The Best Home Laser Hair Removal Devices for Men, According to Dermatologists

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📅 August 12, 2024 ✍️ By Alessio ⏱️ 9 Mins Read 🗂️ Academy 🕒 Last updated: October 12, 2024

IPL Laser hair removal Device — IPL Laser Hair Removal Device

IPL Laser Permanent Cooling-Care Hair Removal Device

Iluminage Touch Permanent Hair Reduction System

$449 at Nordstrom

Credit: iluminage

Pros

Safe for all skin tones and hair colors
Features three energy levels

Cons

Expensive compared to similar models
Cannot be used on mens faces

Laser hair removal devices typically work best on those with light skin tones and dark hair, but this device is one of the few FDA-cleared tools that's clinically proven to be effective on the widest range of hair colors, including blond, dark blond and red hair. The combination of IPL and radiofrequency allows almost anyone to benefit from the permanent hair reduction results. In a clinical trial, participants noted that 46% of all hair was removed in just two treatments, so you don't have to wait long to see results.

Testing Notes: We've been using this hair removal device for over five years with consistently great results. After around six months of regular use, any unwanted hair was completely gone without a trace. Since then, we use it once or twice a year to get rid of any stray hairs that might've grown back. It's surprisingly effective in a short amount of time, which makes it worth the price in our opinion.

Type	IPL and radiofrequency
Flashes	120,000
Size	Medium
Power Source	Corded
Modes	3
FDA Cleared?	Yes

Best Affordable Device

Mismon IPL Hair Removal

$190 at Amazon

Credit: MiSMON

Pros

Ergonomic handle

Cons

Doesn't have unlimited flashes

This device proves that at-home hair removal doesn't have to be expensive. It's best for those with fair to olive skin tones with darker hair and features five energy levels to gently zap away unwanted hair. The higher the energy level, the better the permanent hair reduction results. The LCD screen tells you how many flashes are left (for a total of 300,000 flashes), and the ergonomic handle makes it easy to use on all those hard-to-reach places.

Testing Notes: While we love the under $200 price point, this device isn't made for everyone. If you have a light skin tone and dark hair, you're in luck, but if you have a darker skin tone or you're trying to get rid of blonde hair, this isn't the at-home laser device for you. The price also reflects the limited number of flashes, which is low compared to the other devices on this list.

Type	IPL
Flashes	300,000
Size	Medium
Power Source	Corded
Modes	3 sensitive skin modes, 1 continuous glide mode
FDA Cleared?	Yes

Smallest At-Home Laser Hair Removal Device

Smoothskin Bare Plus Ultrafast IPL Laser Permanent Hair Removal

Shop at Amazon

Credit: SMOOTHSKIN

Pros

Ideal for smaller areas
FDA-cleared

Cons

Takes a long time to see results

With its slender shape and small round head, this device makes zapping unwanted hair on your body and face a breeze. It uses the safest, fastest and most advanced IPL technology to reduce hair in as little as four weeks. Plus, it has a safety sensor to measure your skin tone before each flash, only activating if its safe. Delivering up to 100 flashes per minute, each treatment of your desired area takes about 10 minutes to complete.

Testing Notes: This device only has one setting, which is great for beginners who are worried about burning themselves with a high-powered laser. However, we were disappointed to find that this laser isn't as powerful and effective as other lasers because it only has that one mode, which means it's going to take longer to see results. On the plus side, this device isn't as painful because of its low setting.

Type	IPL
Flashes	Unlimited
Size	Small
Power Source	Corded
Modes	1
FDA Cleared?	Yes

Best For Blonde or Red Hair

Me Smooth Permanent Hair Reduction Device

Now 23% Off

$230 at Nordstrom Rack$240 at Amazon

Credit: Me

Pros

Sleek design
FDA-cleared
Unlimited flashess

Cons

Slow flashes

If you don't want to spend all day removing unwanted hair from your body, this device gets the job done fast. Each treatment takes just minutes: 8 minutes for the leg, 6 minutes for the back, and 1 minute for the face. Powered by patented hair removal technology, it allows for unlimited treatments and work on all skin tones, even on blondes and redheads.

Testing Notes: We love the sleek look of this device, which makes us want to use it regularly. Blondes and redheads are regularly told that Laser Hair Removal won't work for their hair type, which we were happy to learn isn't the case with this device. Finally, blondes and redheads have a way to get rid of their unwanted hair from home! While the process isn't fast, we found that is fairly effective and nearly pain-free. In just three uses, we saw a major reduction in hair loss. After eight uses, the hair had completely vanished.

