IPL hair removal stands out as one of the most user-friendly, efficient, and time-saving options available for hair removal. Nevertheless, navigating the plethora of IPL devices on the market, each touting as the best choice, can be quite overwhelming. So, how can you effectively select an IPL device that meets your expectations?
The straightforward solution is to compile a list of your specific needs and find a device that aligns with all of them. Key considerations should include FDA clearance for safety, compatibility with various hair colors and skin tones, the number of flashes relating to lifespan, design, intended body areas for use, and more. Additionally, make sure to read reviews of any device prior to making a purchase.
To simplify the process of evaluating different devices, I have prepared a comprehensive comparison of the SmoothSkin Pure Mini 2 and the Bare+. Furthermore, you can also find a comparison between the SmoothSkin Pure Fit and Pure Mini here.
SmoothSkin Pure vs. Bare+: Which IPL Device Reigns Supreme?
1. Design and Aesthetic Appeal: Winner – SmoothSkin Pure
Both the SmoothSkin Pure Mini and Bare+ feature a sleek black design accented with subtle golden highlights. The SmoothSkin Pure IPL device exhibits a more refined aesthetic, while the Bare+ appears less meticulously finished at first glance.
Each device is palm-sized and handheld, equipped with a lengthy cord. The Pure Mini 2 presents straight edges with sharp contours, making it easier to grip, whereas the Bare+ has rounded edges, which may increase the likelihood of slipping during use.
Moreover, both devices possess identical flash window sizes and come with skin contact sensors located atop the flash window. Consequently, the SmoothSkin Pure Mini is not only more visually appealing but also ergonomically superior compared to the Bare+.
2. Comfort Modes: Winner – SmoothSkin Pure
Comfort modes are pivotal in ensuring that the device is gentle and non-harmful to the skin, accommodating users with varying thresholds for pain. The SmoothSkin Pure Mini offers two comfort modes.
The first is a gentle mode, delivering light pulses at a rate of 120 beats per minute with an energy output of 3 J/cm². The second, known as the power mode, operates at the same pulse rate but with an increased energy output of 4 J/cm². The gentle mode is suitable for sensitive skin areas, while the power mode excels at tackling stubborn hair.
In contrast, the SmoothSkin Bare+ lacks distinct comfort modes and operates solely at 4 J/cm² with a frequency of 120 flashes per minute. Therefore, it is evident that SmoothSkin Pure takes the lead in this category.
3. Treatment Time: Winner – A Tie
Both the SmoothSkin Pure Mini and Bare+ are designed for full-body and facial use. Treatment time fluctuates depending on whether you opt for stamping or gliding modes. The gliding mode is ideal for swiftly addressing unwanted hair on larger areas such as legs, chest, back, and arms, while the stamping mode is more effective for smaller regions like armpits and upper lips.
On average, treating the entire body takes between 10 to 30 minutes. Both devices share identical treatment times, ranking among the fastest IPL devices available.
4. Skin Tone Compatibility: Winner – A Tie
A significant limitation of IPL hair removal devices is that none cater to every hair color and skin tone. Similar to other IPL devices, both SmoothSkin Pure Mini and Bare+ share the same compatibility parameters.
They are effective for skin tones ranging from I to IV, covering everything from porcelain white to medium brown. Furthermore, both devices emit IPL light that is readily absorbed by dark hair, including shades of black, brown, and dark blonde, while proving ineffective on gray, white, ginger, or blonde hair.
5. Results Timeline: Winner – A Tie
When discussing the timeline for observable reductions in hair density, length, or quantity, four sessions within a four-week span are typically sufficient to yield favorable results with SmoothSkin. However, achieving long-term reduction in hair regrowth may require more time.
Both devices assert that completing 12 sessions over three months can lead to a 97% reduction in unwanted hair. Following this regimen, occasional touch-up sessions every few weeks may be necessary to eliminate any remaining hair. Thus, both SmoothSkin Bare+ and Pure Mini exhibit identical timelines for results.
6. Intensity Levels and Energy Output: Winner – Pure
The SmoothSkin Pure Mini features three distinct intensity levels, with power outputs ranging from 3 to 4 J/cm². These levels cater to various skin types, with lower settings suitable for sensitive facial skin, mid-level settings for the body, and higher settings for areas like the bikini line or legs.
Conversely, the SmoothSkin Bare+ offers only one intensity level at an energy output of 4 J/cm², which may pose challenges when treating more delicate skin. The lack of flexibility in intensity options makes it difficult to customize your treatment according to individual tolerance.
7. FDA-Cleared: Winner – A Tie
One reassuring aspect of SmoothSkin devices is their unambiguous commitment to safety. Both the SmoothSkin Pure Mini and Bare+ have received FDA clearance, ensuring their safety measures are effective for sensitive skin.
Additionally, global health organizations such as the FC, EC, and ICH have also approved both devices. Numerous fashion publications and blogs, including Allure, Beauty Insider, and Indy, endorse SmoothSkin.
8. Safety Measures: Winner – Pure
The safety features of both devices are fundamentally similar. Each device incorporates UV filters to block harmful radiation before it reaches the skin, four-point contact sensors to ensure the flash window is in complete contact with the skin during operation, and skin tone sensors to prevent usage on darker skin tones.
However, the SmoothSkin Pure Mini additionally includes active air cooling technology, which circulates air through the device to maintain a cooler temperature. This added feature makes it slightly safer to handle when compared to the SmoothSkin Bare+.
9. Contents of the Box: Winner – Pure
The SmoothSkin Pure Mini package includes the Pure IPL device, an adapter, a long cord, a safety manual, and a precision head, all neatly packaged in a cardboard box. In contrast, the SmoothSkin Bare+ package comprises the Bare+ IPL device, charger, cord, and an instruction manual.
The inclusion of a precision head in the SmoothSkin Pure Mini's kit gives it an edge over the Bare+.
10. Lifespan: Winner – A Tie
