Buying guide for Best laser hair removal systems
If you’re looking for a sleek, fuzz-free body but are over razors, messy creams and painful waxing, laser hair removal (sometimes called electrolysis) might be the way to go. It offers a permanent solution to unwanted body hair and can be used on any part of the body, including the face.
The downside is that it requires multiple, pricey trips to the salon — that is until 2008 when the FDA approved at-home laser systems. These allow you to get similar results to those of a medical professional or technician in the privacy of your home at a fraction of the cost. Nonetheless, these appliances are not inexpensive, and with a variety to choose from, you need to make sure your investment will be suited to your needs to get the job done.
There are a few different technologies available. Lasers use diode laser technologyand can be used to focus on small areas. Other appliances use intense pulsed light (IPL) technologyand can cover larger areas more quickly.
Laser hair removal was invented by Dr. Rox Anderson, a doctor at the Wellman Institute at Harvard’s Mass General.
How does laser hair removal work?
In a laser hair removal treatment, an electronic wand focuses a concentrated beam of light on specific hair follicles. The light is absorbed by the pigment in the hair, destroying the follicle enough to slow hair growth in that area.
To get rid of the hair completely, you must treat the targeted areas two or more times. The hair isn’t permanently removed, but the growth is slowed so you won’t need additional treatments for anywhere from several months to several years.
Results vary based on the individual.
We look for FDA-approved laser hair removal systems, as these systems have built-in safety measures that help prevent injuries.
Our attention is captured by high-end laser hair removal systems with an LED display that easily showcases the power level, discharge pattern, pulse duration, battery level, and light cartridge replacement.
We compare laser hair removal systems with intense pulsed light (IPL) systems. While laser systems use a beam of one specific wavelength to remove hair, IPL systems use multiple wavelengths.
The best laser hair removal systems often have multiple power levels so consumers can adjust the strength of the beam as they go. We place high value on laser systems with at least three power levels.
We look at corded laser systems and battery-operated hair removal systems, noting the pros and cons of each in our research.
For anyone with hair and skin that aren’t all the same color, a good feature to look for is a skin sensor. We place high value on this safety feature, as it can help prevent injury during hair removal.
We find out whether a laser hair removal system uses light cartridges. If it does, we note how many replacements come with the purchase to assess value.
We note the user-friendliness of the owner’s manual when evaluating various laser hair removal systems.
We research the possible side effects of using the top laser hair removal systems on the market. The most common side effect is mild redness, which usually goes away on its own.
The treatment window of a laser hair removal system impacts the size of the area from which you can remove hair. We note treatment window size when evaluating products.
Who is a candidate for laser hair removal?
Because the laser or light is absorbed by the pigment in the hair, there must be a contrast between the color of your skin and the color of your hair. Thus, the best candidates for laser hair removal are those who have light skin and dark hair.
If you have dark skin and dark hair or light skin and blonde hair, there usually isn’t enough contrast between the two for laser hair removal to work. Gender isn’t a factor; it works just as well for people of all genders. Keep in mind that laser hair removal only works on certain types of body hair, such as on the face, legs, arms, underarms, and pubic area. It shouldn’t be used on the genitals.
Testing laser hair removal systems
We spent 16 hours researching 82 different laser hair removal systems before choosing our top five. We also consulted with an expert and over 100 consumers.
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Benefits of laser hair removal
While laser hair removal may not permanently remove hair, it does dramatically reduce hair growth, so you can stop shaving or waxing for months to years.
It also allows you to be very precise, so you can target specific hairs on small areas, such as on top of your lip.
In terms of pain, laser hair removal falls in the middle of the spectrum. It is more painful than shaving, but for most people, it hurts considerably less than waxing.
"There are four types of laser commonly used for laser hair removal: alexandrite, ruby, diode, and ND. The results of laser hair removal can last for anywhere from three months to two years."
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Considerations
FDA approval
Safety is the most important thing to consider when you shop for a laser hair removal system.
Check that the system is FDA-approved as a safe and effective means of home hair removal. Typically, approval requires that the device is not as powerful as professional laser hair removal systems, and must have built-in safety measures that prevent injuries during use.
If a product has FDA approval, it will be clearly indicated on the packaging.
"Laser hair removal was approved as a method of hair removal by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1997. The first at-home laser hair removal was approved by the FDA in 2008."
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Laser vs. IPL
Technically, not all laser hair removal systems utilize lasers to reduce hair growth. Some actually use intense pulsed light (IPL) to target the hair follicles.
Not sure what the difference is?
