Ulike Air 3 vs. Air 10: Was the Upgrade Actually Worth It?
- Aug 2
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 15
I don't upgrade gadgets just because a newer version exists — with an ADHD brain and a budget, I genuinely cannot afford to be that person. So when I went from the Ulike Air 3 to the Air 10, it wasn't hype, it was two real trips a year apart giving me two real data points. Here's the honest before-and-after.
I got the Air 3 before my husband and I went to Cuba in April 2024. I got the Air 10 this past January or February, ahead of our Dominican trip in April. Same goal both times: less shaving, more time back. Here's what actually changed.
What I Had Before: The Air 3
The Air 3 has one light and the same cooling technology that makes IPL painless, which was genuinely enough to get real results. I was seriously consistent with it — 3 to 4 times a week the first month, then twice a week, then weekly, then every few weeks as maintenance. By the time we took a week-long trip down south, I didn't shave once the entire week. For a first device, that's not a small win.
What's Actually Different About the Air 10
The Air 10 has two lights instead of one, plus a mode built specifically for thicker, darker hair — which is exactly my situation, and exactly where the Air 3 hit its limit for me. That extra mode is the real difference. It's not that the Air 3 didn't work; it's that the Air 10 works faster and more thoroughly on the stubborn areas, which is where an upgrade actually justifies itself instead of just being a shinier box.
The Real Test: Months of Neglect
Here's the part that actually convinced me the upgrade was worth it. I used the Air 10 heavily before our April trip, then didn't touch it for months — ADHD does that to routines, full stop. Months later, regrowth was minimal almost everywhere: my upper thighs are basically peach fuzz, my legs overall need almost nothing. The only areas that came back more noticeably were my armpits, and stubborn spots like my bikini line, which have always been more resistant regardless of device. That's a much better "fell off the routine" result than I ever got with the Air 3 at the same stage.
Who Should Actually Upgrade
If your hair is finer or lighter, I honestly think the Air 3 does the job and there's no reason to spend more. But if you've got thick, dark hair like mine, especially in stubborn areas, the Air 10's extra mode is the
difference between "pretty good results" and "didn't have to think about it for months." A full-body session runs about 10 to 15 minutes when you're doing it a few times a week — annoying to schedule, but it's backend work, the same logic as meal prepping (which I recommend far more than I personally practice).
My Honest Bottom Line
I don't regret the Air 3 and I don't regret the Air 10. One got me hooked on the idea that at-home IPL could actually work for someone who forgets things exist for months at a time. The other proved it could hold up to that same neglect and still deliver. If a device can survive my brain, it can survive pretty much anyone's.
If there's one thing you'll learn about me, it's that I love finding things that make life feel a little easier.
Whether that's a travel essential, a parenting hack, a cozy self-care find, or something that simply makes me think, “Why didn't I know about this sooner?”
I'm grateful you're here and I hope you found something helpful.
Wishing you comfort, calm, and a little less overwhelm wherever life takes you.
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