12 Best At

Jan 24, 2024

By Deanna Pai

If you’re looking for smooth, stubble-free skin for good, the best at-home laser hair removal devices can deliver. And if you’re thinking of the painful devices of years past that take forever to work, the good news is they’ve come a long way. For starters, there are more options than ever. “Through testing and research, there has been a large increase in the number of at-home laser hair removal devices on the market,” says Jeannette Graf, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “They require time and scheduled usage but can greatly reduce the softness and thickness of hair growth, and over time yield significant results.”

Because of that, it’s “a good option for people who want to manage unwanted hair themselves, and see longer-lasting results than they do with alternative at-home hair removal methods like shaving, waxing, or epilating,” says Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “The benefit of at-home laser hair removal is that it can be conveniently done at home, it’s cheaper than in-office treatments, and it lasts longer than some other methods of hair removal.”

However, there are some things to consider. For one, the results won’t necessarily be permanent, Dr. Engelman says, so you may need to repeat treatments for maintenance. Then, “in general, laser hair removal is most effective on lighter skin tones and dark hair,” she says. “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.” (It’s the same case for in-office hair removal treatments, which is why those with darker skin require extra consideration.)

In fact, it might be best avoided altogether if you have a deeper skin tone. “Since dark pigment is the target, there is an increased risk of heating up the dark pigment in the skin, and therefore it is risky in darker skin types,” says Heather Woolery Lloyd, MD, a dermatologist in Miami. On the line? You could risk discoloration, hyperpigmentation, and potential scarring, says NYC dermatologist Gloria Lin, MD.

In fact, any darker area on the body requires special consideration, skin tone notwithstanding. “Any area that is darker on the body—for example, groin and armpits—should be lasered with caution, as the laser needs to be able to detect the difference between the skin and the hair color,” she says. (So avoid tanning before you do it.) And, on the flip side, those with light hair and light skin may not see results, either, since there’s not much contrast for the laser to identify.

If you’re planning to DIY your hair removal, proceed with caution—even with the best laser hair removal devices. “After treatment, skin can be more sensitive than usual,” says Dr. Graf. “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!) With all that in mind, we’ve rounded up the best at-home laser hair removal devices with expert backing and rave reviews to back them up.

All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Best Overall: Silk’n Infinity Hair Removal

Amazon

Nordstrom

This hair removal system uses an HPL (short for home pulsed light) for a more gentle approach to laser hair removal. “It works on a range of skin tones and types to remove unwanted hair with minimal discomfort or irritation,” says Dr. Engelman. Because the applicator is small, it can even be used on facial hair in addition to body hair, so long as it’s below the cheekbones. It also comes with a built-in skin sensor to determine whether it’s safe for use on your skin tone.

Not only is it effectively painless, but in addition to the HPL, “it also uses something called galvanic current to help stimulate blood flow, encouraging the light to go deeper into your follicles,” says Dr. Graf. “This makes the device more effective in fewer treatments.” (However, since it uses heat converted from light to destroy the hair follicles, it’s still best avoided among those who have a dark skin color.)

Save when you shop for the best at-home laser hair removal devices with these Nordstrom coupon codes.

Best IPL: SmoothSkin Pure Fit IPL Hair Removal Device

CurrentBody

Amazon

In many cases, “at-home ‘laser’ hair removal is actually not a laser but something called IPL or intense pulsed light,” says Dr. Woolery Lloyd, who explains that it targets the dark pigment in hair. This FDA-cleared at-home hair removal device uses IPL technology just once a week for 12 weeks to deliver permanent hair reduction (per the brand), and has a precision head attachment that can reach areas like the upper lip and bikini area. It also can sense your skin tone and adjust the energy output accordingly, and offers three different modes for added versatility.

Best Diode: Tria Beauty Hair Removal Laser 4X

Tria

What sets this apart? “It is one of the most powerful and effective at-home laser hair removal devices available,” says Dr. Engelman. In fact, it’s the same laser technology used in dermatology practices versus the usual IPL. Also, she says, “the screen makes it very easy to use, even for beginners.”

Another bonus? “It features five different energy levels that you can customize to target stubborn hair growth as you grow acclimated to the device,” says Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Toronto. “It's also cordless, which can be very convenient when treating hard-to-reach areas.”

And it really does work, agrees Dr. Lin. However, “this can be used on dark and light hair, but not white hair or darker skin tones,” she says, noting that the skin sensor is also helpful. It offers five energy levels, measures the number of pulses to ensure you didn't miss a spot, and shows results in as soon as eight treatments.

