10 Best At-Home Laser Hair Removal Devices Of 2024, Tested By Experts
Skin pros say these are legit.
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First things first—there's nothing wrong with body hair. It's beautiful, natural, and healthy. Even some celebs are refraining from shaving or waxing areas like their armpits. But if your preference is hairless, smooth skin on your face, body, and Brazilian area, and you're tired of traditional hair removal methods (uhh, shaving), maybe it's time to consider an at-home laser hair removal device.
You're probably already very familiar with the frustrating and time-consuming upkeep of practices like shaving your bikini line, waxing down there, or even threading your eyebrows. Well, at-home laser hair removal helps you avoid all of that without having to leave your house or over-spending.
While at-home laser hair removal devices are great for in-between in-office laser hair removal appointments, dermatologist Jeanine Downie, MD, recommends visiting a board-certified dermatologist for a professional recommendation on what hair removal services they can offer that are best-suited for your specific skin needs. "Tell your doctor your ethnicity so they can recommend the right laser for your skin type," Downie says. "You want to receive the right treatment that does not harm your skin."
Best Laser Hair Removal Devices
What to consider
Value
Depending on the body part you're targeting, in-office hair removal appointments can get pricey (BTW, they can run you up to $500, or even more). Although at-home laser devices may appear costly at first, they offer the advantage of a one-time payment compared to paying for each visit to a professional's office. Many products on this list, like the Smoothskin, have unlimited flashes, which means they'll last quite a while. That being said, they might err on the pricer side. Other extra features like multiple intensity modes (see the Yachyee) or gentle modes for sensitive skin (hi, Braun) can also hike the price up. The amount you spend comes down to the features you want in your device and how long you want it to last.
Hair color and skin tone
The challenge with many at-home devices comes down to their inability to differentiate between dark skin and dark hair due to their pigmentation, explains board-certified dermatologist Corey L. Hartman, MD. These devices depend on contrast between skin and hair color to effectively target the hair follicle.
If you have darker hair or skin, see your dermatologist for a recommendation on the best laser hair removal treatments and devices for you. But in general, "IPL lasers, which stands for intense pulsed light, are much more inconsistent with their results, and they're not suitable for darker skin tones," says Dr. Downie. You can also read the device's reviews before purchasing one. Very often, people will comment on the device's ability to work on both dark skin and dark hair.
Treatment area
When buying a hair removal device, it's always a good idea to select the device based on the area you want treated. Some may be more efficient on large areas and others may be better suited for smaller areas, like the Yachyee device.
Once you choose your device, know that it can take some time to see results. Though you'll of course want to refer to the specific instructions on your device, dermatologist Bertha Baum, DO, recommends using the laser weekly for anywhere from four to 10 weeks to see lasting results. She also advises that if you have particularly sensitive skin, you may want to use the device just once a month. Either way, she notes that you should start seeing results in the form of thinning hair after your first four treatments.
If you're ready to ditch shaving, see below for the 14 best hair removal devices, according to customer reviews and dermatologists.
Jasmine Gomez is the Commerce Editor at Women’s Health, where she cover the best product recommendations across beauty, health, lifestyle, fitness, and more. When she's not shopping for a living, she enjoys karaoke and dining out more than she cares to admit. Follow her @JazzeGomez.
Lily Wohlner is the Associate E-Commerce Editor of Women’s Health. An expert in recommending the best products to add-to-cart, she knows what it takes for a product to receive a solid five stars (especially when it comes to beauty!). Starting her career as a freelance makeup artist, Lily has since moved to the editorial world, where she has generated content for brands including Oribe, NewBeauty, Dermstore, SkinStore, and LOOKFANTASTIC. When she’s not zenning out with a pore-clearing mask, the Lower East Side dweller is cheffing up a new recipe with her roommate or thrifting for the perfect pair of blue jeans. Follow her on Instagram.
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.
Brian Underwood is the beauty director at Women’s Health. He is an award-winning journalist with more than 15 years of experience covering beauty and lifestyle for several national media outlets and previously served as beauty and wellness director at Oprah Daily. His work has appeared in Woman’s Day, Life & Style Weekly, Good Housekeeping, and many more. He also serves as a member of the Skin Cancer Foundation’s gala committee and lives in New York City with his daughter.
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