Blog / Tools and Devices

LUMOS IPL at home: how light hair removal works, who it works for, and the safety rules

Home IPL uses light to slow hair regrowth. It works on some hair and skin colours and not others, so check that before you buy.

October 24, 2026 · 2 min read

This page contains affiliate links. MoreThanMy earns a commission on qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

Researched. We have not used this one long enough to give you a verdict, and we would rather say so than invent one. What follows is how it works, who it suits, and what it will not do. When we have used it properly, this page carries the verdict and the date.

Michael Todd Beauty LUMOS IPL Hair Removal Device

IPL, intense pulsed light, is the at-home cousin of salon laser hair removal. The LUMOS is a handheld IPL device, sold for use at home without a prescription.

How IPL works

The device sends a flash of light into the skin. Dark pigment in the hair absorbs that light and turns it into heat, which damages the follicle and slows regrowth. Over a series of sessions, many people see hair grow back finer and more slowly.

Who it works for

This is the most important part. IPL needs a contrast between dark hair and lighter skin.

It works best on dark hair over light to medium skin.
It does not work well on blonde, red, grey or white hair, which has too little pigment to absorb the light.
It can be unsafe on darker skin, because the skin absorbs the light too. Every IPL device comes with a skin-tone chart. Read it before buying, and follow it.

How to use it

Shave first, so the light goes to the follicle, not hair on the surface.
Patch test a small area and wait a day.
Protect your eyes. Use the glasses that come with it and never point the device near your eyes.
Follow the schedule in the instructions: usually regular sessions for several weeks, then occasional touch-ups.
Skip tattoos, moles, dark spots, broken or sunburned skin, and recently tanned skin.

What to expect

Results build over weeks. Hair reduction is the realistic goal; most people still need touch-ups. Results vary from person to person.

What it will not do

It will not work on light-coloured hair. It will not suit every skin tone. And it will not give results after one session.

The product

The one people are searching for is the Michael Todd Beauty LUMOS IPL Hair Removal Device.

Michael Todd Beauty LUMOS IPL Hair Removal Device

We do not print prices here, because a price we typed last month is a price that is wrong today.

Written by JamieG in Garner Town, Tennessee.