Do I wish there was a cheaper long-term solution to permanently remove my hair on my own time? Yes! We all know that shaving lasts for a day at most, and waxing is painful and doesn't last much longer. Traditional laser hair removal may be popular, but the cost alone is like having a car payment.
That’s when I learned about IPL, which is safe for beginners like me to use at home. IPL, or intense pulsed light, is staggeringly cheaper than a session at my local spa but still delivers professional, silky smooth results.
I tried out the top two brands to see who's the ultimate winner.
If you want professional quality at a beginner's level…NOOD
The NOOD Flasher 2.0 has a fully digital display, which has been amazing for a first-time at-home hair removal user like me. Its wider window and higher intensity bulb mean that I have faster sessions and use fewer flashes. By covering larger areas at once, I’ve noticed more consistent results and less patchy areas. I’ve also been able to use it on smaller areas like my upper lip and peach fuzz below my cheekbones with more precision. With the BRAUN, I sometimes feel like I'm flying blind.
If you are looking for a go-to device for bikini line hair removal…NOOD
My bikini line is the area I dread shaving the most. I get the most razor bumps, ingrown hairs, redness, and hyperpigmentation. That being said, NOOD has proven to be perfect for achieving a smooth and blemish-free bikini area for swimsuit season. I saw results in my first week using the Flasher 2.0 and existing blemishes started to fade since I’m not irritating that sensitive area anymore.
If you're feeling indecisive…NOOD
NOOD’s Flasher 2.0 comes with 600k flashes right out of the box with a free replacement. Since it takes 2 to 3 weeks to show results and achieve permanent hair removal within 6 to 8 weeks, NOOD’s 90-day money back guarantee gave me an extra 30 days to be extra sure. The BRAUN estimates 4 to 12 weeks (up to 90 days) to see permanent results, which means their 100-day money back guarantee could leave you with a relatively short 10-day return window.
If you want added UV protection for your most sensitive areas… NOOD
The NOOD Flasher 2.0 has UV-filtered lenses to block harmful ultraviolet light from everywhere that hair grows, including the bikini line, underarms, legs, and face. The protective lenses prevent damage to the outer layer of the skin so it doesn’t increase the risk of skin cancer. That also preserves younger-looking legs while removing unwanted hair. That’s a win-win in my book!
If you want additional products with your purchase… BRAUN
If you purchase from BRAUN, you’ll get the Silk Expert Pro 5 device, a precision head, a Venus razor, a transformer with a power cord and plug, and a pouch to store it all. That’s great, but I didn’t need all of those things. It’s helpful if you want an all-in-one option, but if you already have a razor and don’t need a new carrying case, then the extras may feel a bit unnecessary - especially with its $329 price tag compared to the 36% price difference of NOOD’s $209 device.
If you like knowing your products are FDA-cleared… BOTH
Both NOOD Flasher 2.0 and the BRAUN Silk Expert Pro 5 are FDA cleared. BRAUN does have a slight edge over NOOD as its device has additional dermatological accreditation for skin safety by the Skin Health Alliance. I know my skin can react poorly when I introduce a new skincare tool so that extra testing for my at-home hair removal products is important.
And The Winner Is…NOOD
After seeing a significant difference in the time it takes my hair to grow back with much less prickliness, there was no question that NOOD’s Flasher 2.0 won me over! It may take a bit more time to see the full results but the proof is in the progress. NOOD’s Lifetime Flash Guarantee and one-year warranty speak volumes of how strongly they stand behind their product. Though BRAUN was a good competitor, from my personal results to the overall value, there was no competition.
