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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.
Braun
Skin iExpert Smart IPL
Amazon
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.
Dr. Gohara adds a disclaimer before you start IPL treatments: It can be safe for many skin tones, but not all. “The key factor is melanin—the more pigment in your skin, the greater the risk of burns or discoloration,” she says. “Devices like Braun’s have built-in sensors that adjust light intensity to your tone, but extreme caution is still essential.” Her recommendation? Always patch-test (which, again, the Braun requires), start on the lowest setting, and avoid using devices on tanned or sun-exposed skin.
Treatment length really depends on the plan the app creates for you. If you have sensitive skin or a lower pain tolerance, the app might suggest a gentler flash setting over a longer schedule. If you can handle stronger pulses, the process can wrap up in just a few weeks. Once you set up your profile and select your treatment preferences, the device personalizes a plan tailored to you.
Allure commerce writer Lily Wohlner using the Braun Skin iExpert Smart IPL
Lily Wohlner
Wohlner immediately after using the Braun Skin iExpert Smart IPL for her fourth treatment
Lily Wohlner
How I use the Braun Skin iExpert Smart IPL
Before my first use, I shaved any existing hair with my favorite Venus Razor and made sure my skin was totally dry, per the pre-use instructions on the app. Since I had already set up my treatment plan, all I had to do was select which treatment area I wanted to start with, and it had my plan set up for me. I chose to start with my underarms during my testing session.
The app tells you what laser head to use for which area (yup, there are four different heads), so just snap the right one on and place the tool on your skin, holding down that flash button and dragging it in the motion the app displays for you. It only took one minute to cover both armpits because the medium head fit perfectly, which shocked me. During the treatment, the app provides real-time feedback to ensure you’re using it correctly, making it especially user-friendly for beginners. Whether you’ve applied the wrong device head, used it for too short a duration, or pressed the device into the skin too hard, the app notifies you and prompts you to make the proper adjustments.
I was a little nervous about doing it myself at first, worried I might miss spots, but the device makes it almost foolproof. It emits rapid flashes—about one every half second—that guide your pace, so you know exactly how fast to move it for even coverage. Each area gets just the right amount of pulses, and with its high power output of six joules/cm, the treatment feels thorough without extra effort. Glide it steadily across your skin, and you can trust it’s hitting everywhere it needs to.
Once you’re done treating all your desired areas (I did armpits, stomach, Brazilian, and lower legs, which took a total of 15 minutes), the app will direct you to repeat the routine weekly for four to 12 weeks, and then you can ease into a maintenance routine of about once every two months. The Brazilian area took a little getting used to—there’s a lot of sensitivity and some tricky spots—but after the first couple of rounds, I felt much more confident.
My Results
I’m eight weeks into my treatments, which means I’ve officially completed the entire protocol—and my results are pretty major. I can tolerate a little more of a zap, so I was able to get through the plan in just eight weeks. By week four, I was already seeing a difference: only a few stray hairs popping up, and even those were growing back at a snail’s pace compared to my old one-day stubble. Normally, I’d have to shave about twice a week. Now, at week eight, I haven’t shaved in two weeks (since week six) and have zero plans to pick up a razor anytime soon. Honestly, I’m thrilled about it.
Wohlner one week after using the Braun Skin iExpert Smart IPL for her eighth treatment
Lily Wohlner
As for pain, it’s surprisingly minimal. I’ve done in-office laser hair removal before and never went back because, frankly, it hurt. This, though, is way more tolerable. If you hold the device in one spot too long, you’ll definitely feel a quick zap, but the app lets you customize your comfort level with three intensity options—so if you’re sensitive, you can keep it super gentle. After each session, my skin never feels irritated or itchy—just slightly warm for a bit. I do make sure to skip hot showers, baths, or new skin-care products on treated areas for at least 24 hours afterward, just to keep everything calm.
Braun
Skin iExpert Smart IPL
Amazon
My Final Thoughts
When I got a quote for in-office laser hair removal last year—$2,000, to be exact—I couldn’t hit “no thanks” fast enough. So when I came across this at-home option that promised similar results for a fraction of the cost, I figured it was worth a shot. The best part? You get those same silky-smooth, in-office results without ever leaving your bathroom (or enduring the pain that comes with the in-office laser!). And unlike a salon, there’s no extra fee for touch-ups down the line. The main difference is timing: In-office lasers require monthly appointments, while at-home devices are used weekly since they’re less powerful. But after about eight sessions of each, the results can be pretty comparable. According to Braun, the device lasts up to 22 years’ worth of treatments—if you use it four times a month for eight weeks and touchups thereafter—which makes the initial investment feel like a no-brainer.
If you have the means (a.k.a. $600) and commit to doing the sessions yourself, I’d say the Braun Skin iExpert Smart IPL is totally worth it. It’s sleek, smart, and surprisingly beginner-friendly—especially with the app guiding you every step of the way. But most importantly, it actually works. At the eight-week mark, there’s almost no hair regrowth, and I’m eager to see how long the results hold before I have to pick up a razor again.
