7 Best At-Home Laser Hair Removal Devices, Recommended by Dermatologists
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As a beauty writer, I get to try a lot of innovative products, but few things excited me more than diving headfirst into the world of the best laser hair removal devices. As a busy beauty writer and mom of four, I want nothing more than a little extra time in the day, so the thought of spending a few more minutes up front to minimize shaving time in the future? Sign. me. up.
Over the course of the past year, I’ve spent hours upon hours interviewing dermatologists, pouring over spec sheets, talking to friends and other editors about what they use and love, and putting the most promising options to the test. I’ve zapped hair all over my body, from my legs to my bikini line to my armpits and even my face (goodbye, mini ’stache and rogue chin hairs!).
There are a handful of truly great options, but my top best-overall pick is the Silk’n 7 for its flexibility (you can easily reach any spot) and fast effectiveness, but if you’re looking for a more affordable option, the Braun Silk-Expert Pro 5 IPL is a great value. It falls in the middle of the pack price-wise, but is easy to use and offers lasting results within a few weeks. But if you’re looking for something else—a device that’s more budget-friendly, for example—we’re confident this list features the true standouts. Just a note, though: While they’re considered safe, these are not recommended for those with deeper skin tones or blonde hair. Dermatologist say they work best for those with light to medium skin tones and dark hair.
The best at-home laser hair removal devices, at a glance
- Best Overall: Silk’n 7, $599
- Most Popular: Braun Silk-Expert Pro 5 IPL, $380
- Best Budget: Nood The Flasher 2.0, $219
- Best for More Skin Tones: CurrentBody Laser Hair Removal Device, $759
- Best for Sensitive Skin: SmoothSkin Pure Fit IPL Hair Removal Device, $379
FAQs:
How does laser hair removal work?
“Laser hair removal, both at home and in a physician’s office, uses light or laser technology to target hair follicles for destruction,” says Deborah Yu, a physician at the Plastic Surgery Center in Shrewsbury, New Jersey. “The laser light is used to create heat within the follicle to cauterize the hair lining and effectively kill the follicle for good,” says Rachel Lee Lozina, a licensed esthetician, laser technician, and founder of Blue Water Spa in Oyster Bay, New York.
“In many cases, at-home ‘laser’ hair removal is actually not a laser but something called IPL, or intense pulsed light,” says Heather Woolery Lloyd, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Miami, who explains that it targets the dark pigment in hair, so there must be a difference in hair color and skin tone for the laser to work. Other at-home laser hair removal devices are considered diodes. These lasers use a single wavelength of light that more closely mimics what’s used at in-office treatments. Unlike IPL, diode lasers can be used on a wider range of skin tones, because the device doesn’t require as much color differentiation to work properly.
“For my patients with lighter skin and darker hair, IPL can be quite effective,” says Ross Kopelman, a hair transplant surgeon at Kopelman Hair Restoration. “However, for those with darker skin tones or coarser hair, I usually recommend diode lasers. They penetrate deeper and provide more consistent results, which aligns with what I aim for in clinical treatments.”
Does laser hair removal hurt?
Our testers were overwhelmingly surprised by how pain-free their experience with at-home laser removal was. Some reported that they experienced a slight “zing” here and there, but it couldn’t actually be described as painful. That said, skin can be more sensitive than usual after treatment, says Jeannette Graf, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “That’s why it’s best to stay away from shaving, direct sun exposure, and active treatments that increase sensitivity for a few days after using a device.” (Translation: Stock up on sunscreen!)
Is laser hair removal safe?
Laser hair removal is generally regarded as a safe and effective method of hair reduction for those with light to medium skin tones and dark hair, but be cautious if you have a deeper skin tone. This is because laser hair removal works by targeting melanin pigments, so a stronger contrast between the color of the skin and hair will yield the best results with minimal risk or side effects. “Since dark pigment is the target, there is an increased risk of heating up the dark pigment in the skin instead,” says Dr. Woolery Lloyd, explaining this could cause discoloration, hyperpigmentation, blistering, and potential scarring.
Also use caution when removing unwanted hair on any area of the body that’s inherently darker—for example, the groin and armpits, says New York City dermatologist Gloria Lin, MD. And always look for at-home laser hair removal devices that have been FDA-cleared, which means they’ve passed the FDA requirements and are presumably safer.
Is it permanent?
Laser hair removal is not permanent—electrolysis, an in-office treatment in which each hair follicle is individually destroyed, is the only truly permanent hair removal treatment. “Hairs will grow back after treatment, but after multiple treatments, the hair will grow back at a much slower rate and thinner,” says Dr. Yu. Typically, you won’t need to shave regularly, but will likely require a few touch-ups per year. Some people may find they need to shave occasionally—some of our testers said they found shaving necessarily once per month or so.
How long does laser hair removal take to work?
