Laser hair removal has come a long way since it first hit the scene in 1995. Back then, you had to hire a licensed provider for the process. Today, you still have that option, but you can also buy a device and do it yourself at home. With more products hitting the market regularly, this is a huge convenience to anyone who would rather have the process done in the privacy of their own home and for a fraction of the price a laser hair technician would charge.

One of such devices making a name for itself in the laser hair removal world is the Kenzzi IPL Handset. This easy-to-use device promises to remove hair with ease, from the comfort of your own home and with little to no pain at all. If you’ve been curious about the Kenzzi, or at-home laser hair removal in general, keep reading this Kenzzi review to see if the Kenzzi IPL Handset is the right choice for you.

Kenzzi Review

Hands-on Review of Kenzzi

When I first received my Kenzzi Handset, I was pleasantly surprised by its simplicity. It was just a nice little white box with the handset, a cord and an instruction manual. The instruction manual was a quick read in the form of a small pamphlet. It wasn't a complex or intimidating list of instructions and warnings. And since it was so small, I could easily store it with the handset and refer to it when I had quick questions during the first couple of uses.

I started with a bit of caution, as I had never used an IPL device before. I was admittedly nervous about burning myself somehow. I’m not sure where the worry came from, although it might just have something to do with the word “laser”. After reading the instructions, I was put at ease knowing that I could start out on the lowest level and be perfectly fine. And since my skin is on the fair side, the instructions said I could use any level between 1 and 5. Level 1 is the weakest, and level 5 is the strongest.

Week 1 Using the Kenzzi IPL Handset

You need to shave first in order for the Kenzzi Handset to be effective. So, after shaving the area, I started at level 1. The first level is the default and can be selected by simply plugging in the device and hitting the power button. I hit the pulse button one time after making sure the light was in contact with my skin. I didn’t feel a thing, so I was worried I wasn’t doing it correctly. Then, I got brave and held down the power button for 5 seconds in order to activate glide mode. This allowed me to slowly move it up toward my knee, while the laser flashed intermittently. Again I didn’t feel a thing. I considered this to be my patch test, and planned to try it again in a couple of days.

A couple of days went by, and there were zero side effects, so I did the exact same thing to the same area. Again, I didn’t feel a thing, which made me happy but also concerned whether it was actually working. It had to be working though, because the laser doesn’t flash unless the handset is applied to the skin. My plan going forward was to do the same area the next week and consider a higher setting. You are instructed to wait one week between uses, doing a maximum of three passes over an area during each use.

Week 2

About a week later, I was much more confident, but I still made sure to read the instruction pamphlet again to see how high I could go. I decided this time to jump to level 2 and do two passes over the same area. This time, although it didn’t hurt, I did feel some warmth. Still, it was nothing in comparison to the “flick of a rubber band” feeling that the instructions said some users feel when using the Kenzzi IPL Handset.

Weeks 3 Through 5

For my third use, I decided to take it up to level 3, but still only doing two passes. The sensation was the same, but slightly warmer. I still hadn’t noticed much in terms of hair elimination, but I wanted to see if I’d have different results in a different area. So I decided to do one underarm, just like I was doing one leg. For this, I did level 2 for the first shot and only did one pass. Again, it was warm but not painful.

By week 4, I was getting impatient wanting to use the device again sooner than the one-week wait time recommended. Still, I gave it a good six days. By this time, I’d noticed that the hair on the left leg that I was using the Kenzzi handset on was either growing back slower or growing back finer. I couldn’t tell for certain, but there was definitely a slight difference between the two legs. Since I’d only used it on the underarm once, I didn’t see a difference there. For this session in week 4, I used Level 3 on my leg. I did two passes again and just once on the underarm. The underarm area is more sensitive, and I didn’t want to take any chances.

For my last, but not final, use of the Kenzzi IPL Handset, I did the same as I did during week 4. I could have taken it up to level 4 or even done three passes, but I was beginning to see results and didn’t feel the need to push it. I’m happy to say that my left leg (AKA the Kenzzi leg) has felt smoother between shaves, and I am hopeful that I’ll see even more results the more I use it. My hope is that after four more uses, I’ll only have to use it every few weeks as maintenance.

It’s still too soon to determine whether my underarm has seen any results, but hair growth is slower there for me anyway. I can’t see any reason why it wouldn’t work similarly to the leg area. And since it’s so quick and painless, I definitely plan on continuing to use it.

What Sets Kenzzi Apart from Competitors?

When searching for a laser hair removal product, there are a handful of things to look for among competing brands, including the number of flashes it offers, how quickly results are achieved, where on the body it can be used, whether it has a warranty and the price of the product. 

Regarding the number of flashes, those are what actually eliminates the hair. Flashes do this by “damaging” the follicle and slowing the growth process. Some products have lower pulse ratings than others. This means that they only offer a limited number of flashes. The Kenzzi IPL Handset offers over 10 years of pulses. This is quite a high number, especially considering the cost.

And for the cost, the device is only $229. This price is less than the average price a consumer pays per session when done professionally. Other at-home laser hair removal devices cost between $400 and $600. Plus, Kenzzi offers a 90-day money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied. Additionally, there is a 12-month warranty against any defects due to faulty materials or workmanship. 

Some laser hair removal devices can only be used on certain areas of the body. Others can be used in a variety of areas but require a special attachment for each type of body part. The Kenzzi can be used anywhere on the body and requires no special attachment.  

