Here is my entire review with the latest session review at the top.
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UPDATE: Saturday March 16th, 2013 TWELFTH SESSION
Flashes used this session = 121 + 1304 from previous sessions. Total = 1425
Setting : 5
*ORIGINAL* FLASH CARTRIDGE FINALLY DIED BUT!.......
It could have gone longer. There is definitely a counter in the unit that does not go beyond 1500 flashes and seeing as how I'm within 75 flashes, that seems par for the course considering there were times I lost count (from the pain at times lol) and tried to pick up where I *thought* I was.
I checked the bulb after the last session and aside from looking a little worn it seemed quite intact in every way. There were no cracks or signs of damage.
Now if you think about it Remington probably tested the cartridge to its breaking point and let's say that after a few tests in a controlled environment, they realized that the bulb cracked or even exploded at say, 800 pulses. As a result of the bulb cracking or exploding the unit itself was damaged. Maybe it melted a fan blade or messed up the electronics permanently. This may be what led to the unit using a counter to make sure that at a safe number like 1500, the unit would render the cartridge useless. So as much as Remington is making money off replacement cartridges, they are also providing an effective fail-safe to ensure that the unit isn't damaged and the user is satisfied to a degree.
I don't like the fact that the cartridge could have lasted longer but I've seen how light bulbs can burn out, pop and explode and when I think of that happening next to some sensitive parts of my body???? I'd rather just pay for another cartridge. I'll keep reviewing the replacement cartridges on their product page but as for this product, yes, you guessed it. FIVE STARS!!!! *****
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UPDATE: Tuesday March 12th, 2013 ELEVENTH SESSION
Flashes used this session = 75 + 1229 from previous sessions. Total = 1304
Setting : 5
A FEW TOUCH UPS
Did some additional light touch ups around my bikini line and waist above my navel and I just noticed that the bulb life indicator is now YELLOW (It has been GREEN up until now).... This is telling me that I'm extremely close to the bulbs death, FINALLY. Still though, the unit is still flashing on the original bulb and I'll let you all know at what number it finally dies. Can't wait to see the difference in intensity between the original bulb and a new one.
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UPDATE: Thursday March 7th, 2013 TENTH SESSION
Flashes used this session = 310 + 919 from previous sessions. Total = 1229
Setting : 5
GOING FOR BROKE!
OK so now I'm starting to wonder if this flash bulb will ever die. I showered and shaved the entire area but this time I went a little further past the bikini line hence the lengthy session. No lotions or moisturizers were applied to the area prior to treatment. I flashed every part of my crotchal region from front to back, paused a minute or two every now and then to let the bulb cool and wiped the lens in between flashes. After treatment, I left the unit on so the fan would cool the bulb until it reset and then activated it again and left the fan to run a second time until reset. This way I know everything has cooled down before I put it back in the box. I have to say I'm starting to love the feel of it all and my wife loves it too 😃. So now, after all these treatments I can now go a day or two without feeling the need to shave and at this point I can probably go a few more days but the OCD in me keeps making me shave lol.
We are now at 1169 flashes on the original bulb so I don't see any reason to dock any stars on my review.... I am MUCH MUCH smoother than before and I can now shave against the grain of hair without a single ugly red ingrown hair showing up. THE ONLY THING THAT I FIND ANNOYING ABOUT THIS PRODUCT IS; the button is very elusive when you are bending and twisting your wrist to get at those hard to reach spots. The fix for this is simple. Put a little nub on the center of the button so when your flashing and you can't see the button, you can feel for the center and press it properly.
Excellent product!
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UPDATE: Thursday Feb 28th, 2013 NINTH SESSION
Flashes used this session = 184 + 735 from previous sessions. Total = 919
Setting : 5
Same prep for session as last time and same routine. I shaved, dried the area thoroughly, DID NOT APPLY ANY CREAMS OR LOTIONS TO THE AREA, flashed every part of my crotchal region from front to back, paused a minute or two every now and then to let the bulb cool and wiped the lens in between flashes. This unit is still running strong on the original flash cartridge at 919 flashes and that's after over 2 months of weekly use! Now you should all know that I am breaking some of the rulese here. I'm using this device every 7 to 10 days as opposed to the recommended 2 week wait. I'm also doing FULL sessions every session instead of "touch ups" like the instructions recommend.
