Between my podcast, my career in the music industry, and my social life, I’m out here. Girl, I cannot be a slave to shaving my pits, bikini line, and legs every other day. I knew it was time for IPL, but I didn’t want to waste my time with any old device that wouldn’t deliver.
So I grabbed up the two my FYP was hyping and tried both. Armed with the Nood Flasher 2.0 and the Ulike Sapphire Air3, I kicked off my experiment, testing each one on different sides of my body to see which device would really deliver. Here's how it went:
What is IPL, anyway?
IPL, or Intense Pulsed Light, is a hair removal technology that targets hair follicles with powerful light pulses. These pulses release energy (known as fluence) that reaches the hair root, particularly during the growth phase. When the light’s energy is strong enough, it heats and destroys the follicle, preventing it from growing back.
Unlike lasers, where you're basically dropping a bomb on your hair follicle, IPL delivers lower-intensity light over multiple at-home sessions, which means it isn't painful on your skin… or wallet. For IPL to be effective, it needs a high enough fluence level to penetrate and disrupt hair growth. The result? Less regrowth, smoother skin, and long-term removal with consistent use.
So, let’s get into how Nood and Ulike did in real life:
The one that’s more effective with deeper impact…Nood
It was apparent quickly that Nood’s Flasher 2.0 is better for so many reasons, but it especially excels where it counts: in fluence. With an actual measured fluence of 4.7J/cm² (90% of the specified 5J/cm²), the Flasher 2.0 is nearly spot-on in its energy delivery. By comparison, Ulike’s Air3 falls short with only 4.2J/cm² despite marketing claims suggesting much higher energy levels.
This 34% gap between Ulike’s advertised and actual output means it lacks the power to penetrate deeply enough to impact hair growth, making Nood an obviously more reliable choice for effective hair removal. My personal experience reflects my research, too.
The one with a baller dual approach to hair removal…Nood
Nood’s post-shave serum is specifically formulated to enhance and prolong the results of IPL treatments. It combines botanical actives to reduce hairiness and actually slow hair regrowth. Its proprietary StayNood™ Complex is made from chaparral, a native desert shrub, mixed with other natural botanicals that are clinically proven to reduce hairiness by up to 55%.
Paired with the Flasher 2.0, this serum—which, by the way, smells amazing—offers the first combined system for long-lasting smoothness, tackling both immediate and long-term hair removal. Bonus: it contains ceramides to restore your skin barrier and mandelic acid to remove dark spots. I love this stuff.
Ulike lacks any complementary products that work to enhance the hair removal process, limiting it to a standalone device with no added benefits for skin care or hair regrowth control.
The one that doesn't deliver the results advertised...Ulike
Ulike’s SHR (Super Hair Removal) mode uses rapid, lower-energy pulses. This might sound appealing, but it’s better suited for clinical-grade devices with far higher fluence levels. Splitting the fluence across two bulbs in a home-use device reduces efficacy and turns SHR mode into more of a marketing tactic than a true functional advantage.
Nood skips such unnecessary features and instead focuses on scientifically verified results with consistent fluence output, allowing users to achieve actual, lasting hair reduction without gimmicks.
The classier device…Nood
Nood’s Flasher 2.0 isn’t just the better device; it’s the sleeker one that looks chic on my bathroom counter. Plus, it feels good in my hand—smooth and perfectly balanced to ergonomic perfection—making hair removal extra satisfying.
I know it sounds a little petty to compare devices on looks, but you know as well as I do that the aesthetic is all part of the package.
Nood’s the obvious pick
For anyone who wants top-notch results with a side of style, Nood it is. With its precise fluence and science-backed serum, Nood is built to perform, giving you smoother skin and less regrowth.
Compared to Ulike, which may miss the mark on real results and design appeal, Nood has the total package: performance, beauty, and comfort. When it comes to at-home hair removal, Nood easily wins.
