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BY JASMINE GOMEZ AND LILY WOHLNER PUBLISHED: OCT 11, 2023 REVIEWED BY BRIAN UNDERWOOD
First things first—there's nothing wrong with body hair. It's beautiful,
natural, and healthy. But if your preference is hairless, smooth skin on
your face, body, and Brazilian area, and you're tired of your traditional
hair removal methods (uhh, shaving), maybe it's time to consider an at-
home laser hair removal device.
You're probably already very familiar with the frustrating and time-
consuming upkeep of shaving, waxing, or threading. Well, at-home laser
hair removal helps you avoid all of that without having to leave your
house or over-spending.
While at-home laser hair removal devices are great for in-between in-
office laser hair removal appointments, dermatologist Jeanine Downie,
MD, recommends visiting a board-certified dermatologist for a
professional recommendation on what hair removal treatments are best-
suited for your specific skin needs. "Tell your doctor your ethnicity so
they can recommend the right laser for your skin type," Downie says.
"You want to receive the right treatment that does not harm your skin."
B E S T PA I N - F R E E H A I R
R E M OVA L D E V I C E
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B E S T L A S E R H A I R R E M OVA L
DEVICE FOR BRAZILIAN
M O S T A F F O R DA B L E L A S E R
H A I R R E M OVA L D E V I C E
B E S T FA S T L A S E R H A I R
R E M OVA L D E V I C E
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So, do at-home laser hair removal devices actually work? While they may
not be optimal for people with sensitive skin, or dark hair, anyone can
still give them a try (but be warned, it may take a bit longer to see
results). Many at-home devices cannot distinguish between darker skin
and dark hair, says dermatologist Corey L. Hartman, MD. And, just as is
the case with salon laser hair removal, it's important to practice patience
—this isn't a "one and done" situation.
Once you choose your device, know that it can take some time to see
results. Though you'll of course want to refer to the specific instructions
on your device, dermatologist Bertha Baum, DO, recommends using the
laser weekly for anywhere from four to 10 weeks to see lasting
results. She also advises that if you have particularly sensitive skin, you
may want to use the device just once a month. Either way, she notes that
you should start seeing results in the form of thinning hair after your first
four treatments.
If you're ready to ditch shaving, see below for the 14 best hair removal
devices, according to customer reviews and dermatologists.
T O P - R AT E D L A S E R H A I R R E M OVA L
DEVICE
Pros Cons
Top-rated Pricey
The Braun laser hair removal device uses IPL with the goal of permanent
hair reduction. After just four weeks of use, it claims to remove all
unwanted hair. Not only is it FDA-cleared for safety, it's also one of the best-
selling laser hair removal devices on Amazon.
This device claims to have the quality of salon hair removal, and while Dr.
Engelman has never tried this device, she recommends finding one that
utilizes the same technology that is used by professionals in-office. "This
allows for very precise and effective hair removal at home."
Rave Review: "I suffer from PCOS and excessive hair growth due to
hormonal imbalances. I got this because I was tired of waxing, plucking,
and shaving every day. A month in, I have already seen a significant
reduction in the hair on my chin and neck. This has been worth it."
Type IPL
Use this device once per week for four weeks to see the first
How To Use
results and continue use every other week for upkeep.
FDA-Cleared Yes
B E S T PA I N - F R E E H A I R R E M OVA L
DEVICE
Pros Cons
Pain-free experience Results may take up to 8 weeks
If you've always strayed from laser hair removal because just thinking about
it makes you say "ouch," try the Nood. It promises a pain-free experience
and can help you avoid razor burn, ingrown hairs, and pain that can come
with other hair removal treatments.
According to the brand, this machine works everywhere that hair grows, so
feel free to treat your bikini, Brazilian, underarms, legs, arms, and face.
Your body will be so soft, you won't believe it.
Rave Review: "Nood 2.0 is painless and so easy to use. The best part is that
it actually works when you use it twice a week. I’ve talked about it so much
that my family and friends have also purchased one."
Flashes 600,000
Type IPL
FDA-Cleared Yes
B E S T L A S E R H A I R R E M OVA L D E V I C E
FOR BRAZILIAN
Pros Cons
Features ice compress feature Device feels heavy
Innza's luxurious hair removal device is built with a sapphire crystal ice
compress designed to keep your skin calm, cool, and collected. You can
manually select different modes to choose how wide or small you want the
laser to be, making this hair remover perfect for the unique contours of
your bikini area. Pssst, it also comes with laser-proof sunnies.
