The quest for effective solutions to manage unwanted body and facial hair is an ongoing journey, isn’t it? Are you on the lookout for something innovative and efficient after exhausting all temporary hair removal options? If you’ve come across IPL hair removal devices, you're in the right place to gain further insight into their benefits and functionalities.
IPL hair removal devices function by targeting hair at the root, effectively destroying hair follicles, which results in skin that remains hair-free and smooth for several months. However, with the plethora of options available, which IPL devices stand out as both effective and budget-friendly?
Fortunately, the market is saturated with advanced IPL devices that also offer competitive pricing. Among these, the Noodist kit and SmoothSkin IPL devices have maintained their popularity over time. More recently, the Ulike Sapphire IPL device has entered the arena, which we will explore towards the conclusion of this article.
This guide will provide you with an in-depth comparison of these devices, covering aspects such as pricing, design, operational speed, effectiveness, safety, and compatibility.
Let’s dive in.
Comparing Nood and SmoothSkin IPL Devices
1. Design and Speed: Winner – Nood
The Nood Flasher 2.0 IPL device boasts an elegant white and gold aesthetic, featuring a digital display that indicates intensity levels and operational modes. Its corded design ensures a robust grip, while the treatment time for the entire body ranges from 10 to 15 minutes, potentially extending if you prefer a meticulous approach.
In contrast, the SmoothSkin IPL handset presents a sleek black exterior with golden accents. It includes a power button and a flasher button on the top, with intensity indicators located on the side, but lacks a digital display. Like Nood, it also requires approximately 10 to 15 minutes for full-body treatment.
Nood emerges as the leader in this category due to its user-friendly display and secure grip.
2. User Experience: Winner – SmoothSkin
Both devices perform admirably, sharing similar session durations and ease of use. While utilizing either device, users may experience mild discomfort, such as tingling or slight burning sensations. Fortunately, they both come with a 90-day money-back guarantee, ensuring you can test out the product risk-free.
However, SmoothSkin enhances user experience with three distinct modes: power, speed, and gentle, along with glide and stamp treatment modes, making it the more versatile option.
3. Time to Observe Results: Winner – Nood
Nood recommends a treatment frequency of twice per week, allowing users to notice significant reductions in hair regrowth within 8 weeks, potentially achieving complete hair inhibition. These results can sustain for several months.
Conversely, SmoothSkin requires weekly use, with noticeable delays in hair regrowth following two sessions. To achieve a 99% reduction in hair regrowth, users must wait approximately 12 weeks, after which a quick maintenance session every 1 to 2 months is necessary for maintaining smooth skin.
In this comparison, Nood proves to be faster in delivering results that last longer.
4. Intensity Levels: Winner – SmoothSkin
The Nood Flasher 2.0 provides 7 intensity levels, allowing users to commence at level 3 or lower and gradually increase power as their skin adjusts. SmoothSkin, on the other hand, offers a more extensive range with 10 power levels, catering to both sensitive skin and fair complexions. However, many users find that 5 levels suffice, potentially making the higher settings unnecessarily complex.
5. Skin Compatibility: Winner – A Tie
As with most IPL devices, it’s important to consult the compatibility charts for both Nood and SmoothSkin prior to purchase.
Nood IPL is unsuitable for individuals with red, grey, or blonde hair, as well as those with very dark skin tones. Similarly, SmoothSkin also does not cater to users with blonde, ginger, red, or grey hair and very dark or black skin tones.
6. Safety-Cleared: Winner – SmoothSkin
Both devices carry FDA clearance, making them safe for full-body usage. Each IPL device is equipped with built-in UV filters to protect the skin from potential harm.
Furthermore, SmoothSkin's intelligent skin sensing technology ensures that the device activates only when in proper contact with the skin, automatically adjusting to the appropriate intensity level for your specific hair color and skin tone.
7. Endorsement: Winner – SmoothSkin
Both devices are constructed with quality materials and effectively eliminate unwanted hair. However, it is worth noting that the Nood IPL device has yet to receive endorsement from professional dermatologists, influencers, or beauty editors.
On the flip side, beauty editor Katie Intner from Harper’s Bazaar has praised the SmoothSkin IPL device for its effectiveness, stating, “I’m still amazed at how this low-pain device zapped nearly all of my body hair. I didn’t anticipate the technology would yield results so quickly; after three weeks, I noticed slower hair regrowth in certain areas, and by the fifth week, I managed nearly nine days without shaving.”
8. What’s in the Box: Winner – Both
The Nood Flasher 2.0 kit includes the corded Nood IPL device, two revealers for skin exfoliation, and two revivers to soothe the skin post-treatment. However, it does not come with a precision head for hard-to-reach areas.
In contrast, the SmoothSkin Pure Fit package contains the SmoothSkin Pure Fit IPL device, a precision head, and an instruction manual, though it lacks pre and post-treatment gels.
Both kits have their merits, so the decision rests on which elements appeal to you more.
9. Price: Winner – SmoothSkin
The entire Noodist Flasher 2.0 kit retails for $473, whereas the SmoothSkin IPL set is available for $379.
10. Customer Reviews and Ratings: Winner – Nood
While the listed features of a device are what companies want you to know, customer reviews provide genuine insights into user satisfaction and device performance.
Nood has received 128 reviews on its official site, with an impressive average rating of 4.97 out of 5 stars, indicating strong user satisfaction regarding its performance and experience.
In comparison, SmoothSkin has amassed 351 reviews, with 97% of users recommending the device and an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, confirming its efficacy as well.
Despite the comparable number of reviews, Nood takes the lead with better ratings.
