Short answer: The HeySilkySkin IPL instructions in brief: shave and clean the area, patch test on your inner upper arm and wait 2 hours, then hold the power button for 1 second, click it to choose a level, press the flash window flat on your skin until the red light flickers, and press the flash button. The manual’s plan is one session every two weeks for six sessions, then every four weeks up to about ten.
These are the HeySilkySkin IPL instructions, taken from the printed user manual that comes in the box and set out step by step so you can follow them with the handset in your hand. This is how to use the HeySilkySkin IPL handset safely, from the first patch test to the last touch-up.
If you have lost the leaflet, or found the small print hard to read, everything is here: the patch test, the buttons and lights, which intensity level to use on each area, how often to treat, and how to clean and store it.
The short version: shave first, test first, start low, and never flash the same spot more than twice in a row. Most at-home IPL mistakes come from skipping one of those four.
Not bought one yet? Check which skin tones and hair colours IPL works on before anything else, because no setting can fix the wrong match.
What comes in the box?
The box holds the IPL handset, a power adapter, a warranty card and the printed user manual. There are no cartridges, refills or batteries to buy.
The power adapter comes with the plug type you picked at checkout: US, UK, EU or AU. The handset works plugged in through that adapter, so there is nothing to charge.
The manual rates the lamp for about 990,000 flashes, which is far more than most people will ever use.
There is no eye protection in the box. That makes the rule about eyes later in this guide one to take seriously.
What are the parts of the handset called?
The handset has a flash window, a power button that also changes the level, a flash button, a row of level lights and a power socket. Here is what each one does.
- Flash window. The glass window at the front where the light comes out. A skin sensor sits here, so the handset only flashes when skin covers the window.
- Power button. Hold it to switch on or off, and click it to change the intensity level.
- Flash button. Press it to fire one flash.
- Level indicator. A row of blue lights that shows the intensity level, plus a red light marked R that shows when the handset is ready.
- Power socket. Where the adapter plugs in.
The manual also mentions a green light that comes on while the handset is running, and an air inlet and cooling outlet that you should never cover.
Who should not use the HeySilkySkin IPL handset?
Do not use the handset if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or on your period, if you have eczema or another skin condition, or if your skin is sunburnt or sensitive to light. The manual lists all of these, and the product page adds a few more.
- A known skin disorder, or a skin disease such as allergic dermatitis or eczema.
- Skin that is sensitive to light, including from medication. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that retinoids, for example, make skin more sensitive to the sun.
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or while you are on your period.
- Sunburnt or recently tanned skin.
- Brown or dark brown to black skin (see the colour chart below).
- Dark moles, broken skin, scabs, healing wounds, or any area with skin cancer or a hemangioma, which is a raised red birthmark.
- Tattoos or permanent makeup.
- Near the eyes, and on any artificial, prosthetic or plastic cosmetic area.
If you are on medication such as antibiotics or retinoids, or taking St John’s wort, the product page says to talk to your doctor before you start.
One more check: if thick, dark hair has recently appeared on your face, chest or tummy, see a doctor as well as treating it. The NHS says new hair growth like this can have a medical cause, such as PCOS.
Which skin and hair colours does the handset suit?
The handset suits light brown to black hair on white to light brown skin, according to the colour chart in the manual. It does not work on white, grey, red or light blonde hair on any skin.
| Hair colour | White, yellow, medium brown or light brown skin | Brown or dark brown to black skin |
|---|---|---|
| Black, dark brown, brown or light brown | Suitable | Not suitable |
| Light blonde, red, white or grey | Not suitable | Not suitable |
The manual uses its own colour names. If you are not sure where you sit, compare your skin with the skin tone guide on the product page as well.
The manual also warns that on darker skin a reaction can take longer to show. That is why the two-hour wait after a patch test is not optional.
How do you do a patch test?
