When you intend to buy a laser hair removal device for at-home permanent hair reduction, the device’s manufacturer usually recommends not to use it on dark skin tones such as dark brown skin. Moreover, most companies specialized in laser & IPL hair removal field forbid the use on red, light blond, white or gray hairs. So, if you’re one who has dark skin tone or a red hair, you keep wondering “how on earth would I remove body and facial hair once and for all?” OK, Iluminage Touch has answered your demand!
Responding to many women’s needs, Iluminage Beauty has developed 2 devices for safe, permanent hair removal at home.
Iluminage is a leading company in the field of health care, skin care, and at-home beauty solutions. It’s a part of pH Beauty group which also operates mē and Tria Beauty.
The renowned company launched 2 devices, Iluminage Touch & Iluminage Precise Touch, that use Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) energy combined with Radio Frequency (RF) energy to treat hair. They prevent hair follicle from re-growing hair for a long period of time.
The waves of IPL energy heats up hair follicle, then the RF significantly heats up hair follicle further which disables it and prevent hair re-growth.
While IPL may harm dark skin tones and hair follicles that contain less melanin, RF does not harm tissues. So, the patented dual-wave technology is set to be effective and safe on your skin.
This technology is not found at any other hair removal device or tool. Moreover, it’s the first FDA-cleared device for at-home permanent hair removal for all skin tones and almost all hair colors.
Skin Tones & Hair Colors
Both Iluminage Touch and Iluminage Precise Touch work on all skin tones and a very wide range of hair colors.
However – on one side – red, blond, and dark blond hair colors should take more sessions to notice the results.
In addition, although there are no clinical tests say it can treat white or grey hair, but the manufacturer says it should work, they also need more treatment sessions.
On the other side, most hair removal systems neither recommended for treating red, blond, white or grey hair colors nor dark skin tones.
Iluminage Hair Reduction Systems
As I mentioned before, Iluminage only produced 2 devices for permanent hair removal; Iluminage Touch and Iluminage Precise Touch. They are two awesome devices with very spectacular features.
The devices work using elōs energy for effective, fast hair removal process. Moreover, they work on all skin tones and – as mentioned from the manufacturer and proven from tests – suitable for a wide range of hair colors.
You know what, let’s talk about them in detail.
(1) Iluminage Touch Permanent Hair Removal System
It’s a new beauty device produced by Iluminage Beauty brand which was founded in 2011. The Iluminage Touch from pH Beauty group is a magical permanent hair reduction device.
Specifications
Iluminage Touch is a gift for those people who have darker skin tones and fair hair. Using elōs energy, it’s became the first and only FDA-cleared hair removal device proven to work on all skin tones and the widest range of hair colors.
The device gives 94% hair reduction after only 7 weeks. While 46% of total body and face hair removed after only 2 treatments.
It’s a lifelong product which emits 300,000 flashes. This equals 4-5 years of permanent hair reduction, which means you do not need replacement cartridges. However, the lifetime depends on your personal use. Anyway, this is a really great investment for money.
Iluminage Touch has only 3 energy levels, low, medium, and high. Not a wide range of selections, but they are enough for effective and convenient treatments.
The energy button is not on the applicator itself, it can be found on the control panel on the cradle carrying the word "elōs".
You will also find the power button, the elōs cartridge indicator button, and the accessory activation button.
The elōs cartridge indicator shows you if it's full or empty, and the accessory activation button is set according to hair density in targeted area.
Iluminage Touch hair removal applicator does not feature cordless use, you can use it only corded.
As the device treats all skin tones, it doesn't need to have a skin tone sensor. However, it has a cooling fan in order to cool waves coming out of the device for more comfort.
For more surety, Iluminage Touch has a 60-day money-back guarantee. If you did not get the results you wish, you simply return the device and take back your money.
The manufacturer also gives 2 year global warranty against manufacturing defects.
Attachments
You can buy replacement cartridges for additional money. There is the quartz replacement cartridge for £89.95 only, the epilator cartridge and the shaver cartridge each for about £50.
Quartz attachment
Epilator attachment
Shaving attachment
Hair & Skin Types
Iluminage Touch is a super device uses technologies improved by dermatologists and clinically tested and proven. This great device can treat all skin tones from light blond to even brownish black. Although darker skins may need more treatments and attentions, but results will be noticed because of its developed treatment technology.
