Best At-Home Laser Hair Removal Devices, Evaluated and Reviewed
We tested three popular devices—two IPL and one diode—across different skin tones. Find out how quickly they reduced hair, how tricky or easy they were to use, and more.
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Unwanted body hair is something a lot of us deal with, and the usual removal methods can be time-consuming and temporary. Laser hair removal, however, offers us a way to save time and achieve smoother, longer-lasting results. It isn’t a permanent solution, but it can gradually lessen hair growth with continued use.
Meet the Testers
Our three panelists learned to use these devices and endured a little pain for this review.
Photos: Jennifer Ford, Lisa Fogarty, Bea Robustelli (Consumer Reports) Photos: Jennifer Ford, Lisa Fogarty, Bea Robustelli (Consumer Reports)
Jennifer Ford (that’s me)
Skin tone: Fitzpatrick Type V, dark brown
Body hair: My body hair grows fast. It’s fine and coarse.
Experience with laser hair removal: I regularly get professional laser hair removal treatments and have been doing so for almost a decade. I’ve never treated my underarms and have never used an at-home device.
Lisa Fogarty
Skin tone: Fitzpatrick Type II. I am fair-skinned and will always burn first, but if I stay out in the sun long enough my skin will lightly tan.
Body hair: My body hair grows thick and dark. Imagine a muppet from Sesame Street.
Experience with laser hair removal: I have never used a laser hair removal device. I shave and sometimes wax, and that’s it.
Bea Robustelli
Skin tone: Medium
Body hair: Dark, thick, and fast-growing.
Experience with laser hair removal: This is my first time testing any laser hair treatment.
Lisa shows us what it's like to use the two IPL devices we tested.
