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By Deanna Pai and Neha Tandon
If you’re looking for smooth, stubble-free skin for good, the best at-home laser hair removal devices can deliver. And if you’re thinking of the painful devices of years past that take forever to work, the good news is they’ve come a long way. For starters, there are more options than ever. “Through testing and research, there has been a large increase in the number of at-home laser hair removal devices on the market,” says Jeannette Graf, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “They require time and scheduled usage but can greatly reduce the softness and thickness of hair growth, and over time yield significant results.”
Because of that, it’s “a good option for people who want to manage unwanted hair themselves, and see longer-lasting results than they do with alternative at-home hair removal methods like shaving, waxing, or epilating,” says Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “The benefit of at-home laser hair removal is that it can be conveniently done at home, it’s cheaper than in-office treatments, and it lasts longer than some other methods of hair removal.”
However, there are some things to consider. For one, the results won’t necessarily be permanent, Dr. Engelman says, so you may need to repeat treatments for maintenance. Then, “in general, laser hair removal is most effective on lighter skin tones and dark hair,” she says. “This is because laser hair removal works by targeting melanin pigments, so a stronger contrast between the color of the skin and hair will yield the best results with minimal risk.” (It’s the same case for in-office hair removal treatments, which is why those with darker skin require extra consideration.)
In fact, it might be best avoided altogether if you have a deeper skin tone. “Since dark pigment is the target, there is an increased risk of heating up the dark pigment in the skin, and therefore it is risky in darker skin types,” says Heather Woolery Lloyd, MD, a dermatologist in Miami. On the line? You could risk discoloration, hyperpigmentation, and potential scarring, says NYC dermatologist Gloria Lin, MD.
In fact, any darker area on the body requires special consideration, skin tone notwithstanding. “Any area that is darker on the body—for example, groin and armpits—should be lasered with caution, as the laser needs to be able to detect the difference between the skin and the hair color,” she says. (So avoid tanning before you do it.) And, on the flip side, those with light hair and light skin may not see results, either, since there’s not much contrast for the laser to identify.
If you’re planning to DIY your hair removal, proceed with caution—even with the best laser hair removal devices. “After treatment, skin can be more sensitive than usual,” says Dr. Graf. “That’s why it’s best to stay away from shaving, direct sun exposure, and active treatments that increase sensitivity for a few days after using a device.” (Translation: Stock up on sunscreen!) With all that in mind, we’ve rounded up the best at-home laser hair removal devices with expert backing and rave reviews to back them up.
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This hair removal system uses an HPL (short for home pulsed light) for a more gentle approach to laser hair removal. “It works on a range of skin tones and types to remove unwanted hair with minimal discomfort or irritation,” says Dr. Engelman. Because the applicator is small, it can even be used on facial hair in addition to body hair, so long as it’s below the cheekbones. It also comes with a built-in skin sensor to determine whether it’s safe for use on your skin tone.
Not only is it effectively painless, but in addition to the HPL, “it also uses something called galvanic current to help stimulate blood flow, encouraging the light to go deeper into your follicles,” says Dr. Graf. “This makes the device more effective in fewer treatments.” (However, since it uses heat converted from light to destroy the hair follicles, it’s still best avoided among those who have a dark skin color.)
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In many cases, “at-home ‘laser’ hair removal is actually not a laser but something called IPL or intense pulsed light,” says Dr. Woolery Lloyd, who explains that it targets the dark pigment in hair. This FDA-cleared at-home hair removal device uses IPL technology just once a week for 12 weeks to deliver permanent hair reduction (per the brand), and has a precision head attachment that can reach areas like the upper lip and bikini area. It also can sense your skin tone and adjust the energy output accordingly, and offers three different modes for added versatility.
Made with the same laser technology used in dermatology practices, versus the usual IPL devices you’ll see on this list, this happens to be one of the most powerful and effective at-home laser hair removal devices available. Don't be fooled by its size: It's small but powerful—and safe enough to use on sensitive areas with more thin skin, like your face or armpits.
Another bonus? It features five different energy levels that you can customize to target stubborn hair growth as you get used to using this device. It also comes with two laser heads—a regular-size one for larger surface areas like your chest and waist, and one with a smaller tip to target areas like the upper lip or the bikini area. Because of the strength of the laser, it’s recommended to be used just once a month, so you’ll be saving time with this one too.
But there is a bit of a downside. Usha Rajagopal, MD, plastic surgeon and medical director at the San Francisco Plastic Surgery and Laser Center, notes that, with this level of strength, people with medium to dark skin tones will want to be wary. “The darker the skin, the higher the risk of burning, even if it’s on tanned skin,” she says.
While this is more of an investment, “the hair cartridge has unlimited pulses so you can use it for years and years without needing to replace it,” says Deanne Robinson, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Westport, Connecticut, who also appreciates that it comes with a hair reduction head, a shaver head for trimming treatments areas, and a precision adapter for smaller spots.
