Finding the right hair removal method can be a process. If you find waxing too painful and shaving too time-consuming, laser hair removal might be just what you are looking for. Not only does the treatment take little effort, but it’s also the only hair removal process that will give you permanent results.
Getting laser hair removal done professionally can be quite costly and may not be an option for many of us, but there are several at-home devices that are more affordable and still effective for zapping off hair. The thought of lasering your face or body may sound scary, so we talked to two dermatologists to get the scoop on everything you need to know about at-home laser hair removal devices.
What Is Laser Hair Removal?
“Laser hair removal is a procedure in which a beam of light is used to destroy the root of the hair follicle to permanently prevent the hair from growing back.” said NYC-based dermatologist, Dr. Joshua Zeichner. “The beam of light is selectively absorbed by the pigment cells within the hair follicle.”
While these treatments are much less painful than waxing, there can be some discomfort involved. “It feels like a snapping rubber band,” said dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman. “The more powerful the machine the more discomfort you will feel. Some areas are more painful than others. However, it’s nothing you need pain killers for.” If you do feel irritation or pain, she suggests applying a cold pack to the area right after your treatment.
Keep in mind that laser hair removal doesn’t work the same for everyone. “The lasers are best in treating people who have dark hair and light skin. Unfortunately, the lasers are not effective in treating gray, white, or light hair,” said Dr. Zeichner. “Be aware that at-home laser hair removals are not recommended for all skin tones. Check with the company before you purchase it,” added Dr. Jaliman.
Is At-Home Laser Hair Removal Safe?
“At-home laser hair removal devices are not as potent as in-office ones and you will not get the same results. [But] they are safe if used properly and instructions are followed,” said Dr. Jaliman. Like with any new skincare treatment, it's recommended to patch-test a small area of skin and wait to see if any complications arise. “Don’t just start zapping your device when you take it out the box,” she added. “This puts you at risk of injury or even burning yourself. Treat one area at a time and don’t over treat the same area repeatedly!”
When it comes to choosing a device, Dr. Zeichner suggests sticking to “trusted companies who have ideally published results of clinical evaluations of the devices themselves,” while Dr. Jaliman recommends selecting an option that has FDA approval and good customer reviews. “Don’t look for a bargain or try to skimp on price because what you pay for is what you get. A more expensive device will give better results. You want one with enough power/energy and as close to an in-office laser hair removal machine as you can get,” she said.
How to Use These Devices Effectively
As for how to use these handy gadgets most efficiently, Dr. Zeichner said, “do not wax or pluck the hair, as you need the root in place as a target for the laser. Make sure that the skin is fully washed, removing any creams or cosmetics before using the laser.”
“Don’t laser the skin if you are tan,” he added. “Extra pigment in the skin can confuse the laser beam targeting it to the skin rather than the hair follicle. This can result in inflammation, dark spots, or light spots in the skin.”
Ready to try one for yourself? With these dermatologist guidelines in mind, we found five top-rated devices available to buy online that customers say really work.
These are the best at-home laser hair removal devices to shop now:
Best Overall: Remington iLight Ultra Face & Body At-Home IPL Hair Removal System
Best Dermatologist Pick: Tria 4X Beauty Hair Removal Laser
Best for Coarse Hair: Silk’n Flash & Go Express Hair Removal Device
Best for Body: Braun Silk Expert Pro3 Permanent Hair Removal System
Best Professional-Grade Option: LumaRX Full Body Hair Removal System
Best Overall: Remington iLight Ultra Face & Body At-Home IPL Hair Removal System
This Remington laser hair removal system has hundreds of positive reviews for a reason. Not only does the brand promise that you will see up to 94 percent hair reduction in as little as three treatments, but it also comes with two different-sized treatment caps for both the body and the face — so you can remove hair from head to toe with the same machine. It even comes with a 90-day money-back guarantee. “I have been super impressed with how well this works,” wrote one shopper. “I started seeing my hair think after one use. I use it on the highest setting but I do have a higher pain tolerance. The nice thing is it has five settings for your tolerance. I'm assuming it works faster when on the highest setting but I'm not sure. I'm SO excited to not have to worry about my bikini line this summer! Recommend for sure.”
Shop now: $346; amazon.com
Best Dermatologist Pick: Tria 4X Beauty Hair Removal Laser
Dr. Zeichner recommends this option by Tria because, “it uses diode technology, which is the same that is used in the office. The energy, however, is lower so it can safely be used at home.” The FDA-approved device has a smaller laser cap that lets you target hair follicles more precisely and uses less intense light emissions so it won’t bother your eyes. “This works so well,” raved one customer. “I’ve used it for six weeks and more than 75 percent of the hair is gone. Highly recommend. I found waxing to be much more uncomfortable. So by that comparison, as it’s permanent, it’s 100 percent win.”
Shop now: $449; amazon.com
Best for Coarse Hair: Silk’n Flash & Go Express Hair Removal Device
Nordstrom shoppers love this handheld option from Silk’n. The device’s powerful lasers target the root of the hair follicles to prevent them from growing back. The easy-to-use laser system has five intensity settings and leaves your skin smooth and bump-free quickly. “After my first treatment, I noticed less hair growth. It does take a few treatments to see full results, but it's worth it,” said one reviewer. “After 3-4 treatments I noticed SIGNIFICANT results. The process is super easy and painless. It's nice that the flash covers a large area compared to other similar products. So it doesn't take as long. Also, it's much less painful and costly compared to waxing!”
Shop now: $299; nordstrom.com
Best for Body: Braun Silk Expert Pro3 Permanent Hair Removal System
The Braun Silk Expert System uses Intense Pulsed Light technology that has been clinically tested to be a safe and efficient at-home hair removal treatment. Not only does the device work quickly (you can treat both legs in just nine minutes), but it also comes equipped with over 300,000 flashes, which equals out to an average of 16 years worth of treatments. “It's only been a few weeks and already my body hair is getting more sparse,” wrote one shopper. “It doesn't hurt at all and the laser knows when it's already been over an area so you don't go over it again. I absolutely love this product!”
Shop now: $250; target.com
Best Professional-Grade Option: LumaRX Full Body Hair Removal System
If you’re looking for a professional-grade option, consider this LumaRX system. It uses intense pulse light technology to target hair and prevent future growth. Dr. Zeichner likes it because “the broad handpiece makes it useful in treating large areas like the legs.” The brand says you should see a significant reduction in hair in just three treatments. “This is a great in-home hair removal system,” said one customer. “Have been seeing results after four weeks of use. Quick and convenient. Saving so much money. No more office visits to the dermatologist.”
Shop now: $449; dermstore.com
