Is It Safe To Do Laser Hair Removal At Home?Many people are thinking about trying laser hair removal as a means to rid themselves of unwanted hair. When done correctly, laser hair removal is a quick and painless way to get rid of unsightly hair. Hair follicles’ pigment is what laser hair removal aims at, as doing so causes them to atrophy and fall out.
Laser hair removal has numerous advantages, but it can be risky if performed incorrectly or by someone without the necessary training. Due to the low cost and convenience, at-home laser hair removal kits are quickly gaining in popularity. You should think carefully about the risks involved with performing laser hair removal on yourself or another person because there are a few.
Many people choose to remove unwanted hair with a laser hair removal system at home, but there are a few things you should know first. Only by following all of the necessary safety measures can at-home laser hair removal replace trips to the salon. No matter how confident you are in your ability to use a laser appliance safely, you should always refer to and adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Read on to learn more can you use at home laser hair removal on pubic hair and best at home laser hair removal for dark skin.
Is It Safe To Do Laser Hair Removal At Home
After experiencing the many pitfalls of shaving (ingrown hairs,(opens in new tab) redness, irritation, and speedy re-growth), we’re contemplating alternative hair removal methods(opens in new tab) this season. Since professional laser hair removal isn’t the most budget-friendly option (initial sessions can cost upwards of $600), we’re looking at the next best thing: at-home laser hair removal gadgets.
We need to reassert, before we go any further, that body hair is a completely natural, normal thing, and you should absolutely not feel compelled to remove it if you don’t want to—it’s a personal choice. (If you’re a body hair, don’t care kind of person, more power to you!) But if you’re into the idea of laser hair removal, want to save some money, but are a little freaked about the idea of doing it at home, we’ve got you covered.
HOW DOES LASER HAIR REMOVAL WORK?
New York-based dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD explains: “Lasers work by emitting a beam of light that is absorbed by a specific target in the skin. In this case, the light is absorbed by pigment in the hair follicle to heat it up and destroy it, so the hair does not grow back.”
ARE AT-HOME LASER HAIR REMOVAL DEVICES SAFE?
Dr. Zeicher considers at-home lasers a safe alternative to in-office treatments. “At-home devices work similarly to professional treatments, but use lower energy levels. They are more time-consuming to use, but can help. They are also a great option to maintain improvements between professional treatments.” (As an interesting FYI, Dr. Zeichner adds that, “Each treatment causes some degree of damage to the hair follicle resulting in thinner hair, and it often takes multiple treatments to completely remove hair. For this reason, the term laser hair removal is a bit of misnomer, and it should probably be called laser hair reduction.”)
HOW SHOULD YOU PREPARE FOR LASER HAIR REMOVAL?
Dr. Gretchen W. Frieling, a Boston-based triple-board-certified dermatopathologist, says that you should actually shave a day ahead of when you plan to use your laser hair removal device. Similarly, she recommends staying clear of self-tanners and spray tans at least two weeks before, too. Finally, she says it’s important to “avoid potentially irritating products such as retinoids, retinal, or retinoic acids” prior to your treatment, as well as “brightening ingredients and acidic cleansers.”
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO AFTER LASER HAIR REMOVAL?
Dr. Anahita Mansouri, a cosmetic doctor at Kat & Co Aesthetics in the UK, says to avoid exercising (or sweating, for that matter) for up to two days. Both sweating and heat can cause “irritation on freshly treated skin after a session is completed,” she says.
It’s also important to stay out of the sun for two weeks. To be extra careful, Mansouri says to wear loose-fitting clothing, and keep your skin cool. Furthermore, you should “avoid topicals, including makeup, except for aloe vera gel or calming and soothing creams,” to allow your skin to heal correctly.
Along with Dr. Zeichner, Dr. Frieling, and Dr. Mansouri, we chatted with Howard Sobel, M.D., NYC dermatologist and founder of Sobel Skin; Rosemarie Ingleton, M.D., dermatologist and medical director of Ingleton Dermatology; and Rachel Nazarian, M.D., dermatologist at the Schweiger Dermatology Group, to tell us the best laser hair removal devices that really, truly work.
Can You Use At Home Laser Hair Removal On Pubic Hair
Can you use at-home laser hair removal on pubic hair? People can use at-home laser hair removal on the bikini line, but not recommended for the genital area. The genitals are more sensitive than the rest of the skin, making using a hair removal laser more painful.
Interested in using laser hair removal at home, but not sure where to start? No worries. We’ll show you why laser hair removal at home is worth the investment, the best hair removers, and how to use them effectively.
The Beginner’s Guide to Laser Hair Removal At Home
Unwanted body hair is so frustrating to deal with. Shaving, tweezing, waxing, and epilating are never-ending chores that many of us feel we can’t escape from unless we shell out big bucks for expensive laser hair removal procedures.
But as technology gets better and new products enter the market, laser hair removal at home is becoming the new norm. Today’s best laser hair removal devices can be purchased online for a fraction of the price of a single professional laser hair removal session.
These at-home laser hair removal devices make it possible to take care of your unwanted body hair without ever stepping foot in a derm’s office or pricey clinic. It’s all done in the security, privacy, and comfort of your own home.
If you’re a complete beginner when it comes to laser hair removal, you’re in the right place. We’re going to explore the ins and outs of laser hair removal from top to bottom in this guide.
