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Vetted
Jane Sung Forbes Staff
Forbes Vetted
Claire Epting Forbes Staff
Forbes Vetted
If you’ve grown frustrated with manual razors or electric shavers, a laser hair removal device can make your grooming routine much more efficient. Unlike shaving, this method damages hair follicles to reduce growth over time, requiring less maintenance and ultimately giving more long-term results. The best at-home laser hair removal devices (including our top pick overall from Braun) are FDA-cleared and come with adjustable settings and features that make the whole process easy, safe and effective.
According to dermatologist Dr. Ramya Garlapati, these gadgets work similarly to in-0ffice laser treatments, but when compared to them, “the energy level of the at-home lasers is much lower.” In addition to providing a convenient alternative to going in for appointments, they can also help with upkeep. (Keep in mind: If you do opt to do this at home, you may need more sessions to see lasting results.) From luxury picks to affordable options, here are the best at-home laser hair removal devices for zapping unwanted body hair.
Best Laser Hair Removal Device Overall: Braun Silk Expert Pro 5
Best Value Laser Hair Removal Device: RoseSkinCo. OG IPL Hair Removal Handset
Best Laser Hair Removal Device For Coarse Hair: Nood The Flasher 2.0
Best Cooling Laser Hair Removal Device: JOVS Venus Pro II Hair Removal Device
Best Full-Body Laser Hair Removal Device: Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset
Best Laser Hair Removal Device For Dark Skin Tones: Iluminage Touch Permanent Hair Reduction System
Best Laser Hair Removal Device For Travel: Silk'n Flash And Go Express Hair Removal Device
Best Laser Hair Removal Device Overall
A Bestselling Tool For The Face And Body
Flashes: 400,000 | Laser type: IPL | Intensity levels: 10 | FDA-cleared: Yes
Braun’s Silk Expert Pro 5 has several features that will help you get rid of unwanted hair more efficiently. It features a gliding mode for quickly treating large areas like the legs, a stamping mode for hard-to-reach areas like the bikini line and SensoAdapt technology, which automatically adjusts the flash intensity for safe use on skin. Helpful accessories include a precision cap that gives you more control over hard-to-reach areas and a Venus razor for touch-ups.
What the reviews say: “I’ve used it for 2 months so far and have seen good results; quite a reduction of hair,” says one fan of the product. “Really impressed and happy with this purchase. I have tried so many different machines and this one is the best so far. My underarms are the hardest thing and the hairs are so much less and thinner.”
Pros:
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Can be used on the face and body
- Designed with SensoAdapt technology
Cons:
- Not safe for light hair color or dark skin
Best Value Laser Hair Removal Device
A Painless Pick That's Suitable For All Areas
MOST POPULAR
Flashes:300,000 | Laser type: IPL | Intensity levels: 5 |FDA-cleared:Yes
Most at-home laser hair removal devices come with larger price tags, but this one from RoseSkinCo. makes our list as the best value pick. Although it’s more affordable, the device doesn’t falter when it comes to results; you’ll start noticing positive benefits in as little as four 45-minute treatments. It offers five intensity levels, and is suitable to use all over your body, even on your face.
What the reviews say: “Honestly, this is the best product I have ordered online,” says one reviewer. “I’ve only used it for about 3 weeks now and I can already see the difference, especially on my legs as I use the highest level on it. Skin shows no burns, no redness and way fewer ingrown hairs after such a short usage, and can’t wait for the final result.”
Pros:
- Painless
- Gives fast results
- Suitable for the face
Cons:
- No handle
- Small size may mean longer treatments
Best Laser Hair Removal Device For Coarse Hair
A Fast And Permanent Solution
Nood The Flasher 2.0
Flashes: 600,000 | Laser type: IPL | Intensity levels: 3 | FDA-cleared: Yes
This device offers a larger treatment window, meaning you only need about 10 minutes per session. Nood’s technology also includes one of the highest-intensity lamps that targets hair at the root, without causing sensitivity and redness—even on coarse hair. The device is so effective that you will see results within as little as 2 weeks, and will notice more permanent hair removal in 6 to 8 weeks.
