Home Laser Hair Removal Products

Throughout history, women have been trying to find the best way to remove unwanted hair from their bodies. Shaving gels, plucking and creams have since become a thing of the past. Instead of visiting a professional and forking over hundreds or even thousands of dollars you can purchase a laser device to remove unwanted hair at home.

Products

Most products available for at-home use can be purchased through your local dermatologist. Prices range from $250 for the most cost effective tool to $1,000 for a hand-held remover. These machines are considerably cheaper than a full service salon package (which can run between $2,000 and $3,000) but may not be as strong or cover as much surface area as their salon counterparts.

Complexion

Some of the laser appliances on the market are not FDA approved for the face or for darker skin tones. The best candidates for home hair removal are light skinned people with dark hair. Because light-based technologies work by focusing on hair pigment, African American or tanned skin can be mistaken for hairs that need erasing. Stick with a professional who can treat all skin tones if your skin is on the darker side to avoid potential, and perhaps painful, mistakes.

How They Work

High intensity light is aimed at the hair follicle that you want destroyed. There is a minimal sensation of heat but these devices have more than one setting. You always control the pulses and have the option of turning the energy down. Be careful not to overlap the pulses to avoid redness and discomfort.

Risks

As with all treatments of the skin there is risk involved. Although products are FDA approved, do-it-yourself devices may pose a slightly higher risk as the procedure is not performed by an experienced doctor or trained esthetician. Burning, redness and scarring can occur if done inappropriately. Convenience and cost savings counter that for many people. If you are concerned, try a device that uses a band of light to target the hair instead of a true laser.

Results

Safe and effective hair removal is the goal. According to users, the main caveat to at home devices is it takes longer to achieve results. What is accomplished in 10 minutes at a doctor's office may take 30 minutes at home. This is a trade-off that many accept in lieu of paying more. There is no scientific data that compares the current appliances on the market but users report a 50-70% reduction in hair growth after five treatments (compared to 70-100% achieved in an office environment). Pulsed light products tend to deliver great short-term results, and true lasers provided long-lasting hair growth reduction.