Test on the inside of your upper arm, flash the same spot once or twice working up from a low level, then wait 2 hours before your first full session. The HeySilkySkin IPL instructions strongly advise this before any hair removal.
- Shave a small patch on the inside of your upper arm.
- Switch the handset on. It starts at level 1.
- Flash the patch once or twice, moving from a low level up towards the level you plan to use.
- Wait 2 hours.
- Check the patch. If you see redness, burns, or feel stabbing pain or anything else unusual, do not carry on, and see a doctor before using the handset again.
- If there is only slight discomfort, use a lower level. If the discomfort continues, see a doctor before you use it again.
Repeat the patch test, and the two-hour wait, before you move up to a higher level. The manual is specific about this for darker skin, where reactions can show up late.
How do you prepare your skin?
Shave the area, wipe away the loose hairs, and make sure your skin is clean, dry and free of any creams or gels. Five minutes of prep makes every flash count.
- Shave, never wax or pluck. The light needs the hair root in the follicle, so do not wax, pluck or epilate during your course. Shaving only cuts the hair at the surface, which is what you want here.
- Clear the loose hairs. The manual says to clean away residual hair after shaving.
- Skip creams and gels. The manual says not to use the handset with other cosmetics such as water gel products.
- Keep everything dry. The handset is not waterproof, so never use it in the bath or shower.
- Clean the flash window. Wipe it with a medical alcohol wipe before you start.
If shaving tends to leave you with bumps, our guide to preventing razor bumps covers the technique that helps.
How do you switch the handset on and choose a level?
Hold the power button for 1 second to switch on, then click the same button to move up through the five intensity levels. The blue lights show which level you are on.
When the handset starts, the green light comes on and you can hear it running. The red R light comes on too.
Each click of the power button moves you to the next level. Level 1 is the gentlest and level 5 is the strongest.
If you leave the handset alone for 5 minutes, it goes into stand-by. Click the power button to wake it, and check the level, because it restarts at level 1.
To switch off, hold the power button for 3 seconds.
How do you use the HeySilkySkin IPL handset, step by step?
Press the flash window flat on your skin until the red light flickers, press the flash button, wait 1 to 3 seconds for the red light to return, then move to the next spot. Here is how to use the HeySilkySkin IPL handset in one full session.
- Clean the flash window with a medical alcohol wipe.
- Shave the area, clear the loose hairs and make sure the skin is dry.
- Switch on by holding the power button for 1 second.
- Choose your level by clicking the power button, using the table in the next section.
- Press the flash window flat against your skin so that skin covers the whole window. The red light starts to flicker once the sensor detects skin.
- Press the flash button once. The red light goes off while the handset recharges, then comes back within 1 to 3 seconds.
- Move to the next patch of skin, right beside the last one, and repeat until the area is covered. Hold the power button for 3 seconds to switch off when you are done.
Never flash the same spot more than twice in a row. The manual says to cut down further when you use the higher levels.
Work in neat rows, the way you would mow a lawn. The manual asks you to cover every part without repeating or missing any, and rows are the easiest way to keep track.
For best results, the manual suggests going over an area 2 to 3 times in a session. Do that by covering the whole area again, not by stacking extra flashes on one spot.
What if the red light will not flicker?
If the red light stays on without flickering, the skin sensor has not detected skin, so the handset will not flash. The manual gives four steps to fix it.
- Make sure the flash window is pressed close enough to your skin to be fully covered.
- If the red light is still steady, hold the window against your skin for 3 to 5 seconds and check again.
- If that does not work, switch the handset off and on again.
- If it still will not flash, contact our customer support team.
Which intensity level should you use on each body area?
