The hair removal struggle is one that plenty of people, including myself, know all too well. Through years of shaving and trying other solutions, like at-home waxing or hair removal creams, I've learned that things like missed spots, ingrowns, irritation and cuts are pretty much par for the course.
That's why, recently, I've been thinking about trying a more permanent solution, like laser hair removal. But the process can be expensive and typically requires a series of in-person appointments. That's where at-home laser hair removal devices come in — they can be an effective way to reduce the hair on any given area of your body and help you cut down on time between shaves.
I tested two of the best laser hair removal devices over the course of a two-month period to see how well they work. Plus, I spoke with two dermatologists to get their thoughts on whether the at-home devices can be effective and who they might work best for.
How I tested
I used the devices over the course of two months. I treated my legs, armpits and bikini line, using the Nood Flasher on the right side of my body and the Ulike Air on the left. I followed the brand's directions, using both devices three times a week for around nine weeks (I skipped a few sessions when I was traveling or when my skin was irritated from sunburns and I could not use them). I made sure both devices flashed twice on each area before moving to the next.
Each time before using it, I shaved using the razor that was included with the Ulike Air. I waited until after I used the devices to apply any skin care products, like lotion or deodorant.
All of the included before and after images were taken around a week after shaving.
Do home laser hair removal devices actually work?
Both dermatologists we spoke with said that the devices can actually be pretty effective (though it depends on your hair color and skin tone).
The devices work by targeting the pigment, or the melanin, in the hair follicle. "Therefore, the darker the targeted hairs and the lighter the skin tone, the more effective the treatment," says Dr. Gretchen Frieling, a dermapathologist in Massachusetts. "The heat damages the hair follicle and prevents or delays regrowth."
However, you shouldn't expect the same results that you would get from a laser hair removal treatment that you'd receive from a professional. "Laser devices are marketed for 'permanent hair reduction,' not 'permanent hair removal.'" Frieling says. "The hair cycle is continuous, and only those hairs in the active, or anagen, phase are the hairs that are targeted. The results are not always permanent. You will definitely witness lighter, thinner hair with slower regrowth and smoother skin for extended periods of time."
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Azadeh Shirazi, says that you can think of professional laser treatments with your derm like a two-hour workout with a personal trainer, whereas at-home devices will be more like "going on a 20-minute walk."
"It can take many more treatments with at-home laser hair removal devices than in-office ones, so you have to be patient," Shirazi says. "They’re also helpful for maintenance treatments after you have a series of professional sessions."
Also, just to note: While at-home devices are often called lasers, that's a bit of a misnomer. They typically use intense pulsed light (IPL), so you'll often hear them referred to as IPL devices.
Best affordable laser hair removal device:
Looking at all of the different at-home IPL devices, you'll notice that many of the most popular devices retail for $250 to $400 or more. That's why the Nood Flasher 2.0 immediately stood out to me with its more affordable price.
The version that is currently on sale on Amazon comes with pre- and post-treatment products for your skin, but I just got the device on its own, so I didn't have the opportunity to test those.
The first thing I noticed about the device is that it has a helpful digital screen that activates when you plug it in. On it, you'll see the current intensity level and the number of flashes that you have left (according to the brand, each device has a lifespan of 600,000 flashes and can be replaced for free if you run out).
I loved how there were seven different intensity levels — to switch between them, you just press the button on the side — so you can really customize the experience. Because I wanted the best results, I immediately went to the highest setting, which basically felt like a light sting when I used it on my legs and armpits. But on my bikini line, where the skin is more sensitive, I had to turn it down to level six or five.
The device itself is super easy to use. You press the center button to get it to flash over your desired area and then move it to the next. You can set it so it continuously flashes (it will only do it when the device is pressed to your skin), which is helpful when you're using it on large areas like your legs, or you can manually press the button each time.
The treatment window is at the top, with ridges around the edges to help keep your skin from touching the window itself. In the instructions, the brand warns that you shouldn't press down too hard or your skin may come in contact with the window, which can get hot when you're using the device. I accidentally did once and burned a small patch on my leg, but it healed pretty quickly.
