At-home beauty devices have skyrocketed in popularity lately, including devices that claim to let you reap the benefits of laser hair removal in the comfort of home. But are these devices safe, and do they really work? Our knowledgeable laser specialist, Carol Delo, CCE, CME, shares the details here.
How Does At-Home Laser Hair Removal Work?
At-home laser hair removal devices are typically small, hand-held tools designed for personal use. Unlike the professional lasers we use here at Simply Smooth Laser Center in Tampa, these devices operate at a much lower energy level. Most at-home laser devices are Class 1 or Class 2 lasers, which are in the same category as things like bar code scanners, printers and laser pointers.
Professional laser hair removal uses Class 4 lasers, which are much more powerful than Class 1 or 2 lasers and are therefore only approved for use in medical settings.
That said, the basic principle behind how at-home laser removal devices work is similar to that of professional treatments. These devices use focused light energy to target the pigment in hair follicles. The light converts to heat, damaging the follicle and preventing future hair growth.
Safety and Effectiveness
Because they are much less powerful, at-home laser hair removal devices can be safe if used properly. However, even approved devices can cause side effects if not used properly, including burns, hyperpigmentation or irritation. These side effects can be especially problematic for people with darker skin tones or very light hair, as the laser is unable to tell the difference between pigment in hair and skin.
The flip side of their reduced power for increased safety is that these devices are much less effective than professional laser hair removal treatments. At-home devices typically require significantly more sessions to see results, and even then, the reduction in hair growth will not be as dramatic or long-lasting.
Professional laser hair removal treatments, on the other hand, deliver greater energy more precisely and effectively, allowing for more noticeable and permanent results in fewer sessions.
Should You Try At-Home Laser Hair Removal?
Whether or not you should try at-home laser hair removal depends on your goals, budget and timeline. On the plus side, if used correctly, these devices are generally safe for most skin types and can provide some level of hair reduction. An at-home device will also generally cost less than professional treatments, but it is important to keep your expectations in check.
At-home devices can still be an expensive upfront cost and require a lot of time and consistency to achieve noticeable results. Additionally, they are unlikely to match the level of precision, power and long-term effectiveness that professional laser hair removal treatments can offer. So while you may save money, you won’t see the same dramatic results as with professional treatments.
If you’re still torn on which route to take or if you’d like to discuss your goals with our highly trained and experienced laser specialist, please call our Tampa office at 813-877-8067 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.
Author: Caroll Delo, CCE, CME
Lead aesthetician and co-owner of Simply Smooth, Caroll Delo has over a decade of experience in cosmetic surgery, laser treatments, and medical grade skincare services. Her vast knowledge in cosmetic medicine helps make sure that every man and woman who enters our doors receives top-quality care and expertise.