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Monday 21 March 2011

The Me My Elos Hair Removal System

It's fair to say that I've tried a lot of hair removal methods in my time as a beauty journalist, even more in my time as a teenager. And as far as hair removal goes, I'm the worst sort of candidate: a very dark brunette, who hates any body hair. Unfortunately, I'm not one of those lucky people who can just leave their leg hair to its own near-bald devices (I hate you people), nor am I the type of laidback girl who is prepared to let her boyfriend see her legs as anything other than perfectly smooth. If I'm in between waxes, I exist in trousers/tights/thigh-high socks...sometimes all three.  Since secondary school I have tried shaving (grows back too quickly and stubbly), depilatory creams (never seem to get the hair completely), bleaching (stinky), exfoliating hair removal pads (completely useless), waxing (painful), epilating (even more painful), heat-based hand-held devices (if you've ever put your hair in a bunsen burner, this is what it smells like) and I've even tested laser (not as successful as people make out).

At the Me My Elos launch last week
I've had some really terrible hair removal experiences too. My first time shaving I ran my finger horizontally across the blade. I don't know what I was expecting but what I got was one seriously bloody finger. One bikini wax left me so bruised I couldn't wear a bikini, which ironically was the reason I went to get a bikini wax in the first place. Another time I decided to apply a wax strip to my upper lip. After removing it, I must have had some sort of bad reaction to the wax as I immediately broke out in a 'spot-moustache'. Epic fail. And I'm not alone. A dear friend of mine bought an epilator with a facial attachment. She decided to try it in between her eyebrows when the device effectively ate her face and left her with a bloody gouge. She told people she walked into a door. Obviously. Because, let's face it, hair removal is still an embrassing topic to discuss with your friends, let alone your boyfriend/husband (or blog). And if I'm totally honest, my somewhat prudish personality (even my mum says I was born in the wrong era. Yeah like the 1800s), still dies a little every time I have to undress from the waist-down, legs akimbo, for a bikini wax. What I want is to remove hair in the comfort of my own home, with little fuss or cost but with seriously long-lasting, even permanent results.

The presentation
Cue the new Me My Elos Hair Removal System, £449.99, which launches at Boots this May. Okay so it's not exactly cheap but when you consider how much you'd pay for in-salon laser hair removal, or even totted up how much you spend on a monthly leg and bikini wax, actually it doesn't work out that badly. Unlike other IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) devices on the market, the Me My Elos uses a combination of IPL and Radio Frequency energy to penetrate deeper into the skin to better damage the hair follicle. The device is smaller than a lot of other at-home IPL and laser systems and here's the real USP, it's a lot quicker. Rather than having to aim and shoot a small section at a time, like other devices such as the Philips Lumea or the Tria Laser System, the Me My Elos glides over the skin, emitting a pulse every second or so. In fact you can cover the whole body (legs, bikini, arms and underarms) in just 30 minutes. The device runs on a replaceable cartridge, £39.99, which lasts for 5400 pulses or 3 full body treatments but the longer you persevere with the system, the less often you'll have to use it so you won't need to replace the cartridge as often. There's also the option to buy a facial kit for safe hair removal, an epilator, £39.99 (Boots.com), and shaver attachment, £39.99 (homedics.co.uk) which easily click in to place.



Another selling point is the fact it can be used on a wider range of hair and skin colours. The device is safe for very fair white, fair white, cream white, brown (Mediterranean Caucasian skin) and dark brown (Middle Eastern) skin types. It cannot be used on black skin. If you have blonde, red or grey hair, this is where the epilator attachment comes in. By first pulling out the hair at the root, you create a microscopic wound that the IPL and RF energy can target to destroy the follicle. Very clever. But don't think you can wax or epilate the week, or even the night, before. The 'injury' must be fresh, hence the simultaneous combination of the epilator and IPL device. For those who are darker or can't bear the thought of epilating, the area should be shaved beforehand.

