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Forget clenching your teeth, nicking your knee or ripping at skin. Laser Hair Regrowth Devices
When it comes to shedding unwanted body hair or de-fuzzing facial hair, many beauty pros swear by laser hair removal. The procedure zaps at hair follicles to pave the way for a smoother, more permanent result without nicking knees or ripping off wax strips. While professional laser hair removal always seemed reserved to a certain pay grade, beauty brands are now debuting their own at-home versions for consumers who might not be able to see a specialist in-office regularly.
It can get downright hairy searching for the best at-home laser hair removal device out there. To clear through the clutter, our editors gathered top-tested picks from the Good Housekeeping Institute's Beauty Lab pros whose vetting process includes reviewing dozens of device manuals to checking the flash on each. Other recommendations ahead include laser hair removal experts' favorites and rave online reviews backed by real results.
The main difference between professional and at-home tools is the intensity of their light sources and the nature of their light sources. Laser hair removal devices (both professional and those few available for at-home use) emit “a laser that corresponds to a single wavelength of light,” says Joie Tavernise, medical esthetician and founder of JTAV Clinical Skincare. "IPL stands for 'intense pulsed light' and uses broad-spectrum visible light."
"Though the various at-home devices either use IPL or a laser source, consumers use ‘laser hair removal’ broadly when referring to this category without making that distinction," according to GH Institute Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab Executive Director Birnur Aral, Ph.D. "Although they operate differently, both laser and IPL devices accomplish the same goal: to seek out areas of pigment, a.k.a. dark hairs and use heat to damage the hair follicle," says Tavernise. Aral finds that "the newest launches in the at-home device category typically employ this type of broad-band light source."
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 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. If you do choose to move forward with DIY permanent hair removal, we've got the goods below, including a deeper dive into the differences among the various at-home devices, their features and who they work best for.
Hairless results come in speedy timing thanks to this GH Beauty Award winner. The Smoothskin IPL device received rave reviews from a top dermatologist and Aral, who “saw noticeable results with this device after a single use." The top-notch technology features a sensor that automatically detects your skin color to apply the right amount of light intensity and won't flash if your skin tone is not compatible. Plus, if the device is not held flush against your skin, it won't turn on, making it safe and easy to use. It has three settings that allows you to customize the treatment to each area, too. Aral tested the speed mode on her legs and the gentle mode on her face and reported minimal discomfort. “I also find the user guide very informative and well written, which is rather a rarity in the device space,” she said.
What reviewers say: I have been using it consistently once a week for nine weeks, and it really is working!" an Amazon shopper wrote. "Ordinarily, I'd shave my legs and in less than 24 hours it would be pretty stubbly. Now I can go three to four days and the regrowth is very fine."
Cute and compact, Nood's IPL device is less intimidating in the grand scheme of at-home laser hair removal. It works quickly — the brand touts 10-minute treatments — and offers seven different intensity levels to choose from based on your skin’s sensitivity. Aral appreciated The Flasher 2.0's on-off button (a rarity in IPL devices). However, since it doesn't come with a precision attachment for smaller spots, she noticed that the bright light of the flashes escapes from the sides, which could potentially make it less effective and unsafe for your eyes. One plus: Nood will replace the tools if the flashes ever run out and offer customers a full refund within 90 days if it doesn't work for you, no questions asked.
What reviewers say: "I've been using it about two to three times a week for the last two weeks," an Amazon shopper wrote. "I'm focusing on my bikini line, and I already see a difference! At the higher setting, it feels like a rubber band snap. Not painful, just maybe a little sensitive. Definitely tolerable!"
Boasting its fastest device yet, Braun's latest IPL hair removal device claims to permanently reduce hair in just a month. The dermatologist-tested device has an automatic sensor that adapts the light intensity to your skin tone. While most devices have one to five energy levels, the Silk Expert Pro 5 features 10. Online shoppers also like that it flashes quickly and is easy to use.
What reviewers say: "One month in and I now have experienced hairs falling out in parts of the Brazilian area, leaving entirely hairless, smooth areas behind," an Amazon reviewer reported. "I have never had this level of hairlessness — even with waxing years ago. I find it faster than laser because you don't need to wait many weeks between."
Manage pain to a dull sting with Ulike's cooling tech that kicks in to calm skin's temperature when zapping hair follicles. It lowers the surface temperature of skin to about 50 degrees to make the subsequent light flashes as painless as possible, explains Aral. Along with its lengthy 7-foot cord, our pros found the handheld device easy to maneuver. "While the device does not come with a precision treatment head, the treatment area design allows for good contact between skin and the device," she adds. Just note the brand's skin tone compatibility chart as the device lacks an automatic color sensor.