Exactly how long laser hair removal takes to work depends on the device, but the manuals for most lasers (both IPL and diode) suggest users will begin to see results within a few weeks. However, the vast majority of lasers require 12 full weeks of treatment until you can enter a maintenance phase, which consists of treatments every one to three months, depending on hair growth.
What to know about laser hair removal aftercare
After laser hair removal, slather on some body lotion. “Sometimes laser hair removal treatments can dry out the skin,” says Dr. Yu. “You should also protect yourself from direct sun exposure, as the treatment areas may be more sensitive to the sun.” Avoid other hair-removal techniques, like waxing or using chemical depilatories like Nair, since they can affect your results. “Those treatments remove the hair follicles that the laser is designed to target,” she says.
What to know about laser hair removal and sun exposure
It’s always smart to tap SPF, but after laser hair removal, protecting your skin from the sun’s rays is more important than ever. “Treated areas may be more sensitive to the sun,” says Dr. Yu. “Also, if you are tan or have been exposed to the sun, wait until any color has faded before treatment.” This helps ensure better results, and can help prevent any potential hyperpigmentation issues.
How we tested
When evaluating laser hair removal tools, we considered important attributes like the type of laser, the number of flashes that the device delivers (an indicator of the longevity of the device), the number of intensity levels, and any attachments. We also considered convenience factors, like how comfortable each laser is to hold and corded versus cordless designs. Of course, we also asked for feedback on efficacy: How effectively (and painlessly) did the laser reduce regrowth? After testing more than a dozen at-home lasers, we came up with this list of seven lasers that our experts and testers said were the best hair removal systems for lasting results.
Best Overall: Silk’n 7
- What we love: More advanced technology than traditional IPL; rotating head for hard-to-reach spots; three precision heads
- What could improve: Larger than other options
- Laser type: eHPL
- Intensity levels: 5
- Flashes: 600,000 lifetime flashes
Silk’n recently launched a new laser hair removal device that’s quickly getting a lot of attention, because of its more advanced eHPL technology (enhanced Home Pulsed Light) and its unique rotating head. Though eHPL works similar to IPL, it also harnesses the power of galvanic energy to open pores, providing a more direct hit of pulsed light to hair follicles. Like the CurrentBody Laser, it is on the larger side, but the 360-degree rotating head is truly unique.
Our review: “During evaluations, I found the device’s controls to be very intuitive, plus really liked the rotatable head. It’s a game changer for those smaller areas that can be hard to cover with the flash window—like the bikini line. Other devices I’ve tried require much more contorting for these areas, and you still don’t always feel like you’re making the best contact with skin. There’s no worry about that with this laser. It also comes with three precision attachments to help in this department too. There’s a five-inch head that’s the largest on the market at the moment (a great way to speedily tackle big areas like the legs), a medium-size one for the underarm and bikini line, and a small one for facial hair (perfect for the upper lip or a rogue chin hair—IYKYK!). I used the larger attachment for a touch-up on my legs, and was impressed by how simple and quick the whole process was. It was an entirely pain-free experience too. Even on the highest setting, I simply felt a bit of warmth,” says Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley.
Most Popular: Braun Silk-Expert Pro 5 IPL
- What we love: Safe for use on the face and body; works quickly; comes with multiple attachments, including a precision head for small areas
- What could improve: Storage case is bulky
- Laser type: IPL
- Intensity levels: 3
- Flashes: 400,000 lifetime flashes
You’ve likely seen this laser hair removal device all over your social feeds, and for good reason. For starters, “it’s quick and easy to use with three sensitivity modes—normal, gentle, or extra gentle—so it’s less painful than other products on the market,” says Dr. Lin.
Our review: “I found Dr. Lin’s download spot-on. There’s no settings to fuss with—only one big button to press. If you hold it down, it’ll even deliver continuous flashes, so you can complete large areas like legs in, well, a flash. I was able to tackle my armpits, legs, and bikini line in just 10 to 15 minutes—without any pain. If you’re really sensitive, you may notice a slight zing here and there, but I’d be truly surprised if it made you flinch. Braun promises results in as little as four weeks, and this time frame was spot-on during my testing. After weekly treatments for four weeks, the vast majority of my hair had stopped growing. What did grow back was noticeably sparser and thinner,” says Earley.
Best for More Skin Tones: CurrentBody Laser Hair Removal Device
- What we love: Better range of skin tones; diode laser is a closer match to in-office technologies; 6 intensity levels
- What could improve: On the bulkier side
- Laser type: Diode
- Intensity levels: 6
- Flashes: 5-year shelf life
CurrentBody’s laser is one of the most exciting launches in the category in recent years, because it’s a diode laser rather than a traditional IPL. “Diode Lasers emit a single wavelength of light that penetrates deeper into the hair follicle,” says Dr. Kopelman. “I’ve found that diode lasers are generally more effective across a broader range of skin tones and hair types, often requiring fewer sessions than IPL.”
