Gillette Venus Silk-expert 3 BD3001 Long-lasting Hair Removal IPL, White/Purple, with Venus Razor

I'm rarely inspired to leave Amazon reviews, so am not sure if it will show that this was a 'verified purchase', however, I purchased this exact item in early March of this year. It appears that at some point in the past, this item was only a razor and did NOT include the IPL, which makes reading the reviews confusing (and was maybe a bit disingenuous of Braun, but I digress). My review is ONLY of the IPL, as I could care less about the razor. It was a pain sorting through the reviews when I bought this to distinguish who was reviewing the actual IPL, so I'm hoping this will help someone else.A few things to know -1) I did 6 sessions of IPL on my lower legs and bikini in a salon using a groupon about 6 years ago. It definitely reduced the hair a bit, but nothing dramatic.2) My leg hair has always been an enormous pain -- it's gotten even more coarse and my skin more sensitive in my 30s. I also get goosebumps really, really easily, sometimes WHILE shaving. All of this results in severe itchiness on my legs (and OMG don't get me started on the bikini line), nasty razor burn, and chronic ingrown hairs. Also, when I say 'severe itchiness', think 'like being attacked by fire ants.' I've tried everything over the years - Tend Skin, hydrocortisone cream, a regrettable attempt at epilation, waxing, etc. I'd mainly accepted that the most tolerable thing was using an electric razor, which cut down on the burning, but never got a close shave. Really, it's all been the worst. I've long been envious of my blonde friends who rarely have to shave (like, majorly jealous). As a result, over the years I shave much less often - wear linen pants and long skirts in the summer. Though I LOVE the pool and the beach, I'd always dreaded getting ready for them. I longed to be a get-up-and-go type woman in the summer.3) I'm the ideal candidate for a product like this -- very light skin, very dark, thick hair (I've got a crazy, thick head of curls). I can't speak for how this will work for you in any case, but esp not if you aren't that hair/skin combo.4) I had a suspicion going into this that many who review it negatively would be expecting miracles and/or not accepting the time commitment this takes (I'm 6 feet tall, and treating my legs and bikini thoroughly is about an hour-1.5 hours each week). I vowed to use this consistently and as close to the directions as I could, even if it was time consuming, before making any judgements on it as a product.5) I came into a bit of extra money a few months ago, and bought this accepting that it may be a waste of money, but I thought it was worth the risk in the event that it worked. I also did the math on how much quality razors for sensitive skin cost (Venus refills are FIVE DOLLARS A POP, and last MAYBE a week, if that). I did a fair bit of reading on home IPLs, but saw that most of the reviews online seemed to be by people given a product in exchange for a review, so didn't know how much to trust what I read. I will say unequivocally that I got absolutely nothing in return for this review, and bought the product on my own.Ok, now I will say - this product has been a game changer for me. I just returned from a week at the beach, and no joke, its results improved my vacation significantly - this is a quality of life improver. To date, I've seen significant hair reduction, after about 11 treatments over three months. The key for me has been seeing this as what it's really supposed to be, from my reading - it results in permanent hair *reduction* -- maybe permanent hair removal over a longer time, but I'm happy for now with the reduction. Yes, I still have to shave, and get stubble after two or three days (blame the goosebumps). BUT - the hair is not as coarse, so I can still go for a few days without shaving. Shaving is MUCH less tedious as the hair is sparser and not nearly as coarse. I also have hardly any ingrown hairs any more, none of the itching/burning, and I CAN now get up and go like I've always wanted to.A few things I've learned --1) my results started improving exponentially when I accepted that, it takes more time, but I should be moving the device less between flashes. I only started doing this in maybe the last four sessions, so it makes me hopeful that I'll continue to see results now that I move it less - I still plan to be doing sessions 2-3x/month.2) I don't have a great system for tracking as I go what part of my legs I've done already. I've started doing it on the couch as I watch TV (my husband stopped thinking I was insane after 6-8 weeks), so whatever is easiest with the angle I'm laying at, doing it length wise up my legs, or doing it in rings around my calves and then upper legs, I do. Also, as the hair on my upper legs is coarser and I never had the salon IPL done on them, sometimes I do touch ups focusing on the worse spots.3) I thought that the laser might bother my eyes, so bought cheapo glasses for it, but I realized that I can sort of cup my hand over the device to prevent the light from getting to my eyes (and it blocks it from my husband's view if I'm lying on the couch :)4) I can't really speak for the pain -- as I've noted above, I'm used to a LOT of pain on my legs from my hair removal adventures over the years. I'd say that the closest thing to what I experience is MAYBE if you took a very thin rubber ban and lightly snapped it against your skin. I rarely notice any sensation, and when I do, I kind of like the tingle cause I feel like it's working ;D I've never used the sensitive mode.5) I have a friend who purchased it after hearing about it from me - she has similarly dark hair, light skin. We've compared results periodically, and she's had even more success than I have (she's the one that encouraged me to move it less between flashes).I think that's it - I sincerely hope this helps someone else. I will update if anything changes dramatically. I think that only some of us really understand what it's like to have brutally unmanageable body hair -- if that's not you, count yourself lucky, and understand that you likely don't have a hair type this would work well on anyway (as it doesn't do well on light/thin/fine hair, but that's not as much a pain to begin with, anyway). If that IS you, I would say that this may be worth a shot, and I really hope you have the great results I have.

