Some people really swear by laser hair removal, even a lot of our own editors. It might be a bit of a time commitment and can be on the pricier side, but the justification here is that if you go through the process once, you won’t have to keep spending money on razors or expensive monthly waxes. While you might have to get some maintenance treatments, they probably won’t be as often. Sounds pretty good, right?
But for me, the word laser and thinking of one getting close to my body is a bit intimidating. So I did a bit more research on what exactly happens during the treatment. The Mayo Clinic sums up what goes down during laser hair removal: “A laser emits a light that is absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in the hair. The light energy is converted to heat, which damages the tube-shaped sacs within the skin (hair follicles) that produce hairs. This damage inhibits or delays future hair growth.” It’s also worth noting that the Clinic says some treatments delay hair growth but do not permanently remove hair, so follow-ups are needed.
While more laser hair removal treatments are done in a dermatologist’s office, there are now at-home devices that let you DIY it, so to speak, from the comforts of your own home. Much like thinking generally about laser hair removal made me a bit nervous, having to do it myself at home? I had some serious doubts.
So I went to an expert source, Jennifer Herrmann, MD, FAAD, of Moy, Fincher, Chipps, to find out if these devices really work and how to use them safely. Herrmann said that while they do work for the most part, you won’t get quick or as efficient results as you would in-office.
“I think the most important thing to remember is that these are low-energy devices to increase their safety profile,” she explains. “To see results, many treatments are required, and for some types of hair (finer and lighter in color), the devices may not be strong enough to provide adequate results. In-office treatments can be tailored to safely treat nearly all skin types, and typically five or six sessions lead to a tremendous reduction of hair. For those looking for the most efficient method to target hair or for those with lighter and finer hair, in-office treatments are likely a more practical option. In-office treatments can also typically be done more easily, especially in hard-to-reach areas where self-treatment is challenging.”
When researching devices, Herrmann says you should look into specifics because many aren’t suitable for darker skin or red or blonde hair. She adds that none work on white hair. And you should think about the area you’re going to use the device on.
“Depending on the area you wish to target, some have larger or smaller treatment handpieces,” she explains. “If you’re aiming at hairs on the lip, for instance, a smaller device with a precise tip for targeting this small area is preferred. Depending on your own skin type, it’s also important to look at the device’s safety profile and what skin tones it’s safe for. Most of these devices are actually not lasers but based on IPL (intense pulsed light) technology, which can’t be used on dark skin safely.”
Don’t forget to prep the area before you start lasering. Herrmann says you should clean the skin so there’s no makeup, lotion, or sunscreen, which can absorb the device’s heat and risk skin burns. And this might seem backward because you’re getting rid of hair with the device, but you should actually shave before.
“Excess visible hair can absorb heat above the skin, making the treatment less effective and also risking burns,” she explains. “Plucking and waxing should be avoided as these treatments remove the entire hair. The root of the hair must be in the skin so that it can serve as a target for the device’s energy. When the device is fired, the light energy is transformed into heat when it interacts with the pigment cells (what gives the hair its color) in the hair. This heat then damages the cells that grow the hair, leading to overall hair reduction after multiple treatments target hairs in different phases of the growing cycle.”
Most importantly, read and follow the device’s instructions. And don’t overdo an area. “In general, it’s important to avoid stacking multiple pulses in a single area, as too much isolated energy can cause burns,” Herrmann adds.
You shouldn’t experience that much irritation if you use the device correctly, but if you do, she says a cold compress or ice packs can reduce discomfort. But if redness, blistering, or pain persist, you should make an appointment with your dermatologist.
Ready to try some at-home lasering? We’ve rounded up the best-reviewed devices below:
This device doesn’t come cheap, but one replaceable cartridge will get you 40 full-body treatments. The system uses intense pulsed light technology (IPL) to remove hair from areas like your chin, underarms, bikini line, legs, and arms. On average, users can see significant hair reduction after three treatments. One Dermstore reviewer wrote, “This is a great in-home hair removal system. Have been seeing results after four weeks of use. Quick and convenient. Saving so much money. No more office visits to dermatologist.”