So far I'm about 80 percent hairless in the crotch front to back with the regrowth being a little thinner. Whatever is growing back I'm assuming has lost a bit of the brown pigment that it used to have as I'm no longer in my 20's (41).
Does this thing work???? YOU BET YOUR A$$ it does. You just have to be careful with it that's all 😃
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UPDATE: Saturday Feb 16th, 2013 EIGHTH SESSION
Flashes used this session = 100 + 635 from previous sessions. Total = 735
Setting : 5
Same prep for session as last time and same routine. I shaved, dried the area thoroughly, flashed every part of my crotchal region from front to back, paused a minute or two every now and then to let the bulb cool and wiped the lens in between flashes. One thing I am definitely noticing is that, as the sessions progress they are slowly getting shorter... I'm still doing every inch of my pubic area but I'm flashing a larger area as in, that after a flash I'm placing the gun a little farther away from the last area flashed. It's not because I'm trying to be frugal with the bulb or anything, it's just because I'm seeing less and less hair and it's getting harder to tell where there is and isn't hair which is a great sign that the product is working. Another thing I'm noticing which I LOVE is NO MORE INGROWN HAIRS!!!!!! I'm now shaving against the grain in areas where shaving against would mean painful ingrown hairs and red spots. Amazing! No other product EVER, has been able to do this.
So after all the reviews on amazon saying that the cartridge does not last I honestly think its because of either factor
A) The unit is not being used with care.
B) It's defective.
C) The unit is not being maintained properly.
You HAVE TO:
- Clean the lens after a few flashes
- Take your time and resist flashing it like a paparazzi
- Let the gun cool for 2 resets when your done.
- Put it back in the original box when it has cooled properly to keep dust and dirt out of the system.
That's all I'm doing and I made it past the 700 flash mark. Hopefully we'll be able to go further.
5 stars remain....... For now
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UPDATE: Thursday Feb 7th, 2013 SEVENTH SESSION
Flashes used this session = 124 + 511 from previous sessions. Total = 635
Setting : 5
OK. So nothing different from last time. I shaved, dried the area thoroughly, flashed every part of my crotchal region from front to back, paused a minute or two every now and then to let the bulb cool and wiped the lens in between flashes. The cartridge is still going strong and I'm confident that it will make it past the halfway mark. We'll have to wait and see.
As for the results...Well I looked under my ball sack earlier today and I noticed that there was absolutely no trace of hair to be seen, not even black spots. The same goes for the bikini line. The area above my penis is hit and miss but I'm starting to see the bald patches growing in size so I'm sure that in time it will look like my bikini line. As for my ass crack, well, I really can't see back there and I'm not gonna start using a mirror or anything but it does feel smoother even after I haven't shaved for a full 24 hours. Usually it starts getting itchy after that much time has gone by.
I believe this product does EXACTLY what Remington has stated it will do and nothing more. To me it's obvious that they did test it extensively so that they could manage our expectations accurately. The only area where I can see improvement is in the false claim that it will last 1500 pulses as these results were no doubt, obtained under very strict controlled conditions so there should be some mention of this in the manual as well as a notice that not everyone will get the same life span out of the cartridge. Either way, to Remington I say bravo for making a great product. To me this is well worth the money.
5 stars remain....... For now
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UPDATE: Monday Jan 28th, 2013 SIXTH SESSION
Flashes used this session = 142 + 369 from previous sessions. Total = 511
Setting : 5
Well the bulb is still going strong and I'd like to hear form people who's bulb did not make it past 500 flashes. To those people I'm pretty sure you are working the bulb too hard i.e. too many flashes per minute, not pausing enough in between flashes, not cleaning the lens and not letting the gun cool and "automatically shut off" or "reset" after your session. This is all I'm doing and so far it is keeping the bulb intact and functioning as it should. Another thing I've discovered is that the instructions tell you to shave the area and wipe the skin clean and completely dry the area... This is EXTREMELY important!!! If you shave then apply some sort of moisturizer to the skin, yes your skin is clean but the oils from the moisturizer will leave a residue on the leans during the sessions thereby making the gun retain more heat than it can bleed off, and if you're not constantly cleaning the lens then don't be surprised when the cartridge prematurely dies on you.
