Experts explain the safety and proper use of these at-home devices.
We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Why Trust Us? Co2 Fractional Laser Beauty Equipment
Looking to achieve smooth, hair-free skin? When it comes to removing pesky body hair at home, there are plenty of different methods and that get the job done—from traditional shaving to sugaring to using some of the best hair removal products. But these methods can result in unpleasant side effects, like bumps burns. They also rarely offer long-lasting results. Enter: the best at-home hair removal devices, which help get rid of unwanted hair for extended periods of time without a trip to the salon.
While performing laser hair removal at home can work, it’s important to note that you’ll get the best (and safest!) results by seeking a dermatologist to perform an in-office treatment. “Home laser hair reduction treatments appear to take longer to work than in-office laser hair removal treatments, meaning that more treatments over a longer period would be required for a home treatment,” explains Oma Agbai, M.D., board-certified dermatologist, health sciences associate clinical professor of dermatology and director of multicultural dermatology and hair loss disorders at the University of California, Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, California.
Meet the experts: Oma Agbai, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Northern California; Marisa Garshick, M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York City; and Brendan Camp, M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
If you plan to try this at home, experts recommend talking to a board-certified dermatologist who can help guide you through the process of at-home laser hair removal, as well as assess any adverse effects—especially if you have a history of skin cancer. It’s also important to note that many at-home machines don’t use lasers at all, Marisa Garshick, M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, says. “Different technologies may be found in at-home devices,” she explains. “IPL—also known as intense pulsed light—is a light-based therapy that emits multiple wavelengths of light. It is using heat to destroy the hair follicles and many of the at-home devices utilize this technology.”
To help you find the right at-home laser hair removal product for your specific needs, we’ve rounded up the best picks as recommended by experts (and highly-rated by users who have tried them first hand). Ahead, find the best devices for at-home laser hair removal to get you one step closer to smooth, hair-free skin.
“This FDA-cleared device uses laser energy to target the hair follicle. In general, after at least eight treatments, many will achieve a substantial reduction in hair regrowth, offering great visible results for an at-home device,” says Dr. Garshick. “Additionally, it is easy to use and can also be used on the face.” The device offers five different energy levels to customize your treatment, and it comes with a LED display that shows the level, pulse counter, and battery charge.
What the reviews say: “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 month,” wrote one Amazon shopper. “Now my skin feels super smooth for the whole day and night, and into the next morning, and the hair seems finer and less of it...It’s worth every penny.”
Vetted by the Good Housekeeping Institute, this device impressed Beauty Lab experts with its compact size, its seven different intensity levels to choose from based on your skin’s sensitivity, and the on-off button feature, which not all IPL devices have (many turn on as soon as you plug them in.) However, since it doesn’t come with a precision attachment for smaller spots, the bright light of the flashes escapes from the sides, which could potentially make it less effective and even unsafe for eyes.
The brand claims that it works in just 10-minute-long treatments. It will also replace the device if the flashes ever run out and offers shoppers a full refund within 90 days if it doesn’t work for them.
What the reviews say: One shopper says they’re “incredibly impressed with the results,” writing: “I have seen a significant reduction in hair growth, and the hairs that do grow back are much thinner and easier to manage. Love that it’s reduced the ‘strawberry skin’ on my legs as the hair is thinning. The device is easy to use and I have had no issues with irritation or discomfort.”
This top-rated device not only has a 330-degree rotating head to help you find the perfect angle, but it also comes with so many different features to customize it for the specific area you’re targeting. It has six function modes and six intensity levels, each designated for different areas, such as arms, legs, face, bikini area, and armpits. What’s more, it has a cooling system to minimize discomfort even on the most sensitive areas.
What the reviews say: “This is the first one I’ve ever tried that has so many different intuitive features...I like that it has different mode options depending on the area that you’re working on your body,” said one shopper. “The product is easy to use, comfortable, and works as advertised!” wrote another. “I notice a significant reduction in hair growth, and I feel no discomfort even in sensitive areas.”
“Using IPL technology, this device incorporates a built-in skin sensor that can recognize the color of the skin to ensure the device is safe for use, though is generally best suited for those with lighter skin types and darker hair. It can be used on both the body and the face,” Dr. Garshick says. “The cartridge also has enough flashes for up to five years of treatment, making it both affordable (compared to some other options) and long-lasting.”
