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Silk’n SensEpil at Home Hair Removal Review

Product Name

Reviewed by

Paul McCarthy

Review date

Summary

One of the most popular home hair removal devices on the market, comes with a 1500 flash lamp cartridge and instructional DVD. Good safety features, fast operation, varying results, suitable for up to FitzPatrick skin type 4, younger (newer) brother of the Silk'n original and FDA approved for direct to consumer sales

Rating

4.5 out of 5 Stars

Product Contents List

  • Base unit
  • Applicator (attached to the base unit)
  • AC power chord
  • User's manual
  • Instruction DVD
  • Lamp Cartridge

Product Overview

The Silk'n SensEpil is a home IPL hair removal device.  The company labels the technology as HPL (Home Pulsed Light) but the technology is essentially IPL under a different name.

​The Silk'n SensEpil comes with a sizeable base unit into which the applicator sits.  The applicator is the handheld device that contains the light that's used to apply the light to the surface of the skin.  This device is suitable for larger treatment areas, although the cartridge has a lifespan of 1500 flashes after which you'll need to replace it.

The Three Silk'n Home Hair Removal Devices

Silk'n, the brand behind the SensEpil, have three home IPL hair removal products. These are called:-

Silk'n Original

Silkn original model

Silk'n SensEpil

Silkn SensEpil Device

Silk'n Flash & Go

Silk'n Flash & Go

​The purpose of the three products, how they differ and which is the best to purchase is quite unclear to many people, so here's some clarification:-

​All three devices contain the same HPL technology so they are all equally as good in terms of performance and hair removal results.  There are, however, some other non results related differences between the products (read below to learn what these are...)

Silk'n Original v Silk'n SensEpil

The SensEpil is the younger brother of the Original.  It is virtually the same device as the original but with additional safety features in order to obtain full FDA clearance for selling directly to consumers.

While the original Silk'n product was cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the device could only legally be sold through physicians. Of course, this hampered sales somewhat so the company created the newer SensEpil product.

The SensEpil is essentially the same ​device except with a number of key differences that were implemented in order to get full FDA clearance to sell directly to consumers.  The features are:-

  • Change to the safety trigger - in the original device, the safety trigger (used to ensure that the product was pressed up against the surface of the skin) was a spring - whereas in the newer SensEpil product this was converted to a skin sensor.
  • The Skin Type Sensor - the SensEpil has a feature that detects the fitzpatrick skin type of the user.  This is designed to stop people who have a darkr skin tone than IV on the fitzpatrick scale from using the product.

Apart from the additional safety features, the new SensEpil is flatter, smaller and comes in pink.  

These differences mentioned above aside, both products are exactly the same with regards to energy levels, duration, results and cost.

The Silk'n Flash & Go
Silk'n Flash & Go

The Silk'n Flash & Go is a newer device than the SensEpil and has been specifically designed and marketed for small treatment areas such as the upper lip, bikini area and underarm.  The device is not suitable for larger treatment areas due to its small head size ( < 4cm/sq).  

Again, the technology in the Silk'n Flash & Go is the same HPL technology that's included in both its predecessor devices.  ​Therefore hair removal results are the same as with the other two devices.

Product Components

Base Unit and Applicator

SensEpil Product Components

You can see from the picture that the applicator fits into the base unit flush.  The applicator is the handheld part of the device that is place one the surface of the skin to emit the Intense Pulsed Light.

The disposable lamp cartridge can be easily removed and is fitted to the applicator​.

Base Unit Control Panel

Sens Epil Control Panel Component

The image above shows the controls that are on the base unit.  These include:-

  • Power levels - The ability to choose the suitable energy level settings (from 1-5)
  • A skin tone warning light - triggered if the skin to be treated is too dark for safe application.  The device doesn't emit pulses in this instance.
  • A system warning indicator light - checks for the correct functioning of the device
  • A cartridge replacement warning light - triggered when the cartridge has reached 90% of its possible lifetime, which is 675 flashes

The Applicator

SensEpil Applicator Component

The image above shows the applicator that is used to apply the flashes to the treatment area.  

IPL vs HPL Technology

The "laser" is actually Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), however, the Silk'n manufacturer has trademarked the term "Home Pulsed Light" or HPL for short.  

The manufacturer claims that the new HPL technology is superior than other forms of IPL because it's safer, is effective on a wider range of hair colour, has a larger spot size for faster treatment and is less painful.  

