With summer around the corner, the semi-creepy targeted advertisem*nts seem to be reading your mind. They appear to know just what you need.
That swimsuit is cute. Oh, I love those sunglasses. Maybe Baxter needs a doggie slip-and-slide. Hmmm – that at-home laser hair removal device looks pretty nifty. What if I never needed to shave again? I could save so much money with this.
At-home laser hair removal does work, however, like a lot of things on social media, the reality may be different than how it appears. To help you protect your body and your wallet, we help you determine fact from fiction.
Does at-home laser hair removal work?
First, it’s important to note that most at-home hair removal devices are not lasers. They are usually intense pulsed light devices or IPL for short. It works exactly like it sounds – intense light is pulsed to the hair follicle, which disrupts hair growth. While the mechanism of action is similar to laser hair removal, it is less powerful and takes more sessions to get the desired result.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, these IPL and other devices do work to remove unwanted hair, but it often takes many sessions, and the results are rarely permanent. IPL devices are generally safe, and they have been approved by the FDA for hair removal.
If you are considering at-home laser hair removal, you may want to talk to your physician beforehand for clear instructions (like avoiding your face and eyes) and to determine if it’s right for your skin or hair color. In an interview with The American Academy of Dermatology Association, Dr. Carolyn I. Jacob, MD, FAAD, an associate clinical instructor of dermatology at Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago explains that lasers that target blond, red, gray or white hair have not been developed yet, however, strides have been made so that those with darker skin types can successfully undergo the procedure.
An article published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology says that laser hair removal is available for skin types I through IV on the Fitzpatrick scale – this excludes those with darker skin types.
Want more facial hair?Here's what a dermatologist says you should know
How long does it take for at-home laser hair removal to work?
It depends on the person, but people generally see results within 6-10 treatments. As previously mentioned, the devices available for use at home are not as powerful as the devices you would find in a dermatology office, and therefore more treatments are usually needed.
Does laser hair removal hurt?Not when done properly. Here's what you need to know.
How much does an at-home laser cost?
Costs may vary from around $100 to over $1000. If an at-home laser works for you, it may be worth the investment, as it would be significantly cheaper to use at home than to continuously get treatments at the doctor’s office. However, for best results, you would have to use the device fairly often, which may make it not all that different from shaving.
FAQs
It depends on the person, but people generally see results within 6-10 treatments. As previously mentioned, the devices available for use at home are not as powerful as the devices you would find in a dermatology office, and therefore more treatments are usually needed. Does laser hair removal hurt?
How effective is at-home laser hair removal? ›
Do home laser-removal devices work? Yes, at-home laser-hair removal devices do work, but they take consistency. Because at-home devices use lower energy levels than in-office treatments, they require continued use (think: weekly, or every time you shave) to notice similar results, says cosmetic doctor Ana Mansouri, MD.
Why is my at-home laser hair removal not working? ›
One of the top reasons why Laser hair removal doesn't work boils down to hormones. Yes, believe it or not hormonal conditions can lead to ineffective hair removal. Our hormones encourage hair growth with the most common one being testosterone.
Why didn't I feel anything during laser hair removal? ›
Treatment cannot be completely painless
If you have dark, strong hair, the pricking will be stronger, and if your hair is weak, so will be the pricking. If you don't feel anything during the treatment, it means your hair is too light or the laser is not working well, so there will be no effects.
What are the downsides of at home laser hair removal? ›
Many at-home laser hair removal systems have limitations and will only work on lighter colored skin. Even some professional hair removal systems will not work on darker skin. It's best to consult with a professional before investing in an at-home laser hair removal system. Less noticeable results.
How can I make laser hair removal more effective at home? ›
Expert Tips for At-Home Laser Hair Removal
- Consider Your Skin Tone & Hair Color. Lighter skin with dark hair performs best for laser hair removal. ...
- Don't Forget a Patch Test. As a best practice, Dr. ...
- Never Pluck or Wax. ...
- Start With Clean Skin. ...
- Take Your Time. ...
- Prepare for Some Discomfort. ...
- Maintenance Is Key. ...
- Avoid These Areas.
Hair Growth Cycles – Hair growth occurs in cycles, and not all of the hair in a given area is in the same growth phase at the same time. This means that some hairs may not be affected by the laser during the initial treatment, and may continue to grow as normal.
Why do I still have so much hair after laser? ›
Patients may notice more hair 1 – 3 weeks after laser hair removal sessions as follicles in the growing cycle begin to shed. During this process, exfoliating the skin, once swelling and redness have dissipated, can help hairs shed faster, leaving skin feeling smoother.
Why my hairs still exist after laser? ›
Why Doesn't Hair Fall Out After a Laser Removal Procedure? It's possible that the hair hasn't had sufficient time to shed after treatment. Alternatively, the laser may not have effectively targeted the hair follicles if they weren't in the right growth phase at the time of treatment.
Why is my at home IPL not working? ›
At-home IPL treatment takes some getting used to. If you're not seeing the results you want or your IPL device is not flashing, check your user manual to make sure you're using the device properly. Note that for safety purposes, most IPL devices will not flash or pulse unless they're placed flush against the skin.
Overdoing laser hair removal can result in skin irritation, redness, and swelling. This can happen if the skin is exposed to too much laser energy, causing damage to the surrounding skin tissue. The skin can become sensitive, making it more prone to burns and hyperpigmentation.
Why am I not seeing results with IPL? ›
What often happens, is the provider, simply changes the settings on their IPL/Laser to reduce the heat, therefore reducing the chance of burning or scarring, but also making the treatment practically ineffective. Please check with your technician that the machine they are using is actually able to treat darker skins.
Are home laser hair removal as good as salon? ›
There are two kinds of hair removal tools you can use at home. One is a real laser, while the other uses short bursts of very bright light. Both types of devices remove hair, but neither is as strong as the tool you'd find at a dermatologist's office. On the one hand, less power means less responsibility.
How long does it take to see results from at home laser hair removal? ›
It varies and is dependent on skin tone and hair color, but Holes says “most at-home laser hair removal devices claim that you can see full results within 8-10 treatments.” In the office, fair skin tones can typically see results after two or three sessions, whereas Dr.
Does hair grow back after at home laser hair removal? ›
Regrowth on the body
You'll continue to see hair during the course of laser treatments. Some of this will be regrowth, but much of it will be hair that hasn't yet been treated. Once your course of treatment is complete, you may not see regrowth for many years.
