The Best At-Home Laser Hair Removal Devices, According To Experts

Ulike Air 10

$399.00 $279.00

📅 November 19, 2024 ✍️ By Rose Lewis ⏱️ 14 Mins Read 🗂️ IPL hair removal for man and woman 🕒 Last updated: November 21, 2024 📌 Tags:laser hair removal

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Thanks to a new generation of at-home laser hair removal devices, you can now zap off any unwanted body hair without having to leave the house. In fact, the best at-home laser hair removal devices don’t just leave your skin feeling silky smooth and hair-free, they do so in the most painless way possible.

While shaving, waxing, epilators and electric trimmers are perfectly effective at removing body hair, they often come at a price, from ingrown hairs and itching to redness and irritation. Furthermore, unlike the best at-home laser hair removal devices, the results are often painful and temporary, which is why it’s time to think about levelling up your body care routine.

Below you’ll find everything you need to know, plus Vogue’s tried and tested favourites for your smoothest shave yet.

In this story:

How does laser hair removal work?
What is the difference between IPL and laser hair removal?
Is laser hair removal permanent?
Do laser hair removal devices work on all skin tones?
What to look for in an at-home laser hair removal device
Meet the experts

The best at-home laser hair removal devices at a glance:

Best laser hair removal device overall: Braun IPL Pro 7 Skin-i Expert, £930
Best laser hair removal device for travelling: Sensilight Pro With RPL™ Technology, £379
Best laser hair removal device for darker skin: Silk’n Permanent Hair Remover For Light To Dark Skin, £225
Best powerful laser hair removal device: SmoothSkin Pure Mini Lite, £149
Best laser hair removal device for face and body: Philips Lumea 4 Attachment IPL 8000 Series, £450

Best overall: Braun IPL Pro 7 Skin-i Expert

Braun

IPL Pro 7 Skin-i Expert Beauty Set

£930

Braun

Why we like it: Not only does Braun’s IPL beauty set neatly contain every essential for a smooth shave, but it’s also home to the smartest device on this list. Boasting responsive tech that assesses your skin tone and adjusts light intensity accordingly, it’s a sound choice for safe and effective home hair removal. You needn’t be a pro to master this tool either – the accompanying app offers instructions in real-time and a calendar that schedules and reminds you of your weekly sessions. Complete with attachments for everywhere from the face to the bikini line, it removes hair permanently in a mere matter of weeks, after which you only need the occasional treatment to maintain your results.
FDA Approved: Yes
Laser type: IPL
Intensity levels: 3
How to use it: Remove all visible hair with the included razor and pat your skin dry. Select the appropriate treatment head: standard for underarms, precision for bikini, chin, and upper lip, and wide for larger areas. Plug in, turn on, and choose a sensitivity mode. Ensure the nozzle fully contacts your skin; a white light indicates proper contact. For large areas, hold the treatment button and glide; for smaller areas, press and release.

Best laser-based device: Currentbody Skin Laser Hair Removal Device

CurrentBody Laser Hair Removal Device

£579

CurrentBody

Why we like it: Of all the hair removal devices on this list, this one gets aesthetician Kristin Gunn’s vote. Unlike the other options that use IPL technology with a diffused light effect, this one uses an 810nm diode laser – essentially a focused laser beam. “This penetrates deeper into the hair follicle, where it really needs to be, to stop hair growth,” she says. In layman’s terms, with the hair follicle destroyed, hair cannot grow. While it’s an investment, it’s still cheaper than visiting a med spa or clinic for hair removal.
FDA approved: Yes
Laser type: Diode Laser
Intensity levels: 6 intensity levels
How to use it: Perform a patch test 24 hours before the first treatment. Shave the treatment area four hours beforehand, ensuring it is clean and dry. Plug in the device and hold the power button for two seconds to start. Press the treatment window against your skin and use a ‘stamp and release’ motion.

Best with cooling technology: Ulike Sapphire Air 10 IPL Hair Removal Handset

Ulike

Sapphire Air 10 IPL Hair Removal Handset

£339 £249

Amazon

Why we like it: While we wouldn’t describe IPL as painful, it can get uncomfortably hot at times, and this pick is a godsend for those with a low pain tolerance. Quick and ultra-efficient, the innovative home tool from K-beauty brand Ulike works to maintain epidermal temperature during treatment, eliminating any burning sensation caused by IPL flashes. It also includes goggles to protect the eyes from intense flashes, and auto sensors that read your skin tone to flash only the safest amount of light.
FDA approved: Yes
Laser type: IPL
Intensity levels: 4 modes for light fuzz to stubborn hairs

Best laser hair removal device for darker skin: Silk’n Infinity 400k Permanent Hair Removal Device