What the reviews say: “I have been using the Nood permanent hair removal device for the past few months, and I am incredibly impressed with the results,” says one user. “While it does take a bit of time to use on larger areas like legs, the effort is definitely worth it. I have seen a significant reduction in hair growth, and the hairs that do grow back are much thinner and easier to manage.”
Pros:
- Treatment can take as little as 10 minutes
- Easy to use
- Effective on patches of coarse hair
Cons:
- Can take up to 8 weeks to see lasting results
Best Cooling Laser Hair Removal Device
A Top Pick For Comfort
Flashes: 500,000 | Laser type: OPT | Intensity levels: 6 | FDA-cleared: Yes
The JOVS Venus Pro has several elements that make it worth the investment. It has a 180-degree rotating head (for better precision), a skin-cooling feature (for added comfort) and useful attachments like an LED option that also helps reduce visible signs of aging. Unlike the other options on this list, JOVS’ model uses optimum pulsed light (OPT) technology, which is a more enhanced version of IPL that may provide more effective results.
What the reviews say: “This is the most ergonomic laser hair removal device that I’ve ever tried, and I’ve tried a bunch,” says one reviewer. “The fact that the light source head can pivot is huge. I do hair removal on my entire body and getting in all of the crevices is hard with a bulky device. This device is narrow and can be positioned accordingly to the area that is being targeted for hair removal. There is also the cooling feature, and that is key for not experiencing any discomfort.”
Pros:
- Has a cooling feature
- Includes six treatment heads
- Helps treat signs of aging
Cons:
- Not safe for light hair or dark skin
Best Full-Body Laser Hair Removal Device
A Cooling Device You Can Use All Over
Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair Removal Handset
Flashes: Unlimited | Laser type: IPL | Intensity levels: 3 | FDA-cleared: Yes
The Ulike Sapphire Air 3 is so easy to use, you may feel emboldened to use it on your entire body. Its sapphire ice-cooling technology makes the process as painless as possible, while the thumb-free auto glide mode allows you to cover large areas of your body in one fell swoop. A full-body treatment can take as little as 12 minutes, and you can expect to see results in just 3 weeks.
Pros:
- Has a cooling feature
- Unlimited flashes
- Thumb-free auto glide mode
Cons:
- Only three intensity levels
Best Laser Hair Removal Device For Dark Skin Tones
A Device That’s Suited For Every Complexion
Iluminage Touch Permanent Hair Reduction System
Flashes: Unlimited | Laser type: IPL with RF | Intensity levels: 3 | FDA-cleared: Yes
The Iluminage Touch is a laser for the the face and body that uses intense pulsed light (IPL) and radio frequency (RF) to gently zap away unwanted hair. It’s this combination that makes this pick safe for darker shades of skin—in fact, it’s the first at-home laser that’s cleared by the FDA to use on all skin tones. The device features three energy levels that can be used on a wide range of hair colors, and it comes with a precision adaptor and an epilator attachment to optimize treatments.
What the reviews say: “I have been using this for 5 weeks now and am very pleased with the results,” says one user. “I’d say easily 75% of my most stubborn black and coarse hair is gone. On my not so stubborn hair I have noticed about a 90-95% reduction. For the hairs that are growing back still, they are much more fine and lighter in color.”
Pros:
- Has three energy levels
- Safe for all skin tones
- Works on various hair colors
Cons:
- Charging station takes up a lot of counter space
Best Laser Hair Removal Device For Travel
A Good Option For Hair Removal On The Go
Flashes: 300,000 | Laser type: HPL | Intensity levels: 5 | FDA-cleared: Yes
This tool transfers heat from optical light energy to the hair shaft with every pulse and at peak power, so it makes destroying hair follicles a fast and easy process. It uses Silk’n’s signature Home Pulsed Light technology (which is a safer, home-friendly version of IPL). Because the laser uses energy from a quartz bulb instead of thermal heat, it’s able to be packaged into a size that will fit comfortably in the palm of your hand.
What the reviews say: “The device is easy to use and has lasted me over a year now; even on 5 (the highest setting), its tolerable. No pain whatsoever,” says one fan of the product. “You get used to the zaps. I’ve only had to supplement with occasional treatments, but I’ve been able to get away with weeks (if not months) of not treating.”
