REVIEW – IPL hair removal at No+Vello in Soho, London

I’ve always been intrigued by permanent hair removal, but two things have always put me off: Pain and Price. However, the thought of never having to shave my legs, or get my bikini line done does seem like a dream come true!

So, I was very keen to try out the services of No+Vello (which offers a flat rate of £39 per session, per body area, and yes that does include your whole leg to lower thigh – not just below the knee); and it offers IPL hair removal, which is meant to be pain-free.

No+Vello is new to the UK; its roots are in Spain where it originally launched, but it is now an international brand with over 1,200 stores (and is particularly popular in Brazil – home to the ‘Brazilian’ – well, that figures!) No+Vello had its UK launch party last month, which FashionBite attended at its new store in Ingestre Place, Soho.

I had a patch test on my bikini line at the launch party, which all went well, so I booked myself in for the full treatment. Patch tests are free, check out the website at Novelloclinic.co.uk to book one in at your nearest clinic. You can also book in treatments online, which is very handy.

The Treatment

There are a few tips you need to know before the full treatment …

• Hair must be fairly long, so I wouldn’t shave for 3 weeks or so before the appointment (depending how fast your hair grows!)
• The treatment can react to certain hormones if you’re on the pill, so best to go on your week break to be on the safe-side.
• You shouldn’t take Nurofen/ antibiotics 24 hours before/after the treatment.

After I discussed the areas of hair I’d like removed with the clinician, she placed cotton pads and goggles over my eyes, to protect them from the light during the treatment. As I was having my bikini line done, which is the most sensitive area, the lady numbed it with ice before starting the treatment and continued to do so in between zaps with the IPL (Intense Pulsed Light). IPL is different to laser hair removal, which (according to a friend who has tried it) is very painful!

The sensation I had was quite strange, it’s a mild pin prick feeling, but at the same time there is a flash of light, which you’re aware of despite having your eyes closed. It doesn’t hurt as such, it just feels odd, but once I’d got used to it I was fine and so relieved that it wasn’t painful. For the next session I’ll know exactly what to expect and be a lot more relaxed.

The hair is effectively burnt off at the roots with the light, so it won’t grow back again. No+Vello suggests an average of six sessions to remove the hair permanently, which if you think about (6 x £39), compared to a lifetime of waxing or shaving…is fantastic value. So, it seems to tick both the pain and price boxes.

I can’t say whether it has permanently removed the hair yet, as I’ve only had one session…but I’ll keep you posted. You can use IPL for most areas of the body including face, legs and under arms.

Check out the website at Novelloclinic.co.uk for more info.

FashionBite xx