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For those of us who chose to remove body hair—be it on the legs, underarms, or

For those of us who chose to remove body hair—be it on the legs, underarms, or bikini area—we have options. Shaving is perhaps the most famous and commonly used method, as it's easy, cheap, and can be done quickly at home. But its biggest drawback is that hairs grow back quickly. That's why lots of folks look for long-term or even permanent solutions. Waxing and sugaring are great professional options, but more and more people are turning to laser hair removal. And they're even doing so in the comfort of their own home, with at-home devices.

Laser hair removal wields the power of IPL and lasers to target the hair follicle, killing growth at the source. In some cases, this can be permanent, but typically it requires upkeep to ensure the area remains hairless. At-home tools aren't as powerful as the professional tool used in clinics, but they're usually cheaper and more convenient.

So do they really work, and are they worth the price tag? Well, here are the best options on the market and what the pros have to say.

Laser hair removal is the process by which melanin in the hair follicle is targeted and neutralized by a concentrated beam of light (laser) or intense pulsed light therapy (IPL). "That light energy is converted to heat, which permanently damages and destroys hair follicles," board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, M.D., told us about laser hair removal.

The light is actually targeting hair that's in the active growth phase, which is also called anagen phase. Once the hair has been "killed," it won't grow back in the next growth cycle.

However, not all hair in a given area is in the same part of the growth cycle, as some will be in catagen or telogen. This is why not all hairs are effectively neutralized in one session and will need consistent treatments in order to work.

And as I've noted, the light also targets the melanin pigment in the hairs. This means that some lasers and IPLs aren't suitable for those with darker skin tones, as the light beam may end up targeting the skin rather than the hair. This can cause damage and scarring. Always look for options that are noted as safe and effective for those with darker skin tones (and if you have any questions about that, find a professional you trust who can help you).

This also means that these devices aren't super effective at blonde or red hair, as the laser isn't able to register the light pigment. Thus, an at-home laser might not be worth your investment.

We discuss these caveats throughout the article, but it's an important caveat to bring up straight away.

There are two main types of devices: concentrated beam of light (laser) or intense pulsed light therapy (IPL). Both IPL and lasers target the melanin in the hair, but they do so using different methods. The main difference between them is the type of light used. With lasers, it's a single wavelength of targeted light. IPL uses a broadband (or multiple) source of light.

There are other important distinctions that may inform which route you go. Here, what to know about each.

When purchasing at-home professional tools, your best bet is to go to reputable brands. SmoothSkin is one of the most trusted and tested brands out there—and the Pure Fit IPL Hair Remover is top notch. What makes it so special is that it has a smart sensing technology built in so it's constantly reading your skin tone and delivering only the appropriate amount of heat and intensity level. This makes it safer for more skin tones, and leaves the guesswork out of it for newbies.

This sleek design isn't just for show—the ergonomic shape and head make it easy to use in areas all over the body. The technology, however, is why this warrants a spot on this list. It uses something called multi-frequency continuous pulse technology (MFCPT), which is an upgrade from standard IPL. It combines IPL with optimal pulse technology (OPT) for a more targeted approach. Even though it's IPL it's better able to target only the hair follicle, leaving the surrounding skin unaffected.

This option uses a laser, rather than IPL, which makes it highly effective at hair removal. In fact, it's shown to be four times more effective than other IPLs on the market. Not only is it effective, but it has a built in skin sensing technology that only unlocks when safe to use.

This is the most inclusive at-home hair removal device, as it's able to target a full range of skin tones, and even target more hair colors (like blond and red hair). It's able to do so as it combines not only IPL, but radio frequency (RF). Essentially the quick flash of IPL quickly heats the hair follicle (but does so at an intensity that won't harm the surrounding skin), then the RF is attracted to that heat and removes the follicle.

This uses a specific kind of IPL called HPL™ (Home Pulsed Light) technology and galvanic energy. First the galvanic energy stimulates the skin, opening up the pore. This means the hair follicle can be better exposed to the HPL. This type of IPL uses a quartz bulb that delivers optical light, which better targets the hair follicle.

The cooling sapphire head soothes the skin during the removal process, which means less pain while the hair is being removed and less irritation after. The three power modes takes the guesswork out of it: Gentle for sensitive areas (i.e. armpits and bikini), body for the legs and arms, and power mode for more intense treatments.

What our reviewer says:

I've been testing out this new device for two weeks, using it every other day or every three days (depending on my schedule). I've only been doing the lower half of my legs at this time, but there definitely seems to be some progress. This past weekend, I was away and didn't shave the area and noticed my normally dark leg hairs were coming back much finer. The entire process has so easy and completely painless. This is my first time using an at-home laser hair removal tool, and I was honestly a little afraid to give it a go. I have sensitive skin and I was weary of a reaction, but so far it's been smooth gliding—which I think I can attribute to the cooling tip. Honestly, I can't believe I've waited to so long to try these—had I known how easy it can be I would have done it years ago! Oh, and I can't help but love the sleek design and packaging.