From how laser hair removal works to how much hair it’ll actually remove, you’ll find answers to your most burning questions about laser hair removal here, including:
- What is laser hair removal?
- How does laser hair removal at home work?
- Who’s a good candidate for laser hair removal?
- Does at-home laser hair removal leave you smooth?
- Does laser hair removal hurt?
- What’s the best at-home laser hair removal device?
- How to try laser hair removal at home.
What Is Laser Hair Removal?
Peaksock/Shutterstock
Laser hair removal is the process of removing hair by exposing hair follicles to flashes of extremely bright laser light that disable hair growth from the targeted follicles over time.
It might sound like something out of a science fiction novel, but this safe and effective method of hair removal has been around since the early 90’s. Laser hair removal is an alternative to other hair removal techniques and methods like shaving, waxing, tweezing, and epilation.
While users report there being some level of discomfort or pain during the procedure, it’s much less painful than waxing or plucking hair with tweezers.
Many say the experience is totally painless, but others report it feels like warm, tingly pulsing or a rubber band gently snapping against the skin.
Laser hair removal was once limited to in-office treatment by professionals offering the procedure in dermatology offices, plastic surgery offices, and medical spas (medspas).
The in-office procedure was expensive, sometimes painful, took several sessions or treatments to get results, and limited the areas and number of treatment sessions patients could get.
As the technology became better and cheaper to produce, companies started making user-friendly laser hair removal devices and IPL (intense pulsed light) hair removal devices designed for painless, at-home use.
Tria Beauty, one of the forefront companies in the industry, was the first to offer an at-home laser hair removal device back in 2005.
Benefits of Laser Hair Removal At Home
Today, laser hair removal is often done at home instead of in a professional or clinical setting. There are several reasons why so many women are turning to laser hair removal at home. Here’s a look at the benefits of DIY laser hair removal.
More Affordable Than Professional Laser Hair Removal
At-home laser hair removal is always the most affordable option. Devices for at-home use range in price from as low as $40 for the weakest to $500+ for the most powerful devices.
Compare that to the average cost of in-office laser hair removal and the difference is staggering, especially when you consider the number of sessions required to render a given area hairless.
The average price for a professional laser hair removal session is $389 and the average person requires about 6 sessions for total hair removal in each treated area.
That’s an average of $2,334 just to remove hair from one area, like your legs or bikini line. People love at-home laser hair removal devices because they can get professional results for a fraction of the price.
More Convenient
If you take care of laser hair removal at home, you get to choose when, where, and how you do it. Want to squeeze in a hair removal sesh at 2am? Go off! Prefer not showing your lady bits to an esthetician you met 10 minutes ago?
You don’t have to! Want to treat your legs, bikini zone, arms, and face – all in one session, without paying thousands of dollars to do it? You got it, sis. Everything’s on your terms when you handle your own laser hair removal at home. It’s the most convenient way to remove hair.
Less Painful Than Waxing and Plucking
You might be worried about laser hair removal being painful, but if you’ve ever waxed or tweezed errant hairs, you’ll probably find at-home laser hair removal a walk in the park by comparison.
Users liken the feeling as similar to snapping a rubber band against the skin, and some report that they experience absolutely zero pain or discomfort from laser hair removal.
Turns out, directing flashes of bright light at your skin hurts a lot less than ripping off molten wax or yanking individual hairs out by the root. Now that you think about it, it makes sense that laser hair removal really isn’t all that painful.
Long-Lasting or Permanent Results
When you try laser hair removal at home, you can achieve long-lasting results – even permanent results in some cases. Your laser hair removal results may be total and permanent, removing every hair in the treatment area(s) after a few sessions.
This isn’t always the case, however. Some users’ results aren’t permanent, but drastically reduce the amount of hair in the treatment area and make any regrowth come in finer and lighter.
That’s one of the reasons it’s smart to opt for at-home laser treatments – you can always treat again if you haven’t yet achieved total and permanent results!
Enhanced Privacy
Hair removal is a personal and private thing. It can be embarrassing and provoke anxiety to entrust the process to someone you don’t know – no matter what their qualifications may be.
If you’re not particularly keen on exposing your most private areas to a relative stranger in a medspa, you can handle your business in private by purchasing a device designed for laser hair removal at home.
The enhanced privacy of lasering unwanted hair at home is one of the main reasons so many women are flocking to this method of hair removal now.
How Laser Hair Removal At Home Works
Designua/Shutterstock
Laser hair removal is more intimidating when you’re not really sure how the process works.
If you’re imagining a high-powered laser straight out of a sci-fi novel that instantly destroys unwanted body hair on contact, the reality of at-home laser hair removal might be a little boring (but a lot safer) by comparison.
Laser hair removal, whether it’s done in the comfort of your own home or by a professional, always works the same way. Essentially, laser hair removal involves overwhelming hair follicles with intense flashes of targeted light energy.
Laser hair removal devices emit ultra-bright pulses of light to a small, targeted area. There’s a lot of energy in the intense light these devices emit! That light energy targets dark pigment in body hair like a heat-seeking missile when you direct it at the area you’re treating.
When you hold your at-home laser device over the treatment area and push the button, this high-energy laser light flashes quickly to deliver a powerful burst of energy down into the hair follicles in the area.
