At Ulike’s L.A. Event, The Conversation Wasn’t Just About Hair Removal

At a West Hollywood event space, guests filtered in expecting the usual: product demos, a few expert insights, maybe a panel or two. Instead, the conversation gradually shifted. What began as a showcase of at-home beauty devices opened into something more layered, a discussion about hair, hormones, and how personal all of it can be.

The event, hosted by beauty tech brand Ulike, brought together creators, editors, and wellness advocates. While there was plenty of interest in the devices themselves — including IPL hair removal tools and LED skincare masks — the tone of the afternoon was shaped less by the products and more by the conversations happening around them.

Hair Removal Isn’t Always Just Cosmetic

For many people, hair removal is routine. For others, it's tied to hormones, confidence, and a lot more than appearance.

That complexity came into focus during a segment dedicated to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal condition that affects an estimated one in ten women worldwide. Among its symptoms is hirsutism, excess hair growth that can show up on the face, chest, or other areas, something that often carries both physical and emotional weight.

It’s not a topic that comes up often in traditional beauty spaces. When it does, it’s usually simplified or overlooked altogether.

There was a noticeable shift in the room when the discussion turned in this direction. Less presentation, more recognition.

The Appeal Of Doing It At Home

Alongside those conversations, guests moved between product stations, testing devices and asking questions.

At-home beauty tech has been gaining traction for a while now, especially for people who want more flexibility or prefer to handle things privately rather than scheduling regular clinic visits. IPL (intense pulsed light) devices, in particular, have become a common alternative to in-office treatments.

Phil Cowley, a pharmacist and skincare educator known online as @philsmypharmacist, offered some context during a small group discussion. Traditional hair removal methods, he explained, tend to deal with what’s visible on the surface. Light-based technology like IPL is designed to interact with pigment in the hair follicle area and may help reduce the appearance of regrowth over time. His point, though, wasn’t just about how the technology works.

It was about why people are turning to it.

Convenience plays a role, but so does control, being able to handle something privately, on your own schedule, without having to explain or justify it to anyone else.

A Different Kind Of “Glow”

The event, titled Ulike Spring: Dare to Glow, brought together creators, editors, and wellness advocates.

Instead, conversations circled around how people define feeling good in their own skin, and how that definition changes over time. During a creator roundtable, speakers shared personal experiences with body image, beauty routines, and the expectations that come with both.

There wasn’t a single takeaway, and that seemed to be the point.

For some, confidence meant simplifying their routines. For others, it meant finding solutions that actually addressed what they were dealing with, rather than covering it up. For many, it was still something in progress.

Where Beauty Conversations Are Headed

It’s easy to frame events like this around new products. But what stood out here was how quickly the focus moved beyond them.

Beauty, increasingly, isn’t just about outcomes. It’s about context, health, identity, access, and the small decisions people make every day about how they take care of themselves.

By pairing its devices with a broader conversation around PCOS and personal experience, Ulike tapped into something that feels more reflective of where the industry is right now: less about a single standard, more about making room for different ones.

And maybe that’s the shift.

Not a new routine, exactly, just a more honest version of the ones people already have.

Medical Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Beauty devices and technologies mentioned, including IPL and LED treatments, may not be suitable for everyone and results can vary. Individuals with medical conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) should consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new treatment. Always seek professional medical guidance for concerns related to your health.

BDG Media newsroom and editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this content.