Still doing the pubic area from front to back and still using my yoga skills to their limits lol..... As for results, I could not be happier. There seems to be more bald patches and in the areas where the hair is still growing back it is coming in thinner and finer. Great results after just 6 weeks of treatments. the 5 stars REMAIN!.. For now.
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UPDATE: Thursday Jan 18th, 2013 FIFTH SESSION
Flashes used this session = 127 + 242 from previous sessions. Total = 369
Setting : 5
OK so I have officially been at this for an entire month and here is my verdict.... This product works AS PROMISED and I really do mean that. If you have a look in the manufacturers description it says that that it will "deliver results that last 6 months" and you'll notice that right next to it is an asterisk.... Here is what this little asterisk means "*Individual results will vary. In clinical testing, on average, participants had 47.8 percent fewer hairs six months after just three treatments, similar to results observed from professional hair removal systems." AND THEY ARE RIGHT!
In the past month and after 5 full treatments I am noticing around 45 percent hair loss. will it last 6 months? I don't really think so but that varies from one person to another. Furthermore, I did not use it as directed. Near the end I was using it once a week instead of the recommended 2 weeks. Also, they have been full treatments and not the recommended touch ups after the first three treatments. All in all, I am still NOT disappointed with the I-light Pro. It promises reduced hair growth and I got that. It promises slower regrowth and I got that too. It promised 1500 flashes on the light cartridge and mine is still going strong so I can't really comment on it yet but we will see. Would I buy this item again? YES. Should you? Yes IF you have the right skin/hair combination but again, DON'T EXPECT MIRACLES. Expect it to help you in your hair removal process and keep you from spending stupid insane amounts of money going to laser clinics and spas to have something done for you that you can do for yourself for MUCH LESS MONEY.
would I have liked the I-light Pro to give better results? Of course but hey, I read all the reviews and I know what I bought into. Furthermore, I don;t have the Ideal Skin, hair combination. Yes I am fair skinned and yes I have dark brown/black hair but I do have some grey hair starting to pop up here and there so I can;t really expect it to work as promised... And since long term results literally take YEARS to achieve, I'll keep at it. To be honest it's kind of fun to use 😉
I will keep updating this review until I have to switch the light cartridge but so far, so good......
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UPDATE: Thursday Jan 10th, 2013 FOURTH SESSION
Flashes used this session = 74 + 168 from previous sessions. Total = 242
Setting : 5
NEED TO TAKE CONTORTION LESSONS TO GET BACK THERE.
I must be addicted to this product because I just did a full treatment AGAIN! The only reason I did it is because I'm really noticing a difference in the rate of hair growth and the regrowth. Also, there was another review here where the reviewer was using it every few days and she was getting amazing results so why not try it right?
This time around I did front AND back and by back I mean I really had to reach down between my legs and spread areas that I never EVER though I'd be spreading. Since I am used to shaving my but crack and around my butt hole by feel in the shower, I did the same with the I-Light Pro. It was much harder than I thought. The thick "cable" made it hard to get the head into the right position to zap so if there is one thing I'd recommend to Remington, it's to make it all just a wee bit more versatile in this sense WITHOUT making it cordless. Either way, the job got done regardless of all the bending, twisting and spreading.
As usual, I checked the lens every second or third flash to make sure that it stayed clean. If there was any dust or dirt, I quickly cleaned the lens to make sure everything was running smooth. So far this little sucker is going strong with 242 flashes under it's belt.
Still impressed, still 5 stars.
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QUICK UPDATE: Wednesday Jan 9, 2013 OBSERVATIONS (no session performed)
Flashes used this session = 0 + 168 from previous sessions. Total = 168
It's been 3 days since my last session and here is what I am noticing.