The price of this laser hair removal device is practically unbeatable—at just
$140 (it's on sale RN!), you get 999,999 flashes, which the brand says lasts
long enough to treat your body from head-to-toe for 10 to 15 years.
Rave Review: "This device is super easy to use. It’s been a month and I've
totally noticed my hair is about 50 percent thinner. There is way less!"
Flashes 999,999
Type IPL
FDA-Cleared Yes
Gozye Permanent
Hair Remover
Device
$90 AT AMAZON
Pros Cons
Easy to hold Not rechargeable
Budget-friendly
After just four or five treatments, the brand claims that you'll notice a
substantial reduction in both hair growth and density in the treated areas.
This transformation can typically be achieved within a span of six weeks
(crazy, right?).
Rave Review: "I used to get laser hair removal and paid hundreds of
dollars for multiple sessions at a med spa, so it’s great to have a device that
is much more affordable and convenient to use at home. I’ve used it for two
months and have noticed a reduction in my hair, which is great!"
Flashes Unavailable
Type IPL
B E S T FA S T L A S E R H A I R R E M OVA L
DEVICE
Roseskinco. OG IPL
Hair Removal
Handset
$169 AT ROSESKINCO.COM
Pros Cons
Chic design Power cord is a bit short
Reviewers rave that Roseskinco's IPL device is perfect for achieving hair-free
pits and legs. For $150, it's one of the more affordable options on this list. It
also claims to reduce hair growth in as little as four 45-minute treatments.
If you're looking to remove unwanted hair fast, this one's for you.
The brand claims that you may notice a major difference in your hair
growth patterns after just four uses. After 12 treatments, you may notice
full results. If your results aren't top-notch, they offer a one-year warranty,
so you can return the device for a full refund at any time.
Rave Review: "I bought this product out of desperation and did not think it
would work. I was so wrong! After three weeks, I have several large patches
of skin on my legs with no regrowth! It's amazing!"
Flashes 300,000
Type IPL
Use the device for four weeks once or twice per week to notice a
How To Use significant reduction in hair loss. After 12 weeks, you may be
virtually hair-free.
FDA-Cleared Yes
Yachyee Ice
Cooling Hair
Removal Device
Now 33% Off
$100 AT AMAZON
$100 AT AMAZON
Pros Cons
Affordable Ideal for smaller areas, so larger areas re-
quire more time
Comes with a cooling function
This hair removal device cools the skin as it glides to decrease—or even
eliminate—pain as you zap away hair. Even if you have a high pain
tolerance, the cooling feature feels super soothing. At only $120, it's listed
at a good price for its value.
And, with a max limit of 999,999 flashes, this device has enough life to
help slow hair growth across your entire body, including legs and arms (I
said what I said!).
Rave Review: "I really love it. The machine is so easy to use, and it's
definitely slowing down my hair growth. It’s so simple to use that I pick it
up at least a couple of times a day to tackle different parts of my body. I'm
seeing noticeable improvement in less than two weeks."
Flashes 999,999
Type IPL
Start by shaving the treatment area. Then, use this device three
How To Use times per week for four weeks before reducing frequency to two
times per week.
FDA-Cleared Yes
B E S T L A S E R H A I R R E M OVA L D E V I C E
W I T H D E TAC H A B L E H E A D S
Bosidin Permanent
Hair Removal
Hair Removal
Device
$390 AT AMAZON
Pros Cons
Comes with five attachments On the pricier side
Bosidin's device has five amazing precision heads of different sizes, which
make it super easy to get into every unique contour of your body. The
device also allows you to switch between modes designed to tackle the
characteristics of hair in different areas, like root-length, thickness, and
texture.
Reviewers really like this device because it helps their in-office hair removal
appointments last longer, and they don't have to deal with high fees. One
person even mentioned that the device got rid of a bothersome chin hair
that kept coming back.
Rave Review: "This thing works so well on fine and coarse hair. I love that
it has different heads to do different things. I’d heard great things about
this hair remover and it lives up to my expectations. It also has a skin
rejuvenation head to help reduce wrinkles, [which] makes it worth the
extra cost over cheaper versions."
Flashes Unlimited
Levels Unavailable
Type IPL
Use one to two times per week for three to eight consecutive
How To Use weeks to achieve long-lasting hair removal results. Afterward,
perform maintenance treatments every two months.
FDA-Cleared Yes
B E S T F U L L - C OV E R AG E L A S E R H A I R
R E M OVA L D E V I C E
Pros Cons
Designed with a gentle mode Requires consistent use to see results
Whats more, this device is suuuper smart. It features the brand's SkinPro
technology, which legit scans your skin to automatically determine the
power needed for every flash. Have thicker skin or hair in one area? DW,
it'll know.