Pros:
- Good for large and small areas
- Has five energy levels
- Noticeable results after four treatments
Cons:
- Some have reported power issues
- Not suitable for dark skin or light hair
MORE FROMFORBES VETTED
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted team has researched, written and published dozens of beauty and grooming stories, relying on our personal expertise as well as thorough insight from qualified professionals. For this article, we consulted with two dermatologists: Dr. Ava Shamban of Los Angeles-based practice Ava MD and Dr. Ramya Garlapati of Los Angeles-based BHSkin. Both shared their deep knowledge on what to look for in the safest and most effective laser tools for hair removal. This story has been produced and edited by Forbes Vetted senior beauty editor Jane Sung, who has over a decade’s worth of beauty industry and product testing experience.
We regularly update this story to ensure that all product specs and prices are current; in its most recent October 2023 update, beauty writer Claire Epting added our top pick for full-body hair removal, the Ulike Air 3.
How We Chose The Best At-Home Laser Hair Removal Devices
When compiling this list of the best at-home laser hair removal devices, we considered the top options on the market at different price points and capabilities. From there, we combed through customer reviews and examined the most efficient tools. We researched each one to learn about its features, attachments, modes, flashes and FDA approvals. To ensure we provided the most accurate information, our team considered dermatologists’ their expert advice when researching our recommendations.
What To Consider In A Laser Hair Removal Device
If you’re looking for an at-home laser hair removal device that provides results on par with a professional treatment, there are several factors to consider. Here’s what to keep in mind.
Laser Type
Most at-home laser hair removal devices use intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy to treat unwanted body hair. However, some devices such as the JOVS Venus Pro II use optimal pulse technology (OPT), which is an enhanced version of IPL that can penetrate the skin more deeply and therefore may be more effective. A select few devices (including the Iluminage Touch) combine IPL with radio frequency (RF) heat energy, which reduces IPL intensity so it can be used across a wider range of skin tones.
Flashes
You can think of the number of flashes (also known as pulses) as the lifespan of the laser. It determines how long you can use the tool before it wears out. In many cases, you can achieve the results you want with one device. According to Shamban, areas such as the lip and face generally need about 25-50 flashes; the underarm or bikini line might need up to 200 flashes; larger areas like the legs may need 500-600 flashes each; the chest or back may require 700 or even 800 flashes.
Skin Type And Tone
Laser hair removal devices aren’t one size fits all. “Some may not be advisable for darker skin tones, which have a higher chance for issues such as burning or hyperpigmentation,” says Shamban. “Usually, lighter skin with darker hair is the best combination, but some can be used on all skin tones and types.” (See the Iluminage Touch, our pick for dark skin tones.) Most devices have multiple intensity levels as well; a higher intensity level will deliver faster results, but it may aggravate sensitive skin. Opting for a device with a skin-cooling feature can remedy some of the pain and irritation caused by more powerful treatments.
Treatment Area
It’s a good idea to keep your desired treatment area in mind when selecting an at-home laser hair removal device, especially if you want to cover larger parts on the body. An automatic flashing feature (like the one found on the Ulike Sapphire Air 3) allows you to cover more surface area without having to hold down a button. Some devices, like the Braun Silk Expert Pro 5, include different detachable laser heads that allow you to target specific places that are hard to reach, like the bikini line.
How Does An At-Home Laser Hair Removal Device Work?
“Laser hair removal is a treatment in which the hair follicle is permanently destroyed, and this prevents hair growth,” says Garlapati. This method is an excellent solution if you’re tired of frequent shaving, waxing or other more temporary grooming options. At-home laser devices work in the same way as ones found in professional establishments, but at lower frequencies. “As a result, these treatments require more sessions to show an improvement, and they may not be as effective,” she says. That’s why it’s important to be patient and consistent with your efforts, as it may take several weeks before you notice any change in your hair growth.
Are At-Home Laser Hair Removal Devices Safe?
Safety is often a concern when using one of these laser tools. “Any device purchased for home usage should be FDA-approved or cleared,” says Shamban. This information should be indicated or marked on the device’s packaging or instructions. It’s also important to pay attention to the list of usages, as some versions are only safe to use on certain areas. In addition, Garlapati explains that “there is a risk of burning your skin and causing hyperpigmentation if you do too many passes.” That’s why it’s important to diligently follow the directions depending on the area that you want to treat.
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