Imagine a bolt of lightning striking a tree, then moving down into the roots deep underground. That’s essentially how laser hair removal works.
After absorbing so much light and energy, the hair follicles in the treatment area are significantly weakened. The hair growing from laser-targeted follicles gets weaker and begins to fall out.
After a series of treatments in the area (usually 3-6), those follicles become disabled and no longer grow hair. This leaves the laser-treated area smooth and free from coarse, dark hair for anywhere from a few months to permanently.
Even if you don’t achieve permanent results, you should notice fewer hairs overall in the treatment area and finer, lighter hairs replacing thick, coarse ones.
Who Should Try Laser Hair Removal At Home?
Think you want to try laser hair removal? You’re definitely not alone. About 60% of people in one survey from Collins Cosmetic Clinic said the idea of laser hair removal appeals to them.
But this form of hair removal doesn’t work for everyone. Who’s a good fit for laser hair removal and who should opt for a different hair removal method?
In general, those with a light skin tone and dark, coarse hair in the treatment area will get the best results from laser hair removal. Take a look below to see if you’re a good candidate.
Skin Tone
Generally, people with a light skin tone are the best candidates for laser hair removal. It’s all about the way laser technology works. Since the laser specifically targets dark pigment, it’s much harder for a laser device to accurately zap hair follicles on darker skin tones.
Some devices work better than others on darker skin tones.
But in general, the lighter your skin, the better fit you are for laser hair removal at home or by a professional. If you have dark skin, you risk burning your skin instead of your hair follicles when you use a laser hair removal device.
Hair Color and Thickness
While light skin tones are the best fit for laser hair removal at home, the ideal hair color for this type of procedure is very dark and coarse. Dark, thick hair is just a better target for the device’s laser to zero in on than thin, wispy, blonde hair.
The darker the hair is, the more light energy the follicle will absorb in each treatment – and the faster you’ll get the hairless results you want. The ideal candidate for at-home laser hair removal has light skin with dark, coarse hair in the treatment area.
The high-contrast difference between the light-colored skin and dark-colored hair makes it easiest for the laser to target and penetrate hair follicles without burning the skin in the process.
Fine, lighter-colored hair isn’t a great candidate for this type of hair removal, but with consistent treatments over time, you can still get results.
Treatment Areas
Determining whether you’re a good candidate for laser hair removal also means thinking about the areas you want to treat. Some areas are easier to treat with this procedure than others due to the color, thickness, and density of hair.
Take a look at the easiest areas to treat and see how it aligns with your hair removal goals.
- Legs: Leg hair tends to be thicker and darker, making it an excellent area to treat at home with a laser hair removal device. Legs usually require fewer treatments on average than other areas.
- Face: If you have coarse, dark facial hair to remove, it’s an ideal area to treat and it’s very easy for beginners to target facial hair. Lighter, thinner facial hair can be a good candidate for laser hair removal, but it does take more sessions to get lasting results.
- Bikini area: The pubic area tends to have dark, coarse hair that is perfect for laser hair removal. You can target the entire bikini area or stick to the bikini line if you prefer – both should give you excellent results.
- Underarms: Underarm hair is typically thick and dark, making it an ideal area to target with your at-home laser hair removal device. The area responds very well to this type of treatment. It can even lighten up darkened skin in your underarms after a few sessions!
These are some of the treatment areas you’ll see the fastest and most effective results from with laser hair removal, but anywhere you have thick, dark hair can be treated with great results.
Even areas with lighter, fine hair can successfully be lasered – just know that it’ll take a few more sessions to get the results you want.
If you know what to look for, there are laser hair removal devices for at-home use that are incredibly easy, efficient, and safe – even for complete beginners.
When you choose the right type of laser hair removal device, the results are comparable to what you’d get from professional laser hair removal. But how do you know you’re choosing the right one? We’ve checked out all the most popular and highly-rated devices to find the top 5.
Laser hair removal uses light to target the pigment in individual hairs. The light travels down the shaft of the hair and into the hair follicle.
The heat from the laser light destroys the hair follicle, and a hair can no longer grow from it.
Hair follows a unique growth cycle that involves resting, shedding, and growing periods. Recently removed hair that is in a resting phase will not be visible to the technician or laser, so a person may need to wait until it regrows before removing it.
For most people, laser hair removal requires several treatments over the course of 2 to 3 months.
Is laser hair removal permanent?
Hair removal from a destroyed hair follicle is permanent. However, people who undergo hair removal can expect that some hair in the targeted area will grow back.
Over time, it is possible to treat the area again to reduce the number of hairs that regrow. In some cases, it may even be possible to eliminate all hair.
Whether or not hair grows back depends on numerous factors, including the type of hair that regrows and the skill of the person removing the hair.
Most people find that when hair regrows, it is lighter and less noticeable than it was before. This is because the laser may damage the hair follicle even when it fails to destroy it.
If a hair follicle is damaged but not destroyed, the hair will eventually regrow. It can be difficult to destroy every single hair follicle, so most people will see some hair regrowth.
When hair regrows, it is possible to treat it again, so people who want to remove all the hair may need several treatments.
In some cases, hair may be too light, too short, or resistant to treatment. In these cases, a person might choose to use other hair removal methods, such as plucking stray hairs.