Moreover, It’s also suitable for all hair colors including red, light blond, white or grey. However, hair with red and light blond colors needs more treatment sessions. Moreover, the manufacturer said that there is no tests prove that elōs energy can treat white or grey hair, but it should work after several treatments.
Time To Treat Each Area
Iluminage Touch can treat all body areas including face, legs, arms, underarms, and bikini line. It’s a very fast, yet effective, hair removal device. It only takes 2 minutes to treat facial hair, 2 minutes for underarms, 4-8 minutes for legs, 6-12 minutes for arms, and 4-8 minutes for bikini line. That means a full body treatment in approximately 18-32 minutes.
It is worth mentioning that you need to move over the treatment area more than one time; which will make the treatment time much longer.
Time Between Sessions
We recommend using Iluminage Touch once a week. To get optimum results, you need to use it for 7 treatments. However, results should be noticed after 2-3 sessions.
There are some areas that need more than one session per week, such as under cheeks and upper lip. These areas may need 2 treatments weekly.
Remember, you use the energy level that makes you feel no pain or poke.
How To Use
Iluminage Touch can be used either by gliding or by stamping. The slowly glide motion is used for large areas such as legs and hands, while stamping is for small and sensitive areas such as face, bikini, and underarms.
There are few detailed simple steps to be followed.
- Skin preparation: Shave targeted area before starting immediately. For fair hair, use waxing or depilating instead of shaving.
- Turn on the Iluminage applicator by pressing the power button on the control panel.
- Select desired energy level from low, medium, or high by pressing the elōs energy button.
- Remove the applicator from the base.
- Activate elōs energy by pressing the blue-flashing button on the down side of the applicator. You will notice the blue indicator light stop flashing and the cooling fan is working.
- Place the applicator against treatment area to be in full contact with your skin.
- For large areas such as legs or arms, glide slowly while the applicator emits flashes of light. Make sure to glide over the full treatment area 2-3 times to ensure full coverage.
- For small and sensitive areas (such as face), stamp the device on the treatment area (under cheeks) until you see the flash light. Reposition the applicator on each part of treatment area ensuring that you cover the full area.
- Note: Repeat step 8 for 2-3 times for face treatment while on low energy level, and make sure you do not go around eyes or eyebrows.
- Turn off the power by pressing the power button.
- Clean the treatment window with wipe or soft tissue after each treatment.
- Put the applicator back into the cradle.
How It Works
What's In The Box
- Iluminage Touch Permanent Hair Reduction System
- Quartz lamp
- Power cord
- Precision adaptor epilator
- Goggles
- User guide
Some retailers may include goggles, but they are not good, you may consider using sunglasses instead.
Customer Reviews
The reviews on this particular product are mostly positive. Of course there are many negative comments, but the positive ones are more helpfull!
Most people who used Iluminage Touch are satisfied with the results. However, some of them may still have thinner hair. This is common is hair removal using lasers and IPL.
Anyway, next is a review of an unsatisfied customer:
Negative reviews are all about being slow in showing good results. However, customers who give negative ratings and reviews does not mention for how long they’ve used the device and what type of hair or skin they have. So, the problem is a bit mysterious!
However, the average customer rating on Amazon and CURRENTBOY is not that bad.
Pros
- FDA-cleared
- Integrated UV filter
- Gentle and easy to use
- Fast treatments
- Proven to treat all skin tones and a wide range on hair colors
- Effective especially on dark blond, brown, dark brown, and black hair
- Uses safe IPL combined with RF energy
- Affordable compared to the results
- Iluminage Touch "actually" gives 70-90% hair reduction after 7 treatments. Not as the site promised, but enough for the money and abilities. However, individual results may vary
- High efficiency cartridge with 300,000 flashes which lives 4-6 years
- Good support team customer service
- 60 day money-back guarantee. If you did not get the results you wish, simply return the device and take back your money.
Cons
- Too slow results especially for blond and red hair colors
- Only 3 treatment levels
- No skin tone sensor
- Only corded, you may consider put the device on a high, close place
- Does not last for a very long period compared to some other devices as you need to treat the same area for several times in the same treatment session
- There are faster, better devices on the market
- Flimsy bulb, needs more attention and care
- If you did not follow the instructions faithfully word by word, you may see no results!
- Website info can be improved more than that
- Not returning the device until you do some steps then you may be able to return it "if there is still enough time!"
To be Honest, Iluminage Touch is an amazing device that delivers “close” results to what the manufacturer promises by. However, it’s not best of the best. Anyway, positives are great and unique, but negatives should not be neglected!
