Is laser hair removal at home safe?
June 17,2022
“At-home devices tend to be generally safe, although a real potential for adverse effects, like scarring, does exist,” says Dr. Akhavan, who highly suggests going the in-office route if you have the means (although it can cost anywhere from $200 to $1,500). “If you’re using an at-home device, don’t use it on sensitive areas—like your face and neck—and begin by patch-testing on a smaller area, then waiting three to four weeks to make sure there are no complications.” You should also avoid using laser hair removal devices if your skincare routine is filled with acids and/or retinoids.
It's important to know that some devices aren’t suitable for all skin tones since not all lasers are able to properly distinguish between dark hair follicles and dark skin and can potentially burn you. A good rule of thumb? Speak to your dermatologist before you try any at-home laser devices to be on the safe side—it is your skin, after all.
Who can try IPL hair removal at home?
One question we hear a lot is ‘does IPL work on my skin/hair tone?’. IPL hair removal is very effective on a wide range of hair colors and skin tones, with a few exceptions:
As you can see from the chart, IPL devices like work well on dark blonde, brown, and black hair, and most skin shades apart from very dark tones.
What is IPL like? Does IPL hurt?
Simply put, no – it doesn’t hurt. through clinical testing with over 2,000 women to make sure that it felt gentle and easy to use. Most users reported a slight warm sensation with each flash, but that’s all. That’s one of the reasons over 1.5 million women all over the world are now using IPL: who could say no to pain-free, lasting hair removal?
The key is to use the right light intensity setting on. There are five to choose from, and a handy guide is included in the pack to help you find the right setting for your skin tone and hair color.
To avoid any twinges, it’s best to follow the usage guidelines carefully. Shave the area before using it and avoid flashing the same area repeatedly. And, as you can imagine, it’s best not to use IPL (or any other hair removal treatment) on broken or irritated skin, tattoos, infections, or burns.