Rave Review: "I have fair skin and dark, course hair. I used to shave every
other day and was tired of buying razors and having razor burn all the
time. After a few months of using this weekly and only seeing minimal
results, I started using it every five days. After a month, there was a big
difference."
Type IPL
FDA-Cleared Yes
B E S T S M A R T L A S E R H A I R R E M OVA L
DEVICE
$257 AT AMAZON
$429 AT NORDSTROM
Pros Cons
No refill cartridges needed Progress may feel slow
Easy to hold
While some laser hair removal devices require cartridges that come pre-
loaded with light pulses/flashes, Silk'n Infinity's device doesn't. Translation?
You'll never have to purchase refill cartridges for this system, so feel free to
use it as often as you'd like (safely, of course!).
Rave Review: "I have dark skin with dark coarse hair. I didn’t think that
this could work, and would have a beard I was doomed to shave for
eternity. But as weeks and treatments progressed, I have noticed hairs
growing back thinner and slower. This works great. If you have the
patience, it will pay off in the long-run."
Flashes Unlimited
Type IPL
Shave, clean, and dry skin before starting with the low energy
How To Use
level.
FDA-Cleared No
B E S T S M A R T L A S E R H A I R R E M OVA L
DEVICE
Smoothskin Pure
Intelligent Hair
Remover
$460 AT AMAZON
Pros Cons
Treats whole body in just 10 minutes Not totally painless
Although it's pricey, it offers visible hair reduction in as little as four weeks.
Reviewers even said they noticed a major difference after just one use,
which is a true testament to its power.
Rave Review: "I've been using this for three weeks now. It's so easy to use.
Just push the main button and a flash of intense light comes up. After two
weeks, the hair on my armpits and upper lip hasn't come back."
Flashes Unlimited
Type IPL
Stamp and glide this device along your treatment areas once a
How To Use week for 12 weeks. To maintain these results, you can use the
device every four to eight weeks.
FDA-Cleared Yes
B E S T L A S E R H A I R R E M OVA L D E V I C E
F O R F I R S T-T I M E R S
$190 AT AMAZON
Pros Cons
Great for first-timers Not the best for coarse hair
Five-level system
Thanks to its five-level system that starts out very gentle, Cosbeauty's IPL
hair removal tool is great for first-time users who want control over the
laser's strength. Because it's gentle, it's definitely better suited for those
with thinner hair or skin that errs on the sensitive side.
It's also suuuper lightweight, so holding it up with one hand doesn't feel so
taxiing, especially if you're giving yourself a full-body laser hair removal
treatment. According to the brand, it's 40 percent lighter than other
traditional hair removal devices.
Type IPL
Shave the treatment areas and apply the protective eye gear
How To Use
before you use this laser on any body part.
FDA-Cleared Yes
B E S T L A S E R H A I R R E M OV E R F O R A L L
SKIN TONES
Iluminage Touch
Hair Reduction
System
$449 AT NORDSTROM
Pros Cons
FDA-cleared Bulky
It can also be used on a wide range of hair colors like blond, dark blond,
and red hair. Plus, it gets to work on many different skin tones, too.
Rave Review: "I've been using this for five weeks and am very pleased with
the results. My leg hair is growing so slowly and it's so sparse that I can
shave once a week, whereas before I was shaving daily. Even then, very
little hair is left to shave. I am medium/dark in coloring and this is working
little hair is left to shave. I am medium/dark in coloring and this is working
great on me."
Flashes 120,000
Type IPL
FDA-Cleared Yes
Sensica Cordless
Hair Removal
Device
$399 AT AMAZON
$432 AT DERMSTORE
$432 AT SKINSTORE
Pros Cons
FDA-cleared Not ideal for upper lip or bikini area
According to the brand, Sensica's FDA-cleared hair removal device has one
of the largest light faces on the market, making it ideal if you're looking to
remove hair from larger areas of your body, like your arms or legs and
possibly armpits. But, if you want to zap the smaller areas of your face and
possibly armpits. But, if you want to zap the smaller areas of your face and
body, it, of course, comes with a small light face, too.
The device also has unlimited flashes, so you can complete a full-body
treatment as many times as you want, wherever you want (however it
should only take a few weeks to see some major results!).
Rave Review: "It's now been three weeks, and I haven't had any armpit
hair growth! It used to grow back within a day or two of shaving. My leg
hairs also have not grown back after three weeks."