Plus, both she and Dr. Yadav agree that it's great for deeper skin tones. “This product uses the FDA-cleared technology of Syneron Candela, a company that creates professional, in-office devices used by medical providers,” says Dr. Yadav. “It combines IPL and radiofrequency technology to permanently reduce hair growth.”
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Braun's Silk-Expert IPL device “is quick and easy to use with three sensitivity modes—normal, gentle, or extra-gentle—making it less painful than other products on the market,” says Dr. Lin. “The brand states that you may see results in as little as four weeks, and it incorporates a sensor that will adapt the energy based on the skin tone in that area.” It comes with a precision head attachment for the bikini area, as well as a Venus razor to aid with pre-laser-hair-removal and a storage pouch.
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Dr. Robinson recommends this larger handset for covering “larger areas of the body that don’t require as much precision—legs, arms, underarms versus face and bikini,” she says, adding that it’s a great option for maintaining professional laser hair removal results. Dr. Graf also likes it, calling it pain-free and appreciating that it works in just 10 minutes.
This tricked-out, FDA-cleared device “has a detachable, 330-degree rotating head, along with six modes of varying intensity levels that allow it to be used on different body areas,” says Dr. Lin. On top of that, “the cooling screen keeps your skin at a constant five degrees Celsius throughout the process,” says Ariel Ostad, MD, a triple board-certified cosmetic surgeon in New York City.
It also has unlimited flashes, allowing it to run for a longer time than other devices, and can work in as quickly as seven minutes for the whole body. However, she warns, it’s not a good option for those with darker skin tones or lighter hair.
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This IPL device requires the fewest number of treatments to see results (although each session will take about 45 minutes for the whole body). Plus, “this device allows you to choose from five levels, is pain-free, and can be used on any part of your body,” says Dr. Graf. You'll see the full efficacy of the device in 12 weeks, and it offers enough flashes to last you more than 10 years of maintenance.
This “comes equipped with a head piece for treating larger areas like the legs and precision tip for the chin, face, and bikini area,” says Dr. Robinson. “This system is cleared for use on all hair color and on skin tones ranging from light to medium dark.” The small, lightweight device packs 300,000 flashes, as well as a skin sensor that continuously adapts the intensity level to your skin tone as you move it around your body. As with the other Braun device, you'll get an included Venus razor.
Lescolton’s FDA-approved device has an LCD screen that allows you to keep track of flashes and easily read the energy level, but the best part is the unique skin tone recognition system; it’s enabled with tech to recognize skin tone and adapt to it, helping to prevent burns. (Essentially, it identifies different skin colors and then automatically adjusts to the optimal level for you.)
It's also enabled with a cooling tip, which Michelle Henry, MD, dermatologist and founder of Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan, appreciates. “A cool tip helps to protect the epidermis from thermal burns,” she says.
Since IPL works by heating up the hair, says Dr. Woolery Lloyd, things can get hot fast. This sleek little device uses cooling technology to lower the temperature to 67°F where it meets your skin, minimizing any pain from the heat. In fact, dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD, recommends the Ulike Air 3 as her favorite IPL option. “It has a quick auto-glide mode to treat large surface areas quickly,” she says. “For people who want minimal discomfort, this device is easy and painless with its cooling head to maintain skin temperature during the treatment.”
Consider the size of this laser hair removal device the one Goldilocks would go for: It's not too big or too large and the applicator tip is the perfect size to be used on the face, armpits, or legs, but the slim head easily weaves through contours like your bikini line too.
Don’t be fooled by Amotaos’s low price—it’s packed with tons of high-tech features and comes recommended by Dr. Rajagopal. It's made with its own refrigeration sheet, and people love the cooling sensation that helps to provide for a more comfortable experience. It even has a convenient, easy-to-read LED screen in addition to a whopping nine levels to choose from, depending on your comfort level. Beginners specifically love the two different modes: manual and auto. The former does one single flash, making it good to use on your face or bikini line, and the latter is a continuous flash for larger surface areas.
Just be sure to use this with frequency and consistency to get the best results. “Start with doing it several times a week, and then slowly ease down to using it a few times a month,” she says. “It’s important to note that for them to be effective, you need to use them on a schedule.” Hey, if we’re scheduling out our hair-washing days, why not add hair removal days to that too?
Recommended by Dr. Rajagopal as another cost-effective option, this has to be one of the most straightforward options on this list. “This is of course not as strong as the devices you’ll get in a medical office,” she says, “but it’s made for all skin tones, and people with any level of medical knowledge will be able to use this safely.” Designed with an ergonomic handle and five power levels, the device has just one simple button to turn it on and off, as well as increase intensity.
Tummy Trimming Machine If you plan on using your laser hair removal device over your entire body, you’ll want to be sure to pick a device like this one that’s comfortable to hold in your hand for a good amount of time. Bonus: This one comes with protective eye gear and two extra razors.