From left to right: The Me My Elos System versus the Philips Lumea
DID YOU KNOW? The Me My Elos has been found to reduce body hair by up to 89% after the first four treatments.
I used the device for the first time yesterday and can attest to its ease of use - I did my legs and underarms in about 20 minutes whilst simultaneously watching 'The Family'. I had it on the highest setting and can honestly say it did not hurt a jot (and I'm a wuss), but feels satisfyingly warm on the skin. However, the flash is very, very bright so I did have to avert my gaze for the first 5 minutes. The brightness is apparently safe for use but sunglasses would be a good idea. I did try the device with the epilator attachment on my arms but it only removed about half of the hairs. I would have needed to go over the same area at least twice to successfully remove them all, which you shouldn't really do with IPL device as it can irritate the skin. Obviously I can't say anything about the results yet. After the 4th treatment I will let you know but for the first time in a long time, I feel like permanent hair removal might just be a possiblity. And in the spirit of making everyone feel a little less alone when it comes to hair removal, why not share your own hair removal horror stories below. Sx

52 comments:

  1. Thank God! When I was younger I had a horrific time with hair removal cream and an upper lip situation!
    Left it on for far too long which resulted in a scab on the top lip for a good 3 days...tough one to cover up!x

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  2. Wow, impressive. I shave my bikini line but I end up with a shaving rash. One time I attempted to wax the whole 'front bum' area...not a good idea. A lot of bloody roots and a few days later some very painful ingrown hairs :s eek! This might be a good investment. xx

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  3. Need this in my life. Love a fellow prude x

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  4. I know, I'll keep you posted on the results. Loving these hair removal stories. Keep them coming! Sx

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  5. I can see that this is one of the great example of Laser Hair Removal.

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  6. WoW great news for the hairy people between us. I love new inventions. I found two movies at Youtube explaining the Me my Elos accessories:
    Me my Elos Epilator and
    Me my Elos Shaver.
    Both nice and clear presentations of this system.

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  7. any more updates???

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  8. Probably the best hair removal method is using a hair removal creme. After use hair is removed for a number of weeks. Best of all it's fast and effective, meaning less time in the bathroom.

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    Replies
    1. Just think of that caustic chemical next to the largest organ of the body! If it eats hair imagine what it does as it is absorbed through the skin.

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  9. Can someone say if it has realy removed the hair permanantly and if it is a safe device... And like show before and after pictures...

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  10. Yeah.. any updates?

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  11. Please see my review for the product after the recommended 4 sessions here...http://besttressed.blogspot.com/2011/05/me-my-elos-hair-removal-systemthe.html

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  12. Really have to wonder about this device. Lot of fake webpages and fake people shilling for it. John above for example!

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  13. It is frustrating that people are linking to laser hair removal websites, and I will be removing spam like this in future, but this is should in now way reflect poorly on the Me My Elos device. I'm continuing to use it and have definitely seen a reduction. Still nowhere near the point where I can forego shaving but I hope over the next few months it will improve further. As always I will keep you posted. Sx

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  14. Hi, i bought a me my elos last week and just wondered if anyone know's if it is best to shave or epilate first? Also i know it says to do it every 2 weeks but i thought the lady in boots said do it every week. Is it safe to use it every week?

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  15. Hi,
    If you are fair-haired, you should use the epilator attachment to create 'wounds' for the IPL to aim at. If, however, you are dark haired, I would recommend shaving the area beforehand as the epilator didn't remove enough hairs (as described above). You want to catch the hair in its anagen (hair growth) stage so for your first 4 sessions, stick to once every two weeks. Hope that helps, Sx

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  16. i used and so no difference

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  17. HI, bought this device 1 month ago have just carried out 2nd treatment, ummmmm think have a slight reduction in amount of hairs regrowing but hair growth has definately slowed down on my legs & bikini but not sure about under arms!! Have invested alot of money in this so really want it to work! Please as i am a hairy monkey it has too!