How long does laser hair removal last?
Laser hair removal is permanent when the hair follicle is destroyed. When the hair follicle is only damaged, the hair will eventually regrow.
The amount of time it takes for the hair to regrow depends on the person’s unique hair growth cycle. Some people have hair that grows more quickly than others. Hair that is in a resting phase will grow back more slowly than hair that is in another phase.
Most people can expect some hair regrowth within a few months. Once this happens, they can opt for more removal treatments.
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Best At Home Laser Hair Removal For Dark Skin
It’s simple to use. Just chose your Elōs intensity level and place the flash window flush on your skin. Wait for it to flash then slide to the next position, covering your skin in adjacent flashes. Then repeat for a total 2 or 3 times. It flashes on skin contact, so there’s no button to press.
The flashes are fast on the lowest intensity – around one per second – so you can work to a steady pace. And it’s easy to get a flash too. However, it takes a while to cover your whole legs because you must do multiple passes. On the lowest intensity (with fastest flashes) it takes me around 20 minutes to flash one meticulous full leg with 2 passes.
The first part of this guide is about home IPL and dark skin tones. It explains how some special IPL technologies are safe to use on dark skin tones (types V & VI), and what to expect.
The second part is the round-up of 2023’s best home IPL hair removal devices for dark skin tones. A few are safe for all tones including dark and the darkest black (types V & VI), and there are a few more safe for light to dark tones (I up to V).
About home IPL & dark skin tones
Why most home devices aren’t safe for dark skin
Most home IPL and laser devices aren’t safe for dark skin because of how the light energy behaves. It works like this:
First, there’s a dark pigment (called melanin) that gives your hair it’s dark colour. This pigment absorbs several wavelengths of the strong light energy, and then it converts to heat. This heat damages key areas of your follicle and stunts your hair growth. After a few sessions, hairs stop growing. And after several more, results can last months.
However, there’s also melanin in your skin.
Dark skin has much more melanin than light skin. And this is bad for laser and IPL hair removal. That’s because with little contrast between your skin and hair colour, your melanin-rich skin cells also absorb the light energy and becomes very hot. This causes pain, blisters, and even burns! Yikes!
That’s why laser and IPL work best on light to medium skin tones with dark hair.
Manufacturers use the Fitzpatrick skin chart to show the safe skin tones for their devices. The complete Fitzpatrick scale details skin tone, hair colour and skin response to the sun. But for home laser and IPL, we use the skin tone scale only.
There are 6 Fitzpatrick types, measured from type I (the lightest) through to the darkest type VI. All home IPL and laser devices are safe for Fitzpatrick types I to IV.
This guide is about the home devices safe for darker tones V and VI.
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WHICH SKIN TONE TYPE ARE YOU?
Check different body areas too, because your tone can vary! And your skin tone deepens and darkens in the Summer too. So, choose a device that’s safe for your darkest tone in the areas you wish to treat.
How some devices are safe for dark skin
The very first home devices were safe for skin tones I to IV only. But now we have options safe for all skin tones, including types V and VI. So, how are these devices different and what makes them safe?
These home IPL devices are safe for dark skin types
Those safe for dark tones have:
- Low energy IPL settings (around 3 J/cm2 or lower)
- Wavelength filters
- Special configuration of the IPL flashes
The combination is gentle on darker skin because only the longer IPL wavelengths travel through your skin. They jump passed the melanin-rich, dark epidermis (outer skin layers) down to the hair follicle depth. And the flash duration is configured to avoid pain too. The result is IPL that works and is safe for dark skin.
Some devices also check the IPL intensity matches your tone:
✔️ The Smoothskin and Braun Pro models share technology developed by Cyden Ltd which auto-adjusts the IPL intensity before every flash.
✔️ Philips Lumea Prestige has a manual scan and match function.
✔️ Silk’n scans and then deactivates the levels too intense for your skin tone.
✔️ And all these devices won’t flash if your skin is too dark.
However, even this gentle IPL isn’t safe for the darkest skin tones. We need even gentler IPL. But the problem then is, anything less intense simply can’t damage the hair follicles enough to work!
Arrgggh.
Fret not. To fix this, a few manufacturers combine IPL with other energies. These combinations work better together to safely heat your hair follicles, whilst keeping the darkest skin safe.
Let’s look at these combinations now.
IPL & Galvanic by Silk’n
The Infinity is safe for ALL skin tones
The Infinity by Silk’n is safe for dark and black skin because it uses gentle IPL with special configuration, and combines it with Galvanic current.
So, what is Galvanic current and what does it do?
Galvanic is a different type of electric current. It’s painless and you can’t feel it. It creates a circuit as your fingers touch the base electrode and your skin touches the silver electrode around the flash window.
The galvanic plate and electrode create a circuit sending gentle current into your skin opening your pores wide
It flows through your skin widening your pores. This exposes more of your hair shaft and so it absorbs more of the IPL energy, reaching deeper-down into your follicle. There, it heats the melanin-rich hair and follicle cells. Therefore, you can direct gentle IPL to where it’s needed so it’s more effective and still safe to use on the darkest skin tones.
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TIP: The Galvanic energy also means your skin’s extra absorbent so apply moisturisers afterwards for extra soft and hydrated skin! Your pores close naturally a short time later.