Type	IPL and radio frequency
Flashes	Unlimited
Size	Medium
Power Source	Corded
Modes	3 intensity settings
FDA Cleared?	Yes

Best Customizable Device

SmoothSkin Pure Fit IPL Hair Removal System

$329 at Amazon

Credit: SMOOTHSKIN

Pros

Customize your speed and intensity
Built-in skin sensor

Cons

Might be intimidating for beginners

With 10 energy settings, three different comfort modes (power, speed, and gentle), and two operating settings (stamp and glide), you can confidently operate this at-home device to your exact specifications, depending on the area and level of discomfort you're willing to endure. It's extremely precise to get into all the nooks and crannies of the different curves on your body and has a built in skin sensor that selects the right intensity for your skin tone, preventing accidental activation.

Testing Notes: We felt like professionals using this high-powered device. It's completely customizable, which allows you to get the results you want without risking injury or too much discomfort. We wish the the head was bigger, which would allow us to treat larger areas quicker, but the various settings and modes more than make up for the lack of a larger head. We would recommend this device to someone who is familiar with Laser Hair Removal devices and wants the ability to be in complete control of their hair removal experience.

Type	IPL
Flashes	Unlimited
Size	Medium
Power Source	Corded
Modes	3 modes, 10 intensity settings
FDA Cleared?	Yes

What Else to Consider

Hair Type

Before you start shopping, it's important to understand how at-home laser hair removal devices work in order to find the one that suits your skin tone and hair color. Laser hair removal devices use light to find and heat the hair follicle, burning it at the root and preventing it from growing more hair during the next hair cycle. Some lasers have difficulty telling the difference between dark hair and melanated skin, which is why those with dark skin tones should seek our IPL hair removal devices. These devices use multiple wavelengths to detect the hair follicle, whereas laser uses one wavelength. IPL devices are generally safer for those with deeper skin tones who want to remove unwanted hair. Likewise, those with fair skin and lightly pigmented body hair should also seek out an IPL hair removal device, as some other devices may not be able to register the hair follicle since they're generally more attracted to dark pigment.

Cost

Expect to drop a decent amount of cash on a laser hair removal device, says celebrity aesthetician and dermatological nurse Natalie Aguilar. "Really good at-home hair removal devices are on the costlier side for a reason. Most of them have been tried and tested for safety and efficacy. I do not recommend shopping for replicas or counterfeits. Just because a laser might look similar doesn't mean it's the same thing!"

How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?

Depending on which technology being used, there are some small differences, but the basics of it is all the same. "The laser light is attracted to the pigment of the hair follicles," says Dr. Akhavan, celebrity dermatologist and founder of The Dermatology and Laser Group in New York City . "The darker the hair follicle, and the more difference there is between the hair follicle and the normal skin, more and more energy can be focused on the base of that root of the hair follicle and burn it so it doesnt grow back."

It's a procedure that's becoming more and more popular for men. Dr. Akhavan notes that while the most popular places are chest and back, he still gets requests all the time for laser hair removal on every body part.

At-Home Laser Hair Removal Devices vs. In-Office Treatments

Spoiler alert: Unlike in-office treatments, their at-home counterparts don't actually use "lasers," but pulsed light devices similar to an IPL. "They target melanin in the root of hair follicles converting it into heat permanently destroying the hair follicle," says Dr. Shirazi. "Laser is more powerful using monochromatic wavelength of light whereas IPL which uses broadband pulsed light."

That's why at-home laser devices requires a lot more treatments than a session with a doctor, which is why doctors like Shirazi recommend doing an in-office appointment for faster results. However, at-home devices are "helpful for maintenance treatments after you have a series of professional sessions," Dr. Shirazi says.

Who Should Use At-Home Hair Removal Devices

Hair Type

At-home laser hair removal devices are not for everyone. Some devices only work if you have light skin and dark hair, so make sure you have the appropriate skin tone and hair color for the laser hair removal device that you're looking to buy.

Cost

Laser hair removal devices are great for those who don't want to spend the time and money to go in-person for laser hair removal treatments. These treatments can be costly and add up over time.

Time

If you aren't consistent with your appointments, you might find that the hair grows back and all progress you might've made in the past is lost. The cost of an at-home device is less than the cost of multiple in-office treatments, which is what it would take to completely get rid of unwanted hair. Plus, you can continue to use the at-home devices for touch ups years down the line. At-home laser hair removal devices allow you the freedom to squeeze in a treatment whenever you have a few minutes of downtime, whether that's before bed or while you're watching TV.

Meet the Experts

Dr. Jaimie DeRosa, M.D., is a board-certified plastic surgeon and owner of DeRosa Center Plastic Surgery & Med Spa with offices in Palm Beach, FL and Boston, MA.
Dr. Azadeh Shirazi, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of AziMD Skincare in San Diego, CA.
Natalie Aguilar, a licensed aesthetician and dermatological nurse in Los Angeles, CA.