What reviewers say: "The packaging was very well thought out, and it makes the experience of use exciting!" a satisfied shopper wrote. "I also love that it includes foldable glasses that are cute yet functional."
BoSidin takes pride in the fact it uses the same "medical-grade technologies" that professional cosmetic centers use. The precision head rotates from side to side for hard-to-reach contours, like near the bikini area. Several users agree that the device is painless or nearly pain-free. But if your pain tolerance differs, it even offers a cool mode to help shield you from the burning intensity of the light flashes.
What reviewers say: "In terms of operation, it is an absolute dream!" an online user raved after one month of use. "The revolving head makes it so easy to reach every spot at whatever angle needed to zap those follicles. It is super easy to switch modes and adjust the energy level. The fact that you can keep the ice mode on during treatment really does allow for the most painless experience possible."
Those who want a bit more control over their hair removal can get much use out of this device. Its LCD screens allows users to track their flash use and monitor the intensity level. The intuitive IPL device comes with a built-in skin sensor that detects and clears your skin tone before use. (It also comes with safety goggles designed to protect eyes from its UV rays). A significant caveat, however: The device isn't suitable for dark skin tones, and only levels 1 through 3 are recommended for medium and olive skin tones.
What reviewers say: "Been using this for about a month and have noticed a BIG difference in my hair growth!" an Amazon shopper said. "MUCH better than going to the spa for treatments! I also appreciate being able to zap myself on MY time frame, not the spa's! LOVING mine!!"
Kenzzi's handset device gives new meaning to staying cool. It features a cool head attachment that reduces the warmth from the IPL light on the skin, preventing potential irritation and redness while still directly targeting hair follicles to remove hair. It has five intensity levels for different skin tones and claims to work twice as fast as the brand's original handset.
What reviewers say: "No gels or creams required, which is so great because I have super sensitive skin," shares one reviewer from Kenzzi's website. "This device works wonders!"
Though the brand agrees that it's challenging for hair removal devices like these to differentiate between dark skin and dark hair, Silk'n says that users with darker skin tones can use this particular device at lower energy levels. The brand still recommends to use extra caution in this case, and test the device on each area for one to two days before use to avoid the risk of scarring.
What reviewers say: "Dark skinned people, buy this and keep going," praises one Amazon user. "You can trust that it won’t burn you and, like I said, this is priceless." Another reviewer who has olive skin tones with dark hair says that "on the upper lip and chin, I have definitely noticed a reduction in growth for the peach fuzzy hairs, and the darker hairs are also way less noticeable than before — though not completely gone yet."
"Easy to use," "minimal instructions needed" and "works really well for touch-ups" are some of the top comments coming from reviewers about Sensica's hand-held device. The brand touts the efficacy and safety of the Sensilight technology: They claim that the built-in sensors assess your skin color and the placement of the device against your skin, ensuring treatments are safe and effective. Another key feature is the rechargeable and cordless aspect, allowing you to travel with this tool and treat skin wherever you go. One complaint was the bulkiness, as it isn't as compact as other devices.
What reviewers say: "I [used] it a few more times every two weeks, and it has now been three weeks without any armpit hair growth! It used to grow back in a day or two of shaving," one reviewer raved. "It didn't irritate my skin at all. I used it on my bikini line as well and, again, it's been two weeks with minimal growth."
RoseSkinCo boasts noticeable results in the fewest amounts of treatments (just four, per the brand). Sleek, pink and chic, this IPL device stands out as one of the cheapest options we've found. Rave reviews noted huge improvement on dark underarm areas, ingrown hairs and thickness of hair growth. For longer term results, reviewers saw the most difference with 12 sessions. And if you're not impressed by the end of it all, they offer a one-year warranty, so you can return the device for a full refund at any time.
What reviewers say: "The only reason I bought this product was because of the reviews ... so I'm adding this one in case someone else needs that extra 'this is legit,'" a customer said. "I have been using the product for about a month and am AMAZED. IT WORKS!!!!!"
A slightly different take on laser hair removal, this Iluminage device combines both IPL and radio frequency (RF) waves to reduce hair growth. Thanks to its precision adapter head, this machine is ideal for small areas like the upper lip and other targeted spots on the face. While many devices won't work on darker skin tones, the brand claims that it is effective for every skin tone.
What reviewers say: "I have been using the product on my face, legs and underarms for the past 6 weeks and have really seen a difference (peach fuzz on face and 'mustache' on upper lip are nearly gone!)," shares one Nordstrom reviewer.
