Constant shaving can be a pain—quite literally. Regular use of a manual or electric razor can lead to skin irritation like razor burns or painful ingrown hairs (both of which could result in hyperpigmentation or scarring). There is an alternative solution with fewer risks and more permanent results: Laser hair removal works by damaging hair follicles—without harming the skin around them when used properly—to reduce growth over time. According to dermatologist Dr. Arash Akhavan, the device should be set to your skin type for the safest results. “The only risk is a burn, but if the settings are set and the treatment is executed correctly, it is typically very safe and effective,” he says.
The best at-home laser hair removal devices cover a variety of areas on the face and body. Ice Cooling 755 808 1064nm Diode Laser Machine
Whether you receive a professional treatment or opt to do it yourself from the comfort of your home, it will require a series of sessions for optimal results. With the proper tool, the latter can be more convenient and cost effective. From gadgets with cooling features to ones with skin tone-sensing technology, these are the best at-home laser hair removal devices for zapping unwanted body hair.
Braun’s Silk Expert Pro 5 has several features that will help you get rid of unwanted hair more efficiently. It features a gliding mode for quickly treating large areas like the legs, a stamping mode for hard-to-reach areas like the bikini line and SensoAdapt technology, which automatically adjusts the flash intensity for safe use on skin.
This Tria device is clinically proven to reduce hair growth with each use. You can use it all over the body, but keep in mind that it has a small laser cap that makes it especially ideal for targeting smaller areas like the bikini line and upper lip. You can select five different energy levels for your treatment, and if you’re not one of the thousands of people who love the results, you can return it for a full refund.
Jovs Venus Pro has several elements that make it worth the buy. It has a 180-degree rotating head (for better precision), a skin-cooling feature (for added comfort) and useful attachments like an LED option that also helps reduce visible signs of aging. As the cherry on top, it has a glamorous design.
The Iluminage Touch is a laser for the the face and body that uses pulsed light and radio frequency to gently zap away unwanted hair. It’s the first at-home laser that’s cleared by the FDA to use on all skin tones. The device features three energy levels that can be used on a wide range of hair colors, and it comes with a precision adaptor and an epilator attachment to optimize treatments.
This tool transfers heat from optical light energy to the hair shaft with every pulse and at peak power, so it makes destroying hair follicles a fast and easy process. Because the laser uses energy from a quartz bulb instead of thermal heat, it’s able to be packaged into a size that will fit comfortably in the palm of your hand.
This device removes unwanted hair easily. It uses the brand’s Home Pulsed Light technology to go beneath the skin’s surface to get at hair follicles with a touch of a button. You can use it anywhere on the body, and the best part is that it’s painless. Plus, you only need to do the treatment every other week for the first five sessions and then once a month for maintenance.
Flashes: N/A | FDA-cleared: Yes
This laser’s slender shape and small round head makes zapping hair in smaller, delicate areas—above the upper lip, along the bikini line and other contours of your body—much easier. Similar to Tria’s original laser (also on this list), it uses a diode laser to target the hair follicle and offers several treatment levels.
While there are some cost-saving benefits to opting for an at-home laser hair removal device, finding one that can provide results on par with a professional treatment can be tricky. Factors like the number of flashes, skin type, safety and treatment area can have an impact on results. Here’s what to keep in mind.
You can think of the number of flashes (also known as pulses) as the lifespan of the laser. It determines how long you can use the tool before it wears out. In many cases, you can achieve the results you want with one device. According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Ava Shamban, areas such as the lip and face generally need about 25-50 flashes; the underarm or bikini line might need up to 200 flashes; larger areas like the legs may need 500-600 flashes each; the chest or back may require 700 or even 800.
Laser hair removal devices aren’t one size fits all. “Some may not be advisable for darker skin tones, which have a higher chance for issues such as burning or hyperpigmentation. Usually, lighter skin with darker hair is the best combination, but some can be used on all skin tones and types,” says Shamban. She suggests looking for an at-home laser that works well with your skin tone and hair color. There are also options with cooling technology that are great for sensitive skin.
Safety is often a concern when using one of these laser tools. “Any device purchased for home usage should be FDA-approved or cleared,” says Shamban. This information should be indicated or marked on the device’s packaging or instructions. It’s also important to pay attention to the list of usages, as some versions are only safe to use on certain areas.
It’s a good idea to keep your desired treatment area in mind when selecting an at-home laser hair removal device—especially if you want to cover larger parts on the body. Some are designed with small laser caps that are ideal for targeting places that are hard to reach, like the bikini line. However, they may be less efficient for large areas.
Tracking energy innovators from Houston, Texas. Forbes reporter since 1999.
Follow me on Twitter @chrishelman
I’m a digital media executive recognized for building engaging content experiences that delight and inspire audiences. As Chief Product Officer of Forbes, I lead a team of world-class product managers, designers, e-commerce leaders, and other experts focused on building the products that shape the Forbes brand across the web, mobile, social, and emerging platforms.
I’m the Deputy Editor for Forbes Vetted and though I started out in New Jersey, I am currently living in Los Angeles. After college, I served in the Air Force where I operated satellites, taught space operations and performed space launch planning.
After that, I spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, I have photographed wolves in their natural environment; I have been a scuba instructor; I co-hosted several podcasts including the popular Battlestar Recaptica. Currently, I'm one half of a podcast called Rick and Dave Control the Universe.
I am the author of nearly three dozen books about photography, mobile tech, and more; I’ve even authored an interactive storybook for kids. I have contributed to sites including CNET, PC World and Business Insider before joining Forbes Vetted.
For product reviews, gift ideas, and latest deals, Subscribe to the Forbes Finds newsletter.
Soprano Titanium I am a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, relationships, home, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Women’s Health, Prevention, Health, Yahoo Life, and more. I have a master’s degree from American University, live by the beach, and hope to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day.