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  18. I bought the device 6 weeks ago and am now due for my 3rd treatment. I have noticed a definite difference in my underarms and slight difference in legs and bikini area, but only noticed after my 2nd treatment. I found best results after epilating. I used my own epilator and then the elos within 5 mins of epilating. Will keep going with it and see how I get on - but think I'm gng to be happy in the long term.

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  19. I am one seriously hairy woman, so hairy i rarely feel like a woman! and I've had oh so many hair removal nightmares over the years..
    wax put on too hot it burnt
    wax that stuck to my leg and refused to come off
    creme that only 'melted' 'frizzed' the hair
    I have ingrown hairs that have ended up leaving scars
    anyway...
    i jointly bought me my elos with a friend , the only way we could both afford it .had it about 6 weeks now and for the first month i used it weekly , so far ive concentrated on my face , and the 5 oclock shadow I have had for over 20 years...Has GONE.
    I have a very few stray hairs growing which are very easy to remove , my skin is smooth and looks clear and bright . my hand still goes to my face , but not to cover it now, just to keep feeling how smooth it is. :)
    this machine has been the best thing that i have bought ..EVER .

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  20. I just bought this product and hoping it saves my mental mind of tearing the hair out one by one in order to be free of fuzz! Just a question though in between sessions do you continue to shave as usual? I normally shave every two days but am confused now.... Thanks

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  21. I bought a few weeks ago - just the machine to start with and then the epilator attachment as I found it was taking too long to wax first. Fastest results on area which have never been waxed before: I did my arms, which I'd never touched before, and nothing's grown back after the second session. Under arms definitely patchy, especially since epilating instead of shaving. I really think this is going to work! I just wish I'd had it at 14 when I had to keep my jeans on sun-bathing

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  22. Hi Anonymous,
    Yes you can shave in between.
    Hope this helps,
    Sx

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  23. Hola desde Argentina, la semana que viene viajo a Miami, quería saber donde puedo comprar ya sea la Philips Lumea o la Eolos. Muchas gracias

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  24. Hi S,

    Thanks for your review and blog I have found some useful information on here :)

    I am thinking about buying this product as it sounds lot easier to use than the others on the market. However from the posts I am bit confused about the shaving and epilating. I am pale skinned with mousy hair. I do not mind epilating as I have done it for couple of years... What is the best method that gets best results with the Me Elos epilating or shaving? Also would like to use Me Elos on my face - the upper lip and chin. The hairs differ here and I have been using creams so far for my upper lip, but they are no longer sufficient. I pluck on my chin. I do not want to shave or epilate on my face - how would you proceed? Thanks for your help.

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  25. Hi , after reading all comments.i am thinking abt to buy it.Altough i have done laser on my face from one private clinic,i spend lots of money and did lots of session.You ppl won't believe i did more than 40 treatments which took 3 years.anyway this device sounds interesting so im gonna buy it online next week.

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  26. Hi S,
    thanx for all the info so far..
    ive done a alot of research n read a lot about me my elos, but i havnt been able to find the answer to ths: i never shave or epilate, i wax.. is it no good to get waxed first, n then use the elos..n it will take more than 5mins in between..? ive shaved a few times very early in my life n found it making my hair very coarse, n i've stuck to waxing ever since..as i want to use elos in my abdomen region im afraid i will start sprouting thick hair there as well..and its too painful to epilate in all my bikini region, where i want to use elos as well, n where i wax.. also advice would b appeciated in answer to the question already asked about shaving/epilating on upper lip and chin to use elos effectively..
    thanx a lot for ur help!!

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  27. this look so easy to use
    is this better then the NO NO?

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  28. Do not waste your money on the NO NO, I bought the new model and used it 3 times a week for 3 months and saw no change whatsoever. it does not work. Considering the my Elos though but sceptical after spending lots of money over the years on hair removal treatments and devices that have not worked. Will research it a bit more before I buy.

