As we prepare for the arrival of the warm weather, the task of epilating and showing more skin comes to mind. However, if you’re like me, you may lack the motivation to tackle the task. Fortunately, the introduction of pulsed light epilators has completely transformed the way we approach hair removal. Considering the number of people who find themselves in a similar situation, I want to share with you the main differences between two leading brands: Braun Silk Expert and Silk’n Motion.
Although each brand offers a wide variety of models, I will focus on two specific ones that will provide you with a comprehensive understanding. Join me as I explore the differences between the Braun Silk Expert Pro 5 and the Silk’n Motion Premium. Get ready to discover their unique features and benefits, allowing you to make an informed decision that will revolutionise your hair removal routine.
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IPL vs HPL technology: What is it all about?
If you’ve had a look at Braun’s epilator, you’ll know that it uses IPL technology. But if you’ve looked at the Silk’n Motion epilator, you’ll have noticed that it’s not IPL, it’s HPL. Now, do you know what the difference is?
IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light, a technology commonly used in hair removal devices, including epilators. Intense Pulsed Light epilators use broad spectrum bursts of light to target and inhibit the growth of hair follicles. Here are some key points about IPL epilator technology:
IPL technology works by emitting high-intensity pulses of light into the skin. The light is absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in the hair follicles, which converts the light energy into heat. This heat damages the follicles and, over time, reduces hair growth.
HPL stands for Home Pulsed Light, which is another technology used in certain hair removal devices, including some epilators. HPL technology is similar to IPL (Intense Pulsed Light), but there are some differences. HPL devices emit light energy in pulses to targeted areas of the skin. These pulses are usually delivered at specific wavelengths to maximise their effectiveness in targeting hair follicles.
Let’s look at how they differ
The main differences between IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) and HPL (Home Pulsed Light) technologies lie in their specific applications and the devices they are associated with. Here are the main differences:
- Device design: Intense Pulsed Light devices tend to be larger, bulkier and more powerful, as they are designed for professional use in controlled environments. HPL devices, on the other hand, tend to be smaller and more compact, and are designed for comfortable and easy use at home.
- Energy levels: IPL devices tend to operate at higher energy levels than HPL devices. This is because professional IPL devices require proper calibration and trained professionals to ensure safe and effective treatment. HPL devices used for home hair removal are designed with lower energy levels to provide a safer user experience.
- Treatment efficacy: Due to higher energy levels and professional expertise, pulsed light devices used in clinics or salons are often considered more effective in reducing hair than pulsed light devices used at home. However, both technologies can provide varying degrees of hair reduction depending on individual factors.
- Origin of the technology: IPL is an established technology used in professional settings, such as clinics and beauty salons, for various cosmetic treatments, including hair removal. HPL, on the other hand, is a term used by specific manufacturers to describe their patented pulsed light technology designed for home use.
- Safety features: IPL devices used in professional environments often include additional safety features and settings to adapt energy levels for different skin tones and sensitivity levels. HPL devices intended for home use also incorporate safety mechanisms, but may have fewer customisation options.
- Price: IPL treatments performed by professionals can be more expensive than purchasing an IPL device for home use. The cost of IPL treatments may include several sessions and maintenance visits. HPL devices require a one-time purchase and can provide long-term savings for those who prefer at-home hair removal.
It is important to note that specific IPL and HPL devices may vary in their features, efficacy and performance as they have been developed by different manufacturers. When considering hair removal options, it is recommended to research and compare the specifications, user reviews and results of different devices to find the one that best suits your needs and preferences.
Braun Silk Expert vs Silk’n Motion: Let’s look at their differences
We start by looking at the key differences between the two epilators, so you can get an idea of which one suits you best.
Epilation technology
As mentioned above, the Braun Silk Expert has IPL technology, compared to the HPL technology of the Silk’n Motion Premium. We’ve already explained the differences above, although we should add that one of the criteria that will help you decide which one is best for you is your skin tone, as not everyone is equally prone to this epilation system.
Number of pulses
One of the differences to consider is the number of light pulses each epilator offers. The Braun Silk Expert Pro 5 has a total of 400,000 pulses, while the Silk’n Motion Premium boasts 600,000 pulses. However, it should be noted that the light pulses of IPL technology are more intense than those of HPL; in fact, according to user feedback, Braun seems to optimise the light pulses better than its rival.
Design
Both epilators have an ergonomic design, but this one couldn’t be more different. The Braun Silk Expert has a more elongated and seemingly more compact design, as it does not have a more prominent head than the body. In contrast, the Silk’n Motion has a pistol shape, with an elongated head and a perpendicular handle for gripping.
Intensity levels
As you’ll see below, both epilators are able to adjust the degree of intensity according to skin tone, but they don’t have the same range to do so. The Braun epilator has a total of 10 intensity levels, which is reduced to 5 in the case of the Silk’n Motion. So in this respect we give the advantage to Braun, because it allows for a wider range of skin tones and therefore a more targeted action on the follicles.
Braun Silk Expert vs Silk’n Motion: Why are they similar?
Now, let’s sum up what they have in common:
They are suitable for the whole body
Either of the two epilators featured in this review can be used on the legs, underarms, face or bikini line, while taking into account the maximum level of intensity that each part of the body can tolerate depending on its tone.
High level of effectiveness
According to the criteria and information provided by each brand, in both cases we obtain a result of more than 90% effectiveness after approximately three or four months. The Braun Silk Expert starts to show results sooner, although in the long run the effectiveness is very similar.
Sensor to identify skin tone
An important advantage shared by both epilators is that they have a sensor that can identify skin tone and adjust the intensity level accordingly. In Braun’s case it is the Skin Pro 2.0 or SensoAdapt sensor, while Silk’n Motion’s epilator calls it the Skin Colour Sensor.
Braun Silk Expert vs Silk’n Motion: My conclusion
It’s time to make a final decision and choose the IPL epilator that best suits your needs. Given that the epilators share the same pulsed light epilation system, it’s important to look at the small details that can make the difference. One of them is your skin tone, as there are certain skin tones where IPL hair removal is more effective than HPL.
Another important factor is price, although in this respect the premium version of Silk’n Motion is quite similar in price to the Braun Silk Expert, so this is not an aspect that will make a major difference to your decision.
You also need to look at the precision of each epilator. The Braun has twice as many intensity levels as the Silk’n, which means it is more accurate when analysing skin tone. On the other hand, the Silk’n has more light pulses, although the intensity is lower.
In short, think about what your most important search preferences are and, based on them, choose the epilator that best suits you. In this case, we’ve chosen the Braun Silk Expert, because so far we haven’t found one that we think outperforms it in terms of quality and effectiveness.