What I Wish I Knew Before Buying an At-Home IPL Device
Updated: Oct 1
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If you're on the fence about an at-home IPL device like the Ulike Air 10, let me save you some of the guessing I did.
I've now owned two of these things across two years, and there are things I genuinely wish someone had told me before I clicked buy, especially as someone with ADHD who was fully prepared to let this become another well-intentioned purchase gathering dust in a drawer.
It didn't. But it easily could have, and the reasons it didn't are exactly what I wish I'd known going in.
The First Month Is What Actually Matters
I didn't understand this going in: it's not about being perfectly consistent forever, it's about being genuinely consistent for the first month. With my Air 3, I did 3 to 4 sessions a week for the first month, then eased off to twice a week, then weekly, then maintenance every few weeks.
That first month is doing most of the work. If I'd known that going in, I would have stressed a lot less about "keeping it up" long-term and focused all my energy on just nailing those first few weeks.
It Doesn't Erase Everything, and That's Fine
No one tells you that some areas just stay more stubborn no matter what. For me it's my bikini line, and to a lesser degree my armpits and ankles. Everywhere else, especially my legs and upper thighs, has gotten dramatically better to the point of basically peach fuzz.
If you go in expecting 100% permanent smoothness everywhere on your body, you'll be disappointed. If you go in expecting "shave way less, in way fewer places," that's the realistic and honestly still pretty great outcome.
Check Your Hair Color Before You Buy, Not After
This is the part I really wish someone had spelled out for me clearly: IPL works by targeting the pigment (melanin) in the hair itself, so it needs some darker color to actually "see" and target.
I have thick, dark hair, and my first device, the Air 3, worked, but it worked slower on the more stubborn areas because it only has one light and no mode built for that hair type specifically.
The Air 10 has two lights plus a mode targeted at thicker, darker hair, and that's the difference that actually moved the needle for me.
But here's the part that matters more than which model you buy: if your hair is very light, blonde, gray, white, or red, IPL in general may not work well for you at all, regardless of how many lights or modes the device has, because there just isn't enough pigment for it to target.
This isn't a "spend more to fix it" problem. Before you buy any IPL device, double check your actual hair color against the hair-color guide the brand provides — it'll tell you honestly whether this technology is even going to work for you before you spend the money.
It Has to Survive Your Real Life, Not Your Aspirational One
This is the one I wish I'd known most. I bought my Air 10 in the middle of an absolutely brutal stretch of life, used it heavily for a bit, and then completely forgot about it for months, because that's genuinely how my ADHD brain works with routines. Months later, results still held up far better than I expected.
That's the test I'd actually recommend applying before you buy: not "will I use this perfectly," but "will this survive me being human and forgetting it exists for a while." If the answer is yes, it's worth it. If a device only works with perfect discipline, it's not going to work for people like me.
It's an Investment, Budget For It Like One
This isn't a cheap impulse buy, and I don't want to pretend otherwise. But I think about it the same way I think about my other self-care investments: what am I actually saving in time, money, and mental energy over the long run by not scheduling salon visits or dealing with the daily grind of shaving.
If you're going to buy one of these, go in knowing it's a real investment in your routine, not a $20 gadget you can shrug off if it doesn't get used right away.
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.
Want this whole list in one place?
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Footwear
♡ Sandals/Flip-Flops
♡ Sneakers/Walking Shoes
Clothing
♡ Swimsuits
♡ Cover-Ups
♡ Underwear
♡ Socks
♡ Bras/Undershirts
♡ T-Shirts
♡ Casual Shirts
♡ Shorts
♡ Pants/Jeans
♡ Dresses/Skirts
♡ Belt
♡ Workout Clothes
♡ Tank Tops
♡ Rompers
♡ Shawl/Pashmina
♡ 2-3 Going-Out Outfits
♡ Statement Jewelry/Accessories
Toiletries & Personal Care
♡ Toothbrush
♡ Toothpaste
♡ Floss
♡ Body Wash/Soap
♡ Shampoo
♡ Conditioner
♡ Deodorant
♡ Face Wash/Cleanser
♡ Moisturizer
♡ Razor
♡ Shaving Cream
♡ Hair Accessories
♡ Make-Up
♡ Perfume
♡ Contact Lenses
♡ Period Care
♡ Q-Tips/Cotton Pads
Health, Safety & First Aid
♡ Personal/Prescription Medications
♡ Talk to Pharmacist: Dukoral/Twinrix
Hydration, Snacks & Wellness
Beach & Swim Gear
Tech, Charging & Entertainment
♡ Tablet/Charger
♡ Multi Charger
♡ Group Playlist: Downloaded Ahead
Sleep, Comfort, Packing & Laundry
Documents/Money & Pre-Trip Prep
♡ Passports
♡ Driver's License
♡ Boarding Passes
♡ Health/Insurance Cards
♡ Itinerary
♡ Hotel Reservations
♡ Rental Car Confirmation
♡ Dinner Reservations/Excursions
♡ Emergency Contacts List
♡ Cash/Credit/Debit Cards
♡ Travel Insurance Documents
♡ Currency Exchanged Before You Go
♡ Toll/Parking Cash
♡ Pet/Plant/House Sitter Info
♡ Copies of Important Documents
♡ Mail Hold/Stop Delivery
♡ Home Lighting Schedule (Break-In Deterrent)
♡ A Way to Split Costs (Venmo/e-Transfer)
♡ Country Arrival/Departure Paperwork (if applicable)
♡ Customs App Downloaded and Filled in (if applicable)
♡ Final Home Check - Doors Locked
Made it through the whole list?
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That's the whole list. Again — take what's useful, leave the rest.
Before you go...
Don't forget your free printable copy of this checklist — perfect for taping inside your suitcase lid so you've always got it on hand.
If there's one thing you'll learn about me, it's that I love finding things that make life feel a little easier. 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. Ashley
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