Laser hair removal at a dermatologist office can be expensive and time consuming; you could save yourself both money and hassle by doing it at home instead. Just make sure your chosen device is suitable for use on skin of all colors.
At present, most at-home devices don’t possess the technology needed to distinguish between your dark skin tone and hair color, thus potentially burning you.
1. Remington iLight Pro
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This IPL device is one of the most cost-effective IPL options on the market and can permanently eliminate hair from almost all areas of the body (excluding facial areas) within three treatments. FDA cleared, it boasts fast flash rates – up to every 2 seconds according to manufacturer claims – as well as being FDA compliant and FDA cleared for facial use. Note, though, this isn’t intended for dark skin tones or gray hair removal.
The device uses light pulses to target pigment in hair follicles and damage them enough to halt future hair growth, often less painfully than waxing or plucking. Some users consider this treatment the most effective at-home device available for permanent hair removal; others see professional laser treatments as being more efficient.
Though expensive, this device is one of the most sought-after at-home hair removal lasers. Easy to use and offering up to 94% hair reduction over 12 months. Before using regularly, however, manufacturers recommend patch-testing it on your skin in order to determine any adverse reactions or possible allergic reactions.
Tria Beauty iLight Pro is another home hair removal laser device with proven effectiveness, boasting up to 94% hair reduction over one year. While not as cheap as Remington iLight Pro, this device remains cost-effective and offers up to 94% reduction of unwanted hair growth in an annual time span.
As with the Remington iLight Pro, the Tria Beauty device is safe for most skin tones, though darker skin tones should avoid using this device as its IPL pulses do not emit laser beams. It should also be noted that this device does not qualify as a laser but emits IPL pulses instead.
As such, its precision may not match up to that of a true laser hair removal device; nonetheless, it makes an excellent option for people with dark hair or light skin.
2. Philips Lumea
Philips Lumea goes beyond traditional shaving, waxing and plucking by permanently disabling hair follicles – so they no longer grow back – for significantly less money than salon treatments, which can run up to $150 per session.
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) devices use flashes of light to interrupt the hair growth cycle and stop future growth of unwanted hair on your body. For optimal results, IPL devices feature attachments designed specifically to accommodate different body areas for easy removal at home.
Philips Lumea is an ideal solution for people with light to medium skin tones and dark hair, since its device can accurately distinguish between your skin and hair and only focus on targeting what needs it. Furthermore, women looking to reduce fine lines around their crow’s feet or men suffering from razor burn may find this an effective method.
Before choosing the Philips Lumea as your IPL device of choice, there are a few key points you must keep in mind before making your decision. First, perform a patch test on your skin prior to beginning use of the device. Follow your instruction manual’s guidelines on preparing areas for treatment as well as tracking results with an app. Remember that results take time – at least several months’ worth of treatments must pass for long-term visible improvements to occur.
If you do decide to purchase the device, Philips Lumea Prestige is an ideal option as it boasts more features than its less costly cousin, the Lumea Advanced. These features include more advanced SmartSkin sensors that automatically adjust light intensity according to skin tone and hair color as well as longer lamp lifespan (delivering up to 250,000 flashes before needing replacement), large body attachment, continuous mode setting for faster treatment of legs all at once instead of stopping and starting as well as large body attachment allowing continuous mode treatment without stopping and starting or stopping and starting.
3. Cynosure Elite
Cynosure Elite is an advanced laser system that offers effective facial and body hair removal treatments, spider vein treatments, scarring treatments and birthmark removal. Utilizing dual wavelength technology combining an Alexandrite (755nm) laser with Nd:YAG (1064nm), this device uses SmartCool cooling airflow technology for maximum client comfort during and post treatments.
This device is also great for firming skin and reducing wrinkles, targeting fine lines and uneven texture issues. Additionally, its facial mode can help with pigmentation reduction, age spots and sun damage repairs; and there is even a “skin rejuvenation” mode with lower frequencies to promote collagen and elastin production.
Be mindful that shaving, plucking and waxing are only temporary solutions to unwanted hair. While they can provide short-term relief from unwanted locks, they may cause redness and ingrown hairs if done often enough. A better option would be laser hair removal Beverly Hills treatment as this offers long-lasting effects.
Cynosure Elite IQ is one of the premier at-home laser devices available today, featuring Skintel technology – an industry exclusive live melanin reader – to find optimal settings tailored specifically to each individual patient’s skin tone and hair color. This makes treatments more effective while helping people reach their desired look more quickly.
The device comes equipped with multiple treatment handpieces, enabling practitioners to address an array of aesthetic concerns. It can be used to remove hair from any part of the face or body including arms, legs and bikini areas; target stubborn ingrown hairs more precisely or provide relief for other issues requiring precision treatments.
Cynosure Elite IQ provides an ideal solution for individuals who wish to safely remove unwanted hair on the face and body without suffering through painful temporary hair removal methods such as shaving, plucking or waxing. Suitable for use on all skin types including those on face, back, arms chest legs.
4. Cynosure IPL
Cynosure Elite is an advanced laser and IPL system that can be used at home to quickly remove unwanted hair as well as reduce acne, stretch marks, surgical scars, age spots, pigmentation and sun damage. With features such as advanced contact cooling, AccuSpectrum photon recycling and non-ablative XD microlens – as well as upgrade options including 1064 Nd:YAG laser for even more cosmetic treatment options – the Cynosure Elite makes at-home laser therapy convenient and accessible.
This device is an ideal option for light brown skin as it uses Alexandrite and Nd:YAG wavelengths to target melanin in dark hair follicles and reduce future growth. Furthermore, this system includes a melanin reader to help determine how much light energy should be applied, helping avoid redness or burns that may arise as side effects of treatment.
Most at-home laser hair removal devices don’t utilize laser technology but rather IPL, which can also treat other skin concerns. Though both methods use Selective Photothermolysis, IPL devices tend to be less powerful than professional lasers and won’t permanently reduce hair as effectively.
Silk’n MiSMON is one of the few at-home IPL machines that utilizes an actual laser, though only having one wavelength of light rather than multiple, and depending on its user to find their optimal setting based on skin tone, so there may be an increased risk of unnecessarily damaging or burning skin.
It may be more expensive, but it’s well worth the investment for those who want a high-quality laser at home that’s effective at reducing hair growth and other skin concerns. Plus, treatments usually only take around 45 minutes! Although discomfort may arise for those with sensitive skin during a treatment session, as is common for laser and IPL therapies; to get maximum benefit it’s wise to follow manufacturer recommendations regarding pre- and post-treatment care.
