Unconvinced At-Home Laser Hair Removal Devices *Actually* Work? Experts Say Otherwise

I've always wanted to get laser hair removal. I remember learning what it was when I was about 15 years old. I was shocked that such a thing existed, yet not everybody had gotten it done. I remember exclaiming to my mom that I was "so going to get that done when I get older!"

I was young, but I already recognized how annoying it was to stand in the shower for 10 minutes applying shave cream and running the razor up my legs. That was well before I started shaving my underarms and bikini line. Fifteen-year-old me didn't know how annoying it would get, especially when razor burn and ingrown hairs started popping up. They're both unsightly and genuinely painful.

I hate to disappoint my younger self, but I'm almost 30, and I still haven't gotten laser hair removal. Why? First, it's expensive. Second, it requires multiple appointments over a period of many months. Plus, I found something that works for me: at-home laser hair removal. I've been testing a couple of devices for about six months, and the hair that once grew on my legs, bikini line, and underarms has been significantly reduced. It's to the point where I can go a couple of weeks without shaving. That's significant, as I used to shave every few days.

I call it at-home laser hair removal because that's what it's commonly referred to. Really, most devices use a technology called intense pulsed light (IPL). The difference comes down to wavelengths. "While IPL is broad and features multiple wavelengths, laser is very concentrated and uses one wavelength," says Geeta Yadav, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Facet Dermatology. "IPL's broad range of light allows the provider to treat larger areas at once, but because it is not as powerful as laser, it may require more treatment sessions to achieve your desired results."

Here's the kicker, though. Those "sessions" can be done at your convenience and in the privacy of your own home. Cool, right? Ahead, check out the 10 best at-home hair removal devices. Then, learn best practices and tips and tricks for smooth skin.

The Best At-Home Laser Hair Removal Devices

At-Home Laser Hair Removal FAQs

WWW: How does at-home laser hair removal work?

Yadav: IPL, aka intense pulsed light, is a broad spectrum of light with multiple color wavelengths. These varying wavelengths allow the same device to address a variety of different concerns. In the case of hair removal, the wavelength used to address unwanted hair is the same used to target discoloration—it works by seeking and destroying melanin, whether that's dark spots in the skin or pigment in the hair. That's why IPL is best for those with a high contrast between their skin tone and their hair. Over time, the repeated damage to the hair follicle caused by the IPL device reduces hair growth.

How long does it take to see results?

An at-home IPL device will be much weaker than anything you'd be treated with in a professional setting, so it'll take longer to see results with something you'd use yourself than it would if you were being treated by a dermatologist. (After all, the at-home devices have to be safe for the average layperson to use!) While professional IPL treatment can yield noticeable results in a month, at-home devices can take about three months or even up to a year.

Are the results permanent?

It's permanent hair reduction, but not removal. IPL and laser hair removal hair treatments damage hair follicles—many of them to the point that they may never regrow hair—but hair follicles can also recover over time and grow hair again if not fully destroyed. The only form of permanent hair removal is electrolysis, which uses electric current to fully destroy the hair follicle.

Does it work for everyone?

Those with hair that is close in color to their skin tone, blonde hair, light red hair (as opposed to auburn), or white/gray hair should not use IPL. At best, they'll be unsuccessful; at worst, they could incur skin damage. These individuals are also not suited for laser hair removal. However, they can be treated successfully with electrolysis.

What are the risks?

Again, at-home IPL devices are far less powerful than those found at dermatologist offices, but there are always risks when using energy-based devices. The heat from tools like this can not only burn the skin but [can also] cause lasting hypo- or hyperpigmentation. Always talk to your provider before trying a treatment like this yourself.

How should you safely use an at-home laser hair removal device?

Besides consulting your provider before using an at-home IPL device, actually read and follow the instructions! This sounds like common sense, but many people fail to do this. Using something incorrectly will, of course, increase your likelihood of risk. You should also shave ahead of your treatment. This will allow the device to concentrate its energy on the follicle beneath the skin's surface rather than any hair that's grown out.

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