I took up the BR/Farmers offer that was offered to us. As it had to be brought within a certain time I got a lovely BR lady to get me one and send it down. So grateful!
This came really well packaged. A very heavy duty box. Inside a kind of egg carton thing that holds it tight inside. The actual machine looks amazing. Purple features on machine and handle.
To use, plug it in (wish the cord was longer!), you turn on a switch and you have to wave your hand over a sensor to show you're a real person (it's a pain! It doesn't always pick it up. Safety features are good but plugging in, turning on a switch, holding down a button should be enough), select the flash strength you require (it automatically starts on lowest setting) hold the handle/hand piece, place the flash side flat against the skin (if it's not flat it won't flash, another safety feature), hold your index finger on button on top and push to make flash. You can hold your finger down constantly and move handle along area you want to treat to save pressing each time. Press the button, look away and wait for the zap of flash. Don't look at it as its really bright! (I wear sunglasses or sit in front of the fire and look at the reflection in the glass) After each flash, move to the next part and repeat. It comes with a special face lense and a body one. They have the pictures on to make it easy which to use.
You have to have lighter coloured skin to use it. You can't use it on tattoos. I accidentally got the edge of a large one I have on my thigh and heck it hurt!!!!! Burned the tattoo that took a week to calm down. My mistake forgetting it was on my leg.
I love how it's zapping away my hairs. Right after doing it, the growth slows right down. There are a quite a few things I'd suggest changing to make it more user friendly. It wouldn't change the cost but would change the ease in use. You are meant to use it every 2 weeks For proper results. If you have a partner ask them to help. My hubby was like not again after my last so called hair removal. Make sure you have shaved the area before zapping or you will jump! Careful if you do the lady garden you don't get the zap in the wrong spot. There maybe a few holes left in the ceiling as your head darts through it.
Would I buy it again, yes if I was wanting to save on going to a IPL salon.
For years I have suffered ingrown hairs on my legs from epilation. I've tried Silky Mit and loved it but those ingrown hairs always came back. I recently tried the exfoliation gloves on a daily basis along with a BHA and although that was more successful it never fully stopped them from happening (lessened yes but stopped, no).
Along came Nat with her trial of this IPL machine and with the special they had on it I figured "why not?". After all, Remington do say that if you don't like it, you can return it for a full refund in 60 days.
So my results aren't as good as Nat's review but I don't care because my ingrown hairs have gone! I would have little marks and scabs all over my legs from picking ingrown hairs and there would be red bumps from regrowth. This has eliminated all of that.
I have been using this for a month and a bit (two weeks between sessions, just done my 4th) and sure hair is still growing (remember, I used an epilator so my hair is on a funny growth cycle AND a lot of my hair is blonde, not black) but I can see that it is a lot less and smoother too. I can easily get away with shaving once a week. Shaving ... something I have not done in YEARS.
I found it a bit scary to use the first time but after realising that 1) it doesn't leave marks, 2) doesn't hurt very much and 3) yes you can go over the same place more than once without worrying about burning as they suggest in their booklet, I found it incredibly easy to use, more so than the epilator.
Pressing the button to do the light and zap can be a bit of a pain though. You think you have it pressed but you don't so you have to readjust your grip and try again. It would be far easier to use a trigger mechanism than a push button one but this is my only complaint.
Yes it is a lot of money to spend on something you aren't too sure about and of course, nothing you can buy will give you 110% of your expectations but for me I think this machine is great and I'm really glad I took the chance and purchased one.
Tips: Watch youtube vids and read up other reviews on this model (be very specific in your searches because previous models have replacement cartridges etc, this does not have that) before you splash out since it is an expensive product that many of us would consider a luxury item.
If you get any brown or white marks on the mirror of the hand held device, simply get a cotton bud, dip it in some Isopropyl Alcohol (pick up from the chemist for about $8) and gently wipe over the mirror. Follow that up with the lint free cloth included with the machine to dry it out.