The sensor activates only safe levels 1 & 2 for dark and black skin.
The Infinity has 5 intensity levels from 3 up to 4 J/cm2. Only the lower levels are safe for darker tones. So, to keep dark skin safe, it has a sensor which scans your skin. It activates only levels 1 and 2 for dark skin. Therefore, you can’t hurt or burn yourself with too-intense IPL.
However, it’s important to note that in the UK and Europe, Silk’n promote the Infinity safe for all Fitzpatrick types I to VI. But in the USA the range is from I to V. So, why the difference?
Silk’n Infinity & FDA
Silk’n Europe have clinical data supporting safety and effect on dark skin tones type V to VI. This is enough to market it as such in the UK and Europe. But it works differently in the US. There, Silk’n need clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Silk’n Infinity is not yet FDA-cleared for the darkest type VI skin.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) protect the nation’s health by making sure medicines and medical devices are safe and effective. Therefore, before you can market or sell a home-use laser or IPL device in the US, they must be FDA approved or cleared.
If a manufacturer proves their device is substantially similar to a previously cleared, or predicate device, they can get 501K FDA clearance. The Infinity has such clearance for Fitzpatrick types I to V. However, for clearance on type VI using combined IPL and Galvanic energies, it’s the first of its kind, so no predicate devices exist.
Instead, Silk’n must get approval from the FDA to market the Infinity as safe for type VI. This is a much longer and expensive process compared to clearance. So, for now at least, Silk’n US promote it safe for types I to V only.
Rest assured, the Infinity has other proof to show it’s safe and it works. The Infinity has:
✔️ CE certification to meet European safety and manufacturing standards
✔️ Clinical test data supporting it’s safe and works on dark skin types V and VI.
The small 15 subject test concludes:
“Low energy pulsed light combined with galvanic energy may be applied safely and effectively for at-home hair removal for people with dark skin types V and VI.”
A concise version is available as a pdf from this Silk’n page here or the full study version is here.
Silk’n also confirmed to me all Infinity models work in the same way. So, if you buy from a US or Canadian store you can still use it on the darkest skin tones despite the advertised range being different.
IPL & Radio Frequency (Elōs) by Iluminage & Me
I’ve tested the Iluminage Precise Touch (left) and Iluminage Touch (right). Elōs tech is also available in the Me Chic and Me Sleek devices.
Elōs devices use very gentle IPL and combine it with Radio Frequency (RF) current. The two energies work even better together to heat your hair follicles. So, they can use super-gentle IPL which normally wouldn’t work alone.
OK, so first let’s look at what RF is.
RF is a painless electric current sent through the skin from one electrode to the other. The spacing of the RF electrodes on either side of the flash window is just right to send the RF current down to the depth of your hair root and follicles. You can’t feel it at all. But as it flows through your skin, the RF encounters resistance and this creates heat in your tissues. It works equally well on light and dark tones because it doesn’t rely on any melanin.
Two silver RF electrodes either side of the flash window create the RF circuit through your skin
The RF travels down to the depth of your hair root
Now, let’s understand how IPL and RF work so well together…
You probably know that electricity flows along the path of least resistance, right 🤓? But did you also know that warmer structures are less resistant and so attract electrical current? This means, as each super-gentle IPL flash heats your hair shaft and the surrounding follicle, it draws the RF current towards it. And, because the keratin in your hairs resists the current, it then concentrates all around the follicles, right where it’s needed. So, your follicles get an extra dose of heat from the RF.
This combined heat from the IPL and RF is enough to work. However, you must cover your skin in flashes then repeat for a total of 2 or 3 passes. This is quite time intensive, especially on legs, but it zaps each hair with enough IPL energy to work. Therefore, it’s the combined energies and multiple passes of gentle IPL that both work and are safe for dark and black skin.
Start LOW and move up to MED and HIGH only if comfortable
The Touch & Sleek, and Precise Touch & Chic, each have three IPL intensities levels ranging from 2 to 4 J/cm2. The lower are safe for the darkest skin tones. There’s no skin tone sensor – simply start on LOW and move up only if it’s comfortable.
Different look, but the same Elōs technology inside the Iluminage and Me devices.
The Elōs Iluminage and Me devices are both clinically proven and FDA-cleared for all skin tones, including the darkest type VI. The first home Elōs device was FDA-cleared safe for all skin tones, including V and IV, back in 2012. There are subsequent 501K clearances by Syneron Beauty Ltd and Iluminage Ltd for the Precise Touch and Me Chic, and the Touch and Sleek.
What results will I see and when?
Now, all home laser and IPL devices recommend a start-up treatment schedule, followed by less frequent maintenance sessions.
The following table shows the advertised schedules for each of my recommendations and runners up. Plus, any additional information I found relevant for darker skin users.
| Device | # of start-up sessions | Frequency | Top-ups |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silk’n Infinity | 4 on high intensities Up to 12 on lower intensities* | 1 every 2 weeks | As you need. |
| Iluminage Precise Touch Me Chic | 7 on high & low intensities** | Weekly | As you need. |
| Iluminage Touch Me Sleek | 7 on high & low intensities** | Weekly | As you need. |
| Braun Pro 3 IPL | 4 to 12 on high intensities Up to 12 on lower intensities | Weekly | As you need. |
| Braun Pro 5 IPL | 4 to 12 on high intensities Up to 12 on lower intensities | Weekly | As you need. |
| Smoothskin Pure | 12 on high & low intensities | Weekly | As you need. |
| Philips Lumea Prestige | 4 or 5 on high & low intensities | 1 every 2 weeks | As you need. |
* I found info this in the Silk’n study on dark skin V and VI tones.