Our review: “The CurrentBody laser is lightweight and super easy to use,” says Glamour wellness writer and reviewer April Benshosan. “Plus, it has a large treatment surface area, so you can zap more of your body in less time.” Benshosan says she’s had success using the laser almost everywhere—on her arms, underarms, legs, bikini, and even face. “I use it on the highest setting, and was honestly surprised when I felt a harsh zap, similar to salon lasers, meaning it’s getting the job done.” (Sensitive-skin types, take note: This one may be a bit too strong for you!)
Best Budget: Nood The Flasher 2.0
- What we love: Intuitive design; lifetime guarantee with handset replacement included
- What could improve: Some users say it takes longer to see results—as many as eight weeks
- Laser type: IPL
- Intensity levels: 5
- Flashes: 600,000 lifetime flashes
This option makes the rounds on social media, with lots of user-generated content singing its praises. And good news: Deanne Robinson, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Westport, Connecticut, backs up all of these claims. She says it really does work and particularly likes the larger handset. “I would recommend this for larger areas of the body that don’t require as much precision—legs, arms, and underarms versus face and bikini,” she says. We also appreciate that the device has five different intensity levels for more flexibility in treatment.
Our review: Users said they liked the convenience of the large digital LED screen on the handset, noting it makes switching between the five intensity levels relatively goof-proof—great for beginners. They also echoed Dr. Robinson’s sentiments about the large laser window, but liked that this sped up treatment time. One user told Glamour that you can cover both legs in less than 10 minutes. “After four weeks, I noticed less regrowth,” said one tester. “And after the recommended eight weeks, my hair was virtually undetectable—even after a week without shaving.”
Best for Sensitive Skin: SmoothSkin Pure Fit IPL Hair Removal Device
- What we love: Three targeted modes and 10 intensity levels; unlimited flashes; automatically senses skin tone
- What could improve: A bit larger than some other devices
- Laser type: IPL
- Intensity levels: 10
- Flashes: Unlimited lifetime flashes
This FDA-approved IPL device has three intensity levels, including a more gentle one to suit sensitive skin. But if you opt for the higher setting, the ergonomically shaped laser hair removal tool will deliver up to 130 flashes per minute—one of the more impressive on the list. It also can sense your skin tone and adjust the energy output accordingly, taking the guesswork out of the process. We also like that it comes with a precision head attachment that can reach small, tight areas like the upper lip and bikini line.
Our review: “I used it on my bikini line, because shaving always gave me little red bumps,” says one tester who saw a noticeable difference in hair growth after just two to three weeks. “My hair is definitely finer and sparser, even though I still have a few weeks to go until I get to the maintenance period,” says Earley.
Best Cooling: Ulike Sapphire Air 10
- What we love: Contact temperature is cooler than other options; more lifetime flashes than many other devices; operates at four intensity levels
- What could improve: Cooling fan makes this pick louder than some other devices
- Laser type: IPL
- Intensity levels: 4
- Flashes: 900,000 lifetime flashes
We originally evaluated the Ulike Air+, but the company has since added a new and improved laser hair removal device to its lineup. The brand says this iteration has 57% better energy output and a 280% faster flash speed for greater efficacy in less time—just two weeks, they say. It features the same cooling technology that drew us to the device in the first place. The internal fan allows the device to effectively operate at a contact temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit, as opposed to the 100 degrees some other devices reach.
Our review: “The Air+ was the first at-home body hair removal device I ever used, and I was really impressed by it, though I can confidently say I love this one even more. I didn’t feel so much as a tingle during use. The large treatment window and the continuous AutoGlide mode made the whole process expeditious—you know I love that! I’ve only had this version for two weeks now, but I’m already seeing an improvement in hair density and thickness,” says Earley.
Best Compact: RoseSkinCo Lumi
- What we love: Compact size; six intensity levels
- What could improve: Fewer lifetime flashes than most other options; not recommended for use on the face
- Laser type: IPL
- Intensity levels: 6
- Flashes: 300,000 lifetime flashes
RoseSkinCo’s Lumi is another great value laser hair removal device. It retails for $229, but we’ve caught it on sale on more than one occasion at deep discounts that bring the price closer to $160—even less than our top budget pick. Still, the FDA-cleared device is equipped with six intensity levels, and the brand says you’ll reap full results in the same 12-week time span other brands promise. They even offer a hair-free guarantee (90 day returns and a one-year warranty), which is ideal for anyone who isn’t sure if their hair is suitable for laser removal.
Our review: “I recently tried out this device and found it very easy to operate. There are only two buttons: a power button, which also toggles through intensities; and a flash button to press when you’re ready to fire. At this point, all you have to do is lift and move the device to another spot for it to flash again, making treatment quick and seamless. I don’t have particularly sensitive skin, but even at the highest setting, I didn’t experience any pain—just an occasional tingling sensation that felt slightly warm. I’m still in the early stages of use (I’ve only had the device for a week), but the brand says I should start to see results in about two to four weeks; reviewers report results closer to four to six weeks,” says Earley.
