out of 10
The short version
Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 PL5147 IPL Hair Removal System $335
A capable IPL that cut my leg shaving to about once a week, but results were patchy on my underarms and bikini line, and it takes patience.
Best for People with compatible skin and darker body hair who want to shave less over time
What we like
- Noticeably slower, thinner regrowth on my lower legs
- Automatic skin-tone adjustment
- Quick treatments once you get the hang of it
- Much more comfortable than an epilator
- Solid build, no problems in four months
Keep in mind
- Results vary a lot by body area
- Bright flashes and occasional stinging
- Corded, with no battery
- Hard to cover knees and ankles evenly
- Needs patience and a regular schedule
Key specs
- Technology
- IPL with SkinPro 2.0 (SensoAdapt) skin-tone sensor
- Intensity levels
- 10, set automatically
- Flash speed
- Up to 125 flashes per minute (listed)
- Lifespan
- Up to 400,000 flashes (listed)
- Power
- Corded, no battery
- In the box
- Standard head, precision head, Venus razor, soft pouch, adapter
- Price paid
- $335
Final verdict
Worth it? Yes for legs, less so elsewhere
The Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 PL5147 genuinely reduced the hair on my legs. After 12 weekly sessions I was shaving them about once a week instead of every other day. But it didn’t work equally well everywhere: my underarms improved less, and parts of my bikini line and knees barely changed. It’s a capable device, but it needs more patience, preparation and consistency than the marketing makes obvious.
- Best for: people with compatible skin tones and darker body hair who want to shave less over time and can stick to a regular schedule.
- Skip it if: you want instant results, your skin tone or hair colour isn’t on Braun’s compatibility chart, or you don’t want to spend several hundred dollars on something that needs ongoing maintenance.
My results after four months
I have light-medium skin and fairly thick, dark brown body hair. I used the Braun once a week for 12 weeks, missing one week on vacation, then switched to touch-ups when hair grew back. I kept shaving between sessions and didn’t use any other hair removal.
- Weeks 1–2: almost nothing. My hair grew back just as fast as before.
- Week 4: regrowth on my lower legs started to slow, though some areas looked patchier than others.
- Week 6: the point where it clearly started working. I could go longer between shaves, and the hair that came back looked less dense.
- Week 8: my legs were noticeably better, but my bikini line was disappointing, with patches that barely seemed affected.
- Week 12: much less visible hair on my lower legs. I was shaving them about once a week instead of every other day. My underarms improved but still need regular shaving.
- Month 4: results have mostly held up with occasional touch-ups. Hair along my knees and bikini line is still stubborn, and my occasional shaving bumps haven’t improved.
What the Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 is like to use
- Setup is easy. I checked my skin and hair were suitable, did the recommended patch test, and started after the waiting period.
- Sessions take longer than advertised. Braun says both lower legs can take under 5 minutes, but mine take 15–20 minutes once I include repositioning and checking coverage.
- The flashes feel warm, sometimes like a quick rubber-band snap, and sting more on the bikini line. I had mild, temporary redness there once, and the bright flashes are distracting.
- Coverage is the hardest part. It’s easy to miss small patches, especially around knees and ankles, and my hand gets tired doing both legs.
- It’s corded. There’s no battery, the cord gets in the way, and there’s a noticeable fan noise.
- The automatic intensity is a plus. It adjusts to my skin tone, so I don’t have to pick from lots of power levels myself.
Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 vs an epilator and shaving
| Spec | Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 Winner | Philips Satinelle Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Type | IPL hair reduction | Epilator |
| How long I used it | 4 months | About 2 months, then gave up |
| Speed of results (my testing) | Weeks | Immediate |
| Comfort (my testing) | Warm snaps, some stinging | Painful, especially ankles and underarms |
| My overall pick | Yes | No |
Shaving is still the quickest and cheapest way to get smooth skin right away. The Braun is better if you want to shave less often over time, but for anyone who wants instant results or won’t stick to a schedule, a razor is still the more practical choice.
My scores
- Hair reduction
- 8/10
- Consistency of results
- 6/10
- Comfort
- 6/10
- Ease of use
- 7/10
- Treatment speed
- 8/10
- Build quality
- 8/10
- Value for money
- 6/10
- Overall
- 7/10
Is the Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 worth $349.99?
For my legs, probably yes. I’m shaving much less often, which is why I bought it. I’m less impressed with my underarms and bikini line, and if I’d bought it mainly for those areas I might feel differently. There are no cartridges or subscriptions so far, but it’s still expensive for something that needs this much patience. Would I buy it again at full price? I’m not sure. I’d probably wait for a sale.
Braun Silk-expert Pro 5: frequently asked questions
Does the Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 work?
It worked well on my lower legs: after 12 weekly sessions I went from shaving every other day to about once a week. My underarms improved less, and my bikini line and knees barely changed.
How long until the Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 shows results?
I saw nothing in the first two weeks, slower regrowth around week 4, and a real difference by week 6. Braun advertises visible hair reduction in 4 weeks.
Does the Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 hurt?
Not much for me. The flashes feel warm, sometimes like a rubber-band snap, and sting more on the bikini line. It’s far less painful than the epilator I tried.
Is hair removal with the Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 permanent?
Not for me. My hair grows back slower and thinner, but I still shave occasionally and do touch-up treatments.
How long does a Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 session take?
My legs take about 15–20 minutes, including repositioning and checking coverage, plus a few minutes for underarms. Braun says both lower legs can take under 5 minutes.
Is the Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 cordless?
No. It has no battery and must stay plugged in, and the cord can get in the way.
Who shouldn’t use the Braun Silk-expert Pro 5?
Anyone whose skin tone or hair colour isn’t on Braun’s compatibility chart, anyone expecting instant results, and anyone who won’t keep up regular treatments.
Is the Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 better than an epilator?
For me, yes. My epilator removed hair instantly but was painful. The Braun is much more comfortable, though it takes weeks to see results.
Final verdict
Four months in, I don’t regret buying the Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 PL5147. It has made shaving my legs far less frequent, but it hasn’t replaced shaving, and results vary a lot by body area. It’s good at what it does when your hair responds well, but it isn’t effortless, painless or guaranteed to work equally well everywhere. My score: 7/10.