** Iluminage share that for the first 6 or 7 weeks, you can use their devices 2 to 3 times per week on your face.
Typical results & top-ups
Shave (or dermaplane facial hairs) for your very best results
Shave/dermaplane your hair before each session and in between as you need, unless there’s no hair left! You can learn more about shaving vs plucking here.
- After 4+ sessions you should notice finer and lighter hair which grows ever more slowly.
- After 6+ sessions you should have just very light regrowth and even bald patches. Shaving gets very easy, and soon you may not even need to.
- Complete the full start-up plan. Most of these schedules accommodate plenty of sessions for you to significantly reduce hair growth on all skin tones light to dark. But you can safely continue with the start-up frequency if you need more sessions to get smooth.
Once you’re smooth, you can switch to less frequent top-ups. Most brands suggest one every month. However, you may need them slightly more frequent because you’ll use the lower IPL levels. If you notice hairs poking through before a month’s up, shave them away and do another zapping!
Do top-ups every few weeks to months, as you need them.
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YOUR TOP-UPS ARE SUPER IMPORTANT!
A recent long-term study of home IPL devices found that the top-up sessions continue to work on your hair follicles. The effect deepens, so the more you do the longer your hair-free results last. If you have the best results this means smooth skin for several weeks to months at a time.
However, results do vary by individual and all brands caveat this on their websites and in the user manuals. Please read this for 👉 more important info about results.
And remember, inactive hair follicles can wake-up and sprout new hairs, so don’t ditch the razor! You’ll need to shave and zap them as they appear!
How to stay safe
Before you start your sessions, and ideally before you buy a device, read the user manual.
Check the important list of warnings and reasons you may be unsuitable to use home laser and IPL devices. These range from pregnancy and breastfeeding, to diabetes, epilepsy, chemical peels, and certain medications which can make you extra sensitive to the light. There’s more in each user manual so check them to stay safe and learn more about contraindications here.
Only use the device on safe areas. For women this is from the cheekbones down, and for men it’s from the neck and down.
❌ Don’t use it on your genitals, anus, or nipples either, or on birthmarks, moles, or large freckles.
With all home devices, you must also protect your skin from sun exposure before and after your sessions. Even if your skin doesn’t tan, sun exposure still increases your skin’s sensitivity and so the risk of skin reactions and side effects from the IPL. There’s more on them later.
Here’s the tanning and sun exposure guidance for each of the recommended devices:
| Device | Use on recently tanned skin? | Cover up or use SPF 30+ | Avoid sun before sessions | Avoid sun after sessions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silk’n Infinity | ✅ Level 1 only | ✅ | 4 weeks (if using levels 2 to 5) | 2 weeks (if using levels 2 to 5) |
| Iluminage Precise Touch & Me Chic | ❌ | ✅ | 2 weeks | 2 weeks |
| Iluminage Touch & Me Sleek | ❌ | ✅ | 2 weeks | 2 weeks |
| Braun Pro 3 IPL | ❌ | ✅ | 7 days | 7 days |
| Braun Pro 5 IPL | ❌ | ✅ | 7 days | 7 days |
| Smoothskin Pure | ❌ | ✅ | 7 days | 7 days |
| Philips Lumea Prestige | ❌ | ✅ | 2 weeks | 48 hours |
How to prepare
Shaving your hairs immediately before your sessions gives the best and fastest results. But, for a lady, shaving your face is not fun. So, I recommend dermaplaning instead. It cuts facial hairs without foam or irritation.
You can also wax, epilate, or pluck with the Braun, Philips and Iluminage devices. However, they each have different guidelines and you’ll have much slower results. You can learn more about dermaplaning, and plucking vs shaving guidelines here .
What do they feel like?
You’ll hear the cooling fan whir and a small pop or click with each IPL flash. The IPL flashes are bright but harmless when flush against your skin. You don’t need protective goggles. If you find the flashes irritating, wear sunglasses to help ease the glare.
On dark skin tones V and VI you’ll use the lower intensity settings. So, it’s no surprise that the Iluminage, Me and Silk’n are the most comfortable with an IPL low of 2 and 3 J/cm2 🐇🐇.
The devices with a higher IPL range can sting a little more for some, especially if your skin is within the safe range and Fitzpatrick type V. Therefore I recommend the Iluminage, Me and Infinity devices because they give more flexibility and reassurance, with even gentler intensities and sensations should you need them.
