The most common hair removal device problems, from 5,527 verified buyers

1. The most common hair removal device problem owners report: “Little or no visible result”, raised in 23% of the 1 to 3 star reviews, followed by “Couldn't use it on their skin, hair or health, found out too late” (5%).
2. What happy owners praise most: “Noticeably less hair within a few sessions”, in 17% of the 4 and 5 star reviews we read.
3. 88% of verified buyers rated their hair removal device 4 or 5 stars, against 93% across every product type in our study; hair removal devices rank 31 of 37 for happy buyers.
4. 8% gave 1 or 2 stars, about 1 buyer in 13.
5. Across the 14 hair removal devices with 30 or more ratings, the share of happy buyers ran from 80% to 91%.
6. Paying more did not disappoint more buyers: the pricier half of these hair removal devices had a median of 88% happy buyers, against 84% for the cheaper half (up to £160).
7. Owners agree with experts here: models whose expert reviews earned our “great choice” verdict had a median of 88% happy buyers, against 83% for “good with caveats”.
8. Buyers in the UK were the happiest (92% at 4 or 5 stars), and buyers in the US and Canada the least (81%).

Share of the 686 reviews of 1 to 3 stars that raise each problem, grouped across models. What to check before you buy.

1. 1. Little or no visible result23%
   Came up on 12 models
2. 2. Couldn't use it on their skin, hair or health, found out too late5%
   Came up on 4 models
3. 3. Stopped flashing or developed a fault4%
   Came up on 3 models
4. 4. Painful or irritates the skin3%
   Came up on 7 models
5. 5. Slow or fiddly sessions3%
   Came up on 3 models

The problems above, most common first, and how to avoid each one. Our advice; the order comes from the reviews.

1. 1. Little or no visible result (23% of complaints)

   IPL works best on light skin with dark hair, needs weeks of regular use, and does little on blonde, red or grey hair. Check the maker's skin and hair chart first.

2. 2. Couldn't use it on their skin, hair or health, found out too late (5% of complaints)

   Read the maker's safety list before you order, not after: IPL can't go over tattoos, moles or very dark skin, and some medicines and conditions rule it out.

3. 3. Stopped flashing or developed a fault (4% of complaints)

   Check the guarantee and how many flashes the lamp lasts.

4. 4. Painful or irritates the skin (3% of complaints)

   Start on the lowest setting, shave first and test a small patch.

5. 5. Slow or fiddly sessions (3% of complaints)

   For legs, check how often it flashes or whether it glides; a few seconds per flash adds up to half an hour a leg.

Share of the 851 newest 4 and 5 star reviews we read that praise each point.

1. 1. Noticeably less hair within a few sessions17%
   Came up on 13 models
2. 2. Easy to set up and use12%
   Came up on 13 models
3. 3. Gentler than expected6%
   Came up on 9 models
4. 4. Handy attachments and app reminders4%
   Came up on 5 models
5. 5. Good value for the money2%
   Came up on 3 models

Regions with 30 or more ratings, by where the shop is. Shops in each region sell different models, so a gap can come from the models as much as from the buyers.