The manual recommends roughly levels 3 to 5 on white skin, 2 to 4 on yellow and medium brown skin, and 1 to 3 on light brown skin, going a little lower on the face and around the mouth. This table shows the exact ranges.
| Area | White skin | Yellow skin | Medium brown skin | Light brown skin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Underarms | Level 3 to 5, 3 to 4 times | Level 3 to 5, 3 to 4 times | Level 3 to 4, 2 to 3 times | Level 2 to 3, 2 to 3 times |
| Arms | Level 3 to 5, 3 to 4 times | Level 2 to 4, 3 to 4 times | Level 2 to 4, 2 to 3 times | Level 1 to 3, 2 to 3 times |
| Legs | Level 3 to 5, 3 to 4 times | Level 2 to 4, 3 to 4 times | Level 2 to 4, 2 to 3 times | Level 1 to 3, 2 to 3 times |
| Around the mouth | Level 3 to 4, 3 to 4 times | Level 2 to 3, 3 to 4 times | Level 2 to 3, 2 to 3 times | Level 1 to 2, 2 to 3 times |
| Face | Level 3 to 4, 3 to 4 times | Level 2 to 3, 3 to 4 times | Level 2 to 3, 2 to 3 times | Level 1 to 2, 2 to 3 times |
The “times” figure is how many times the manual suggests covering the area in a session. It does not change the rule of no more than two flashes in a row on one spot.
The printed table also has columns for brown and dark brown to black skin. They are left out here, because the manual’s own colour chart marks those skin tones as unsuitable.
Always start at the bottom of your range. Move up only after a patch test at the new level and the full two-hour wait. The manual says higher levels give better results, but only once you have followed those steps.
How do you treat the face and upper lip?
Use the lower face settings from the table, keep to the upper lip, chin, cheeks and jawline, and never flash near your eyes. The product page says to stay below the cheekbones and away from the eyes, eyebrows and eyelids.
In clinics, people wear protective eyewear throughout IPL treatment, according to DermNet. Your handset comes without any, so the only safe approach is to keep the flash window well away from your eyes and never point it towards them.
Do not use it on your eyebrows. If you want to keep a beard, the product page says not to use it on your face below the cheekbones.
How do you treat the underarms, arms and legs?
Treat these areas in rows, using the body settings from the table, and raise or straighten the limb so the skin is flat enough to cover the flash window. Coarse dark hair on the legs and underarms usually responds fastest, according to the product page.
For the underarm, lift your arm above your head so the skin flattens out. For the back of the knee, straighten your leg.
Legs take the most flashes. Working in rows, from ankle to knee and then knee to hip, stops you losing your place.
Can you use it on the bikini line?
Yes. The product page says the bikini line and Brazilian area can be treated, starting at intensity 1 or 2 and building up slowly. The skin there is more sensitive than on your legs.
The manual’s level table does not include this area, so stay at the lowest levels. Keep the flash window off the genitals themselves; the product page is clear it should never be used there.
Shave carefully first, because the bikini line is where razor burn is most common. Our guide to razor burn on the bikini area covers how to avoid it, and bikini line hair removal methods compared sets IPL against the other options.
How often should you use the HeySilkySkin IPL handset?
Use it once every two weeks for your first six sessions, then once every four weeks until you have done about ten, then touch up any regrowth every 2 to 3 months. This is the schedule printed in the HeySilkySkin IPL instructions.
| Stage | How often | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Sessions 1 to 6 | Once every 2 weeks | Treating hair as it grows through |
| Sessions 6 to 10 | Once every 4 weeks | Catching the slower hairs |
| After your course | Once every 2 to 3 months, where new thin hair appears | Keeping results |
The manual calls 6 to 10 sessions one hair removal cycle. On that schedule, ten sessions take roughly six months.
The gaps are there for a reason. Hair grows in cycles, and Cleveland Clinic explains that follicles move between growing, transition and resting phases, so not every hair is ready to treat at the same time.
Areas with thick hair may need more sessions over time. Once regrowth is small, the manual says you can treat less often.
Flashing more often than this will not speed things up. It just gives your skin less time to recover between sessions.
What should you do after each session?
Cool the skin with ice water or a cold damp towel, use a toner or plain moisturiser, and protect the treated area from the sun. Those are the manual’s aftercare steps.