- Reduced hair growth and *delayed* hair growth int he area I have been treating (bikini line, ball sack, perineum, area around anus pubic hair all around penis.
- Bald patches in some areas as in NO TRACE OF HAIR 😃
- Hair growing in thinner and sparser.
- No redness or irritated skin like you'd get epilating.
- No indication of Bulb "konking out" and on that note, read on.
I will ding Remington for making such a false claim that the bulb will last 1500 flashes BUT, you all have to know that when they tested the bulb life, they wanted to get the most flashes so how did they achieve this? Here's how:
- They used it on the lowest setting
- They allowed the flash cartridge to properly cool between flashes (as in, not flash constantly for minutes on end like some people who are in a rush may do)
- They tested it in a properly ventilated room to prevent premature overheating.
- They tested it under PERFECTLY CLEAN AND DUST FREE CONDITIONS.
- The flash bulb test was NOT done while being used on someone's skin hence the lens was never dirty during the test and which did not lead to added heat building up in the unit (The lens DOES get dirty very quickly even after 5 or 6 flashes).
So doing it like this, I can see how Remington's test facility got 1500 flashes out of the cartridge. Now then; Here is why I think the cartridges aren't lasting 1500 flashes.
- People are using it on the highest setting all the time (obviously it's gonna impact the life of the flash bulb no matter what people here will tell you)
- People are using it in a poorly kept environment i.e. dusty room from pet dander, pet hair, smoking (dust accumulates on the lens and bulb itself and negatively impact its lifespan)
- People are using it in a hot/humid room
- People are NOT keeping the lens clean during treatment sessions and in between flashes.
So folks, when you use it, make time for the session so that you're not in a rush. Do the treatment in a clean, cool and dust free environment. Give the device time to cool properly in between flashes (this ties back to the whole *take your time* thing), keep the lens clean during your sessions and in between flashes and don't use it immediately after a shower/bath in your bathroom (heat).
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UPDATE: Sunday Jan 6, 2013 THIRD SESSION
Flashes used this session = 60 + 108 from previous sessions. Total = 168
Setting : 5
GOING FOR THE BURN!
OK so it's only been 4 days since the last session and not 2 weeks like the instructions recommend. WHY? Well, I was talking to my wife about the treatments and mentioned that I wasn't really smelling any burnt hair to which she replied, "Then it may not be working... Are you using it on it's highest setting?" to which I replied, "No, I'm using it on level 4 which is one notch down from the highest, level 5". So she said, "Do it again on the highest setting. You should be smelling burnt hair." therefore, I'm considering this treatment more of a touch up than a session.
That said, I have to say that I'm seeing results even before the third treatment. I'm starting to see actual BALD SPOTS which is encouraging considering that I have only done 2 sessions. The third went just as well as the second. In terms of pain, there isn't much of a difference between level 4 and 5 but I did smell a bit more burnt hair which was the overall goal. I later treated the area with some Aloe Vera but so far, my skin is reacting quite well. There's no blistering or crazy redness. Had I tried epilating in the same spot, it would have hurt like hell and created tons of red spots and irritated the skin. I am really starting to like this product.
Now.... In between treatments, I've been researching other IPL products and found that they are all doing the same thing but instead of using the more common term "IPL" (Intense Pulse Light) some are using a new term called "HPL" or "Home Pulse Light"... Don't let this new term fool you, THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE. Also, in my research I was looking at the Silk'n SN-008 Flash&Go which sells here on Amazon for 299.00.... Overall the device does EXACTLY the same thing that the I-Light Pro does but with a few unnecessary extras. I don't think it's an inferior product but I do think that it's no better than the I-Light Pro. I also came across a YouTube video about the Silk'n SN-008 Flash&Go and the video specifically states that "due to the nature of the hair growth cycle, achieving long term results may require multiple treatment sessions over a period of 18-24 months". They mention it at 07:27 in this video [...] Taking this into consideration, you can expect the same thing with the I-light Pro....
So after 14 days and only 2 sessions I'm seeing good results therefore the review will remain at 5 stars. More to come...