How long at-home IPL actually takes
I started using the Nood Flasher in 2022 and, as of 2026, I am still using it. I originally bought it because I was tired of shaving my armpits every other day. I was constantly dealing with ingrown hairs, razor bumps, and that generally bad skin texture that comes with a razor. While IPL isn't a permanent or fast solution, it has definitely reduced hair growth and helped me shave way less often than I used to.
(I was offered a free Nood body care product if I wrote a review on their site after 4 weeks of my purchase, but I never actually did it. It seemed like a standard offer they sent to everyone, and that's one of the reasons why they have so many reviews.)
The Underarm Journey
I followed the instructions to a T -- twice a week for 8 weeks. They say you might see results in 4 weeks, and I did notice a little bit of a slowdown then, but it wasn't anything dramatic. After the first 8 weeks, I moved to once a week for about 3 months.
Then, I did a little experiment and stopped for a month. All my underarm hair grew back almost immediately with the same thickness and color. I went back to once a week for a few months and then, as needed.
After using it for a few years, I took a 3-month break in 2025. This time, the hair came back thinner and there was less of it than before. Now I only bother with it every month or two.
What didn’t work for me
I tried this on other areas, but for me, it wasn't worth the effort:
Upper Lip: I did the 2x a week for 8 weeks routine, but I didn't see any progress at all, so I stopped.
Legs: This was the biggest time-sink. It took roughly 30 minutes just to do my legs, and doing that twice a week was way too much. Since the results weren't guaranteed for that much effort, I abandoned it.
Bikini Line: I finished the 8 weeks here, but I didn't see much change, and the skin there was just too sensitive for me to want to keep going.
Final Thoughts
At-home IPL definitely requires maintenance, long-term use, and a lot of up-front time.
If you’re looking to use it on a small area like your armpits, I’d say it’s worth it, even though you have to keep using it. It solved my razor bumps issue, which was my main goal. But if you're hoping to never shave your legs again, I'd skip it. It takes way too long and might not give you the results you're looking for. It worked for my armpits after years of consistently using it, but it's definitely not a magic permanent or fast solution.