10 Best At-Home Laser Hair Removal Devices for Smooth Skin, According to Dermatologists
Experts explain the safety and proper use of these at-home devices.
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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 and 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.”
Our top picks
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.
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.
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