Here’s how the devices compare for power and sensation:
| Device | Type | Safe tones | Power J/cm2 | Sensation* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silk’n Infinity | IPL & Galvanic | All I to VI | 3 to 4 | ⚡ Gentle warmth |
| Iluminage Precise Touch & Me Chic | IPL & RF | All I to VI | 2 to 4 | ⚡ Gentle warmth |
| Iluminage Touch & Me Sleek | IPL & RF | All I to VI | 2 to 4 | ⚡ Gentle warmth |
| Braun Pro 3 IPL | IPL | I to V Not the darkest | 3 to 4 | ⚡⚡⚡ Warm to hot |
| Braun Pro 5 IPL | IPL | I to V Not the darkest | 3 to 6 | ⚡⚡⚡ Warm to hot |
| Smoothskin Pure | IPL | I to V Not the darkest | 3 to 6 | ⚡⚡⚡ Warm to hot |
| Philips Lumea Prestige | IPL | I to V Not the darkest | 2.4 to 6.5 | ⚡⚡⚡ Warm to hot |
* This sensation grade is based on both my tests and feedback patterns & consensus from collated user reviews. It typically varies by individual.
Possible skin reactions & side effects
Hot, tingly red skin are common skin reactions. And it can also feel dry and itch a bit too, but these reactions usually fade within 24 to 48 hours. Use ice, a cool face cloth, cooling water sprays, Aloe Vera gel or a non-scented moisturiser to soothe it. If these reactions don’t go away, get advice from your doctor.
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SUN PROTECTION!
Remember, you must avoid the sun, cover-up or wear a sunscreen SPF30+ to protect your skin. It’s extra sensitive to the sun after your sessions, and exposure before your sessions increases your risk of skin reactions and side effects.
Side effects are rare but can occur. They include temporary or permanent patches of light or dark skin, burns, excessive redness and swelling around your hair follicles, blisters, and scarring. In these cases, consult your doctor.
Another extremely rare side effect on the face and neck is called Paradoxical Hypertrichosis. Paradoxical Hypertrichosis is increased hair growth in the treatment areas. The reasons behind it are unknown but it’s thought to occur more frequently in users of Mediterranean descent, and/or with underlying medical conditions such as hirsutism.
Best home IPL hair removal for dark skin tones V & VI
For all dark skin tones (Fitzpatrick types V and VI), choose either the Silk’n Infinity, or the Iluminage and Me devices with Elōs tech. They’re clinically proven safe, and the Elōs devices are also FDA-cleared for the darkest skin tones. Keep reading for the pros & cons for each…
1. Silk’n Infinity
Infinity video review
Learn the pros & cons of the Silk’n Infinity at-home IPL in this quick but comprehensive 5-minute video review.
🇨🇦 Canada
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The Silk’n Infinity is my top recommendation for dark and black skin because it’s clinically proven, gives fast sessions and decades of flashes. It’s also one of the most affordable at-home IPLs.
If you missed it earlier in this post, learn how the Silk’n Infinity is safe for dark & black skin.
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IMPORTANT: Silk’n in the US and Canada don’t promote the Infinity safe for the darkest and black skin tones. That’s because it’s FDA-cleared for Fitzpatrick types I to V, but NOT the darkest type VI. In the UK and Europe Silk’n do promote the Infinity safe for the darkest skin (the FDA has no jurisdiction there).
All models are identical across countries.
The mains-powered Infinity is light-weight, comfy and intuitive to grip with a large flash button and simple controls. There’s one medium-size flash window, which is good for most areas, although it’s bulky and tricky to flash on the upper lip.
It’s decent quality with a flexible 180cm power cable. And I like the sturdy storage case too. The IPL bulb gives flashes for over 15 years of whole-body sessions too. That’s many more than you’ll need for decades of silky-smooth skin. And there’s a good 2-year warranty too.
Use the lowest IPL levels on dark skin. The sensor keeps dark skin safe too.
Press the power button to scroll through the five intensity levels. Use the lower levels on dark skin. You can’t make a mistake because the clever skin tone sensor scans and activates only the lower intensity levels safe for your skin tone.
Place the window flush against your skin and flash, move to the next position and repeat. Cover your skin in flashes. Keep the flash button pressed for continuous flashes. I can flash my full leg on the lower intensities in around 9 minutes. That’s the fastest home IPL that’s safe for the darkest skin tones.
Unfortunately, there’s no UK money back guarantee. But buy from Silk’n in the US and Canada and you do get 60-days! So, you can try it and if it’s not for you return it for a refund.
Results on dark skin tones
Shave immediately before each session, and inbetween as you need, unless there’s no hair left. And try dermaplaning if you don’t want to shave your face.
For dark and black skin tones using lower intensities (1 to 3) a Silk’n study shows you’ll need more sessions than on lighter skin. Silk’n recommend up to 12 sessions at 2-week intervals to get smooth (around 5 months). Then, switch to top-ups as you need them.
Therefore, on the lower intensity levels it’s important you have realistic expectations about the effort, patience and commitment needed to get results.
If you live in the US or Canada, you can try it for 60 days with their money back guarantee. Yay. I love this extra reassurance. But if you live in the UK or Europe, no such luck because they don’t offer a money back guarantee. Boo.
Silk’n Infinity Summary
Yup, the Infinity is rather special because sessions are quick, and the clever, combined technology means it’s gentle and safe for the darkest skin tones too.
Here’s a quick summary round-up of my test scores, and pros and cons to help you decide.
Lamp lifetime
⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡
It’s superb value with flashes to last 15+ years of use. One of the best.
Ease of use
👍👍👍👍
Simple, light-weight, a tad bulky but comfy design. Clever skin tone sensor detects darker tones and activates only the lower, safe intensities.