Price
All these features are represented in the amazing UK Iluminage Touch for only £375 as a recommended retail price. However,, you’ll always find sales on the official manufacturer site on this device. Also retailers put it on offer that you may find it for £300.
NOTE: The USA and Canadian models come in 120,000 flashes for only $565. Moreover, they may last 2-3 years. The same goes for retailers price as you may find it for $290.
(2) Iluminage Precise Touch Permanent Hair Removal System
The Iluminage Precise Touch is another amazing production of pH group’s Iluminage Beauty. It also uses the same super elōs energy for removing body and facial hair.
Specifications
Iluminage Precise Touch hair reduction system has specifications and features very similar those of Iluminage Touch.
Precise Touch is FDA- cleared and clinically tested on all skin tones and hair colors.
Using the safe, yet effective, elōs energy, Iluminage Precise Touch is an invention to treat all skin and hair types.
The device promises the very same results in comparable time. It gives up to 94% hair reduction after only 7 treatments divided on 6 weeks. It also gives up to 46% hair reduction after 2-3 treatments.
It’s a small device that treats large and hard-to-reach areas such as legs, arms, underarms, bikini line, and face. However, it’s especially made for small and sensitive areas.
Iluminage Precise gives 300,000 flashes, just like Iluminage Touch. But, it can live up to 10 years of proper use on small areas. It also has 3 energy levels, you can choose from low, medium, or high.
This device has no cradle, but it has a control panel on the bottom side of it. You will find a power supply port, 2 buttons, and 3 indicator light stars.
The energy level button carrying elōs word adjusts energy level. The energy button next to elōs button turns the device on and off.
No skin sensor as it treats all skin and hair types as well. Moreover, it can be used only corded.
The manufacturer provides the device with 60-day money-back guarantee and 2 year global warranty against manufacturing defects. That gives it more credibility and trust.
Skin & Hair Types
Iluminage Precise Touch is clinically proven to treat all skin tones and hair colors. It works even on dark brown and brownish black skin tones. But it will need a few more treatments.
In addition, Iluminage Precise TOUCH is suitable for all hair colors including red, light blond, white or grey. However, hair with red and light blond colors needs more treatment sessions. Although there is no clinical tests prove that elōs energy works on grey hair, but the manufacturer says that: It should take more treatments for the results to be noticed.
Time To Treat Each Area
As I mentioned before, Iluminage Precise works effectively on small areas. So, it’s more effective on face, underarms, and bikini line.
A pair of underarms may consume an average of 3 min and face may take 2 min, while legs may take 20-30 min.
Most customers wrote great reviews when they used Iluminage Precise on small areas such as face. However, customers who used it on large areas complained of poor bulb efficiency and slow results.
Time Between Sessions
For smooth, bright, and hair-free skin I recommend using Iluminage Precise Touch once a week for 7 treatments. For face, use Precise Touch 2-3 times a week.
However, results may take longer than 7 treatments to show up. You may need to use it for additional 4-6 treatments if you’re blond or red-hair. Moreover, depilating for fair hair may make results take longer to be noticed.
Ease Of Use
Iluminage Precise TOUCH is a compact, small device made especially for smaller areas. However, it can be used on larger areas, but this will be harder and more time consuming. It’s better to be used on small areas only. Anyway, here are some easy steps to be followed for optimum use:
- Skin preparation: Shave targeted area before starting immediately. For fair hair, use waxing or depilating instead of shaving.
- Turn on the Iluminage applicator by pressing the power button on the control panel.
- Select desired energy level from low, medium, or high by pressing the elōs energy button.
- Remove the applicator from the base.
- Activate elōs energy by pressing the blue-flashing button on the down side of the applicator. You will notice the blue indicator light stop flashing and the cooling fan is working.
- Place the applicator against treatment area to be in full contact with your skin.
- For large areas such as legs or arms, glide slowly while the applicator emits flashes of light. Make sure to glide over the full treatment area 2-3 times to ensure full coverage.
- For small and sensitive areas (such as face), stamp the device on the treatment area (under cheeks) until you see the flash light. Reposition the applicator on each part of treatment area ensuring that you cover the full area.
- NOTE: Repeat step 8 for 2-3 times for face treatment while on low energy level, and make sure you do not go around eyes or eyebrows.
- Turn off the power by pressing the power button.
- Clean the treatment window with wipe or soft tissue after each treatment.
- Put the applicator back into the cradle.