Some redness afterwards is normal. The product page describes it as mild pinkness or warmth for an hour or two.
Stop and drop down a level next time if you see redness that lasts, blistering, or any change in your skin colour. See a doctor if it does not settle.
Avoid sun and UV exposure during your course. When you are outside, use sunscreen: the American Academy of Dermatology recommends a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day.
For a day-by-day list of what to avoid and for how long, see our IPL aftercare guide.
How do you clean and store the handset?
Wipe the flash window with a medical alcohol wipe after every session, and never spray alcohol straight onto it. Then store it somewhere cool, dry and out of reach of children.
- White spots inside the lens can appear after lots of use. The manual says they do not affect how it works or how long it lasts.
- A darkening bulb late in the lamp’s life is normal ageing, and the handset keeps working.
- Keep the vents clear. Do not block the air inlet or the cooling outlet while it is running.
- Store it safely, away from moisture, dust, heat and strong magnetic fields.
- Use it in normal room conditions. The manual gives an operating range of 5 to 30°C and 30% to 60% humidity.
What if the handset is damaged or stops working?
Unplug it straight away, and stop using it if the casing or the glass of the flash window is cracked. The manual says a damaged handset must go back for repair.
Never open the handset yourself. The manual warns there is a risk of electric shock, and only authorised people should open it. Get in touch with us and we will tell you what to do next.
When will you see results?
Expect gradual change over your course rather than an overnight difference, with regrowth becoming finer and sparser as the sessions add up. Coarse dark hair usually responds best.
IPL gives permanent hair reduction, not permanent removal. Our guide on whether IPL is permanent explains what that means, and why touch-ups are part of the plan.
Results vary from person to person. For what clinical trials found, see does at-home IPL work.
Frequently asked questions
How long should my hair be before I use the handset?
Shaved short. Shave the area before every session so the light reaches the follicle instead of heating hair on the surface of your skin.
Why won’t my HeySilkySkin IPL handset flash?
Usually because the skin sensor cannot detect skin. Press the flash window flat so skin covers it completely and wait for the red light to flicker. If it stays steady, hold it on your skin for 3 to 5 seconds, then restart the handset.
Can I use it twice a week to get faster results?
No. The manual’s schedule is once every two weeks for the first six sessions, then once every four weeks. Hair only responds in its own growth phase, so extra sessions do not speed things up.
Does the handset hurt?
Most people describe a warm flick, like a light elastic band, according to the product page. Some redness afterwards is normal. Start at a low level and move up only when your skin is comfortable.
Can I use it while I am on my period?
The manual says not to. It lists menstruation, pregnancy and breastfeeding among the times the handset is not suitable.
Do I need goggles?
No goggles come in the box. The manual’s rule is never to flash near or directly at your eyes, so do not use the handset around the eyes, eyebrows or eyelids at all.
Can I use it in the shower?
No. The manual says the handset is not waterproof and must be kept away from water. Use it on clean, completely dry skin.
I have lost my HeySilkySkin IPL instructions. Where can I get help?
These HeySilkySkin IPL instructions cover everything in the printed manual. If you still have a question, or the handset is not working after the troubleshooting steps, contact our support team.
Final thoughts
The HeySilkySkin IPL instructions come down to four habits: patch test, shave, start low, and never double up on one spot. Get those right and the rest is simply following the calendar.
For your first session, do the patch test on your inner upper arm, wait the full 2 hours, then treat one area at the bottom of your level range.
For your course, book it in: every two weeks for six sessions, every four weeks up to about ten, then touch-ups every 2 to 3 months.
If you are pregnant, on your period, sunburnt, or have brown to black skin or light, red or grey hair, the handset is not for you right now, and the manual says so plainly.
If you are still deciding, check the skin tone guide on the IPL Laser Hair Removal Handset page first.
Start low, go slow, and let the calendar do the work.