The Silk’n Infinity also uses IPL technology to remove unwanted hair on both men and women. It’s supposed to last you a lifetime and doesn’t require refill cartridges. You should start to see results after three to four sessions. One Amazon reviewer wrote, “I got my device a few weeks ago and used it immediately! I put it on the highest setting which I was SHOCKED to find out was completely pain free. It didn’t hurt me one bit the Infinity just felt a little warm… I’m already seeing my hair thinning out in certain places! So happy I don’t have to spend thousands of dollars for hair removal and I can do this at my house in private!”
Another FDA-cleared device, the Tria has the same technology found in dermatologists’ offices. And it’s supposed to offer three times more energy than other devices on the market. Reviewers caution that it does hurt a bit, and the battery life isn’t great, but they also say it works well. An Amazon customer wrote, “I purchased the Tria mostly to use on the bikini area and chin. I have very coarse, fast-growing hair—have to shave my legs every day. The Tria really worked for me. I did have to continue the treatments for a longer duration than the instructions say, but I could tell that it was working as the hair grew back slower and thinner each time.”
Safe to use on light to medium skin tones, the Remington hair removal system is FDA-cleared and works on both the face and body. It also comes with five power levels and two treatment caps to personalize your experience. One Amazon reviewer said, “This is the most amazing and worthwhile hair removal purchase I have made in my entire life. I’ve spent money on medical salon laser hair removal treatments, I’ve bought and used another device religiously, I’ve waxed and shaved and all that primitive crap. Nothing has came close to the results I’m seeing with this device.”
You’ll be able to do a full-body treatment in less than 20 minutes with this device. It doesn’t require refill cartridges, and it comes with five adjustable energy levels. An Ulta reviewer wrote, “After eight treatments, I am definitely seeing both less hair AND slowed growth. I use the device on my armpits, legs, and bikini area. It takes me a bout 20 minutes every two weeks. I look forward to continued results.”
This IPL device has two modes: manual, for small areas like your upper lip or underarms; and automatic, for large areas like your legs and arms. The device is good for 999,999 light pulses, so you won’t need a refill cartridge. An Amazon customer wrote, “I bought this mostly to remove facial hair. I’ve spent many hours and lots of money trying to control facial hair, but it sucks. Fortunately, I found it. This is a life-changer. I didn’t think this would work so well but I see a dramatic difference and I’ve only had this for a little over a week.”
This IPL device comes with technology that will detect your skin tone and adapt to it. It comes in three modes—normal, gentle, and extra gentle—so you can control based on your needs and sensitivity. It also comes with a small razor for prep. An Amazon customer said, “This is a great product if you have patience to do the treatment for several weeks. It works! For my underarms it only took two treatments to stop hair from completely growing. I have almost hairless legs after six weeks (there are some stubborn hairs here and there that I need to repeat treatment on), I just came back from two-week honeymoon and did not have to pick up a razor once.”
Like some other devices on this list, this one has a lifetime of 990,000 light pulses, so no cartridge is needed. It works on your whole body, and guys can even use it too. It has five different power settings so you can control the strength of the treatment. An Amazon review reads, “This is a hair removal device that I really like. First of all, it is completely painless. When I use it, I only feel a little laser. In addition, it is very easy to operate, and all its buttons and functions are included in the manual, which is very easy to understand.”
On average with this device, users will see hair reduction after three to four treatments, and 94% permanent hair reduction after seven to nine treatments. It comes with a capacity of 300,000 light pulses and five energy levels. Plus, the handheld design makes it easy to maneuver. An Amazon reviewer wrote, “Amazing. Being that I got the recessive Italian genes I have struggled with very thick very dark hair all my life. I have very fair skin and very dark coarse hair on my legs and underarms. Been using for over a month and now some of my hair isn’t growing at all and in other parts, the hair that is still coming in is super fine and takes a week to come in.”
You can use this device on your arms, legs, bikini line, and back, but it’s not recommended for use on the face. It has a capacity of 300,000 light pulses and five energy levels, like other devices on this list. On average, users could see full results in eight weeks. An Amazon review reads, “After my third treatment, I could see a noticeably big difference in the amount of hair and thickness of the hair. I am very happy with the amount of hair that has been permanently removed and the softness of the hair I do have left. The results are amazing and I am so glad I made the decision to buy this IPL.” Next up, the dos and don’ts of waxing at home—so it isn’t an epic fail.