Each time it took me around 10 minutes to do my entire leg, bikini line and armpit and it was easy to do while I was watching TV. While I expected it to be at least a month before I started to see results, within two weeks, I noticed that my hair was growing back slower and there were patches that weren't growing back at all.
By the end of the trial period, I found that the hair took much longer to grow back and there were places where it was lighter or gone altogether. I saw the best results on places where my hair was darker, like on my bikini line or certain areas on my legs.
Best laser hair removal device for beginners:
I got the Nood Flasher first and read the warnings about protecting your eyes, but was wondering the best way to go about it since I didn't have protective glasses. So I was happy to see that the Ulike Air came with a pair of glasses to use during treatments. And it also comes with a small razor as well for shaving beforehand.
The device is super user-friendly. There are buttons on the side that allow you to switch between the three different intensities — there are fast, normal and high modes, all of which deliver two consecutive flashes — or put it in SHR mode, which delivers four flashes and is made for darker, coarser hair. Each time, I used the high mode on every area of my body and didn't have any problems with pain. In fact, I could barely feel it on most areas, and just felt a light sting when using it on my bikini line.
The best thing about the device is that the screen, which sits in front of the light source at the top of the device, is designed to maintain a 65-degree F contact temperature, so it feels cool the whole time and you can put it right on your skin without risking burning yourself or irritating your skin.
As you slide the device over your skin, it will also automatically adjust its intensity to your skin tones and it will prevent you from flashing over an area if it senses that it's too dark.
Much like the other device, it only took around 10 minutes for me to cover my left side, going over my leg, bikini line and armpit. And I also started seeing results as early as two weeks in. But the best results came at the end of the nearly two-month period. My leg hair was significantly lighter and softer and so was the hair in the other areas. In fact, there were some patches that had no hair at all.
Best overall: Ulike Air 10
While I saw a significant reduction in hair growth with both devices, I think the Ulike Air 10 is the better option of the two for a number of reasons. It's almost completely pain-free and completely minimizes your risk of burns, making it a good choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin. It also came with additional accessories, like the safety glasses and a razor, so you don't have to buy anything additional.
Both helped to reduce hair overall and slowed growth, but with the Ulike device, I noticed that there were just a few more spots where hair had stopped growing back altogether.
Still, the Nood Flasher 2.0 also delivered pretty impressive results and I appreciated the larger range of intensity levels and the smaller size. And if you're not looking to spend a ton of money on a device, this could be a good option for you.
Are at-home laser hair removal devices safe?
If you're using an FDA-cleared device from an established company, generally, these devices are considered safe to use. But there are still risks, such as burns, hyperpigmentation or irritation if they are used improperly, Shirazi says.
To help minimize these risks, you should try using the device on a test spot first and avoid using it on any areas that have open skin, tattoos, moles, warts or birthmarks.
The devices are also not suitable for all skin types. "Darker skin tones or someone with an active sun tan should avoid at-home lasers due to increased risk of scarring and hyperpigmentation," Shirazi says. She adds that these people are at an increased risk because the devices can't distinguish between skin pigment and hair pigment in darker skin, which may lead to burns or discoloration. Both brands have images on their sites, which can serve as guides for whether the devices are suitable for your skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
"Shaving helps ensure the energy targets the hair root rather than the hair above the skin, which can cause irritation or a burnt hair smell," says Shirazi. "It also helps the light reach the follicle more effectively and reduces the risk of overheating the skin’s surface."
How long it takes depends on the device. But typically, Shirazi says, it takes two or three weeks after your first treatment to see a difference and 5 to 10 sessions to get full results.
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Emma Stessman is a writer for Shop TODAY. She has over a decade of experience in digital media — and much of that time has been spent on the TODAY team. She has countless experts for her coverage around topics including beauty, wellness and fashion and has written about everything from trendy microcurrent devices to whether wrinkle patches really work.
Meet our experts
- Dr. Gretchen Frieling, MD, is a triple board-certified Dermatopathologist and the founder and owner of GFaceMD. She is a pioneer in the development and use of ultrasound in medical aesthetics and an expert in skin consultation and rejuvenation.
- Dr. Azadeh Shirazi, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of La Jolla Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center in California. She has a passion for aesthetics and enjoys the art of cosmetic surgery.