Silk'n

Infinty 400k Hair Removal For Light To Dark Skin

£295 £197

Amazon

Why we like it: Ideal for darker skin tones, this laser hair removal device has been designed to work on nearly all shades of hair and skin, with the only exception being grey strands that lack sufficient melanin for targeted heating. The real clincher here is the addition of galvanic energy, which opens your pores during use so that light beams can target unwanted hair right at the root.
FDA approved: Yes
Laser type: IPL + Galvanic energy
Intensity levels: 5
How to use it: Prepare the skin by shaving, plug in the device and glide it across the skin, pressing the centre button to trigger the pulsed light. After the galvanic current stops, your pores will reset, and may even shrink – we recommend applying a light body lotion to maximise the smooth appearance the skin you’ll see as result.

Best with LED: JOVS Venus Pro Hair Remover

JOVS

Venus Pro Skin Rejuvenation and IPL Hair Removal Device

£399

Amazon

Why we like it: This hair removal device uses IPL for hair reduction, but what dermatologist Dr Alexandra Bowles likes best is its sapphire ice coolant, which helps minimise heat damage, burns, and hyperpigmentation. It also boasts red LED technology – which works to boost collagen and elastin production – so it’s a great pick for brightening old scars on the legs and arms too.
FDA approved: Yes
Laser type: IPL
Intensity levels: 6 intensity levels
How to use it: Shave the area you wish to treat. Plug in and turn on the device, then select your energy level. The cooling mode starts automatically; adjust as needed. Wear goggles, place the device vertically on your skin, and press the button. After treatment, switch to SR mode and use the SR head to restore skin smoothness.

Best powerful laser hair removal device: SmoothSkin Pure Mini Lite

SmoothSkin

SmoothSkin Pure Mini Lite

£149

Amazon

Why we like it: Small but mighty, this high-performing laser hair removal device delivers 100 flashes per minute, and can cover the entire body in just 10 minutes. There are three operating modes, so you can adjust the intensity according to the treatment area – especially useful for sensitive skin around the face. Expect to see 97 per cent less hair in four weeks.
FDA approved: Yes
Laser type: IPL
Intensity levels: 3
How to use it: Plug in, press the button in the centre and place on clean-shaven skin to target the hair follicles. Use once a week for up to 12 weeks, then once every month to maintain your results.

Best for intimate areas: Foreo Peach 2 Advanced IPL Hair Removal Device

Foreo

Peach 2 Advanced IPL Hair Removal Device

£369 £258

CurrentBody

£369 £277

Beauty Bay

Why we like it: With a self-adjusting bendable head, this laser hair removal device from Foreo is especially great for the bikini line and areas that are typically harder to reach. It’s got five intensities and two modes, making it a versatile option that works on the face and areas where skin is more sensitive too.
FDA approved: Yes
Laser type: IPL
Intensity levels: 5
How to use it: Shave, then apply Foreo’s purpose-formulated cooling prep gel and massage until it has absorbed into the treatment area. Plug in the device and adjust it to your desired intensity, using levels 1-3 for more sensitive areas. Press and hold the flash button to glide over large treatment areas, or pulse in place and repeat. Editor’s tip: ensure the device head is kept flush against the treatment area, or the light will not pulse evenly.

Best for travelling: Sensica Sensilight Pro

Sensica

Sensilight Pro With RPL™ Technology

£295

Amazon

£379

Look Fantastic

Why we like it: Cordless and so ideal for on-the-go body care, Sensica’s device boasts unlimited flashes for whole-body treatments, plus sensors that adapt the intensity of energy emitted to suit your skin tone. With the ultra fast mode, you can treat large areas like the legs in minutes – its rapid 3 second pulse rate makes sessions quick and convenient.
FDA approved: Yes
Laser type: Sensica RPL™ (reactive intense pulsed light)
Intensity levels: 6 adjustable settings
How to use it: Switch on and select a baseline intensity level then pulse over your desired treatment area. The patented RPL technology will adjust the intensity of light according to your skin tone and the thickness of the hairs you have, so it is as simple as gliding a razor over the skin, but with more permanent hair reduction results.

Best for face and body hair removal: Philips Lumea IPL 8000 Series Prestige

Philips

Lumea IPL 8000 Series Prestige

£450

Philips

Why we like it: Boasting four different attachments to cater to different areas of the body, this powerful device from Philips promises 92 per cent hair reduction after just three sessions. Including sizes for everywhere from the jawline and arms to the the upper lip and bikini line, you’ll appreciate the snap on heads and their neat storage case if you favour a full body shave.
FDA approved: Yes
Laser type: IPL
Intensity levels: 5 adjustable settings
How to use it: Place the device head in full contact with your skin and press the pulse button until light flashes. Philips recommend treating the desired area once every 2 weeks for the first 2 months, after which you only need monthly touch ups to prevent hair regrowth.