What the reviews say: “This really works. Used to treat my lower back for swimsuit season [and] after just a few treatments I noticed a significant thinning in the hair that grew back,” said one reviewer. “After a couple of months, only light peach fuzz is growing where coarse black hair grew before. The product works and it works well. Excellent value for the money compared to similar devices.”
This BoSidin device was named the best at-home laser hair removal device for the bikini area by the Good Housekeeping Institute, thanks to its precision head that rotates from side to side for hard-to-reach places, like the bikini area. It claims to use the same “medical-grade technologies” as professional cosmetic centers. Several users note that the device is painless or nearly pain-free, especially with its cooling technology. It even boasts a mode to help shield you from the burning intensity of the light flashes.
What the reviews say: “It has honestly been a life changer so far!!” wrote one shopper. “The revolving head makes it so easy to reach every spot at whatever angle needed to flash hair follicles. Being able to keep the cooling method on while doing the treatment is one of my favorite features and really does allow for the least painful experience possible.”
“This handheld device is easy to hold and use and uses IPL technology to eliminate hairs,” Dr. Garshick notes. Through high-speed repetition of pulses, she says it offers fast and effective treatment sessions at home. It offers unlimited flashes with no refill cartridges necessary, and reviewers also say it’s virtually painless. Plus, according to the brand, the device features a skin color sensor, making it ideal for a variety of skin tones.
What the reviews say: “I am very dark skinned...I have seen less hair on my chin and neck. I have used it on my legs and arms and my pits,” said one customer. “Dark skinned people, buy this and keep going...You can trust that it won’t burn you.”
“This uses IPL technology and incorporates a SensoAdapt sensor to adapt the treatment to your skin tone,” explains Dr. Garshick. “It can be helpful for larger surface areas using the glide mode and also includes a precision head to help address smaller areas, such as the face, bikini line, and underarms.” It’s also highly customizable with 10 different energy levels, including sensitive modes (you can choose from standard, gentle, and extra gentle).
What the reviews say: “I have medium/tan skin and this thing literally saved my sanity. I suffer from strawberry legs, and it’s 90% gone,” wrote one customer. “Stubborn face hairs are gone. No more plucking or crying in the mirror because of my skin. My underarms look better. No more ingrown hairs. And all while at home.”
“A less expensive IPL option, this is an easy-to-use, small, hand-held device. It promises to deliver long-term hair removal after 12 uses,” says Brendan Camp, M.D., F.A.A.D., board-certified dermatologist in NYC. Offering six different intensity levels, the device comes in a compact size that fits in your palm and boasts a sleek, user-friendly design. The brand says that you can use it on just about any part of your body below the cheeks, including the face and bikini area.
What the reviews say: “This is amazing! I followed the instructions and it’s super easy to use. Genuinely, this is the best product investment of my life,” said one reviewer. “So quick and easy!” another wrote. “I’m a pain wuss, and this is much more pain-free than a traditional laser place, and I can assess my own comfort by moving the strength up and down.”
Crowned the best laser hair removal device for the face by the Good Housekeeping Institute, this Iluminage device combines both IPL and radio frequency (RF) waves to reduce hair growth. Thanks to its precision adapter head, this device is great for small areas like the upper lip and other targeted spots on the face. And while many devices won’t work on darker skin tones, the brand claims it is effective for every skin tone.
What the reviews say: “I have been using the product on my face, legs, and underarms for the past six weeks and have really seen a difference (peach fuzz on face and ‘mustache’ on the upper lip are nearly gone!),” shared one Nordstrom shopper.
“This IPL device offers 10 intensity levels and three comfort modes, allowing for a personalized treatment that can quickly but efficiently treat the lower and upper legs, bikini line, and underarms,” explains Dr. Garshick. She also notes that it can be used on the face and boasts long-lasting results. The device features a precision adaptor head to treat small areas, as well as Smart Skin Sensing technology, which tailors each flash to your skin tone.
What the reviews say: “This thing actually works!” wrote one Amazon shopper. “I saw results within just a couple of weeks, particularly in my underarm area. I no longer have to shave there at all. Very happy with this product!”
“Different technologies may be found in at-home devices,” explains Dr. Garshick. “IPL—also known as intense-pulsed light—is a light based therapy that emits multiple wavelengths of light. It is using heat to destroy the hair follicles and many of the at-home devices utilize this technology, and these devices can also be used for photorejuvenation.”
