Any other hairy girls out there? I respect women who embrace the fur, but I feel most confident and comfortable with it gone. In theory that’s a simple end goal, but after a storied history with trying all the hair removal approaches, I’d officially been knocked down a peg.
There’s shaving’s signature in-grown hairs, the million unpleasant stabs of electrolysis, and waxing…let’s just say I've never contemplated my life more than those 15 mins of pure agony during the Brazilian wax. I’ve been seeing ads for IPL everywhere, but I wondered what horror might lie behind it.
Nood stood out to me since they have a 90 day money back guarantee. I decided to try with low expectations, and when I say the results shocked and delighted me…well that’s the understatement of the century. Let’s talk about it:
What is IPL?
IPL stands for intense pulsed light, and it’s the magic science that makes these devices work. On their website, Nood broke down that it works by targeting the pigment in hair follicles, heating them, and destroying them over time with repeated exposure. The light isn’t damaging to anything other than hair follicles, and it can be done at home.
Nood did a great job of breaking down the science - if you're interested in seeing how a video of how the technology works, we got you covered.
Let's Break Down The Technology:
Nood isn’t the only IPL device out there, but it has features that set it apart. Let’s quickly compare it to Braun’s Silk Expert Pro 5 device:
- Nood’s flasher window is larger, covering a wider area of your skin, thus saving you time overall.
- Nood offers 600k flashes with a free replacement. While Braun does have a limited warranty, it doesn’t appear that they offer a free replacement.
- Nood takes 2-3 weeks to start showing results, and 6-8 weeks (up to 58 days) to permanent hair removal. Braun recommends treating the area 1x per week for 4-12 weeks. That’s a broad timeline!
- Nood offers a 90-day money-back guarantee, which gives you 32 days after the permanent removal estimation to decide if you want to keep your device and keep going. Braun offers a 100-day money-back guarantee, which gives you only 16 days to decide.
We were also able to find Nood's clinical trials to see how all of this technology comes together to painlessly deliver results. For all those inquiring minds, you can learn more about their clinical trial here.
Most notably, 92% of participants rated hair reduction as improved, much improved, or very much improved after just 8 weeks of treatment.
The Noodist Kit
All I needed for my regular treatments came together as a kit. So worth it. Here’s what’s inside:
- The Flasher 2.0 aka the IPL device
- The Revealer, a gently exfoliating cleanser
- The Reviver, a soothing aftercare treatment featuring aloe
- A postcard to help you track treatments
- Instructions for how to use it all
The Flasher 2.0 Stats
Price: A+
Compared to in-office laser hair removal treatments—which can cost upwards of $4,000 for legs and underarms alone—the Flasher 2.0 is so affordable. The device alone costs $169, and together with the full kit it’s $219. Shaving, waxing strips, or other home solutions might be cheaper, but they have ongoing costs and limited efficacy.
Ease of Use: A
Each area you want to target takes 10 minutes of treatment, twice per week. That’s about how often I was having to shave, but without the promise of long-term removal! The Flasher is fixed with an LED display that clearly indicates your setting. Easy-peasy. The only thing I’ll note is that the IPL light is really bright, and while you don’t need protective eyewear, you’ll want to avoid looking directly at it.
Comfort: A
No hair removal process is perfect, but this one’s pretty close. There is some sensation during use, but no pain. After treatment there’s potential for temporary skin sensitivity; to me that far outweighs cuts, ingrown hairs, razor bumps, or rawness from waxing or electrolysis. Another feather for Nood’s cap is that it can help reduce the dark appearance of pores due to oil, dirt, and dead skin cells. My legs have never looked so smooth!
Technology: A+
We’ve already established that the Flasher 2.0 uses IPL to safely remove hair over time—so you’ll start to see changes in 2-3 weeks and can expect permanent removal within 6-8 weeks. This FDA-cleared device is also designed with UV-filtered lenses to block harmful ultraviolet light from your most sensitive areas of skin.
The Play-by-Play
Start with a patch test: As with all new skincare routines, you’ll want to begin with a small test area to ensure your skin reacts to the treatment. If negative side effects occur, you’ll know to stop use there.