Type RPL
Shave the treatment areas and make sure the skin is dry. Turn
on the device and use the energy level recommendation button
How To Use to select the correct energy level for you. Place the treatment
window on the skin and press the trigger button to deliver
single flashes in pulse mode.
FDA-Cleared Yes
B E S T L A S E R H A I R R E M OVA L D E V I C E
F O R T R AV E L
Silk'n Express
Laser Hair Removal
System
Now 34% Off
$197 AT AMAZON
$299 AT WALMART
$329 AT NORDSTROM
Pros Cons
Pocket-sized Shuts off frequently
Irritation-free
This laser hair remover from Silk'n is the perfect pocket-sized follicle-
zapper to throw in your purse. It's not a quick solution (it takes eight weeks
to notice a reduction in hair growth), but a great way to slowly reduce hair
or to use as a maintenance tool. Who wants to mess with razors on a beach
vacation, anyway?
This device is gentle enough to use on even the most sensitive areas—think
the bikini area and the upper lip. So, if you're looking for something to
treat legit every area of your body without causing irritation, this is the one
for you.
Rave Review: "I was super skeptical at first because I couldn’t understand
why salons will charge thousands of dollars for hair removal and I could do
it at home for a fraction of the price. But you actually can! I do my armpits
and mustache for two minutes every two weeks, and I am seeing results."
Flashes 300,000
Type IPL
Shave, clean, and dry the skin before using the low energy level
How To Use
first, and slowly ramping up to the higher levels.
FDA-Cleared Yes
For the past few months, Women’s Health editors, including commerce
For the past few months, Women’s Health editors, including commerce
editor Jasmine Gomez and associate commerce editor Lily Wohlner, have
been researching the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated laser hair
removal devices. Our team consulted dermatologist Jeanine Downie, MD,
dermatologist Azadeh Shirazi MD, dermatologist Corey L. Hartman, MD,
dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD, and dermatologist Bertha Baum, DO,
for the story.
WOMEN'S HEALTH
Value
Many products on this list, like the Smoothskin and the Silk'n, have
unlimited flashes, which means they'll last quite a while. That being said,
they might err on the pricer side. Other extra features like multiple
intensity modes (see the Yachyee) or gentle modes for sensitive skin (hi,
Braun) can also hike the price up. The amount you spend comes down to
the features you want in your device and how long you want it to last.
As Dr. Hartman explained, the challenge with many at-home devices comes
down to their inability to differentiate between dark skin and dark hair due
to their pigmentation. These devices depend on contrast between skin and
hair color to effectively target the hair follicle.
If you have darker hair or skin, see your dermatologist for a
recommendation on the best laser hair removal treatments and devices for
you. You can also read the device's reviews before purchasing one. Very
often, people will comment on the device's ability to work on both dark
skin and dark hair. The Silk'n device has high reviews for exactly that.
Treatment Area
When buying a hair removal device, it's always a good idea to select the
device based on the area you want treated. Some may be more efficient on
large areas, like the Sensica, and others may be better suited for smaller
areas, like the Yachyee device.
WOMEN'S HEALTH
Dermatologist Azadeh Shirazi MD, says you can think of professional laser
sessions at your dermatologist's office like working out with a personal
trainer for two hours, while using an at-home device equates to going on a
20 minute walk. "It can take many more treatments with at-home laser hair
removal devices than in-office ones, so you must be patient."
"IPL lasers (this stands for intense pulsed light) are much more inconsistent
with their results, and they're not suitable for darker skin tones (shades 3-
6)," says Dr. Downie. The bottom line: Keep in mind that the success of
laser hair removal devices can depend on many factors from skin color to
laser strength.
Are at-home laser hair removal devices
safe?
Dr. Downie says she has seen a lot of skin complications with laser hair
removal devices. So, to avoid burns, scars, acne, or rosacea flare-ups, be
sure to talk to your board-certified dermatologist before using one. They'll
be able to talk through laser options for your skin's specific needs before
you purchase an at-home laser.
Once you've purchased your device, Dr. Shirazi provides a few ground rules
to follow before giving it a go."Start with a test spot, do not expose the
treated area to sunlight for at least seven days, do not use the laser if you
have a tan, and do not use the device on skin that's open, tattooed, or has
moles or birthmarks."
WOMEN'S HEALTH
WOMEN'S HEALTH
JASMINE GOMEZ
COMMERCE EDITOR
Jasmine Gomez is the Commerce Editor at Women’s Health, where she cover
the best product recommendations across beauty, health, lifestyle, fitness,
and more. When she's not shopping for a living, she enjoys karaoke and
dining out more than she cares to admit. Follow her @JazzeGomez.
LILY WOHLNER
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