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  29. there are lots of ways to permanent hair removal.but if you have lots of money, better go for permanentlaser hair removal.to get bare instantly.

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  30. Dear Sx!

    What is the final result with you?
    I'm thinking about i buy one too. But i have a lots of doubt with it.
    I was in an aestehtic clinic, but they said to me i can't use epilator, or wax, or any tipe of the hair removal wich is pull out from root, because the system will not working. Jus can use a razor, or electric razor.So i dont understand epilator is why in the package?
    Could you present some picture of your results?You wrote tell us the true, i trust you. Thanks all!Best regards, from EU.

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  31. Hairy Harry
    Years ago I used steriods and I grew hair as long as an inch and a half on my upper back and about a inch on the arms. I sun tan easy so i am staying away from the sun.
    I saw the product ads somewhere so after trying the Neet and Nair I thought what have I got to loose.
    At first I used Nair before the ME machine and nothing worked for 4 sessions so I started shaving instead and now I am seeing results after 2 sessions with shaving first. So do not use Nair or Neet before the Me machine. I am told shave only as the Me machine needs the hair root to work properly. I am over 60, hairy, still, body build and I hate hair on my body period. I am doing am doing my back, legs, neck (front and back), arms, legs, shoulders, so I am not taking this lightly. I am doing all I can to get rid of this ugly hair on myself. It is too early to tell but if I shave instead of using Nair it works better at removing hair. I can not give a honest opinion until I see great results but will keep updating the process. Shave only before using the ME machine. Yes I do my bum. Wish I had never taken steriods. Thank you for reading my Hairy problem solver I hope it works.

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  32. I bought the eleos machine almost a year ago now- began by following the guide of every 2 weeks etc.. have only used it on my bikini and seen a reduction in growth in terms of speed but nothing more. Have tried increasing usage etc but nothing - very disappopinted considering the cost

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  33. Have used me my elos 27 times now on my legs. Still the hair grows back nearly as bad as before - only slightly finer. Really disappointed. Boots Smooth Skin has had amazing results, but it's SOOOOOOO time consuming and messy, can only use it on small areas.

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    Replies
    1. Maybe you need to epilate first if you have light color hair.

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  34. This product looks nice, i have a very sensitive skin, don't know if the results will be same as yours, will try it.

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  35. I'm really wanting to try this but my problem apart from being hairy is after shaving I still look hairy. I have dark dots on my legs, where you can see the hair follicles. This has taken over my life and I can't get my legs out. I feel ridiculous in summer being the only one in jeans
    Does this help reduce the look of hair follicles?

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  36. It can.be used on African American I'm 4 on the skin typing scale think between beyonce's and cierras skin tone and. I used it

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  37. This equipment it doesn´t work, get a proper information about this product, some doctors or specialist in skin and hair.

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  38. It was a great blog with lots of information about laser hair removal courses

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  39. Is it true that if you have light color hair, the hair removal with this method is nor suitable for you?

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  40. Thanks for sharing the information about the Hair Removal system, really very useful blog for us!!

    Best facial hair remover

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  41. congratulations guys, quality information you have given!!! Braun Series 3 340S-4 review

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  42. Thanks for sharing such beautiful information with us. I hope you will share some more information about hair removal. Please keep sharing.
    Health Is A Life

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  44. Reading the blog about the 'Me My Elos Hair Removal System' felt like embarking on a rollercoaster ride through a jungle of hairy situations. It's like a comedic saga of a desperate quest for smoothness in a world of unruly follicles. Let's just say, it's a hair-raising adventure worth every chuckle! American Laser Med Spa Amarillo

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  45. Revolutionary and effective! The Me My Elos Hair Removal System is a game-changer. Say goodbye to unwanted hair effortlessly. A must-have for smooth, silky skin! American Laser Med Spa - Corpus Christi

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  46. The Me My Elos Hair Removal System offers an innovative approach to at-home hair reduction, blending efficiency with convenience for those seeking smoother skin. American Laser Med Spa - Midland

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