7 Best At-Home Laser Hair Removal Devices For Smooth, Stubble-Free Skin

✔️ Skin tones: First and foremost, figure out what skin tones it will work best on and if that includes yours. Derma-pathologist Gretchen Frieling, M.D., adds that users with lighter skin and darker hair will see the best results. Most machines won't be able to pick up lighter hair colors (blonde, gray or red), or won't be able to differentiate dark hair from dark skin. However, some devices are an exception to this rule and work across a multitude of skin types.

✔️ Safety features: Many of the devices above have sensors that won’t flash if your skin tone is too dark or if the device is not held properly against the skin — this is a good feature to seek out. Additionally, IPL is a broad spectrum light, meaning it consists of a range of wavelengths, and this may include UV wavelengths that can damage your skin. Most IPL devices have a filter that blocks out the UV light, but always double-check for it.

✔️ Flashes: Look for how many pulses it will last for. Generally speaking, the more, the greater the lifespan of the device but this shouldn't be your only consideration when making a purchase. The efficacy of a hair removal device relies on the type of the wavelength, intensity and power of the emitted light, as well as the overall quality of the technology used to apply it.

If you are looking for a cordless device, consider battery life. "If you are trying to target a larger area it can take many pulses, so just be sure to look at the battery life before you begin," says Joie Tavernise, medical esthetician and founder of JTAV Clinical Skincare. "Some only have a 30-minute battery life when it is fully charged."

✔️ Attachments: Treatment head attachments of different sizes make it easier to treat a wide range of body zones. Some devices with skin contact sensors won’t flash unless the treatment head has full contact with the skin, which can be tricky in small, curved areas like the ankles or chin. Small attachments help in those areas, and wider attachments help treat large areas like the legs quickly.

The main difference between professional and at-home tools is the intensity of their light sources and the nature of their light sources. As mentioned above, Laser hair removal devices (both professional and those few available for at-home use) emit “a laser that corresponds to a single wavelength of light,” says Tavernise. "IPL stands for 'intense pulsed light' and uses broad-spectrum visible light."

"Although they operate differently, both laser and IPL devices accomplish the same goal: to seek out areas of pigment, a.k.a. dark hairs and use heat to damage the hair follicle," says Tavernise.

Over time, they both can significantly reduce existing hairs and future hair growth. While very similar, laser hair removal has a slight leg up. IPL doesn't work quite as well on light or red hair and isn't recommended for every skin tone, including darker or tanned skin, generally speaking. "Laser hair removal utilizes a laser, which is a single wavelength and different from broad-spectrum light," Tavernise explains.

She finds that professional laser can work for a wide range of skin tones, especially darker tones, and the professional treatments can be less painful for most because of the built-in integrated cooling systems. "In my experience, professional laser treatments have the ability to target larger areas faster with better results," she adds. Over time, they both can significantly reduce existing hairs and future hair growth.

"Lasers and IPL are both very powerful technologies that can be dangerous when used incorrectly, but for the most part these devices are safe," says Tavernise. At-home devices are made with significantly less power and the light is less concentrated than you will find in a professional setting. "This does not mean that there is zero chance that something can go wrong, but the odds of something happening are very low," she says.

Tavernise advises that the most important precaution to take is ensuring that your skin tone will react well to the treatment. "Those with a high amount of melanin and pigment in their skin have a higher risk of getting burned and scarring so it is crucial to check that the device will work with your skin tone." The GH Beauty Lab advises to always follow the particular device's guidelines — and not do it more often than suggested — as each one may be slightly different and there is a risk of scarring if used improperly.

One additional note before you start: “It's a good idea to talk to a doctor who specializes in dermatology prior to undertaking any home treatment approaches, particularly for individuals with a history of skin conditions or cancers," says Wizemann. "This precautionary measure should ensure your skin stays healthy.”

The short answer: yes. "These devices use light energy to target melanin in the hair follicle and heat it up, damaging the follicles and slowing regrowth," says Butler.

"It’s impossible to say the effect is permanent," says Butler. Given enough time, the hair could grow back. "Hormonal changes like pregnancy can also affect hair growth," she adds.

Laser hair removal devices are not required to have an FDA mark when being brought to market. "Most at-home hair removal devices are not FDA-approved, as they are lower-risk tools," says Wizemann. "Some are FDA-cleared and list that on the packaging, which is typical for consumer devices like at-home hair removal products," she adds.

"The marks FDA-approved and FDA-cleared relate to how the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reviews products," explains Wizemann. They show different levels of safety and effectiveness for at-home devices. "FDA approval means a product has been thoroughly checked and confirmed to be safe and effective," she says. "On the other hand, FDA clearance suggests that the product is considered safe based on comparison to another already existing product, but it may not have undergone the same extensive testing."

• Joie Tavernise is an NYC-based medical esthetician and the founder of JTAV Clinical Skincare, a skincare clinic that specializes in medical grade skincare treatments. She has been a practicing esthetician for 20 years.
• Gretchen Frieling, M.D., is a medical doctor in Massachusetts with over 18 years of experience in the aesthetic, dermatology and pathology fields.

Contributing Beauty Editor Dori Price compiled and researched products for this article and sourced expert advice for differentiating between lasers and IPLs as well as shopping suggestions.

She worked with GH Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann when updating the article, who explained the difference between laser and IPL devices, FDA approval and clearance and other details about laser hair removal. Since joining Good Housekeeping, Sabina has touched, researched, tested and evaluated thousands of products for almost a decade. She carried out various studies from sunscreens (including formulas for sensitive and oily skin and mineral types), night creams, eye creams, makeup cleansers and more.

Price worked with GH Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler on a previous update, who shared new product picks along with further details on existing picks.