I haven't been able to find any clinical data to suggest that the patented HPL technology is any more effective than IPL in terms of hair removal results.  One clinical study contains the following sentence:-

"The traditional term, IPL, has been put aside for this handheld device, and instead is referred to as HPL (home pulsed light)"

Source: Gold M, Foster A, Biron J : Low-Energy Intense Pulsed Light for Hair Removal at Home (2010)

Although not conclusive, this suggests to me that the term "HPL" means exactly the same as "IPL" and is just a clever marketing tactic used by Silk'n in order to promote their technology in a more unique and positive fashion.

Product Features

Safety Trigger

The SensEpil comes with a safety trigger that prevents the unit from flashing when it's not placed against the skin - useful to prevent accidental flashes from causing damage to vulnerable areas of the body, such as the eyes.

Skin Tone Tester

A window on the side of the applicator is used to assess the skin tone of the person using the device.  If the result is higher than 4 on the fitzpatrick scale, the device won't unlock for use.  This is designed to prevent injuries from misuse on darker skin types.

Replaceable Light Cartridge

SensEpil Disposable Cartridge

​When the light cartridge runs out of flashes, you can simply purchase a new cartridge from a retailer.  The cartridge currently retails at around $40 or $85 for 3.

The disposable lamp cartridge can be easily removed and is fitted to the applicator​. Each cartridge has a lifespan of 1500 flashes. According to the manufacturer, this disposable cartridge, for an average body size, is enough to cover:-

  • Two treatment sessions of 2 Legs, 2 Arms, 2 Underarms, and Bikini line
  • Four treatments sessions of 2 legs and 2 Underarms
  • 20 treatments sessions of 2 Underarms and Bikini line
  • Two treatments for the entire body

Tip: According to Silk'n, depending on the body areas you wish to treat, you will typically need to use from one to four disposable lamp cartridges during the first year of using Silk'n SensEpil.  

Buy directly from the manufacturer by going to the Silk'n web site and navigating to refills.  This is to ensure that you get the full 1500 pulse refill.  On Amazon, and other online retailers, there are refills that are cheaper but on closer inspection that only offer 750 pulses - so be careful that you choose the right pack.​

5 Energy Levels

Useful for building up to correct power setting that's suitable for your skin type.  ​ The unit has a maximum power output of 5j/cm2.

Who Will it Work For?

The device is designed for people who have 4 or less on the fitzpatrick scale.  If the skin level is darker, then the unit will not flash.

As with all laser hair removal devices, the best results are for those people with light/pale skin and coarse dark / black hair. Results do tend to vary from one person to the next, however, and while clinical trials have proven that the device is effective in the majority of cases, some people don't respond significantly to the treatment. ​

As a reference source, here's the Fitzpatrick scale:

Skin Type

Skin Colour

Hair Color (darkest)

Eye Colour

Description

1

White or very pale

Blonde

Blue, grey, green

Always burns, never tans

2

Pale white with beige tint

Chestnut or dark blond

Blue

Always burns, sometimes tans

3

Beige to light brown (olive)

Dark brown

Dark brown

Sometimes burns, always tans

4

Light to moderate brown

Black

Brown

Rarely Burns, always tans

5

Medium to Dark Brown

Black

Brownish black

Rarely burns, tans more than average

6

Dark brown to black

Black

Black

Never burns

How Does it Work?

All IPL kits work the same - the Intense Pulsed Light that's emitted from the device targets the melalin cells in your hair (the cells are responsible for giving your hair colour).  These pigment cells are heated by the intense light, which in turn damages the follicle of the hair enough to retard future growth.

HPL hair removal process

A diagram showing how the HPL process works as described by Silk'n

How Long Does it Take per Session?

The time needed to treat lower legs is approximately 30 minutes.   The device gives 1 pulse ever 3.5 seconds allowing you to cover 1.7cm2/sec. This means that larger treatment areas such as arms and legs are feasible with this device, albeit a little bit cumbersome

How long for Long Term Results?

​The manufacturer, Silk'n recommend that your first 3 - 4 sessions are two weeks apart. The following three sessions should be approximately 4 weeks apart and thereafter you should use the product if and when needed until long-term results are achieved.

Possible Side Effects

Here's an extract from the user manual that describes the possible side effects that you may experience with this product:-

SensEpil Side Effects

Is It Effective?

