Silkn Glide HPL System: Initial Impressions

Friday, February 20, 2015
I'm talking about hair removal today, so the squeamish may not want to read ahead! I have shaved my legs/underarms since I was about 12 even though I was told not to by my mum who said it would grow back darker and thicker (she was kind of right!) but I could not bear to wear a skirt during PE/gym with hairy legs (TMI, sorry) especially as we usually saw the boys having their PE session at the same time - embarrassed looks all around on PE days! 

I always get red bumps, itchiness and redness after shaving, no matter what razor or shaving oil/cream I use or how careful I am. I've come to the conclusion that my skin/hair just hates shaving so I did venture into the scary world of waxing a couple of times, with strips and a microwavable tub of wax that should come with a warning label for waxing wimps like me. You never see any woman panicking or in pain in adverts for these waxing products *highly unrealistic exceptions will lead to sweating, pain and disappointment in the end*. Although I wax my eyebrows with no problem what so ever! With shaving causing so much irritation and waxing a definite no-no, I was so excited when the *Silkn Glide HPL (Home Pulsed Light) permanent hair removal system (£160) landed on my doorstep. 

I have tried a system slightly similar to this although it was very rudimentary compared to this device. I tried the Rio Salon Laser Hair Removal (here) at the age of about 17 I think which was quite young to be using laser hair removal but I have always hated shaving and hairiness; also I think it was reduced to just less than £50 in Boots at the time! The device, from what I can remember, was very scary and it only worked on one/two hairs at a time so to treat my legs it would have taken years! I remember burning a few hairs causing a sharp sting and a lovely burnt hair smell which put me off using it again. It's safe to say I wouldn't recommend this one!

However the Silkn Glide HPL System is far safer, the HPL system works by pulsing a very strong beam of light onto the skin/hair and the light causes intense heat in the hair follicle (not on the skin) which leads to damage of the hair follicles so no hair will be able to grow from that follicle again. As hair grows in cycles, it can takes weeks to see effects although from what I have read people have noticed results in 3/4 weeks. The Silkn Glide website has all of the information you need to know about the system and exactly what happens, there is a great video explaining the process, here

I have to admit, I was scared to start using it especially from my previous experience with a relatively similar device. I kept it in my 'to review' drawer for a week before plucking up the courage to use it - anyone would have thought I was preparing to go through some kind of tramumatic event! I read the instructions about eight times and it seemed relatively simple. As I have very fair skin with dark hair, I'm the best combination for this product to work - it doesn't work on very dark skin. 

The instructions state that a test patch should be carried out to make sure the skin/hair doesn't react badly to the light and heat so I did the test which again I was a bit scared about and it took a few seconds of talking myself around until I pressed the 'trigger' and it really doesn't help that the button to start the light is called the 'trigger'. The device makes a whirring noise when switched on which wasn't as scary or loud as I thought it would be. I started with the first energy level, pressed the device onto the skin and pulled the trigger (it makes it sound so dramatic) and I did experience a slight warming sensation in some areas, not all though so I carried on and worked up to level 3 on my test areas. After one hour there was only very mild discomfort which was probably only because of shaving the day before not the device.

A few hours later I did the full treatment on the lower half of my legs although I had to avoid some areas as they were irritated and itchy from shaving and I didn't want to potentially make it worse. I used the 'pulsing' method where you press the device onto the skin, press the trigger button then move onto the next area which was a quick and easy process although in some areas I experienced a slight warm sensation on my skin which lasted for a couple of seconds but it wasn't painful. For a couple of areas on the sides of my legs the device would work/pulse which I think is because I didn't have it pressed fully onto the skin; also it was my first time using the product so I still have to figure out the best way to hold/use it.

Overall, it wasn't nearly as frightening as I thought it would be, I am going to use it once every week for a month or so and hopefully I will notice some positive effects. I'm excited to use it again (and still a little scared) but I'm interested to see how it works on other areas too. If it does work it will be amazing as I wouldn't have to shave again which would be a dream come true for me *no exaggeration* as hair removal is not only painful and uncomfortable but fairly pricy too - I don't want to think about the amount of money I have spend on razors, shaving products and wax that has been thrown in the bin over the years. 

Have you tried this system? If so what did you think of it? 

*gifted

19 comments

  1. I've just started using this as well :) I have really sensitive skin so haven't dared take it past Level 2 yet though.

    Excited to see whether it works! xx

    Little Miss Katy | UK Lifestyle Blog

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    1. I have tried it on level 3 but only for the test patch - I'm using it on levels 1 and 2 so far x

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  2. Never tried this system but it sounds like something really great!

    Tanya
    www.stripesnvibes.com
    BlogLovin

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    1. It is really interesting and I have read positive reviews of it x

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  3. This looks like a brilliant idea - I really want to give it a try, I'm going to go look it up!
    Ivory Tower Diaries

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    1. It will be amazing if I notice results :) They have a few variations of this product x

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  4. Oh I want to try this!

    Have a great day! =)
    Bree
    Quirky, Brown Love

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  5. I dislike shaving my legs as the hair grows back so quickly and waxing can be quite expensive too. I was considering get laser hair removal but might give this a go before doing so to see if it's any good :) X

    THEFASHION-JUNKIE

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    1. I hate shaving too, it is such a pain and it really irritates my skin so I hope this product works x

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  6. Ohh this sounds interesting! I'd never heard of it before. Thanks for sharing :)

    www.kelsabelle.com

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  7. This sounds perfect for me and I've been meaning to try a new way to remove hair and would want another way to shave my legs. These machines seem so intriguing.

    Jackie | fashionxfairytale | bloglovin' |

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  8. I was really intrigued by it too, lets hope it works!

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  9. This sounds like such a strange but good product! Looking forward to the results! Xx
    OliviaCheryl.com

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  10. This looks and sounds amazing. My legs sound a bit like yours, they really don't like being shaved. I now epilate which is pretty painful, but weirdly doesn't irritate my skin as much. This sounds perfect though. Really hope it works xx
    Danielle ||Miss Sunshine & Sparkle

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  11. I've seen a lot of products like this around recently and I've been too scared to try them, haha :) This one doesn't sound scary though and it actually sounds like it's easy to use. I hope it works for you! x

    Beyond The Velvet | Beauty, Fashion & Lifestyle Blog

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  12. I've never tried a system like this before but I am really intrigued! I hope it continues to work for you.
    Amy xx
    The Perks of Being Amy

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  13. Please let me know how this goes after a few weeks! I have exactly the same problem as you and I've tried everything apart from laser. Even my epilator that works on my underarms just irritates my legs :(
    I hope you discover the key to being hair free! :)

    Becki | beautyandthebrunette.co.uk
    xxx

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  14. I'd definitely like to get my hands on one of these! Shaving is too time consuming, not to forget how irritating my skin feels after! Never tried a laser-type removal before so I'm intrigued to see how it feels xx

    Hannah x | hannatalks

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