Gently exfoliate: The Noodist Kit comes with the The Revealer for exfoliating. It helps clear away dead skin cells to prepare for the treatment. Then it’s recommended to shave and dry the area so that the Flasher can target those hair follicles.
Ease through the settings: There are 7 settings on the Flasher 2.0. Each level represents the amount and intensity of light delivered with each pulse. Start low and access your patience—it’s normal to want to see results immediately, but it will take 6-8 weeks when done properly. Flash the desired area for about 10 minutes.
Work your way up: After your first 10-minute session at the lowest setting, apply the soothing Reviver serum and see how your skin responds. As you’re able, slowly build through the levels. Higher levels will speed up the process as your skin is able to tolerate it. If you’re a first-time at-home IPL user like I was, you’ll appreciate the wide display window and wide coverage.
Get into a groove: Pick two days per week to consistently Flash your skin. You’ll notice your legs (or target area) feel smoother after each treatment, and if you’re like me, you’ll experience less irritation than you would with shaving. Within an hour, any sensitivity that may appear usually fades, and my skin even appears smoother.
The Results
The Flasher 2.0 was a positive experience from the start, and now 9 weeks after my first use, I keep having to remind myself that my hair isn’t going to grow back and my skin is going to stay this smooth. Cue fangirl scream. Here are some details of how the process unfolded for me:
Before and after 3 weeks of consistent Nood use!
Week 1 update: It’s too soon to see significant hair removal results, but my legs are noticeably smoother than they usually are after shaving—no cuts, bumps, or rash. And, unexpectedly, the appearance of dark pores on my legs has reduced.
Week 2 update: My hair is already coming in much slower. It’s also softer; no stubble. Impressive! My skin is handling the treatments just fine, and both feels and looks smoother.
Week 4 update: I’m starting to see noticeable results, and loving it! I’m to the point that I feel I can be less strict about Flashing twice per week—every 5 or 6 days does the trick.
Week 6 update: This is the least hair I’ve ever had on my legs. I’m already reveling in my Flasher success—just as much for the smoothness and healthy texture (free from irritation) of my legs as for the lack of hair.
Week 8 update: How is this real? In-grown hairs are a thing of my past, my legs are smooth as can be, hair regrowth is very few and far between, and what does pop up is soft and light. I haven’t had to do any touch-up shaving between treatments this past week. Honestly? My life is changed.
Nood vs. The Alternatives
I’m a Nood convert, it’s no question that it’s a better hair removal system than the other options out there. Here’s a recap plus a few other comparisons I haven’t mentioned yet:
Versus waxing: Nood is painless, which is the polar opposite of waxing. Plus, the cost of waxing at a studio monthly is about equivalent to the entire Noodist Kit, but without the benefit of permanent hair removal.
Versus shaving: I’ll reiterate that Nood is painless (razor cuts and burns hurt!), plus it leaves skin smooth and happy after treatment.
Versus salon lasers: Nood is way, way cheaper than salon laser treatment, with the added bonus that you don’t have to manage scheduling or revealing sensitive areas of your body to a professional.
Versus electrolysis or epilating: I’m putting these in the same category because, while they’re different processes, they’re similarly irritating to withstand. Plus, both are more costly than The Flasher, and with less clearly defined results.
Versus hair erasers: This is just the difference between a process that works (Nood) and one that doesn’t. Hair erasers are marketed as easy hair removal solutions, but the ingrowns I’ve had from them were legendary.
Versus hair removal creams: I’m not sure how these are still on the scene—who wants gross chemicals, gross smell, and skin damage? Nobody. Nood wins again.
Are you convinced yet? (You should be)
I didn’t think anything could work for long-term hair removal—at least anything I could afford. I was exhausted by the unpleasant options out there, like shaving, waxing, and epilating—all approaches that require frequency with little payoff.
The Nood blows every other option out of the water, and with their 90-day money-back guarantee, their Lifetime Flash Guarantee and their one-year warranty, you have every reason to see for yourself.
Editor's Note: The team over at Nood reached out & thought we did a good job at breaking down IPL. They're offering a coupon code for our readers! Use code MSA or click the link below👇
