We all want to be shaved durably, without pain and, if possible, to be able to do it in the quiet cocoon that represents our bathroom.

Hence the current trend of pulsed light hair removal at home.

It is still necessary to find the device that corresponds to us and perfectly meets our expectations: use, efficiency, duration of treatment ... We hope that this comparison of pulsed light epilators can help the most indecisive of us to do their choice.

Pulsed light epilator: what to know before

Be careful, none of the devices we have tested should be used on black or very dark skin and are ineffective against blonde, white or red hair.

Good to know: even if they are not dangerous for the eyes, it is reasonable to wear sunglasses when we approach the eyes of certain areas to flash: armpits , forearms, above the mouth.

Last precaution: they must be used on skin glabrous, shaved with razor.

Unlike laser hair removal, you can depilate immediately after shaving by having dried the skin.

Finally, it must be understood that this hair removal is less "definitive" than by laser and must be maintained regularly.

The most practical: Silk-expert from Braun

For who ? The "standard" pilosities on the body and finer on the face.

Technical characteristics: interval between flashes of 0.9 seconds. The luminous intensity is 6 J per cm ² and the application head is 3 cm ² .

Instructions for use: Connect the power cable to an electrical outlet and connect the power supply. The LED bars come on, the fan starts to run. There is then a choice of three light intensities (the soft and ultra soft modes are designed for sensitive areas and for the first uses). The skin sensors are placed in contact with the skin and the device automatically selects the appropriate light intensity. One chooses between two modes of treatments: the mode "slides" for the important zones (legs, arms), while leaving the pressed button, or the mode precision, for sensitive zones (armpits, bikini, cheeks, jaws) by releasing the button just after the flash.

Treatment plan: start-up phase (4 to 12 treatments) once a week, then continue following regrowth.

Time for a ½ leg: 8 minutes.

Our opinion: easy to handle, compact, it can be stored easily and can be taken out at any time. A good point also for its very long thread that avoids posturing in the bathroom. Touching attention: a mechanical razor is provided to properly prepare the skin.

Silk-expert, Braun, BD5001, 399 €. Available in home appliance stores.

The most "safe": Philips Lumea Essential

For who ? The important and resistant pilosities.

Data sheet: interval between flashes: 1.9 minutes, light intensity level from 1.8 to 4d / cm ² . An application head of 3.2 cm ²

Instructions for use: connect the device directly to the mains, then put the device on the skin so that it analyzes its hue. It then shows the settings we can use by flashing the appropriate intensity level LEDs in green, from 1 to 5. There are two available treatment modes: "flash" for small, rounded areas or "glow" for larger areas.

Treatment plan: during the first 4 or 5 treatments, use once every two weeks. Then every 4 weeks or so.

Time for ½ leg: 10 minutes.

Our opinion: we like the reinforced security that analyzes the skin color at the beginning of treatment and punctually during the session: it stops if it detects a shade too dark. For the important pilosities it seems better to do at the beginning a meeting every ten days. Thank you for the little travel kit.

Lumea Essential, Philips, 250 €. Available in home appliance stores.

The most respectful: Homelight Sensor from Babyliss

For who ? All the pilosities, even for the down on the lower face.

Technical characteristics: interval between flashes: 3.5 minutes, light intensity level: 4 to 4.5 j / cm ² . Two application heads: 4 cm _² and ² cm ² .

Instructions for use: connect one end of the adapter directly to the device and the other to the mains. ON is pressed and the minimum power level turns on. We place the system of reading ("skin sensor") on the skin. The intensity indicators light up indicating that our phototype has been saved and that the device has adjusted its energy level automatically. Press the shutter button a second time to confirm. Position on the area of ​​skin to be depilated. Choose between "precision" or "slide" mode by sliding the camera on the skin while holding down the shutter button. In precision mode you press the shutter button to release a flash only on the "delicate" area: armpit, face, jersey .

Treatment plan: the first 4 sessions are spaced 2 weeks apart. Then every four weeks until the desired result is achieved.

Time for a ½ leg: 8 to 10 minutes.

Our opinion: amazing softness for sensitive areas. And congratulations to the automatic phototype detector. Device a bit heavy nevertheless. We can space the first sessions of 10 days against fifteen for the skins not reactive.

Homelight Sensor, Babyliss, 269 € 90. Available in home appliance stores.

The easiest to use: Smoothskin from Bare

For who ? All beginners who want a device easy to store, easy to use and super simple operation.

Technical characteristics: flashes every 0.60 seconds. Intensity level, 3d / cm ² . An application head of 3cm ² .

Instructions for use: the device is connected via its adapter to the mains. We turn on. The blower turns on and the complexion sensor turns blue. It is sophisticated enough to detect throughout our hair removal if our skin tone is valid. Two processing modes are available: buffer mode (by pressing / releasing). (Note: the device needs to be charged between flashes which takes about ½ second.) In glide mode we slide all the way through trying to keep a constant speed.

Treatment plan: once a week for 1 month. Then at regular intervals as the regrowth.

Time for a 1/2 leg: 10 minutes.

Our opinion: a delightful object, without headaches, and easy to take on vacation. However, it can (and should) be used a little more often than its competition.

Smoothskin, Bare, 249 €. Available from Darty and Amazon.com.

The most unisex: Remington Remington ILight Pro

For who ? All pilosities, even the most rebellious, even those of men.

Technical characteristics: interval between flashes, 3 seconds for the body, 4 for the face. Light intensity level, 7 to 8 J / cm ² . Two application heads, 3cm ² for the body and 2cm ² for the face.

Instructions for use: after connecting the base to the mains and having connected the hand-held device using a wire, its skin color is analyzed by presenting the area to be depilated in front of the sensors located on the base. It remains to choose the level of luminous intensity, from 1 to 5 and the flash mode or the mode glide.

Treatment plan: the manufacturer promises a definitive result after three treatments spaced by ten days.

Time for two whole legs: 38 minutes.

Our opinion: an object a little bulky but exceptional performance. Too bad the skin sensor is on the base which requires contortions if we want to test his phototype on the jersey.

Remington ILight, Pro, IPL6500, 279 € 99. Available in home appliance stores.