Braun is one of the best-selling and most trusted brands in hair removal, and this device has earned high praise from a ton of users (over 5K on Amazon alone!). The IPL device has a whopping 10 intensity levels that auto-adjust based on the skin tone and area (thanks to the skin sensing technology).

First and foremost, we selected from brands known for making high-quality laser hair removal tools. These brands have a good safety history, have resources to help you, and make quality products.

While we didn't try every product on this list, we tried several and will continue to do so (and add more!). The rest come recommended from trusted sources.

It's important that we feature options for a variety of folks. While at-home laser devices aren't for everyone, we wanted to include options that were suitable for the widest audience possible.

A lot of research went into this guide—from care instructions to selections. You'll only find info that was vetted by our team and the pros.

When using your device, you should follow instructions from the manufacturer. As for pre- and post-care, there are some general guidelines and best practices to follow.

Please use these with caution—there are some risks associated with the tools, especially when outside the protective guide of a professional. At-home devices have come a long way. Most technologies have safety measures in place, so there's less of a chance of error. However, they're not foolproof.

If you have any concerns about doing it yourself at home, I strongly encourage you to first book a consultation at a laser hair removal clinic. Trained professionals—usually aestheticians—will be better suited to guide you on your journey than any online resource.

Here are some insights into the potential risks of at-home laser hair removal.

Some IPL and laser devices aren't suitable for darker skin tones, as the broad-spectrum light doesn't discern between melanin in the hair follicle and on the skin. This means they may burn the skin, causing scarring and damage.

In addition, blonde and red hairs aren't able to be detected by the laser or IPL as they don't contain dark enough pigment. These devices won't be effective.

Most brands are upfront about who should and shouldn't be using their devices. All the brands above have hair color and skin tone charts on their websites, so you can check and see if it'll work for you. (Fair warning: You may have to do some digging on the website to find it, but it's there.) If they don't, I consider that a red flag.

In addition, many tools now have skin-sensing technology and will only work when used on an appropriate skin tone or hair color.

Yes, skin reactions can occur from laser hair removal. These can be mild discomforts to burns.

Most devices warn against excessive and unprotected sun exposure for about 24 to 48 hours after use. Thus it may not be the best option during summer months when you're outdoors more.

In addition, these devices work better when there's a high contrast between skin pigment and hair follicle pigment (i.e., they work best on pale skin with dark hair). When you tan, you lessen this contrast and the laser may not be as effective.

If you have tattoos in the area you wish to remove hair, you'll want to find other means of hair removal. Given the laser works by targeting pigment, having ink may cause the light to focus on the wrong area—resulting in damage.

You may notice an unpleasant smell when using the devices, as the heat is targeting the hair follicle. Yes, it may smell similar to burned hair.

Deciding if you should go to a clinic or opt for an at-home tool usually comes down to these factors. Ultimately no one will be able to make the decision for you, but here's what to consider:

While it's billed as a permanent solution for hair removal, it's not 100% permanent for 100% of the area treated.

"Choosing laser hair removal permanently removes about 80 to 90% of hair after a complete treatment series of five to six sessions, but you may still occasionally experience hair growths that are finer and less noticeable," says Moses.

In addition, some areas that are more prone to hormonal hair growth may not take as well.

"Hormonal areas—the chin, upper lips, and sideburns—will require more sessions, usually between eight to 12," says Christian Karavolas, vice president of the Society of Clinical and Medical Hair Removal and founder of Romeo & Juliette. "Or if someone has a hormonal imbalance, such as PCOS, they will likely need more sessions."

Other things to consider: if you're taking certain medications that can influence your hormones.

In many cases, maintenance appointments are encouraged after you complete the standard sessions. These maintenance appointments can be spaced out by anywhere from six months to years.

However, most folks find that the hair that does grow back is much finer and softer than what they remembered their hair being originally. This makes it much more manageable.

Lasers tend to be more effective than IPL. When done professionally, lasers are also more suitable for a wide range of skin tones, such as the Nd:YAG laser and the diode laser. IPL are more common in the at-home market, but they're less discerning between skin and hair follicle.

There are many high-quality at-home laser hair removal tools on the market. However, they're only worth it if you're a suitable candidate for them (i.e., skin tone and hair color) and are committed to being consistent with use. At-home tools are significantly less effective than those found at clinics, however, so you may consider booking a consultation with a professional first—especially if you have darker skin and may benefit from a more sophisticated laser like the Nd:YAG laser and the diode laser.

Is at-home laser hair removal right for you? Well, my hope is that you feel more confident and comfortable with your answer after reading. If the answer is yes, then I'm sure one of these tools will be a good fit for your needs. And for those who are interested in alternate options of hair removal, you can read up on some resources for sugaring, waxing, and shaving.

What our reviewer says: Redness and irritation. Burns. Efficacy. Cost. Accessibility. Safety.

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