Best for most skin tones: Iluminage Touch Permanent Hair Reduction System

Iluminage Touch Permanent Hair Reduction System

£299.99

Amazon

£300

Look Fantastic

Why we like it: This device is not as strong as some of the other devices on this list, but it can safely treat dark skin as well as blonde, red, grey, or white hair. The key is to use it weekly for a few weeks (some reviewers claim that the magic number is 14 weeks) to notice results. It might be time-consuming, but it’s definitely worth it and can be done from the comfort of your own home. It’s a relatively small device, so you can easily use it on your underarms or other small areas for precise treatment.
FDA approved: Yes
Laser type: IPL and Radio Frequency
Intensity levels: 3 (High, Medium, Low)
How to use it: Turn on the device and select your elos level (low, medium, or high). Glide the device over the treatment area. Use once a week for seven treatments over six weeks.

How does laser hair removal work?

When it comes to eliminating unwanted body hair, at-home laser hair removal devices are the most effective. “Home hair removal lasers use pulsing light technology to target and destroy hair follicles, preventing hair from growing back,” says Brooks. “When the light beam is absorbed by the pigment in the hair, it converts to heat which damages the hair follicle and prevents hair growth.” It also works by decreasing the thickness of each individual hair, and the density of hair overall, which is why, after each session not only do less hairs grow back, but the thickness of each hair that does grow is massively reduced.

How long does home laser hair removal last?

The length of time at-home laser hair removal lasts varies according to the device and individual hair growth pattern, which is why it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. “Most treatment protocols are once a week for 12 weeks,” says Talbot. “This means you catch the hair in different stages of the growth cycle. You’re likely to see results sooner but for long-lasting results, that 12 week cycle is important. After that, you can use as and when for maintenance.” It’s worth managing your expectations: Dr Bowles explains that laser devices result in permanent hair reduction rather than complete removal. “Results can vary between individuals. In general treated hair may become finer, lighter, and grow slower, but it may not be completely removed” she adds.

Do you have to shave before doing at-home laser?

Yes, it is recommended you shave the area prior to treatment in order to ensure the light is being directed to the hair follicles under the skin, rather than being absorbed by hair on the surface.

What is the difference between IPL and laser hair removal?

The main difference between IPL and laser at-home hair removal is the type of light used. IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) uses a broad spectrum of light to target hair, while laser hair removal concentrates a single wavelength of light to target specific hair follicles. “Lasers are more effective for permanent hair reduction, while IPL devices may be better for treating larger areas of the body,” says Dr Babamiri. “Both types of devices can be effective for at-home hair removal, but in-clinic treatments will give a more impressive and longer-lasting result.”

Is laser hair removal safe?

At-home devices use lower energy levels than clinical devices, so are generally safe to use. “We always recommend checking the safety features of your chosen device,” says Talbot. “Having FDA approval is a good starting point as a device won’t have been passed through their rigorous testing program without proof of safety.”

Do laser hair removal devices work on all skin tones?

The best at-home laser hair removal devices work on all different skin tones and hair colours. However, they are proven to be more effective when there is a greater colour contrast between the skin and the hair, which is why not all devices work equally on darker skin or light blonde, grey or red hairs. Always check the colour chart for guidance. Due to their action on melanin, many devices are generally not recommended as safe for use in those with dark (Fitzpatrick type 5 and 6) skin tones.

What to look for in an at-home laser hair removal device

When selecting an at-home laser hair removal device, it’s essential to consider several factors to ensure safety, effectiveness, and convenience. Dr. Bowles advises checking for FDA clearance, indicating the device has undergone safety and efficacy testing. “Ensure the device is suitable for your skin tone; some may not be effective or safe for darker skin tones,” she adds. Additionally, verify if the device is effective for your hair colour; certain devices may not work well on lighter hair colours like grey or blonde. Decide whether you prefer a laser or IPL device; IPL emits broad-spectrum light pulses, while lasers use specific wavelengths and are generally more effective for permanent hair reduction. Look for devices with adjustable energy levels and settings to customise treatments based on your skin sensitivity and hair thickness. Dr. Bowles also recommends using proper eye protection when using these devices at home since light may cause sensitivity.

Meet the experts:

Caroline Brooks is a skin specialist and founder of The Glass House Salon & Spa.
Heather Talbot is a product expert at CurrentBody.
Dr Kajal Babamiri is an aesthetic doctor at Clnq Clinic.
Dr Alexandra Bowles is a board-certified medical and cosmetic dermatologist at Mona Dermatology.