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The options for at-home hair removal are countless. Whether your goal is smooth legs, underarms, or a full-on Brazilian, there are trimmers, razors, depilatory creams, and waxing kits for the job. Unfortunately, though, these solutions are all temporary, meaning your hair will grow back as soon as a few days later.
If you're on the hunt for more permanent results, try using an at-home laser hair removal machine. Though admittedly a bit intimidating, Debra Jaliman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, says there are pros to this DIY option. For starters, they are less expensive than in-office treatments and can be done on your own time. "Though you'll get better results with a professional hair-removal laser machine at a physician’s office, at-home devices definitely get the job done, though most folks will need to go over the areas several times," says Jaliman. They may also require follow-up maintenance if some stray strands return, she explains.
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Best Painless Device
Ulike Sapphire AIR+ Dark Green IPL Hair Removal Handset
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Not everyone should jump to buy an at-home laser hair removal machine, though. "The device is best suited for patients with dark hair and lighter skin tones," says Stacy Chimento, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Riverchase Dermatology in Miami. "Tanned or dark skin runs the risk of hypo- or hyperpigmentation, because the hair laser can mistake the darker skin pigment as the target—the hair follicle."
It's always wise to do a spot test before going full steam ahead, particularly if you have darker skin, says Chimento. And never treat freshly tanned (even self-tanner!) or sunburned skin, she says. It's also important to exercise extreme caution with any potential skin irritants, such as retinoids, salicylic acid, or glycolic acid, before and after treatments.
Think you're ready to take on the task? Dermatologists say these machines offer impressive before and afters, effectively leaving your skin silky, smooth, and, of course, hair-free.
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SmoothSkin Bare Fit IPL Hair Removal System
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SmoothSkin Bare Fit IPL Hair Removal System
Pros
- Easy to use
Cons
- Doesn't work great on dark skin tones
Because this hair-removal device operates at an impressive 100 flashes per minute, you can treat your entire body (lower and upper legs, bikini line, and underarms) with the press of a single button in just 10 minutes. You'll notice visible hair reduction in as little as four weeks—and up to 97 percent hair reduction after 12 weeks.
Pros
- Adjusts to your skin tone
Cons
- It's priced high compared to other devices
This is the at-home laser for anyone who likes the concept of setting it and forgetting it. It utilizes a special technology called SensoAdapt—it adjusts the flash intensity for your skin tone as you're using it. There are also 10 settings so you can find the sweet spot for you.
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Best Luxury Device
JOVS Venus Pro Ⅱ IPL
Pros
- Rotating head makes it easy to target hard-to-reach areas
Cons
- It's a splurge compared to other devices
What differentiates this device from others is the 180-degree rotating head. It makes it so much simpler to reach just about any area of your body—face, arms, legs, bikini line, and more. Also nice: The LED power helps smooth wrinkles and fine lines.
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Pros
- Safe to use on face
Cons
- Doesn't work great on deeper skin tones
This device, which is one of the most highly rated on Amazon, is a safe bet for anyone with light to medium skin tones. It's very versatile, too, as it's clinically proven to remove hair on both your body and your face.
Pros
- Gentle enough to use on sensitive areas
Cons
- Some buyers say you need to be careful to not burn yourself
This palm-size at-home laser can be used on any body part (yep, even for Brazilians!) and has five different power settings to suit different skin tones and sensitivities—without sacrificing results.
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Best Painless Device
Ulike Sapphire AIR+ Dark Green IPL Hair Removal Handset
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Best Painless Device
Ulike Sapphire AIR+ Dark Green IPL Hair Removal Handset
Pros
- Offers cooling sensation
Cons
- It's priced high compared to other devices
One of the biggest concerns of laser hair removal (either at home or in the office) is discomfort. What's great about this device is it's designed to reduce the temperature during use to offer a soothing cooling sensation that also blocks harmful UV light.
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Silk'N Infinity Hair-Removal Device
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Silk'N Infinity Hair-Removal Device
Pros
- Easy to use
Cons
- It's a splurge compared to other devices
Though compact enough for travel, this small but mighty device is stronger than other similar models, because it uses an enhanced pulsed light rather than IPL technology, says Jaliman. Still, it's relatively painless—a big draw, considering how uncomfortable some DIY hair-removal treatments can be.
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Braun IPL Silk Expert Pro3 Hair Removal
Pros
- Great for all skin tones
Cons
- Some buyers say results aren't drastic
A special built-in skin sensor allows this device to automatically and continuously adapt to your skin tone to prevent any ill side effects, like hyperpigmentation. It's also compact enough to tackle any hard-to-reach areas, says Chimento.
Pros
- Small and compact
Cons
- Some buyers say it isn't great for dark skin tones
Because this FDA-approved device is so compact and fits nicely in the palm of your hand, it's super easy to use. And like the name implies, it removes hair fast, emitting an impressive 150,000 pulses per minute.
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Rose Skin Co. OG IPL Hair Removal Handset
Pros
- Can use on all areas of body
Cons
- Some buyers have noticed hair thinning rather than complete removal
This is a compact and easy-to-use device that's designed to deliver long-term hair removal at a fraction of the price of in-office solutions. It's a very versatile machine, too, as it can be used on all areas of the body, including hard-to-reach places like the bikini (for that Brazilian!). Did we mention how cute it is?
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Me Sleek Hair Reduction Device
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Me Sleek Hair Reduction Device
Pros
- Safe for all skin tones and hair colors
Cons
- Some buyers say it's difficult to use at first
The even bigger draw than the compact, easy-to-hold size? This device is FDA-approved for the widest range of hair colors, including white, gray, blond, red, brown, and black. It can be used on the whole body, too—face and bikini line included.
Pros
- Features an LCD screen
Cons
- Some buyers say you need to be careful not to burn yourself while using
Though decidedly less expensive than other comparable models, this handheld laser hair removal machine holds its own among the competition. First-time users love the LCD screen, too, since it makes it easier to monitor just how much hair-eradicating light you're delivering to each area of your body.
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XSOUL At-Home IPL Hair Remover
Pros
- Good for sensitive skin types
Cons
- Some buyers say it takes a while to see results
Despite a comparatively modest price tag, this at-home laser has five settings for different skin sensitivities, plus a manual mode for small areas like the bikini and underarms, and an automatic mode for larger spots like the legs and abdomen.
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Best Budget-Friendly Option
Ellesilk Hair Remover
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Best Budget-Friendly Option
Ellesilk Hair Remover
Pros
- Affordable
Cons
- Some buyers say it doesn't give even smooth results.
A basic, budget-friendly hair removal tool with two modes and eight adjustable light settings to ensure pain-free removal even on sensitive areas like the face.
Pros
- Offers cooling sensation
Cons
- Some buyers say it takes a while to see results
Worried about any pain associated with hair removal? Try this device, which includes a unique ice compress function. The special cooling plate maintains the skin surface temperature between 32 and 41 degrees Fahrenheit to relieve redness and decrease any swelling.
Brigitt Earley
Contributing Writer
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.
