I’ve lost count of how many times my friends have raved about laser hair removal—how “life-changing” it is, and how they barely have to shave their body hair anymore. Meanwhile, I’ve been over here clutching my razor, doing the math on a $2,000 full-body package, and deciding smooth legs just aren’t worth the rent money. So, when I discovered Braun’s Skin iExpert Smart IPL, I felt like I’d finally found a way to join the hair-free club without draining my wallet. I’m not going to lie—I was skeptical about whether an at-home laser hair removal device could really compete with an in-office treatment. But once I set up the handheld device, I actually felt a flicker of hope that it might work. Now, eight weeks later, I have things to say. Keep reading for my full review on the Braun Skin iExpert Smart IPL and whether or not it’s worth the buy.
First Impressions
Off the bat, the device connects to an app via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi that guides users through every step of the process, from setting up your profile to the actual laser process. That alone felt revolutionary. Most at-home laser devices barely come with a pamphlet, but this one acts like a built-in aesthetician, guiding me through each session.
Once I set up my profile (think: hair color, thickness, skin tone, treatment areas, and sensitivity level), the app built a customized treatment plan. Then it required a quick patch test—where the device scanned my skin, performed a few practice flashes, and calibrated my settings—before kicking off my first real treatment. The app will ask you to log how your hair looks and feels after each session, and you can even set up weekly reminders so you don’t fall off schedule. Between the smart setup and the detailed tracking, I couldn’t help but be impressed.
Design-wise, the Braun Skin iExpert looks just as hi-tech as it sounds. It’s sleek and minimal, with a white-and-rose-gold finish and two simple buttons—one for zapping, one for Wi-Fi pairing. Though you’ll need an outlet nearby, the extra-long cord makes it easy to maneuver. It’s not featherlight (weighing in at around two to three pounds), but the ergonomic shape fit comfortably in my hand, which mattered a lot down the line when I was treating everything between my ankles and my neck.
How the Braun Skin iExpert Smart IPL Works
The Braun Skin iExpert Smart IPL uses intense pulsed light (a.k.a. IPL), a type of light therapy that targets hair at the root to slow and minimize regrowth. Basically, the light pulses put those hairs into a resting phase, causing them to shed naturally over time. “Because hair grows in cycles, several sessions are needed for lasting reduction—it’s not instant removal,” says Connecticut-based dermatologist Mona A. Gohara, MD.