At-Home Laser Hair Removal Can Save You Hundreds of Dollars
At-Home Laser Hair Removal Can Save You Hundreds of Dollars
We updated this article in October 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive research done by the Good Housekeeping Institute. Some of our original top-rated picks remain the same, including Tria, Braun, BoSidin and Silk'n, with the addition of Smoothskin, Nood, Iluminage, Sensica and Kenzzi.
When it comes to shedding unwanted body hair, many beauty pros swear by laser hair removal. Because the procedure works to destroy the follicle and promises a more permanent and much smoother result, laser hair removal is often pricey (thousands of dollars pricey).
Nowadays, beauty brands are coming out with at-home laser and more commonly IPL devices for consumers who might not be able to see a specialist in-office regularly. "Although they operate differently, both types of tools accomplish the same goal: to seek out areas of pigment (aka dark hairs) and use heat to damage the hair follicle," says Joie Tavernise, Medical Esthetician and founder of JTAV Clinical Skincare. The main difference is that the sources of light differ, which makes them behave in different ways. "IPL stands for 'intense pulsed light' and uses broad-spectrum visible light while laser hair removal utilizes a laser, which is a single wavelength of light." Keep reading below for a deeper dive into the differences between the two, benefits of each and who they are best for.
One note before you start: "If you do try this at home, you should consult a dermatologist beforehand, especially if you've had a history of skin cancers," says Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab director Birnur Aral. She adds that there is a risk of scarring if used improperly, and notes that some devices shouldn't be used on darker skin tones which are more prone to scarring and hyperpigmentation. For this reason, the Good Housekeeping Institute has not formally tested at-home laser devices and say it's best to leave laser hair removal to the professionals. If you do choose to move forward with DIY permanent defuzzing, here are the best-selling picks you can use at the comfort of your home from facial hair removal devices to compact machines.
Our top picks:
IPL and at-home laser removal machines that actually work, for every skin tone and concern, face, bikini area, legs and more, plus safety precautions.