According to the hair color vs skin tone chart I should be the ideal user. (Dark hair/pale skin) I have used this consistently for months with zero progress made. I read all instructions to make sure I was doing it right. Nothing. I live in a year round beach area and was so hoping to ditch the razor or the worry about my bikini line. Underarms were a bonus. Nothing. It doesn’t hurt, it isn’t difficult to use, it just doesn’t do crap.

I really like this product. The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is because I wish it had a bigger lens. It’s a little time consuming when you laser large areas. I’ve tested this product out in two ways. One shaving the area prior to treatment and the other epilating the area prior to treatment. The hair in the area I epilated (quadriceps), hasn’t grown back after one laser session. It’s been about 5-6 weeks and I haven’t seen any hair growth. Usually I will see some hair growth at 2-3 weeks. The other quadricep I shaved, didn’t have the same results. There was some hair loss, but nothing compared to the epilated quad. I’ve also epilated/lasered my midsection and after 4-5 sessions, Ive removed about 90% of all hair.The product works. I’m def happy how it helps remove hair and save money on razors. Oh, one last thing, your skin complexion def play a role. On my tan areas, the laser emits a lighter blast (if that’s what it’s called) and on my whitest areas it emits stronger. This is prob why my quad and midsection have had great results. Anyways, def recommend this product. Why pay someone hundreds of dollars multiple times when you can do it yourself for way cheaper

This review is for the hair removal system, not the razor or the blades. In short: it actually works!Edit December 2018: It works TEMPORARILY. All of the hair I so tediously, patiently zapped in the spring is back in its original texture. The hair did stay away all summer and it was nice to avoid shaving, which irritates my skin. I will probably try this again next spring and do a maintenance zap every few weeks to see how it goes.Original Review:I have pale, sensitive skin. The body hair in some areas, such as my lower legs and bikini zone, is deep rooted and dark. My arm and upper leg hair is blonde and fine. I have waxed a few times, but not regularly or within the past five years. I used the system on my arms, armpits, legs, and bikini zone.I have used the system five times at the writing of this review. I will update after I finish the twelve treatments.After Five Treatments:Upper legs: Most hairs no longer regrow. Those that do grow very slowly and are so fine they are barely visible.Lower legs: Finer hairs are gone. Coarser hairs still grow, but much more slowly. Growing hairs are no longer visible under my ridiculously pale skin.Bikini Line: This area was waxed far more than the others and that's probably why it is having the most spectacular results. Approximately 40% of hairs no longer grow. Those remaining grow about half as fast as they used to.Armpits: Finer hairs are gone. Coarser hairs still grow, but much more slowly. Growing hairs are no longer visible under my ridiculously pale skin.Arms: Confession... I have actually only treated my arms three times. I skipped two weeks because, frankly, I got lazy. That said, the hair density has not yet been impacted, but the growth rate is greatly diminished.I do not find the light painful and it rarely stings. When it does, it seems to be because I missed a hair when shaving. (Side note: the directions say to make sure all hairs are shaved or otherwise removed prior to treatment. The first time I used this, I had shaved my upper legs two days before. I figured that was good enough. IT WAS NOT. I wound up with a smattering of red, blotchy lumps. They were confined solely to my upper legs and I strongly suspect were caused by the longer hairs. I have not had any other adverse skin reactions.) The light is very bright and will make you see spots if you look directly at it.My only complaint is how long the process takes. First you have to shave and then you have to meticulously, painstakingly slide the light wand all over yourself. I wish it recharged a little faster. It takes me about 75 minutes from start to finish and I'm super petite with a small surface area.Update: After completing the twelve rounds of use, I am quite pleased with the end results!Upper legs: I gave up on these shortly after writing my initial review. I will probably finish up the last six treatments now that I'm done with the majority of the other areas. Despite not having treated them for six weeks, the hair here still grows very slowly.Lower legs: There are a few stray hairs that still grow. Most of them are on my knees where the skin is thicker. I am still treating these spots, but 95% of my legs are now hair free. So happy! It's such a luxury to not need to shave every day in the summer.Bikini Line: There is one patch about the size of a quarter that just refuses to stop growing. No clue what makes this hair different from the rest. It's in the front, though, so easy enough to cover up. Other than that, the area is baby smooth.Armpits: One hair left. Yes, literally one. Stubborn little thing!Arms: I also gave up on these shortly after writing my initial review. The hair is so fine and light, it didn't seem worth the time. I may go back and finish at some point.I have not had another adverse skin reaction. My skin is considered highly reactive, so this is a glowing endorsement.Overall I am quite please I impulsed purchased this. Two thumbs up.

Súper buena!!! Excelente compra!! En mi caso, ya tuve un año de depilación láser y decidí invertir en la máquina para hacerlo yo misma. Noté los resultados ya desde 4 semanas de usarla. Supongo que si te depilas por primera vez, los resultados tardarán más. Súper fácil de usar!!!

Very bad

Los sensores sólo registraban el blanco de las sábanas. Todo lo demás lo detecta como "demasiado oscuro" según sus códigos, y por lo tanto no funciona. A mi hija que tiene la piel clara, que usa jeans todo el tiempo, también le indicaba que estaba fuera del rango de color al querer depilarse las piernas. Probamos en distintas personas con diferentes tonos de piel de los permitidos en el manual de uso. Nunca funcionó. Es la primera vez que devuelvo algo a Amazon.