How It Works
What's In The Box
When you purchase Iluminage Precise Touch from Currentboy you will get:
- Iluminage Precise Touch Permanent Hair Reduction System
- Stand
- Power cable with UK plug
- User guide
Some retailers may include goggles, but they are not good, you may consider using sunglasses instead.
Customer Reviews
This particular product does not get a big acceptance from everyone. BUT, this is only because people who buy it think it will work on all body and give fast results.
The device is made especially for small areas and more especially for fair hair. Although the manufacturer says that it will take a long time to see the results on red, blond, white or grey hair, people are not pleased!
The problem is all about fair hair. Next is a complaint from slow results and low efficiency:
The same problem: Slow! But, do you know who is the reason behind those negative reviews? It’s the manufacturer! People needed to understand that this device needs more time to show results before they buy it.
Pros
- FDA-cleared
- Clinically proven to work on fair hair and dark skin
- Uses safe IPL and RF energies
- Fast treatment sessions
- Easy to use and easy to be stored
- Compact and small design especially for small areas
- Integrated UV filter
- Safe, yet effective
- Lifelong cartridge with 300,000 flashes that serves up to 10 years of proper use on small areas
- Affordable compared to the results
- Gives Up to 80% hair reduction after 7 treatments. However, individual results may vary
- Professional support team and great customer service
- 60 day money-back guarantee. If you did not get the results you wish, simply return the device and take back your money
Cons
- Takes too long to show results for blond and red hairs
- Only 3 treatment levels
- No skin tone sensor
- No cordless use
- There are faster, better devices in the market
- Bulb needs more care as it's only designed for small areas
- Website info can be improved more than that
- Not returning the device until you do some steps then you may be able to return it "if there is still enough time!"
Price
You can find the UK Iluminage Precise Touch system on the official website for £240 (RRP). Check official website regularly to see discounts on the product.
You will also find discounts on retailers’ websites up to %30. Make sure to check CURRENTBOY and Amazon for more info.
Note: The US and Canadian models cost $305. But, it’s the same 300,000 flashes and more than 10 years of proper use on small areas. Moreover, you’ll find sales on this product up to %33.
Tips & Precautions
There are some guidelines that you need to follow when using laser or IPL devices, and Iluminage’s are not exceptions:
- Our team of experts recommend avoiding sunlight for 2 weeks before the treatment in order to let your skin calm and be free of sunburns.
- Also avoid the sunlight for 48 hours after the treatment.
- Avoid tanning for at least 48 hours before and 48 hours after the treatment. Tanning darkens the skin.
- Use sunblock of 50 SPF or cover the treated area before going under the sun.
- Always use lower setting when you begin treating.
- Read user manual and always follow the instructions.
- Consult your doctor if you suffer any side effect.
- Iluminage devices are not tested on pregnant or breast-feeding women. Do NOT use any light-based hair removal technology in these cases!
- NOT for use around the eyes or for treating eyebrows.
- NOT suitable for use on ears, nipples, or genitals.
- DO NOT apply on man’s face, jaw, or neck.
- DO NOT use on tattoos or make-up. This might result in burns or skin discoloration.
- NOT recommended for anyone under 18.
- NOT suitable for people who suffered – or still have – one or more of the following diseases:
- Skin disease such as active skin cancer
- Epilepsy
- Light-induced seizures
- Chronic migraines
- Vascular disorder
- Sensitivity to light
- Burns, eczema, infections, inflammation of hair follicles, herpes simplex, abrasions, open lacerations, haematoma, lesions or wounds in the targeted area.
- Diabetes, erythematodes, lupus porphyria or congestive heart disease.
Light-based hair removal technologies are very dangerous if used improperly. You have to follow the instructions and our precautions.
The Iluminage Beauty website does not mention many of those precautions. But, HAIR REMOVAL DEVICES got your back!
Last Words
People need to understand that This is a device tailored for people with fair hair and dark skin. They cannot use any IPL or laser hair removal device because of fear of being harmed. So, this was a response to their suffering.
Iluminage Presice Touch is slow and not that efficient, but you need it. It will take a long period to see results, but it will finally work and give you the desired results.
Anyway, Iluminage Touch is a great device with great features and affordable price.
But, if you do not have blond, red, white/grey hair, then do not purchase it. There are better devices on the market suitable for your skin and hair more than this one!
Read more: NoNo Hair Removal Unbiased
If you found our effort in this review reasonable and fair, you can also read our other reviews about well-known permanent hair removal devices:
