BRAUN PL 5159 Silk Expert Pro 5 Electric Shaver User Manual

: June 10, 2024
: Braun

BRAUN PL 5159 Silk Expert Pro 5 Electric Shaver

Introduction

Our products are designed to meet the highest standards of quality, functionality and design.
Using professional light technology, Braun Silk·expert Pro 5 Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) allows you to permanently remove unwanted, visible hair comfortably at home. Before using the device, please read the use instructions carefully, including all contraindications, warnings and safety information, and keep them for future reference.
This device has been designed to effect long-term hair growth reduction after a certain period of treatment. Ideal body areas for use include:

Women: Legs, arms, underarms, bikini area and face (below cheek bones)
CAUTION: Do not use the device near the eyes and along the forehead.
Men: Shoulders and below (chest, back, arms, stomach, legs)
CAUTION: Do not use on the face, neck or genital area.
Usage on male beards or facial hair may lead to permanent or uneven results which may produce changes in facial characteristics that may not be desirable.

IPL is not suitable for everyone. It is most effective on light to medium skin tones and dark hair colors.
Please, refer to the skin tone and hair color chart on page 3 to see if the device is suitable for you.

Skin tone & Body hair type chart:

Skin tone & Body hair type chart
=suitable
=not suitable

Description

Treatment window
SensoAdapt™ skin tone sensors
LED Power bars
Mode button with indicator lights
Treatment button
Handle
Base station
Mains cord
Glass filter (integrated UV filter)
Standard head
Wide head*
Precision head
not with all models

How does it work?

Braun Silk·expert Pro 5 works beneath the skin surface by targeting the melanin in the hair follicle, helping to break the cycle of hair re-growth. With continued, periodic use, the light energy helps prevent unwanted hair from reaching the skin surface.
How does it work?

The intelligent SensoAdapt™ skin sensors (2) continuously read your skin tone before every flash, automatically adapting the light intensity for best efficacy and safety. This allows treatment of appropriate skin tones, but prevents treatment if your skin tone is too dark.

Contraindications

Do not use the device …

if your skin is darker than skin tone V shown on the skin tone chart on page 3.
Since dark skin absorbs more light energy, treating very dark skin may cause discomfort/pain and adverse effects (e.g., burns, blisters, discoloration or scarring) and injure your skin.
if you are pregnant, lactating, or under the age of 18 as this device has not been tested with these individuals.
if you have a history of skin cancer or precancerous lesions (e.g., nevi or a large number of moles).
If your skin has been artificially or naturally tanned recently. Your skin may be sensitive following sun exposure and particularly susceptible to side effects of IPL treatment (e.g. burn, blister, discolour or scar to your skin). Also, avoid unprotected exposure to direct sunlight after your IPL treatment.

Certain conditions can also prohibit the use of this device.
Do not use the device if any of the following applies:

You have a chronic medical condition.
You have a chronic skin disease (e.g. psoriasis or vitiligo) or damaged skin (e.g. sunburn, cuts, open wounds or active infections) in the areas you wish to treat.
You have varicose veins in the area you wish to treat.
You have a known sensitivity to sunlight (photosensitivity) or are taking medication that may make the skin more sensitive (e.g. Retin A, Accutane and/or other topical retinoids).
You have had a professional skin peel treatment on the area you wish to treat.
You have any of the above, this device may injure your skin or make existing conditions worse. You may experience side effects such as burns, blisters and skin color changes (hyper- or hypo-pigmentation) or scarring.

If you are unsure whether this device is safe for you to use, please consult your physician or dermatologist.
If you take any kind of medication regularly and over a long period of time, please consult your physician for any potential impact on skin sensitivity to light.

Warnings

Do not use on …

scalp, eyebrows or anywhere near or around the eyes. Use in these areas may permanently damage your eyes.
a tattoo or permanent makeup in the treatment area.
nipples, genitals or around the anus. These areas may have a darker skin color and/or greater hair density and using the device in these areas may cause discomfort/pain or injure your skin.
dark brown or black spots such as freckles, birthmarks, moles or warts in the treatment area.
beard / facial hair for men.

It is not recommended to use the device on areas of skin where dermal fillers are present.
Do not use more than once a week on the same area. Damage of skin may occur after prolonged or repeated treatment on one site.

Eye safety

Do not look directly into the glass filter (9) or attempt to activate the device toward the eyes. To protect the safety of your eyes and those of individuals nearby, the device will only activate when both skin tone sensors are placed against the skin. If at any time the device activates when both sensors are NOT in contact with the skin, STOP use immediately and contact your retailer.
Possible eye injury (potentially leading to loss of vision) or skin injury if instructions are not followed. Protect the eye from exposure. Do not use the appliance over the eye lids or close to the eye.

Precautions

The device is intended for a single user.
It is not intended for use by people under 18 years old.
People with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities or lack of experience and knowledge, may use the device if they have been given supervision or instruction concerning the safe use of the device and understand the hazards involved.
Children should be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the device.
Always keep the device out of children’s reach.

Electrical and fire safety

Regularly check the device and cords for visible signs of damage. In case of damage or cracks, stop using the device. Electric shock may result from using a damaged device. In case of defects, have the device checked and repaired by an authorized service center. Unqualified repair work can lead to extreme hazards for the user. Always unplug the device after use.

DANGER
Never attempt to repair and open the device, as this may expose you to dangerous electrical components and to pulsed light energy, either of which may cause serious bodily damage and/or permanent eye injury.
Do not use in or near water and wet surfaces such as bathtubs, showers, basins or other vessels that may contain water. If the device becomes wet, it should not be used. Electric shock may result from using a wet device.
Do not use if the device is damaged (e.g. cracked housing, cord damage etc).
Internal parts contain electric charges that are hazardous.
Regularly inspect the treatment window (1) for damage:
Do not use if the glass filter (9) is cracked or missing. Do not use if the built-in reflector is missing or not in correct place.
Do not touch the glass filter during or directly after use since it will get hot.
Do not use petroleum-based or flammable cleaning agents (alcohol, acetones) on the device as these pose a fire risk.
Do not use abrasive cleaning agents. These may damage the device or scratch the glass filter.
Do not attempt to use this device other than for removing unwanted hair.
Do not use the device on a surface other than skin. Do not press the treatment button when the treatment window (1) is not placed in full contact with the skin.
Do not block the cooling vents. The device may overheat and pose an electric shock risk or fire hazard.

How to use

Preparing the treatment area
Remove any visible hair on the skin before using the device. You may use your preferred hair removal method. To keep the treatment window clean and intact, ensure there is no hair remaining on the skin surface. Clean the treatment area and pat it dry.
To power on the device:
Use the mains cord (8) to connect the base station to an electrical outlet. Press any button (4 or 5) to activate the device. The LED power bars (3) will light up once and a fan starts running. This means the device is in READY mode. During operation, the device will heat up slightly.
Automatic light adaptation
When both skin tone sensors (2) have skin contact, the device reads your skin tone and selects the appropriate light intensity which is indicated by white LEDs on the Power bars (3). These confirm that the device is ready to flash.

| light skin tone U high light intensity
---|---
| dark skin tone U low light intensity with fast flash rate
no LEDs| no skin contact U device will not flash
red LED| invalid skin tone U device will not flash

Sensitive Mode
Push the mode button (4) to reduce the light intensity. You can toggle through the following 3 settings:

Standard: 3 indicator lights
Sensitive: 2 indicator lights
Extra Sensitive: 1 indicator light (lowest light intensity with fast flash rate)
Sensitive and extra sensitive settings are intended for sensitive areas and first time users. With reduced light intensity, more treatments may be required to see the desired effects.

The power bars flash to confirm a change in the light intensity setting.
When holding the mode button (4) longer than 3 seconds, the device is deactivated.
After 10 minutes without use, the device is automatically deactivated.
Press any button to re-activate it.

Patch Test
Before your first treatment, we recommend you test your skin for reaction to Braun Silk· expert on a small area of skin of the body part you plan to treat (about 2 x 3 cm in size; equivalent to the size of two flashes, side by side).
Perform a patch test as described below in chapter «Treatment methods», section «STAMPING».
Wait 24 hours to examine the test area. If the skin appears normal, begin your first treatment. If a skin reaction develops, discontinue using the device and consult your physician.

Treatment methods

The area to be treated must be hair-free, clean and dry. Before pushing the treatment button, look away from the device to avoid the bright light. In seldom cases, a user may find the flash too bright. However, there is no safety risk associated with this. For increased comfort, we recommend treating in a well-lit room to help reduce the perceived brightness.

**GLIDING

**

for fast and efficient treatment of large areas (e.g. legs).

| **STAMPING

**

for treating small, hard-to reach areas (e.g. face for females, bikini line, underarms, knee, chin, ankles)

---|---
1. Place the treatment window firmly on your skin, ensuring both skin sensors have skin contact. The power bars (3) show white LEDs
2. Press and hold the treatment button (5). The device will begin to flash.| 2. Press and instantly release the treatment button (5). The device will emit a flash.
3. Move the device slowly and continuously from the bottom to the top of the treatment area. Make sure to always keep full skin contact so that the device flashes continuously.| 3. Lift off the device and place it onto the next adjacent spot to be treated. Wait for the power bars to show white LEDs. Then press and release the treatment button.
Once the gliding stroke is completed, lift the device off the treatment area. Repeat steps 1-3 to treat the next adjacent area in a parallel stroke.| Continue treatment spot by spot until you have completed the entire area you wish to treat.

Make sure you avoid missed areas by placing the treatment window directly next to the previously treated spot without leaving any space between treated areas.
Avoid overlapping treatment or treating the same area twice as this may increase the chance of producing adverse reactions.

If you feel intense pain, stop treatment immediately and consult your physician before using the device again.

Treatment head(s)
The standard head (10) can be used on all areas.
The wide head (11) is efficient on large body areas.
The precision head (12) has been specifically designed for small, curvy, hard to reach areas.
In case your Silk-expert comes with two precision heads, one of them is marked .
This helps distinguishing the head used on the face from the one used on other body areas.

How to treat the face (females only)

Before treating the face, make sure you have done a patch test. Remove any visible hair and cosmetics, lotions and creams from the area you wish to treat.
Before pressing the treatment button, close your eyes or look away to avoid the bright light.
Avoid treating the same area twice as this may increase the chance of producing adverse reactions.
When treating the upper lip area, a void contact with the lips and the nostrils. The central area below the nostrils might be sensitive.
Do not use on permanent / semi-permanent lip liner on the lip margin.
TIP: You can press your lips together to ensure that the light does not activate on the upper lip itself.
Hair growth under the chin can be denser and coarser. This can sometimes lead to slight skin reddening following a treatment. This redness is temporary and should completely disappear after 24 hours.

NOTE:

If redness or a burning sensation occurs and lasts for several minutes, apply a cool cloth/pad to soothe the area.
If any pigment changes in the skin, e.g., lightening or darkening, are observed, stop using the device.
Seek medical advice to determine the cause which may be due to an underlying medical condition.

Treatment plan

Start-up phase	1 treatment per week (4-12 weeks)
Maintenance treatment	continue treating to your needs, e.g. every 1-2 months.

The typical hair growth cycle varies between individuals and could take up to 16 months depending on body area (underarm, lower leg, bikini area). Since only hairs in their growing phase are susceptible to treatment with light, it is important to do multiple treatments to achieve continuously smooth skin. For this reason, we recommend a start-up phase with one treatment per week over a period of 4 -12 weeks.

In case you no longer see hair growing, you do not need to complete the full 12 weekly treatments. You can switch to the maintenance treatments.

After treatment

Once you have completed your treatment, unplug the mains cord from the electrical outlet.
After treatment, we recommend using sunscreen SPF >15 whenever treated areas may be exposed to the sun. We recommend avoiding exposure to artificial light sources, such as tanning booths or solariums.
Avoid any activity or skin products that may irritate your skin for 24 hours after treatment. This includes using hot tubs or saunas, wearing tight-fitting clothing, using bleaching creams, perfumed products or exfoliation products. The above may cause irritation, such as itching and redness, in the treated areas.

Cleaning and storage

After each treatment, inspect the treatment window (1), the skin tone sensors (2), the glass filter (9) and the built-in reflectors for damage. Do not touch or clean the glass filter immediately after use to allow it to cool down. Wipe the treatment window with a dry, lint-free cloth if any marks or black spots are visible.
Do not rinse or immerse the device in water or any other liquid.
To ensure maximum performance, keep the heads (10, 11, 12) with their built-in reflectors free from dirt, hair or other debris. Do not clean in water, but use a dry cloth for cleaning them carefully.
Store the device in a cool, dry place. Make sure the treatment window and skin sensors are protected from damage.

Possible side effects

Some people will experience slight discomfort (e.g. heat or redness of the skin) when using the device – this is normal. You may feel heat and tingling when activating the flash, followed by redness in the skin.
This type of reaction usually disappears within 24 hours. Adverse reactions are usually immediate or appear within 24 hours. In rare cases, they may take up to 72 hours to appear. If you experience abnormal skin reactions please contact your physician.

Side effect	How to assess and react

Warm feeling or tingling sensations during treatment which typically disappear after a few seconds to a minute and decrease with continued use.| This is expected and normal for all IPL treatments. You can keep on using the device as instructed.
Discomfort or pain is intense during treatment or persists after a treatment.| Stop using the device and consult your physician before using it again.
Skin redness during or after treatment which disappears within minutes to several hours.| This is expected and normal for all IPL treatments. You can keep on using the device as instructed once skin redness has disappeared.
Skin redness which does not go away within 24 – 48 hours after treatment.| Stop using the device and consult your physician before using it again.
In very rare cases:|
Swelling and redness around the hair follicle that disappears within two or three days.| You can keep on using the device as instructed once swelling and redness around the hair follicle has disappeared.
Swelling and redness around the hair follicle that does not disappear within two to three days.| Stop using the device and consult your physician before using it again.
Temporary changes in skin color (lightening or darkening).| If your skin color changes, stop using the device and consult your physician.
Increase in hair growth in areas of treatment (more likely to be seen with subjects of Mediterranean descent).| If this increase persists over several treatments, stop using the device and consult your physician.