Kenzzi states that many people see results in as few as three to four weeks when using the device one day per week. However, this depends on the user’s skin tone, as the laser reacts to melanin in the hair. Since darker skin has more melanin, the effects of the laser are stronger and may not be safe. As such, the handset offers five different recommended settings to accommodate different skin tones.

How Kenzzi Works and How to Use It

In every hair follicle, there is something called melanin. And, for the most part, the more melanin in the hair, the darker it is. Laser hair removal works by using intense pulsed light (IPL) to target the melanin in the hair follicle. Essentially, the energy from the Kenzzi IPL is converted to heat. It’s that heat that damages the hair follicles, slowing future growth. If hair grows back, it is typically finer and less visible. 

The Kenzzi isn’t as powerful as the tools a professional clinic uses, but it is far more affordable and still just as effective when used regularly. 

As for how to use the Kenzzi, it’s quite easy. You’ll want to start by testing one small area to make sure your skin doesn’t experience any negative reactions. It’s best to wait a couple of days before doing your first treatment, just to make sure. For your patch test and consecutive treatments, here’s how to use the Kenzzi IPL Handset:

1. Shave the area you plan to use the device on.
2. Plug the Kenzzi handset into an outlet. Then press the green power button to turn it on and adjust the intensity. For the first treatment or when using on dark skin, you’ll want to stay on level one. As such, make sure there is only one blue light lit where the intensity lights are located. For future uses or when using on light skin, press the green button again for each level of intensity you want to increase it. Start low and go up as you become comfortable with it. Pro tip: The instruction manual and the FAQs on the website provide more clear skin tone guidance and photos to help users choose the right intensity for them.
3. Next, you’ll want to decide whether to do repetitive pulses of light while you move the handset over a large area or single pulses for smaller areas. Pro tip: Hitting the pulse button one time produces one flash, while holding it down for five seconds activates glide mode, meaning it will flash continually while you move it over larger areas.
4. Once you’re ready to proceed, press the device to your skin. If it is properly pressed against your skin, a single pink light in the indicator light bar will blink. 
5. Hit the pulse button or put it in glide mode. If doing one single pulse, that’s it! You can choose to do it again in that same area up to three times for quicker results, provided you’ve already done the spot test. If you’re using glide mode over a larger area, slowly move the handset as it flashes. 
6. Stopping the device is as simple as taking it off the surface of your skin. To turn it off completely, simply press and hold the green button to power down the device. 

You should plan to use the Kenzzi once per week for optimal results. Although most users notice less hair after the first three to four treatments, it could take up to 12 weeks. 

Kenzzi FAQs

Does Kenzzi hair removal work?

Yes, Kenzzi hair removal works. However, results vary from person to person. It is important to note that since the device relies upon melanin, Kenzzi won’t work on hair that is very blonde, red or grey. 

Is Kenzzi FDA approved?

No, at the time of this writing, Kenzzi is not FDA approved. However, most IPL hair removal devices are not approved by the FDA at this time.

Does Kenzzi work on dark skin?

Kenzzi works for most skin tones, but it may not be safe for people with very dark skin. There are FAQs on the website that provide specific skin tone photos. These can help users decide whether the Kenzzi is safe for them. Even for some of the darker skin tones, however, the Kenzzi can still be used. It is recommended to use a low-intensity level. 

Does Kenzzi hair removal hurt?

Kenzzi may cause irritation for some and may not for others. Some IPL users experience minor irritation, like a rubber band being flicked against the skin. In my personal experience, however, I felt nothing but slight warmth against my skin during the pulses of light.

Is Kenzzi hair removal safe?

Yes, Kenzzi hair removal is safe. However, it is important to keep in mind that IPL isn’t recommended for everyone. Varying melanin levels in the skin will make certain skin tones more sensitive. Additionally, people taking medication that may make them sensitive to light should speak to a doctor first. Also, people with epilepsy should avoid the product entirely due to the flashing light. 

Does Kenzzi work on light hair?

No, Kenzzi will not work on very light or grey hair. This is because the device relies on melanin to be effective.

Does Kenzzi permanently remove hair?

No, Kenzzi doesn't permanently remove hair. It will provide long-lasting results, however, with regularly spaced out treatments.

Is Kenzzi wireless?

No, the Kenzzi IPL handset isn't wireless. Kenzzi needs to be plugged into an outlet with the included 12v adaptor. 

Kenzzi Pros and Cons

Overall Kenzzi Review - 4.5/5

I did a lot of research before using the Kenzzi IPL Handset, and I read a lot of reviews. The main thing that stood out was that people said it was time-consuming to do the sessions, but that certainly wasn’t the case for me. Since I only used it on the bottom half of one leg, and on one underarm, it didn’t take long at all: just a couple minutes for the leg and a matter of seconds for the underarm. Still, I think it would take closer to 10 minutes if I did all of both legs in one sitting. But you could easily fill that time watching TV or doing some other mindless activity. Besides, the amount of time I’m expecting to save by not having to shave all the time is far worth the few minutes of time a week anyway.

Overall, the price, ease of use and the fact that the process was completely pain-free, makes the Kenzzi IPL Handset a great hair removal option, in my opinion. The only drawback is that it does take several uses to see actual results, but this all depends on the person. Admittedly, I could have used a higher setting or done three passes over the area per session and seen quicker results. Nonetheless, I’m excited to use the Kenzzi IPL Handset regularly and look forward to eliminating shaving from my morning routine.