Some Consumer Reviews

"I have had noticeable improvement in hair growth, some areas have responded better than others, but everywhere I have treated shows some improvement. My underarms for example now take about 5-6 days before I need to shave, and then it is a small amount of hair compared to shaving every other day with full growth."

J. Mockridge

"It is a well built machine and I have confidence that it will give me good results in the future. I have noticed slower hair growth as well as lighter in colour hair regrowth."

MacFan

FDA Approval

The Silk'n SensEpil has received full FDA safety clearance for selling directly to consumers.

Clinical Studies

In order to assess the safety and efficacy of home based IPL hair removal devices, 22 female patients received six bi-weekly treatments with the Silk'n Original hair removal device (note that the Silk'n original and the Silk'n SensEpil use the same technology and give the same results).

Average of 78% reduction in hair one month after final treatment

78%
Reduction

Average of 72% reduction in hair three months after final treatment

72%
Reduction

Source:  Gold M,  Foster A, Biron J : Low-Energy Intense Pulsed Light for Hair Removal at Home (2010)

How Painful is the Silk'n SensEpil

As with all home IPL hair removal devices, you will feel a warming sensation on the area of the skin that is currently being treated.  

Sometimes you'll feel irritation up to an hour after treatment with redness around the hair shaft and slight swelling.  Pain is subjective, with tolerances varying greatly - however nearly everyone who uses this product describes the discomfort as tolerable at worst.

​The mild discomfort is not specific to this product, but rather a consequence of the technology being used across the board form home laser hair removal devices.  

Click on the images below to enlarge them:-

In Conclusion…

The SensEpil is impressive in a number of ways.  

Firstly, and arguably the most importantly, the clinical data really shows the effectiveness of the device for the majority of people that use it.  Given that you, as a consumer considering purchasing, have a skin tone of less than IV on the FitzPatrick scale then this is very likely to give you decent results as outlined in the clinical data section of this review.

The SensEpil packaging

​As well as having strong effectiveness, the data also shows that you are likely to incur only very minor side effects.

I like the fact that the device is suitable for use on both large and smaller treatment areas.  It's also nice to know that the safety features are there to prevent accidents such as burns or eye damage.

My main issue with the device is the limited light cartridge life.  They are not particularly expensive at approximately $40 per unit, but it's just an added hassle and expense that some other home hair removal devices don't have.   

If I'm being fussy, I'd also say that another negative point is that the device isn't wireless (unlike the Tria 4X).  Realistically, though, do you really need your home hair removal device to be portable?  That's not something that's high up on my order of priorities, but maybe that's a deal breaker for you.​

However, when all is said and done, with this device you're getting a clinically proven, FDA approved, home hair removal device for less than $200.  In most clinics, that's the equivalent of 1 professional laser hair removal session.  To be clear, it's $300 cheaper than its rival, the Tria 4X home laser, and despite the additional expense of the refill cartridges, I think this product is a very strong candidate and gets our seal of approval.

Things we Liked

  • Solid, well built device - High quality of manufacture.  
  • Suitable for large treatment areas - The head size is large enough and the time between pulses (3.5 seconds) small enough for larger treatment areas
  • Cheap unit price - At the time of writing the review, the cost of the SensEpil is only $199.  That's almost a $300 saving in comparison to its rival, the Tria 4X
  • Strong safety features - the skin tone sensor is an added protection of misuse
  • 5 Strength Settings - Choose the energy level setting that's right for you
  • Easy to use - very simple to use the device. Point and click.
  • Can be used on smaller areas - despite having a relatively large head, the device is also suitable for treating the smaller more sensitive areas including the bikini area 
  • Massive saving compared to professional laser hair removal - the product is many times cheaper than having laser hair removal done professionally.
  • Clear instructions & DVD - The instruction guide and DVD are very comprehensive, walking through step be step operational instructions for the best results

Things we didn't Like

  • Wired - The applicator is wired to the main unit, rather than being wireless unlike some other brands
  • Refills Required - The initial unit is cheaper than competitors, however the cartridges on this device need replacing after 1500 flashes.  This long term running cost eats away at the initial cost saving.

Paul
 

I'm a computer science graduate, have a passion for self development and created this site as a side project due to the lack of complete, understandable, helpful and truthful information about hair removal available online.

  • Avatar Nicole says:

    Hi. Which is better… the laser of the tria 4x or the best of the ipl machines?
    I’ve read that laser is more permanent but most reviews talk about them as equals?
    Many thanks

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