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Beauty is pain, especially when it comes to body hair. Personally, my stance on how to tackle it changes from one month to the next. Sometimes I’m not bothered by bushy armpits, prickly legs, and a grown-in bikini line. And then there are times I want everything—and I mean everything—waxed or shaved away. And then there are those who prefer permanent reduction by way of at-home laser hair removal, which is honestly worth the investment if you want smooth skin that lasts.
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For those who are new to the DIY laser hair removal method, its when light is pulsed into the skin to heat up and diminish hair at the root over time. I say “over time” because it usually takes consistent applications over several weeks to get full results, since at-home tools aren’t as potent and powerful as the tools you typically encounter in a dermatologist’s office. With that being said, it’s important to proceed with caution when using an at-home tool. Read directions, test one part of the skin first to make sure it doesn’t cause any adverse reactions and if you can, leave the ultra-sensitive areas to a professional.
Ready to get laser-focused on your hair removal goals? Here are our favorite top-rated at-home devices to try for expert-level results. (Pro-tip: look for tools with unlimited flashes so you don’t have to order replacement cartridges later.)
Best At-Home Laser Removal Devices at a Glance
Best Overall: Braun Silk Expert Pro 5, $350 Most Affordable: Nood The Flasher 2.0, $200 Best for Sensitive Skin: Jovs Venus Pro II, $279 Best for Traveling: SmoothSkin Pure Mini, $119 Quickest Treatments: Silk’n 7, $491 Best for Coarse Hair: Ulike Air 10, $399
How does laser hair removal work?
Brandi Gregge, a Medical Advisor for Maskad Skincare and Revivv Haircare, describes laser hair removal as a process that targets the melanin in hair follicles using concentrated laser beams. The laser delivers highly concentrated light to attack the pigment of hair, delivering heat to the hair follicle so less hair grows back.
Since hair grows in cycles, multiple sessions are necessary—typically at least six—and effectiveness varies with hair color; darker hair is often a more viable candidate for laser hair removal, while blond or gray hair is typically less suitable.
Is laser hair removal safe?
At-home laser devices are generally safe, as long as you use the device as directed. Like any beauty treatment though, it comes with possible risks. Side effects can include redness and temporary discomfort, which do tend to subside quickly.
Do not use a laser hair device on skin that is sunburned, tanned, or spray tanned. Treatments should never be done on moles, tattoos, or wounds either.
Is laser hair removal safe for all skin types?
“Laser hair removal is safe on all skin types when proper lasers and settings are used,” says Andrea Medina, a Licensed Aesthetician at Westlake Dermatology in Austin, Texas.
Those with lighter skin and darker hair typically experience the best results. If you have darker skin, Gregge recommends choosing a laser hair removal clinic that is experienced in treating diverse skin types.
Is there at-home laser removal that actually works?
While at-home laser devices can result in less hair, both Gregge and Medina recommend seeking laser hair removal in-clinic. “Home laser hair removal devices generally have lower energy outputs than medical lasers, making them safer but less effective,” says Gregge. “These devices are more suitable for maintenance after professional treatment cycles, especially for lighter skin tones.”
Is it safe to use laser removal at home?
Experts agree that the most effective and safe laser hair removal treatments are done by a licensed professional. However, at-home laser hair removal devices, which are less powerful than professional treatments, can be safe too—just be sure to follow the instructions closely and ensure the device you’re considering is FDA approved.
Braun Silk Expert Pro 5
$350 Buy Now On Amazon
$380 Buy Now at target
$350 Buy Now at walmart
Fast, effective, easy to use—what more could you want from an at-home laser device? The Braun Silk Expert Pro 5, with intense pulsed light (IPL) flashes up to 125 times per minute, offers super fast body treatments with just a single 10-minute session a week. While it’s on the pricier side, its results are impressive. Precision attachments allow you to choose the best fit, no matter what area you’re treating, and it’s gentle on even the most sensitive areas, with two sensitive modes that reduce the intensity.
Laser type: IPL
Intensity levels: Three
FDA approved: Yes
Pros
Fast treatments
Nearly painless
Gynecologically tested for pubic areas
Cons
Pricey
NoodThe Flasher
$200 Buy Now On Amazon
$200 Buy Now at target
$145 Buy Now at walmart
One scroll through Instagram and chances are good you’ll see Nood, an affordable laser home removal device. There’s a good reason the popular device is all over your social feeds—it promises that with just two 10-minute sessions a week you’ll see visible results in as little as three weeks. IPL technology offers pain-free and effective sessions, while the wide treatment window makes treatments particularly fast.
Laser type: IPL
Intensity levels: Five
FDA approved: Yes
Pros
Cost effective
Pain-free
Extra wide window for fast treatments
Cons
90-day money back guarantee only applies if you buy directly from the brand
Jovs Venus Pro II
$279 Buy Now at walmart
$239.00 Buy Now at Amazon
Three words: sapphire ice coolant. If your skin is particularly sensitive, try the Jovs Venus Pro II, which has a system that instantly chills the light exit to 41 degrees. This helps minimize heat damage, hyperpigmentation, and burns. (You’ll still want to avoid direct sunlight after use though.) It’s quick to use too—with auto-flashes mode, the device can keep up with high-speed flash intervals of less than a second, so you can complete a head-to-toe session in less than 10 minutes.
Laser type: IPL
Intensity levels: Six
FDA approved: Yes
Pros
Coolant capabilities
Six intensity levels
High-speed continuous flashes
Cons
Special features come with a learning curve
SmoothSkin Pure Mini
$119 Buy Now On Amazon
The name of this at-home laser device reveals its best trait. The SmoothSkin Pure Mini is petite enough to pack in your suitcase—remember, consistency is key—and lightweight too. The precision head is ideal for small areas, like your upper lip, chin, and bikini line. (Though you may want to consider a device with a wider window to laser areas with more surface area, like legs.) The SmoothSkin Pure Mini promises results in just four weeks, with up to 97 percent hair reduction in 12 weeks.
Laser type: IPL
Intensity levels: Two
FDA approved: Yes
Pros
Precision head treats small areas
Portable and lightweight
Safe for eyes
Cons
Not ideal for larger areas, like legs
Silk’n7
$491 Buy Now On Amazon
With the IPL device Silk’n 7, Galvanic energy technology opens pores for better penetration of the Optical energy to the hair shaft. What that means for you: faster, long-lasting results. With just six sessions, two weeks apart, Silk’n promises up to 92.3 percent hair reduction. Five power settings allow you to tailor the intensity, while the rotatable head has six adjustable angles for hard to reach areas, and the three different size attachments offer precision control for all kinds of areas—upper lip, bikini line, underarms, legs, and more.
Laser type: IPL
Intensity levels: Five
FDA approved: Yes
Pros
Five energy levels
Three attachments with different window sizes
Most skin tones
Cons
Pricey
Ulike Air 10
$399 Buy Now on ulike
$319.00 Buy Now at Amazon
$399 Buy Now at best buy
Ulike’s Air 10 is the brand’s fastest, safest, and most advanced hair removal device yet. Its results are impressively quick too—I’m talking two weeks fast, with consistent uses every other day. Best of all, it’s capable of banishing even the most stubborn, coarse hair thanks to its powerful 26J energy output. Take it from me, or take it from Kim Kardashian, who has previously used the Air 10 for at-home laser hair removal maintenance.
Laser type: IPL
Intensity levels: Four
FDA approved: Yes
Pros
Results in just two weeks
Ice cooling technology
Can remove coarse hair
Cons
Design is bulky
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