Me My Elos Syneron Touch/Pro Ultra Review
Product Name | |
Reviewed by | Sue McCarthy |
Review date | |
Summary | Marketed as the revolutionary product in home IPL/laser hair removal devices, the Me My Elos Syneron Touch uses two types of technologies to zap hairs from the follicle and aims to provide hair removal reduction anywhere on the body, including the face. The device claims to be effective on all types of skin colors and hair colors. |
Rating | 3.5 out of 5 Stars |
Product Contents List
- Me system powered by Elos technology
- One Elos cartridge (already installed) containing 120,000 pulses
- Protective cap (already installed)
- Power cord
- Instruction manual
Can be purchased separately
- Shaver
- Epilator
- Precision adaptor
- Replacement Elos cartridge
Product Overview
The Me My Elos Syneron Touch/Pro Ultra is the latest and most advanced in at-home hair removal systems created by Syneron (previous systems include the Me My Elos Classic and the Me My Elos Tanda).
The device combines a dual action of combined technologies, IPL and Radio Frequency, to attack the hair at the follicle and prevent it from growing back.
It has been manufactured and approved for use on all skin types and hair colors.
At $450 it is one of the more expensive devices on the market, especially as each cartridge comes with only 120,000 pulses and replacement cartridges cost $130.
Here you an see a video on what actually happens to your hairs during a laser hair removal treatment:
Who Will It Work For?
According to the manufacturer just about everyone. The device can be used by men and women of all skin colors and all hair types and colors.
It can be used on the body and face (although it is not recommended for men to use on the face at all and women should avoid the eye area).
How Does it Work?
The Me My Elos Syneron Touch/Pro Ultra uses a dual technology combining a low powered IPL with a Radio Frequency pulse to attack hair follicles in order to destroy them.
The device contains 3 intensity settings and a safety lock that activates if the applicator is not positioned correctly over the skin. It is recommended to start on the lowest intensity and to move up from there.
You can purchase a precision adaptor separately, and this is recommended for the smaller areas on the face.
While the manufacturer’s manual states that the device locks if the applicator isn’t fully covering the skin, it also recommends the usage of glasses or goggles if you are sensitive to light, so it is a little confusing as to whether you can see the light pulses during treatment.
The Me My Elos Syneron Touch/Pro Ultra is meant to work on all skin colors and also on all hair colors.
However, the manufacturer recommends buying the shaver add-on to shave blond, red or grey hair beforehand in order to receive the full effect of the treatment.
It’s not clear as to whether the device only works on lighter hairs because you use the shaver, or if it actually does effectively reduce growth.
It’s hard to determine when there are no real reviews or trials published to prove real efficacy.
Here you can see a video about the product:
You can download the user manual for the product in PDF format here.
How Long Does it Take Per Session?
The user manual indicates, how long the products should be used for during each session.
You can find the recommended treatment times indicated in the table below:
Body part | Time It Takes |
|---|---|
Face | 2 minutes |
Bikini Area | 2 minutes |
Arm | 3 minutes |
Full Leg | 10 minutes |
Shoulder | 2 minutes |
Abdomen | 5 minutes |
Chest | 10 minutes |
Back | 12 minutes |
Underarm | 1 minute |
How Long For Long Term Results?
The recommended treatment length is once a week for 7 weeks and then once a month for long term results. You may see results after the first session but it is best to follow the recommended treatment length.
How painful is it and are there any possible side effects?
Reviews have rated that the device is less painful than salon laser hair removal and pretty bearable. More like a quick sting rather than an elastic band slapping against the skin.
It is important to not use more than one pulse on the skin at a time and to not go over the same area several times in order to avoid painful side effects.
The manufacturer lists the following as possible side effects of using the device and says to stop treatment immediately and consult a doctor if any occur: color or textural changes to the skin that may be permanent, substantial redness of the skin, itching of the treated area, acne outbreak, blistering or burning of the skin, permanent scarring or loss of skin tissue or if unusual pain occurs.
Is It Effective (Reviews)?
This is where everything gets a little confusing. For a device that is marketed as the most revolutionary in home IPL/laser hair removal machines there are so many negative reviews.
For every 5 star review claiming that it works perfectly there is a one star review stating that it doesn’t work at all. There doesn’t seem to be any middle ground at all – it’s either amazing or a terrible waste of (a lot of) money.
There are a few other red flags too, the main being that there don’t seem to be any authorized vendors in the US, and the manufacturer refuses to guarantee the warranty if purchased via an unauthorized vendor (this includes Amazon).
There are many reviews stating that they received faulty equipment, that the light cartridge lasted one session or that there is something missing, but cannot receive a refund or even get customer support to respond to them.
If you are going to make a $400+ investment into a system you want to be sure that you can get a refund if it doesn’t work.
We have previously collected a list of home laser hair removal devices - you won't go wrong if you choose them!
FDA Approval
This is where everything gets even more confusing. According to different sources the Me My Elos Syneron Touch/Pro Ultra has been both FDA and CE approved for long term hair reduction and safe to use on ALL skin tones and hair colors.
This would mean that this is the only device that has been cleared for use on skin tones V and VI on the Fitzpatrick scale, out of all home and salon laser and IPL devices.
The reasoning behind this is because the device uses 2 types of technology, a lower form of IPL intensity and then a radio-frequency wave.
As the technology is more “gentle” on the skin it is supposedly safe on all types of skin. There are many mentions of “multiple” clinical and medical trials, but I couldn’t find one clear rendition of a trial with results.
I therefore would be a little worried about using this device on darker skin without licensed physician approval.
Product Gallery
In Conclusion…
Things we Liked
- It is supposed to work on all skin colors
- It is supposed to work on all hair types
- Easy to use
Things we didn't Like
- No proof of clinical trial results
- Too many negative reviews
- Expensive
- Difficulty getting warranty on the device
This company is so confusing. Elos Me, Me Elos, Illuminage, Syneron. There’s so many knock-offs and bulbs. You can’t figure out who is who when trying to re-order. I am not sure they do this on purpose or what. But even those who say they are authorized distributors are NOT.
Yeah it can be quite confusing.
Out of interest:- What’s your reason for going with the Elos as opposed to a more reputable brand like the Tria 4X, SensEpil or some of the others listed here:- http://hairfreelife.com/the-best-home-laser-hair-removal-device-round-up-review/ ?
I purchased an Elos Me Touch Laser Hair Removal system from a retailer in the UK named Digitalwonders. It failed within the warranty term. The retailer refuses to honor the warranty and repair or replace the unit. How do I get in contact with the manufacturer to lodge a complaint against this retailer? Do NOT buy one of these. It doesn’t do a damn thing and it failed after 1 hour of total use. Junk. And no warranty.
Hello Ray – thanks for your report. What failed on the device?
The manufacturer states that the warranty is void if purchased through a third party vendor as noted in our review:-
“There are a few other red flags too, the main being that there don’t seem to be any authorized vendors in the US, and the manufacturer refuses to guarantee the warranty if purchased via an unauthorized vendor (this includes Amazon).”
What did the retailer say when you approached them directly about this?