For years, our GH Beauty Lab experts have regularly tested all kinds of hair removal products, from waxing kits, razors and dermaplaning tools to depilatory creams and epilators. To create this list, we combined our expert-picked laser devices with previously selected IPL machines that include the newest and best products on the market based on a combination of extensive research, dermatologist and hair removal expert recommendations, vetted customer reviews, stand-out features and FDA clearance.
When evaluating and comparing the results of each device, we noted their features, safety and ease of use. For the five IPL devices we tested, our pros reviewed the device manuals to compare specs, including expected service lifetime and maximum energy output, as well as features like automatic skin tone sensing. We tried each model's skin contact sensor to confirm that it would only flash when touching skin. To round it out, we also gave other devices to testers within the Institute to use at home. Individuals then filled out a survey about the device’s ease of use, performance and overall satisfaction.
✔️ Skin tones: First and foremost, figure out what skin tones it will work best on and if that includes yours. Derma-pathologist Gretchen Frieling, M.D., adds that users with lighter skin and darker hair will see the best results. Most machines won't be able to pick up lighter hair colors (blonde, gray or red), or won't be able to differentiate dark hair from dark skin. However, some devices are an exception to this rule and work across a multitude of skin types.
✔️ Safety features: Many of the devices above have sensors that won’t flash if your skin tone is too dark or if the device is not held properly against the skin — this is a good feature to seek out. Additionally, IPL is a broad spectrum light, meaning it consists of a range of wavelengths, and this may include UV wavelengths that can damage your skin. Most IPL devices have a filter that blocks out the UV light, but always double-check for it.
✔️ Flashes: Look for how many pulses it will last for. Generally speaking, the more, the better. "If you are trying to target a larger area it can take many pulses, so just be sure to look at the battery life before you begin," Tavernise says. "Some only have a 30 minute battery life when it is fully charged."
✔️Attachments: If you are just planning to do small areas or your face, this isn't as critical but if you want to use on small and large areas, you want to make sure there are multiple heads or it could take a long time to do a bigger area, like legs.
"Lasers and IPL are both very powerful technologies that can be dangerous when used incorrectly, but for the most part these devices are safe," says Tavernise. At-home devices are made with significantly less power and the light is less concentrated than you will find in a professional setting. "This does not mean that there is zero chance that something can go wrong, but the odds of something happening are very low," she says.
Tavernise advises that the most important precaution to take is ensuring that your skin tone will react well to the treatment. "Those with a high amount of melanin and pigment in their skin have a higher risk of getting burned so it is crucial to check that the device will work with your skin tone." According to Aral, you should always follow the particular device's guidelines — and not do it more often than suggested — as each one may be slightly different.
While very similar, laser hair removal has a slight leg up. IPL doesn't work quite as well on light or red hair and isn't recommended for every skin tone, including darker or tanned skin, generally speaking. "Laser hair removal utilizes a laser, which is a single wavelength and different from broad-spectrum light," Tavernise explains.
She finds that laser can work for a wide range of skin tones, especially darker tones, and the professional treatments can be less painful for most because of the built-in integrated cooling systems. "In my experience, professional laser treatments have the ability to target larger areas faster with better results," she adds. While they operate differently, both laser and IPL use heat to damage the hair follicle. Over time, they both can significantly reduce existing hairs and future hair growth.
With 15 years of leading clinical and consumer testing in the Beauty Lab, Executive Director Birnur Aral contributed her expertise to this story by testing some products and sharing insight on others and the category overall. Contributing Beauty Editor Dori Price compiled the additional products for the story, as well as expert advice for differentiating between lasers and IPLs and shopping suggestions. She has over 15 years of experience researching and writing skincare stories, combining her knowledge with the expertise of top industry professionals including dermatologists and aestheticians. Commerce Editor Jacqueline Saguin frequently collaborates with our team of beauty pros, and she updated this guide to include the most relevant picks and information.
Jacqueline (she/her) covers all things e-commerce in beauty, lifestyle and beyond for the Good Housekeeping Institute. Before joining GH in 2021, she was a style and beauty reviews fellow at Insider, testing viral trends, reviewing sustainable brands and more. She's a graduate of the University of Florida's School of Journalism, with a specialty in magazines and mass communication.
Dori Price is a New York City-based freelance writer and editor and beauty, style and wellness expert who was the Beauty & Fashion Director at Family Circle for 13 years before she joined Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman’s Day as a freelance beauty editor. She has also written for WomensHealthMag.com, Elle.com and HealthCentral.com.
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