.e. type IV or V. That’s because you can safely use only lower intensities on your skin anyway. Therefore the Bare is a good match. No need to shell-out for a more expensive device with a range of intensities. Because you can’t use them anyway!
How long will it last?
The Bare comes with unlimited flashes!
So, you get unlimited full body treatments or small area treatments. The flashes keep coming as long as the device doesn’t break. So, you don’t need to worry about running out.
TIP: As with all other machines, it’s guaranteed to work for at least as long as the manufacturer’s warranty (2 years). No devices will last forever but you should get decades of use from it. General usage and wear and tear can also affect how long the machine keeps working.
Is the Smoothskin Bare safe?
Yes. The Bare is clinically tested and proven safe and effective for home use. It adheres to the relevant European and International electronic and manufacturing standards too. It has CE conformity and has extra reassurance of FDA-clearance.
The Bare has in-built UV filters in the flash window to protect your skin. It has other features to keep you safe too.
Eye safety
The Bare only flashes when your skin fully covers the skin tone sensors. This protects your eyes by preventing accidental flashes directed into the open air near your eyes.
the light you see from each flash is bright, but harmless when covered by your skin. you don’t need spacial glasses, but can wear sunglasses if it’s uncomfortable.
Safe & simple skin tone sensor
The small illuminated-blue skin tone sensor below the flash window continuously checks for a safe skin tone.
There’s a small skin tone sensor just next to the flash window. It glows blue and checks for a valid skin tone before each flash. If your skin is too dark, it protects you against harm by preventing any flashes.
The Bare IPL is ready to flash when the flash button illuminates white. If it illuminates red your skin tone is too dark for safe treatment.
Stamp & ultra-fast glide!
You get the standard treatment modes of continuous glide and a single stamping action.
For Stamp, press and release the flash button, then re-position and repeat. This is best for small and uneven areas like your face and bikini line.
For Glide, keep the button pressed and slide it over your skin at a consistent speed to cover each position in time with the flashes.
Most devices have a ‘slide-and-pause’ motion, because the flashes aren’t fast enough to make it fluid. But with the Bare, the flashes come every 0.6 seconds. Therefore it really is a smooth continuous motion over large areas like legs and torso. It’s easy and very quick.
So, how fast is it to cover your skin?
How quick are the treatments?
It’s fast. Really fast. The flashes come every 0.6 seconds. Wow.
Smoothskin say you can treat a whole body (full legs, bikini line and underarms) in less than 10 minutes. However, realistically it can take between 10 to 20 minutes. That’s because you must slow down to zap uneven or awkward surfaces. Or just have a bit of a breather.
Zap a full leg in 4 +minutes with the Smoothskin Bare. They say it’s ultrafast. It is. It’s perfect for a busy lifestyle.
With the stamping mode, it’s ready to flash as soon as positioned properly. And with Glide mode you can cover large areas quickly. There’s no tedious waiting for flashes.
Smoothskin say it’s ultra-fast. I agree.
How quick are results?
To get speed, the Bare compromises on IPL energy intensity.
It gives low energy intensity flashes of 3J/cm2. This means application is fast because it takes less time to recharge between flashes. The low intensity is also gentle so it’s safe for medium to darker skin tones as well as light. But does this lower intensity affect your hair reduction results?
Let’s consider the guidance given with other IPL devices. Most have 5 intensity levels ranging up to around 6 J/cm2. Using the highest level that’s safe for your skin tone gives the best results.
That’s not to say the lower levels don’t work. They do. But, studies show they can take longer to get to smooth. And then more regular sessions to stay that way versus using a higher, but still safe, intensity level.
It’s not easy to say how much results differ. Smoothskin give the simple advice that you’ll need “Weekly treatments until desired results are seen”, but they don’t put a time limit on it. Some people see results within a few weeks, but for others it takes a little longer. That’s because everyone experiences a different rate and quantity of hair reduction with IPL.
You’ll also need maintenance sessions every 2 to 3 weeks to stay smooth.
Is it right for you?
So, how do you decide if the Bare is right for you?
If it’s in budget and you’re happy to trade higher intensity levels for more but-very-fast treatments, then the speed and simplicity suits you well
If you have medium to dark skin tones (Fitzpatrick types IV to V) you’ll need a lower intensity level anyway so it’s a superb, more-affordable choice.
However, if you have lighter skin and want to initially dedicate a bit more time to get the best possible results, check out the Smoothskin Pure or Braun Pro 5 IPL.
Your support programme invitation with your SS Bare.
Smoothskin Bare Review Summary
The Smoothskin Bare is an attractive and affordable option. The lower IPL power means the flashes are fast so it’s a top choice if you’re short on time. The low IPL intensity also matches medium and dark skin to type V – you can’t use higher IPL intensities in more expensive devices. The Bare+ replaces the Bare model – check out the review here.
Lamp lifetime
⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡
Unlimited IPL flashes so you’ll never run out. Superb value.
Ease of use
👍👍👍👍
No-frills but exeptionally comfortable, handy, uncomplicated & ultra-fast, thanks to one low intensity level. Won’t flash if skin’s too dark.
Effort & Results
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Use it weekly until smooth, then as needed to maintain results e.g every 2 to 3 weeks. More regular sessions but super-quick!
Pros
Lasts forever with unlimited flashes
Compact & no-frills, but fast, easy & comfortable
Low intensity suits darker skin tones
Plug-and-zap, one-button simplicity
Cute!
FDA cleared & CE certified
Beautifully packaged, a perfect gift
Worldwide 90-day money back guarantee
Cons
The one low intensity level gets results, but you’ll get faster and longer lasting results on light skin with a more powerful device – try the Pure instead
You can check prices or buy the Smoothskin Bare using the links below.
Smoothskin Bare deals 🛒
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