I am a beauty gadget fanatic — and you can just imagine how happy I was to receive the Silk’n Flash & Go ($299.00) last month. Are you tired of waxing your legs every two weeks? (Plus see our list of the best shaving tips–>>HERE!) Well, I am! And I have found my answer in Silk’n Flash & Go!
Silk’n Flash & Go is a FDA cleared light based device for permanent hair reduction designed for home use. It utilizes a technology called Home Pulsed Light (HPL) that can achieve long-term hair removal at a fraction of the energy used in other light based hair removal equipment. The low energy used in Silk’n Flash & Go™ reduces its potential to cause harm or complications, and contributes to your overall safety. The Flash & Go also features a built-in skin tone censor that assesses the user’s skin tone at the start of every session, and occasionally throughout the treatment. Since one of the main risks of laser hair removal is ineffectiveness or scarring on dark skin tones, this feature is very useful for laser hair removal by a non-professional.
UPDATE: Check out our review with Before/After photos of the best new epilator here > Braun SkinSpa Epilation & Sonic Exfoliation System.
Hair color
Since the light is seeking out the hair’s melanin, dark hair responds the best. Shades of brown may see a reduction in hair, but often require more treatments. Red hair isn’t completely ruled out here, but may possibly benefit. White, gray and blond hair lack sufficient melanin and don’t usually respond, although the company does mention that some users have noticed results after multiple treatments. Keep in mind that facial hair, especially on women, is often light and not always the same color as your natural head’s hair color.
Skin Color
Light to medium skin tones can safely use this device. If the skin tone is too dark, either naturally or from sun exposure, the device will then attack the skin’s melanin which could cause burns, blisters and dark skin spots. A skin tone sensor, built-in to see if it’s within a safe range, automatically checks at the beginning of a treatment and occasionally throughout the treatment. The light will not pulse if it perceives the skin is too dark.
I applied it on my shaved, cleaned lower leg. The best results are when you use it on shaved hair which means the laser does not have to travel as far to the root. After pressing it on, a fan sound similar to a hairdryer will start and then the indicator turns on. It has five settings, I tried Setting 2 to begin with.
As soon as the treatment surface is in full contact with the skin, the indicator light starts blinking. Press the pulse button. The device will first determine the color of your skin. If the color of skin is perfect for safe application, it will flash a pulse of light with a subtle pop sound (don’t worry, that’s a normal noise for the device). Move the device all over your treatment surface. Use the pressure marks to guide your proper positioning of the next pulse, avoiding both gaps and overlaps between pulses.
Before
After
First, try it on smaller part of skin; I tried it on my lower legs to see some results or else you’ll run out of one-thousand flashes per cartridge if you use it on your whole body every time. The company recommends treatments spaced every two weeks for the first four sessions. If hair has grown back after these first four treatments, monthly treatments can be done until desired results are achieved.
When using you feel some heat and a quick snap. However, it depends on one’s own tolerance and skin sensitivity, including the hair thickness and where the device is being used. There are five settings, level one giving off the least amount of light energy and discomfort, and five the most. Avoid it on your face with high settings especially in the summer when you’re tanned and more susceptible to burns.
Hair grows basically in three different stages: growing, resting and shedding. For treatments to work hair needs to be zapped in the growth stage. But all of the hair isn’t in the same stage at one time, therefore multiple treatments are needed. Of course, more energy given off in the pulse by using the highest setting will have the best chance of reducing hair.
I have done around four applications, two weeks apart and due for my fifth application in around four weeks from now. I feel that my hairs have reduced and growing out much finer than before. The package comes with the purple unit, adapter, two lamp cartridges, user manual and an instructional DVD. Available on Sephora.com; replacement cartridges retail for $49.00.
So, ladies, what are you waiting for? Do you want to try out this new gadget, or stick to your usual waxing treatments? Plus, check out our must-read list of the best shaving tips.
– Upasana Sahu, cosmetic chemist
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