In case of adverse events please contact your national competent authority and the device manufacturer.

Trouble shooting

The following troubleshooting guide may help you solving initial problems you may experience with this device.

Problem	Solution
Power bars do not light up when treatment window is placed on the skin.	Make

sure the device is connected to an electrical outlet. Press any button (4 or 5) to activate it.

Ensure both skin tone sensors are in full contact with the skin. If needed, move the device in a way that both skin tone sensors get skin contact.

The device doesn’t work on small areas.| Use the precision head (12) on small, hard-to- reach areas (if available).

Make sure both skin tone sensors are in contact with the skin.

Flashing sequence slows down.| Device is in heat-protection mode. To get back to normal speed, allow device to cool down.
On the power bar, only the first LED illuminates red.| Invalid skin tone reading. Your skin is either too light or too dark. The device will not flash.
Centre mode button light is flashing.| Device is deactivated. Press any button to re-activate it.
First LED on power bars flashes red.| Head (10, 11, 12) has been taken off. Re-attach it.
The power bars show an unfamiliar pattern of one red LED shining along with individual white LEDs.| Device error. Device will not operate.

Unplug and reconnect. If error persists, contact a Braun Service Centre for repair.

All white LEDs flash.| End of product lifetime. Maximum number of flashes (400,000) has been reached.
The device is broken, cracked or appears defective.| Do not use if the handle, the base station or the mains cord is damaged. If you are in any doubt about the safety or suspect it is damaged in any way, you must not use it.

Disposal
The product contains recyclable electronic waste. To protect the environment, do not dispose of it in the household waste, but take it to appropriate local collection points.

Labels and symbols

The base station is marked with the following symbols:

| Type BF Applied Part| | WEEE waste disposal mark of the European Union
---|---|---|---
| Class II equipment| | Conformity mark of the European Union with Notified body number
| Optical radiation| | Manufacturer:
| Follow instructions for use| | Keep Dry
| Not suitable for use in a bathtub or shower| | Unique device identifier
| Serial number| | Lot/Batch number

Technical specifications

Repetition rate: every 0.5 – 0.9 seconds (depending on setting), continuous operation
Max optical output: 6 J/cm2
Pulse length: 2.6 msec FWHM
Wave length: 510 – 2000 nm
Power line input: 100 – 240V~, 50-60Hz, 1.7 – 0.91A
Operating temperature: 5°C – 40°C
Optimum operating temperature: 15°C – 30°C
Operating humidity: up to 93% R.H. non-condensing
Operating pressures: 700 hPa to 1060 hPa
Treatment area (spot size):
Standard head: 3 cm2
Wide head: 4 cm2
Precision head: 1.5 cm2
Transport Conditions:
Temperature range: – 25°C to 70°C
Humidity: up to 93% R.H. non-condensing
Pressures: 500 hPa to 1060 hPa

The device includes 400,000 flashes and is intended for use up to 6 years by a single user.
This device complies with the standards IEC 60601-1:2005/A2:2012, CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60601-1:2014, ANSI/AAMI ES60601-1:2005 / A1:2012, IEC 60601-1-11:2015, IEC 60601-2-57:2011, EN 55014-1:2017, EN 55014-2:2015, EN 61000-3-2:2014, EN 61000-3-3:2013.

Subject to change without notice.

Guarantee

We grant a 2-year guarantee on the product commencing on the date of purchase. Within the guarantee period we will eliminate any defects in the appliance resulting from faults in materials or workmanship, free of charge either by repairing or replacing the complete appliance at our discretion.
Depending on availability replacement might result in a different color or an equivalent model.
This guarantee extends to every country where this appliance is supplied by Braun or its appointed distributor.
This guarantee does not cover: damage due to improper use, normal wear and tear (e.g. shaver foil or cutter block) as well as defects that have a negligible effect on the value or operation of the appliance.
The guarantee becomes void if repairs are undertaken by unauthorised persons and if original Braun parts are not used.
To obtain service within the guarantee period, hand in or send the complete appliance with your sales receipt to an authorised Braun Customer Service Centre (address information available online at www.service.braun.com).

For UK only:
This guarantee in no way affects your rights under statutory law.