Meanwhile, other devices may use laser technology. They often use diode lasers, “which use a single wavelength of light to target the pigment of the hair follicle,” says Dr. Garshick. This helps minimize injury to the surrounding skin.
It depends on a few factors, including your skin tone. “One major limitation is that knowledge on efficacy in darker skin types with dark hair is very limited,” Dr. Agbai says. Other things to consider is if you’re looking to remove hair once and for all and if you don’t mind some trial, error, and the feel of laser or IPL.
It’s also important to note that laser hair removal results vary and the outcomes are hard to predict, per the Mayo Clinic, so what works for you might not for someone else.
“In general, some lasers may be considered safe for all skin types, while it is best to avoid IPL in darker skin types given the IPL has an increased risk of injury to the surrounding skin as well,” Dr. Garshick explains. “Both types of devices rely on the same target, which is the pigment of the hair follicle, to have an effect, but the diode laser is generally more targeted than the IPL and as a result a safer option for all skin types.”
At the end of the day, if you’re concerned, it’s best to consult a professional. “If you are interested in a home hair reduction device, go over the instructions with a board-certified dermatologist to make sure you are using the device safely and in a manner that will increase your chances to get hair reduction and reduce the risk of side effects,” Dr. Agbai says.
While experts recommend making an appointment with a professional for an in-office laser hair removal treatment, there are some at-home options worth considering. That being said, here’s what to keep in mind before you go shopping:
✔️ Safety. Has the device been tested on various skin tones? Has it been approved by the Federal Drug Association (FDA)? If this information is not readily accessible, it’s best to consult your dermatologist before purchasing.
✔️ Technology. At-home laser treatments differ from IPL, but we often use them interchangeably. With different technology comes different efficacy, and this is important to keep in mind. While both IPL and laser aim to remove hair, the way in which they do and how long it takes to see results differs.
✔️ Cost. At the end of the day, it’s worth comparing an at-home laser hair removal device to an in-office treatment. Depending on where you live and the professional you go to, if you need to buy multiple devices to find one that works best for you, you might end up paying just as much as you would for an in-office treatment.
Each device yields different results, so there’s no one answer. “The effects of at-home laser hair removal treatments are not permanent, and they tend to be less effective than in-office treatments,” explains Dr. Camp. “Some at-home devices can provide results that last months, but they may require monthly ‘top off’ treatments to maintain the effects after the initial series of treatments.”
Yes, and they vary. “Side effects have been reported to be uncommon, and have been reported as redness, bumpiness of the skin, burns, and discoloration,” Dr. Agbai says. “Damage to the eye can occur with direct exposure of the laser light to the eye.”
We spoke with Oma Agbai, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist, health sciences associate clinical professor of dermatology and director of multicultural dermatology and hair loss disorders at the University of California, Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, California; Brendan Camp, M.D., F.A.A.D., da ermatologist in New York City; and Marisa Garshick, M.D., F.A.A.D., board-certified dermatologist in New York City. Lastly, we referenced the Good Housekeeping Institute’s coverage of the best at-home laser hair removal devices to choose the BoSidin Pro Permanent Hair Removal Device, the Nood Flasher 2.0, and the Iluminage TOUCH Permanent Hair Reduction System.
For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.
Emily Goldman is the deputy editor at Prevention. She’s spent her career editing and writing about health, wellness, beauty, fashion, and food for Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, Bridal Guide, Good Housekeeping, and more. She’s loved all things health and wellness since starting her bi-weekly podcast Pancreas Pals—a series all about the highs and lows of living life with type 1 diabetes. When not podcasting, she spends most of her time curled up with a good book or watching a period piece on BBC.
Shop 9 of the Best Shampoos for Oily Hair
Andie MacDowell’s Shampoo for Gorgeous Gray Curls
How Much Hair Loss Is Normal?
Kyle Richards Uses This Spray for ‘Fuller’ Hair
Everything You Need to Know About Hair Oiling
The Best Dandruff Shampoos for a Flaky Scalp
My Honest Thoughts of the Shark Flexstyle
The Best Hair Dryer Brushes for an At-Home Blowout
See Helen Mirren’s Latest New Hairstyle
At 53, I Embraced My Gray Hair
How to Use Tea Tree Oil for Healthy Hair
Natural Fixes for Dandruff, According to a Derm
A Part of Hearst Digital Media
We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back.
Ultrasonic Slimming Machine ©2023 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.