A laser uses a light beam in one specific wavelength, while IPL employs multiple wavelengths. Lasers usually target a smaller area, but IPL can cover a larger area.
However, because lasers hit a smaller area, they’re usually more precise. Some laser technology has also progressed to the point where it can treat darker skin tones.
Did you know?
The very first laser ever used to destroy hair follicles was invented by Theodore Maiman in 1960. Modern laser therapy has come a long way since.
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Corded or battery
At-home laser hair removal systems are typically available in two styles: corded and battery operated.
Corded laser hair removers must be plugged into an outlet in order to be used. That may limit the locations where you can use the device. It can sometimes be tricky to operate the tool with the cord in the way as well.
A battery-operated laser hair removal system features a rechargeable battery. The battery life of each model varies, but in many cases, you can get as many as 30 minutes of power. There’s no cord in the way when you’re using the remover, and you can use the device even if there isn’t an outlet nearby.
Power levels
For the most effective and comfortable laser hair removal system, it’s important to choose a device that features multiple power levels.
Different areas of the body may be more sensitive to the laser than other spots, so it’s important to be able to adjust how strong the beam is. In most cases, you’ll want to start with the lowest power setting to determine how sensitive you are to the laser. You can increase the power if you find that the setting is comfortable for the area you’re working in.
It’s best to purchase a laser hair removal system that features as least three power settings to provide you with the most control over the treatments.
"Laser hair systems that require replacement cartridges are often cheaper at initial purchase, but if you use them frequently the cost of cartridges can make these models more expensive in the long run."
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Skin sensor
If your hair and skin tone aren’t suitable for laser hair removal, using a system can be extremely painful and potentially injure your skin.
Because the hair and skin on your body may not necessarily be all the same color, you may want to purchase a system that features a skin sensor.
The sensor automatically determines whether the hair and skin tone in the area that you plan to use the device are suitable. If they aren’t, the system won’t activate, and you know that you shouldn’t use the device.
Display
Some laser hair removal systems feature an LED display with visual alerts that allow you to use the device more effectively.
The display usually indicates the power level, discharge pattern, pulse duration, low battery level, and light cartridge replacement.
A display is convenient to have, but you usually have to pay extra for it – lower-end models typically don’t have them.
Treatment window
A laser hair removal system’s treatment window determines how large an area the device covers in one swipe. A larger window allows you to work more quickly and is especially helpful when you’re working on large areas, such as the legs or chest.
However, if you’re working on a smaller area, such as the bikini line, you may prefer a smaller treatment window that allows for more precision.
Treatment windows vary from system to system, but they usually range from ⅓ to 2 inches.
Replacement cartridges
When you’re purchasing a laser hair removal system, it’s also important to consider whether a model requires regular replacement parts.
Many devices use light cartridges that allow for a certain number of treatments. They need to be replaced whenever they run out.
In many cases, you may pay less for a system that uses cartridges initially.However, you’ll need to buy replacement cartridges regularly, so in the long run, you may be better offbuying a more costly system that doesn’t use cartridges.
Laser hair removal system pricing
A laser hair removal system is a fairly costly purchase. In general, they range in price from $150 to $450. It is important to remember that you’ll pay considerably more for professional laser hair removal treatments, so it may be worth the investment if you want to lessen your amount of body hair economically.
Mid-range
If you’re only interested in removing small amounts of hair, a lower-end system that comes in around $200 and requires replacement cartridges is usually a good option.
Expensive
If you plan to use the device all over your body or for larger areas such as the legs or chest, a higher-end model will cost about $450. A unit that requires replacement cartridges may be a better bang for your buck compared to paying less for the machine but buying new cartridges over time.
Health insurance typically doesn’t cover the cost of professional laser hair removal.
FAQ
Q. Are there side effects to using a laser hair removal system?
A. For up to 24 hours after using the device, you may experience mild redness in the skin, but it usually goes away on its own.
Q. How often should you use a laser hair removal system?
A. Always consult the manual that comes with your device to determine the appropriate usage. However, most systems suggest using the device once every two weeks.
Q. How long does it take to see results with a laser hair removal system?
A. In most cases, you can expect to see results within two to four weeks of your first treatment.
Q. How do you prepare the areas for laser hair removal?
A. Clean the area that you plan to treat so it’s free of lotions, creams, and cosmetics. Use a new razor to shave the area so the device can work on the hair inside the follicle that’s under the surface of the skin. Finally, wipe the area down to remove any lingering soap or shaving cream and pat the area dry.
