When the temperatures rise again, the topic of hair removal plays a major role for many people. More and more people are deciding against traditional shaving. After all, this is not only tedious, but unfortunately also anything but long-lasting. Removing hair with wax takes a lot of time and is comparatively expensive. If you are looking for an effective alternative, you should take a look at an IPL device. We did this in the Ulike Air 3 test. You can read our test impressions below.
Technical data
| Model | Ulike Air 3 (Deluxe Set) |
| Device type | IPL hair remover |
| color | Dark Purple |
| Suitability | – Skin color: very light skin, light skin, medium-light skin – Hair color: black, brown, dark blonde |
| Suitable skin areas | Legs, back, arms, intimate area, armpit, chest, face |
| Power supply | Mains current |
| Intensity levels | 3 levels to choose from |
| Price | € 319.19 * |
Scope of delivery (deluxe set)
- IPL hair remover
- Carrying bag
- Miniature shaver
- Protective goggles
- Power adapter
- power cord
- 2x aloe vera care
- UV sterilizer
Ulike Air 3 Test: Design & Processing
The Ulike Air 3 has a modern design. I particularly liked the slim design. The IPL device sits comfortably in the hand thanks to its attractive compact design, a weight of just 271 g and a high degree of ergonomics. This is of course important in order to have optimum control over the Ulike in practice. For our test, the manufacturer provided us with a model in the color Dark Purple.
The design is quite clear. The most important button is located on the front. You can use this to activate the light pulses. As the button is made from the same material as the housing, it does not stand out and virtually blends in with the device. Nevertheless, it is easy to recognize. As a result, the gadget looks as if it has been cast from a single mold, which makes for a stylish appearance.
There is another button on the side that you can use to switch the device on and regulate the intensity of the pulses. The light unit is located at the top and the input for the power cable at the bottom. The device itself and the accessories impress with their high-quality choice of materials and great workmanship. Really practical: there is a matching box for the Ulike Air 3. This makes it easy to take the IPL device with you on vacation or place it in the bathroom or bedroom.
Ulike Air 3 Test: How it works
Personally, I had not yet had any contact with IPL hair removers. Accordingly, I first wanted to find out how they work. The Ulike Air 3 can hardly be compared with conventional lasers used by beauticians. But the aim of both technologies is the same: To effectively prevent hair roots from continuing to grow.
This makes the methods essentially different from traditional shaving or waxing. While the hair is merely shortened in these two procedures, IPL devices and lasers literally get to the root of the problem. The advantage is obvious. By inhibiting growth, you have to work on the affected areas much less frequently.
Laser treatment by a beautician may be very effective. However, it also has its downsides. Many people complain about the sometimes painful treatment and leave it at just one session. This is where IPL devices come into play. They do not rely on lasers, but instead use special light waves that specifically target hair pigments (melanin).
Ulike Air 3 Test: pain relief thanks to ice cooling
This is not completely pain-free either. After all, IPL relies on a combination of light and heat. It is therefore not surprising that the tip of the hair remover gets hot during the process. However, anyone who is sensitive to the superficial heat of conventional IPL devices should give the Ulike Air 3 a chance. After all, the device uses so-called ice-cooling technology.
This ensures that the treated skin area is cooled immediately after each individual light pulse. This is supposed to ensure effective pain reduction, which works extremely well with the Ulike. When I gave the device to a person with experience of other IPL devices to test, it was clear to them that the cooling technology works wonders. After all, it ensures pain-free treatment. Of course, the sensation of pain is always subjective.
Ultimately, it always depends on which area you are treating with the IPL. Bony areas such as the ankles are particularly prone to pinching. Beginners are therefore advised to try out the three different intensity levels. Although working at the lowest of the three levels is less effective, it is a great start for beginners.
Ulike Air 3 Test: Not suitable for everyone
After prolonged use, the treatment ensures that the hair follicle is effectively prevented from growing. It works particularly well on light skin and dark hair. This is because the Ulike’s light waves can target the dark pigments more effectively. Conversely, people with a dark skin tone should not get an IPL device.
People with very light blonde or gray hair are also likely to be disappointed with the results. If you’re not sure whether it’s worth buying an IPL device, Ulike has the right solution. The manufacturer has set up a quiz in which your answers will tell you whether you are a suitable candidate for the technology or whether you can save yourself the expense.
Ulike Air 3 Test: child’s play to use
Setting up the Ulike Air 3 is child’s play. You can quickly tell that the manufacturer has developed the product specifically for the mass market. Battery operation is not possible. Instead, the device requires a permanent power connection. Of course, this takes away from flexibility. After all, you always need a power socket nearby if you want to use the IPL device.
Once plugged into the power supply, the Ulike is ready to use. Before you get started, however, you should put on the enclosed sunglasses. They protect your eyes from the really bright rays of light. However, to be on the safe side, Ulike has installed a practical safety mechanism. This means that the light waves are only emitted when the head of the device is fully resting on your skin.
There are two different modes to choose from. Which one you choose should primarily depend on the skin area to be treated. Firstly, there is the auto-glide mode. This was designed for larger areas. Areas such as the back, legs or arms are particularly suitable for this.
In auto-glide mode, the device automatically emits IPL light waves as it glides over the desired areas of skin. This means you don’t have to press the button manually each time to emit a flash. This would simply be inconvenient for large-area applications. Spot mode works completely differently. Here you can ‘fire’ the IPL flash at the touch of a button. This is ideal for small areas such as the armpit.
Ulike Air 3 Test: Individual application
As already mentioned, the Ulike Air 3 offers a total of three intensity levels independent of the two modes. This allows each user to decide individually which mode and which intensity is desirable. Ulike recommends starting with the first level for each application. You can then work your way up to the third level.
This not only ensures effective hair removal. It also allows newcomers to slowly but surely get to grips with the modern method of hair removal. According to the manufacturer’s recommendation, the Air 3 should be used three times a week in the first month if possible. Once the first month is over, users should reapply every two to four weeks.
Of course, this information cannot be generalized for every user. Rather, it depends very much on the hair structure as to how often you need to touch up with the Ulike. The test showed impressive results after the first month. The test person I chose has already completed five applications and now hardly has to shave her legs by hand.
Ulike Air 3 Test: Conclusion
Unwanted hair on the legs, back or underarms can drive some people crazy. If you are looking for a hair removal device that is safe and effective, we can warmly recommend the Ulike Air 3. The only important thing is that you have light skin and dark hair. Otherwise, the results are not really convincing, as Ulike itself emphasizes.
In addition to effective hair removal, the Ulike also offers a stylish design, which is why it can be placed comfortably in the bathroom or bedroom. If you are looking for an effective alternative to shaving and waxing and also want to avoid costly and painful visits to the beautician, you should definitely take a look at this device.
PRO
CONTRA
The Ulike Air 3 offers painless and effective hair removal. Anyone looking for an IPL device should take a closer look at this one.
Ulike Air 3
Design and processing
Ease of use
Equipment
Performance
Price-performance ratio
90/100
