Most at-home laser hair removal devices use IPL technology, which uses pulses of light to target pigment in your hair and skin and convert it to heat, thus preventing further regrowth. The best devices also come equipped with multiple settings so you can tailor the treatment specifically to your skin tone.
How They Work
At-home beauty tricks include dying your roots or plucking eyebrows; however, permanent hair-removal devices were once only available through dermatologist offices and were suitable only for professionals due to the powerful equipment required. Now though, smaller electronic devices that zap away unwanted hair use light to permanently destroy hair follicles so they cannot grow back – usually only needing several sessions over an entire year or so for effectiveness! We enlisted two experts as witnesses as we investigated how well these devices actually work in practice.
Let’s first take a closer look at how laser and IPL hair-removal technologies actually function. A helpful explainer article breaks it all down for us: both utilize selective photothermolysis to remove pigmentation from hair follicles using selective photothermolysis; in effect “frying” them so they cannot grow back again. While both offer similar services, some differences exist: Laser emit one wavelength while IPL uses multiple; many options on this list prefer IPL because it is safer for non-professional use.
At-home devices typically emit less energy than office tools and come equipped with various safety features that prevent burns and other complications, making them generally safe to use by non-professionals (provided you follow any contraindications and guidelines listed on their user manuals).
Be mindful that hair removal devices won’t provide permanent relief; they only disable active-growing follicles permanently – meaning stray hairs will still appear from time to time.
To achieve optimal results, it’s essential that you adhere to a treatment schedule and use of the device on an ongoing basis, and apply numbing cream prior to using the gadget for comfort and protection (some manufacturers even suggest cooling gel post treatment). Also avoid using this on sensitive areas like genitalia.
Safety
Home laser hair removal systems may be less powerful than those found at clinics, yet still effective when properly used. They work by emitting pulses of light energy that absorb into your skin where pigmented hair follicles absorb it causing damage that prevents further growth. Each device offers various intensity settings; make sure to follow manufacturer’s instructions for best results and to aim away from areas exposed to too much sun light as this will also damage it significantly.
After receiving laser treatment, most of the discomfort you experience should be considered normal. “Redness and itchiness are normal post-treatment inflammatory responses, and should subside within hours” according to Winnie Moses MD of Parfaire Medical Aesthetics. For severe reactions it’s wise to contact a dermatologist for advice.
Though all the products we tested had FDA clearance, it’s important to keep in mind that they don’t resemble lasers used by dermatologists for permanent hair reduction. The FDA only approves devices which emit certain levels of light; laser-like devices typically utilize an intense pulse of light instead of laser beams when targeting pigmented hair follicles.
Not only did most of the devices we tested feature an intensity setting, but many also offer additional modes that make your sessions more comfortable. Some can be set into stamp mode (where laser light is distributed in a pattern), or glide mode for larger surfaces; other options like the JOVS Venus Pro II Hair Remover let you choose which colors to target (which can help when working on sensitive areas).
As with any medical or cosmetic treatment, using an at-home laser device with certain medications or treatments requires extreme caution. Some drugs, like retinoids, alpha-hydroxy acids and peels can increase pigmentation or darken skin and could potentially result in burns if targeting an incorrect wavelength of light.
Efficacy
Devices used for laser hair removal typically utilize light or heat energy to destroy hair follicles and stop hair growth; other devices, like our top pick for at-home laser hair removal device from Silk’n, often include galvanic current to stimulate blood flow to the area while encouraging more light energy absorption by follicles for superior results.
At-home laser hair removal devices commonly utilize intense pulsed light (IPL), which works similarly to medical laser treatments, offering safer and less expensive alternatives than professional treatments. Unfortunately, however, IPL devices only work well on lighter skin tones – for darker complexions it may be more appropriate to visit a salon for treatment.
If you want to use an at-home laser hair removal device, it is important to realize that the process can take time and patience – it may require regular treatments for months or even years in order to see real results. Furthermore, at-home devices tend to be less powerful than those used in clinics and may not offer permanent solutions.
Though at-home devices have come a long way in terms of safety, there’s still the risk that an adverse reaction or serious injury could occur. When visiting a trained technician for assistance instead, risks are significantly reduced – they will help determine which laser or IPL device best meets your individual needs, answer any queries, and guarantee that treatment is both safe and effective for you.
At-home laser hair removal devices can effectively remove hair from larger body areas, like legs and arms, but are less successful at targeting smaller spots, like armpits and backside. Furthermore, such at-home devices may be cumbersome to use on harder to reach parts of the body.
Additionally, these devices are unsuitable for use on the genitals as their more delicate skin can more readily react negatively to any light from an at-home device. Furthermore, there may be more pigment and hair density on genitals which makes penetration through home laser lights even harder.
Cost
Home laser hair removal devices utilize pulsed light technology to target dark pigment in hair follicles and cause them to die off, which prevents further hair growth. Although often mislabeled as lasers, IPL (intense pulsed light) machines work by targeting melanin pigment on both the skin and hair follicle. All devices on this list have FDA clearance and are considered safe by experts, though proper care must be taken to achieve maximum effectiveness.
One of the primary obstacles in laser hair removal is cost. Professional treatments in clinics may cost several hundred dollars per session and take multiple sessions to completely get rid of all hair follicles. There are at-home devices available that may reduce costs but they still don’t come cheap.
At-home laser hair removal devices may look impressive, but their power falls short of those used in medical settings. This can make the process slower and may take more than one session before seeing visible results even with one of the top devices on this list.
Keep in mind that at-home devices should only be used on specific types of skin and hair. Manufacturers caution against excessive and unprotected sun exposure after receiving treatments as the light from these devices can absorb melanin in your skin and burn it; additionally if there are tattoos nearby they could absorb light too, potentially harming nearby tissues as well.
Shaving, waxing and electrolysis can all be effective ways of removing unwanted hair; however, each has its own set of downsides, from uncomfortable itching bumps to painful ingrown hairs. With the appropriate product and patience, laser hair removal may provide the solution – without leaving you with stubble, ingrown hairs and razor burn! However, make sure you follow all instructions and precautions if you have darker skin; many brands provide skin tone/hair color charts on their websites to show which devices will best suit your complexion; however if unsure, speak with a dermatologist prior to starting any at-home devices.
