Using the JOVS Venus Pro II to remove unwanted leg hair. Photo by JOVS
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I’m constantly on the lookout for products that will solve my problems and save me money. Problem: I have thick, dark hair all over my body and I don’t like it. I have tried laser hair removal on certain areas of my body and found it to be ineffective over time, plus it’s expensive. Shaving takes so long and I don’t have the patience for waxing. I’ve been looking for an at-home hair removal solution for the summer so I tested the JOVS Venus Pro II.
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Before we get into the review, it’s important to understand what this device is, how it works and potential risks.
What is IPL?
IPL stands for intense pulsed light and is used for long-term hair removal as well as improving skin texture and radiance. It can also help with things like photoaging (sun damage), uneven skin tone and acne.
How does it work?
IPL uses light energy to target certain cells within your skin. In this case, the tool is targeting germ cells. The contrast in pigment helps the light target a particular area — a dark hair follicle on light skin, for example.
The light is directed at the pigmentation in the hair causing a burst of heat that effectively harms the cells that would cause hair growth in that area.
Dr. Davin Lim explains this process in more detail, here.
IPL devices emit multiple wavelengths of light on a broad spectrum. They tend to impact larger areas but with less intensity when compared to a laser. Photo by JOVS
How is it different from laser hair removal?
Both use light to heat hair follicles and prevent them from regrowing. Laser uses monochromatic light, meaning light in one wavelength. IPL delivers light across a broad spectrum or multiple colours.
Since IPL devices emit multiple wavelengths of light on a broad spectrum, they tend to impact larger areas but with less intensity when compared to a laser.
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Laser is more targeted to one area, with one beam of intense light energy, thus slower to spread out. Laser is considered more powerful and likely more effective (experts are all over the place on this) when treated by a professional. IPL is less targeted, thus less effective, but considered much safer for at-home use. Therefore, IPL likely requires more sessions to effectively remove unwanted hair.
Is IPL safe?
Yes. The JOVS Venus Pro II has been designed for at-home use without training. However, it’s very important to fully read the instruction booklet before use to avoid skin damage and always wear the protective glasses provided to prevent ocular damage. This product is FDA approved.
JOVS’ recommended skin and hair type combinations. Photo by JOVS
Who can’t use the JOVS Venus Pro II?
Anyone that is pregnant, breastfeeding, has a skin condition, is ultra-sensitive to light, has recently tanned (in the sun or a tanning bed) or has severe scarring.
Like laser hair removal, this IPL tool is most effective on people with lighter skin tones and darker hair. This is because we are targeting the pigment in the hair — if you have dark skin or blond hair, it may not work at all and could cause discolouration. If you fall into either of these latter categories, we suggest alternative hair removal practices.
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The box comes with the IPL hair remover and cord, the SR mode attachment, safety goggles and an instruction booklet. Photo by Postmedia
My review
Context: I found this product to be very effective on the areas of my body I had already done laser hair removal on. I did six sessions of laser hair removal at a salon, about two to three years ago. I was told I would need 10-12 sessions, but ended up getting pregnant halfway through treatments and didn’t end up going back. I had those treatments done on my armpits, bikini area and upper lip.
I found the JOVS device less effective on areas that hadn’t previously been treated: my legs and my chin (oh, the journey of primary research). I’m not sure if it’s because these two areas are particularly boney — therefore it’s tricky for the device to zap the correct spots — or because of my previous treatments.
How to use: First clean and shave any area of your body you’d like to use the device on (do not use it on your head).
The device is very easy to use. I recommend reading the detailed instruction booklet completely before first use, so you know exactly what you’re getting into. Don’t expect results after one use: follow the chart and expect to use it religiously for the next eight weeks. You’ll start with four sessions per week, moving to two or three and down to one by week eight. Then expect touch-ups about once per month (I find I need more for my legs).
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The device plugs into an outlet, so find a comfy spot that is well-lit. The website mentions that you can zap your entire body in 15 minutes — this is absolutely not true. It took me about 25 minutes to do my face, armpits, bikini area and legs each time.
Pick the correct mode (by body part) and choose your intensity on a scale of 1-6. The brand recommends starting on a low level of intensity and only increasing to your comfort level. I started on level one and immediately went to level six in the following sessions. The instruction booklet also recommends performing a test on a few patches of skin on different areas of your body and waiting 24 hours — follow this step to ensure you won’t have a strange reaction.
Either hit the button every time you want a pulse of light or hold the same button down for automatic light pulsations — one pulse every 0.7 seconds. Move the device up and down your body ensuring a pulse of light hits each area of desired hair loss. I found this took time and patience, but it’s not so bad in the comfort of your own home with a bit of Love is Blind on the TV. I appreciated the 330-degree rotating head, which helped me get to difficult-to-reach or boney areas of my body.
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There is a skin rejuvenation (SR) mode that is meant to help with fine lines and dullness, but I didn’t find myself using this option, so can’t speak to its effectiveness.
The Venus II in action. Photo by Postmedia
How it feels: What I loved about this device is that I felt zero pain. Waxing can be very painful and I found my salon laser treatments to be somewhat painful — sharp zaps or stings. Many people compare laser treatments to the sting of an elastic band hitting your skin. I didn’t feel anything using the JOVS device.
It has what they call an “Ice cooling head” made from ultra-thin sapphire which maintains a temperature of 5 C to ensure treatments are pain free.
I wore the safety goggles (included in the box) every single time and even closed my eyes while treating my face to further protect my eyes.
Rating efficacy by body part:
Face — upper lip: 8/10. Perhaps thanks to my previous treatments, I found I didn’t need to follow the entire eight-week plan to see complete hair loss on my upper lip. I do follow up with one treatment per month to keep it that way.
Face — chin: 2/10. I had a couple of rogue chin hairs that I have always just plucked out. I made the mistake of shaving them in order to test this product, which resulted in many more chin hairs appearing. I used the product for the required eight weeks and I’m not thrilled with the results.
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Armpits: 9/10. Again, this could be thanks to previous treatments. No more armpit hair after eight weeks, but I do a once-per-month light-pulse session to remain hair-free.
Bikini: 8/10. Previously treated, this area didn’t need the full eight-week treatment. Once-per-month top-up treatments.
Legs: 5/10. Not previously treated and the largest area on my body. I was definitely more relaxed when it came to keeping up with the set schedule of treatments, meaning I got lazy and did fewer sessions on my legs. Definitely the most time-consuming and difficult body part to treat, particularly around the shin bone and the knees. I keep telling myself to do more thorough and regular sessions, but you really need to dedicate time to this area. I do notice less growth and thinner hair but have to shave about once every seven or eight days for hair-free legs.
Recommendation: I highly recommend JOVS Venus Pro II as a follow-up tool to salon treatments or for anyone looking to greatly reduce hair growth.
Buy the JOVS Venus Pro II at jovs.com. Plus, the device is currently on sale for $249 USD (down from $299 USD).
The device is no longer available on Amazon.ca, but the Braun 3-in-1 Sensosmart Epilator Series, a comparable product which produced similar results for another member of our team, is.
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