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Why Happy Skin Co is one of the most sustainable hair removal options on the market

Now you can be hair-free without harming the environment.

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Lauren Chaplin
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If you've been on the Internet at any point in the past year there's a good chance you would have heard of Happy Skin Co. The little handsets have sprung up on Instagram accounts everywhere for two very prominent reasons.

Firstly, because the product actually works (a fact we can attest to as we reviewed it ourselves) and has received hundreds of glowing reviews.

The second reason is it reduces the need for razors and other waste products. As we become more environmentally aware, many of us have begun to search for ways to reduce our environmental footprint upon our little blue and green planet.

We sat down with Happy Skin Co owner Dylan Mullan to find out how Happy Skin Co can help us do just that when it comes to hair removal.

The quick verdict

Does the handset work? Yes, read our review.
How much is it? $299 (or 4 payments of $74.75 with Afterpay).
Where can I buy it? Directly from the Happy Skin Co site.

Why is Happy Skin Co a more sustainable hair removal option?

Girl using Happy Skin Co handset Image: Instagram

When it comes to hair removal, there aren't a whole lot of sustainable options currently on the market. Many hair removal creams contain potent chemicals, while the average disposable razor is recommended for only 5–10 uses before it needs to be thrown away.

Happy Skin Co handsets offer an alternative to all of that pollution and waste. While you will need to shave initially, the at-home IPL handset is designed to permanently reduce hair growth, helping you to eventually ditch other hair removal products for good.

The handset itself too, is made to be a one-time purchase. "The thing about the handset is that it lasts for 10 years," says Mullan.

"There's 300,000 flashes if you were going to continuously use it as directed. If you're doing your whole body, it's still going to last you 10 years, so there's not a whole lot of waste around that."

While Happy Skin Co wasn't the ones to initially come up with the technology for an at-home IPL treatment, it has been the company to really cement the place of these handsets on the market. Making $12 million in sales in the first year alone, the brand has witnessed a huge amount of success.

For companies such as Happy Skin Co reaching those high sales volumes, though, Mullan says it's more important than ever to be environmentally aware. "Sustainability is very important. You just see those videos about oceans full of plastic and realise people need to start thinking more about these things."

"Even two years ago, people were just starting to make small changes but now I think it really is time to think about that stuff, especially if you're going to be creating high-volume products."

Looking towards the future, Mullan also says the company is looking to invest further in sustainability. "It's something that we've been working with in terms of our packaging moving forward and making everything sustainable."

Can anyone use Happy Skin Co?

With the way IPL technology works, not everyone is a candidate for Happy Skin Co, or for IPL in general.

According to Mullan, those with very dark skin types will not be able to use IPL as it "targets pigmentation and needs to be able to identify the root of the hair so it knows where to direct the energy".

"If skin is too dark, the light will scatter everywhere and it won't be effective. We wish this was a product that would work for everyone, but it's just not how the technology works, unfortunately."

IPL also relies on melanin in the hair absorbing the light energy, which means it isn't effective on very light blonde, red or grey hair.

Happy Skin Co pink handset Image: Instagram

Are there any dangers associated with IPL?

As well as being a more sustainable hair removal option, IPL is also one of the safest. "If you have really super sensitive skin you could get redness or a reaction, but that's standard for any laser hair removal," says Mullan. "We've been going for 13 months now though and there's been no big issues. A couple of people with a bit of redness, but that's about it."

If you do have any concerns, though, it's best to consult a doctor or skin care professional before you start using the product.

Where can you shop Happy Skin Co?

You can shop both the pink and white versions of the IPL handset directly from the Happy Skin Co site for $299.

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Images: Instagram user happyskinco

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