Best for Most Skin Tones: Iluminage Touch Permanent Hair Reduction System

Nordstrom

While this is more of an investment, “the hair cartridge has unlimited pulses so you can use it for years and years without needing to replace it,” says Deanne Robinson, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Westport, Connecticut, who also appreciates that it comes with a hair reduction head, a shaver head for trimming treatments areas, and a precision adapter for smaller spots.

Plus, both she and Dr. Yadav agree that it's great for deeper skin tones. “This product uses the FDA-cleared technology of Syneron Candela, a company that creates professional, in-office devices used by medical providers,” says Dr. Yadav. “It combines IPL and radiofrequency technology to permanently reduce hair growth.”

Save when you shop for the best at-home laser hair removal devices with these Nordstrom coupon codes.

Best for Small Areas: Braun Silk-Expert Pro 5 IPL

Target

Walmart

Braun's Silk-Expert IPL device “is quick and easy to use with three sensitivity modes—normal, gentle, or extra-gentle—making it less painful than other products on the market,” says Dr. Lin. “The brand states that you may see results in as little as four weeks, and it incorporates a sensor that will adapt the energy based on the skin tone in that area.” It comes with a precision head attachment for the bikini area, as well as a Venus razor to aid with pre-laser-hair-removal and a storage pouch.

Save when you shop for the best at-home laser hair removal devices with these Target coupon codes.

Best for Large Areas: Nood The Flasher 2.0

Amazon

Dr. Robinson recommends this larger handset for covering “larger areas of the body that don’t require as much precision—legs, arms, underarms versus face and bikini,” she says, adding that it’s a great option for maintaining professional laser hair removal results. Dr. Graf also likes it, calling it pain-free and appreciating that it works in just 10 minutes.

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Best for Sensitive Skin: Jovs Venus Pro II

Amazon

Target

This tricked-out, FDA-cleared device “has a detachable, 330-degree rotating head, along with six modes of varying intensity levels that allow it to be used on different body areas,” says Dr. Lin. On top of that, “the cooling screen keeps your skin at a constant five degrees Celsius throughout the process,” says Ariel Ostad, MD, a triple board-certified cosmetic surgeon in New York City.

It also has unlimited flashes, allowing it to run for a longer time than other devices, and can work in as quickly as seven minutes for the whole body. However, she warns, it’s not a good option for those with darker skin tones or lighter hair.

Save when you shop for the best at-home laser hair removal devices with these Target coupon codes.

Fewest Treatments Needed: RoseSkinCo OG IPL Hair Removal Handset

Rose

This IPL device requires the fewest number of treatments to see results (although each session will take about 45 minutes for the whole body). Plus, “this device allows you to choose from five levels, is pain-free, and can be used on any part of your body,” says Dr. Graf. You'll see the full efficacy of the device in 12 weeks, and it offers enough flashes to last you more than 10 years of maintenance.

Best for Face and Body: Braun Silk Expert Pro-3

Amazon

This “comes equipped with a head piece for treating larger areas like the legs and precision tip for the chin, face, and bikini area,” says Dr. Robinson. “This system is cleared for use on all hair color and on skin tones ranging from light to medium dark.” The small, lightweight device packs 300,000 flashes, as well as a skin sensor that continuously adapts the intensity level to your skin tone as you move it around your body. As with the other Braun device, you'll get an included Venus razor.

Best for Coarse Hair: Mismon IPL At-Home Hair Removal Machine

Amazon

Walmart

As with the Tria, this device has an LCD screen that allows you to keep track of flashes and easily read the energy level. (There are five levels, although only 1 through 3 are recommended for medium skin tones or darker.) Its built-in skin sensor detects and clears your skin tone before use, and the device comes with goggles to protect the eyes.

Save when you shop for the best at-home laser hair removal devices with these Walmart coupon codes.

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Best Cooling: Ulike IPL Permanent Hair Removal Device

Amazon

Since IPL works by heating up the hair, says Dr. Woolery Lloyd, things can get hot fast. This sleek little device uses cooling technology to lower the temperature down to 50°F where it meets your skin, minimizing any pain from the heat. It has unlimited flashes as well as a generously sized flash window, which allows you to treat a larger area in a shorter amount of time. And, for easy use, each of the five intensity levels corresponds to a different area of the body—instead of you having to figure out which to go with.

Best Budget: HappySkinCo Gen.2 IPL Hair Removal Handset

Ulta

HappySkinCo

This hand-sized device is easy to hold, thanks to its ergonomic design, and has a relatively large light window that allows for faster treatments. You can use it anywhere on the body, and the intensity is low enough that you can do multiple passes in the same area without sacrificing results. It's also one of the lower-priced options on this list.

Save when you shop for the best at-home laser hair removal devices with these Ulta coupon codes.

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