Effort & Results
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Results take longer on dark skin using the lower intensities. Do up to 12 sessions, one every 2 weeks. Then switch to top-ups every few weeks to a month, to stay smooth.
Pros
- Fast & affordable
- Safe for ALL skin tones including dark & black
- Gentle IPL for painless sessions
- Level 1 intensity safe for tanned skin
- Clinically-proven, FDA-cleared & CE certification
- 60-day money back guarantee in the US & Canada
Cons
- Not FDA-cleared in the US for black skin
- Tricky on upper lip
- No money back guarantee in the UK & Europe
If you want even more info and photos check out the full Infinity review here. But if you’ve found this review helpful and are ready to buy, please support my reviews and shop via my links. I earn a small commission, but your price stays the same. I really appreciate your support 🙏!
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2. Iluminage Precise Touch & Me Chic
“Safe & effective for ALL skin tones & ALL body hair colours, & best suits face & small body areas”
Iluminage Precise Touch & Me Chic deals
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Iluminage Precise Touch:
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Me Chic:
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🇨🇦 Canada
Iluminage Precise Touch:
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Me Chic:
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🌏 International
Iluminage Precise Touch:
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Me Chic:
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I recommend the Iluminage Precise Touch and Me Chic for dark and black skin users especially if you’ll treat your face and/or small body areas. That’s because they’re clinically proven and FDA-cleared safe for dark tones V and VI, they give decades of flashes for small areas, and are particularly suited to facial use.
Iluminage Precise Touch & Me Chic best for ALL skin tones and face & small areas
The Precise Touch and Me Chic are mains-powered hand-held devices, each with a slightly different shape. They’re very comfy to hold and easy to position. The small flash window is the perfect size for your upper lip and is easy to flash around your chin and jaw too. It’s also good for underarms and bikini line.
The angled small and precise flash window is perfect for your face and smaller body areas.
These are decent quality, although the mains-cable is a little thin and tangly. However, you get ample flashes for face and smaller areas lasting around 10 years of monthly use. They’re not suitable for legs and large areas as it uses up too many flashes and takes ages with the small flash window
Test the 3 elos levels to see which is best for your skin.
They’re very simple to use too. Choose from the three Elōs intensity levels, then and position flush on your skin. Wait for it to flash then move to the next spot. There’s no flash button to press – the flashes come on skin contact. Cover your skin in adjacent flashes, then repeat for a total 2 or 3 times. It’s quick on face and small body areas.
They’re also clinically proven to work on fair hair too, if you pluck the hairs immediately before zapping. The IPL then targets a microdot of blood left in the follicle. This is another reason I recommend them for facial treatments. I love they’ll keep working even if your facial hairs turn grey! You can also pluck fast growing dark facial hairs before zapping, but note it takes longer to see results!
Results on dark skin tones
The Elos treatment schedule is the same for light and dark skin tones. Treat weekly for seven sessions to get smooth. You may use the device more frequently on facial hair if needed – up to 2 to 3 times per week. Then switch to monthly top-ups.
Seven weekly sessions is usually enough to get to smooth. But on darker skin using the low intensity level you may need a few more sessions. And some people may need slightly more frequent top-up sessions to maintain smooth, fuzz-free skin.
Hair removal works best on people with light complexions who have dark hair. This is because the pigment contrast makes it easier for the laser to target the hair, travel into the follicle, and destroy the follicle.
People with dark skin or light hair may need more treatments than others and may find that more hair grows back.
To permanently remove hair, the technician must know how to target the hair and choose the right type of laser. Research published in 2013Trusted Source found that lasers that produce longer wavelengths work best on dark skin.
Side effects and risks
During treatment, some people experience burning, stinging, or discomfort. For this reason, many technicians apply a numbing cream to the area they are treating. However, some people may have an allergic reaction or skin irritation in response to the numbing cream.
Minor side effects are common, and may include:
- changes in the color of the skin, particularly in people with dark skin, which are usually temporary
- skin redness
- blistering or crusting of the skin
Sometimes, irritation related to hair removal can cause scarring. Damaged skin can also become infected. Though rare, skin infections can spread and become life-threatening.
Providing a detailed medical history and discussing risks and benefits can help the provider determine the right treatment, reducing the risk of serious side effects.
Following hair removal, a person should avoid sun exposure. The sun can irritate the skin, which increases the risk of blisters and scars.
People who experience intense pain, a fever, crusting, blisters, or other signs of skin damage or infection should seek medical attention.
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Cost of laser hair removal
According to 2017 statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of a hair removal session is $293.
Most people require multiple sessions, so people should talk to their treatment provider about how many sessions they will need to work out the overall cost.
Because laser hair removal is almost always a cosmetic procedure, insurance is unlikely to cover it.
The total cost of laser hair removal depends on several factors, including who performs the treatment. Skilled providers such as dermatologists and plastic surgeons may charge more but are less likely to cause injury or side effects.
Other factors affecting the cost include:
- the number of treatments required
- how much hair regrows
- the number of hairs targeted
- the size of the area requiring treatment
Removing a small amount of hair from a region such as the upper lip will cost less than removing hair from the entire leg.
Outlook
Laser hair removal can significantly reduce the amount of body hair a person has. In most people, some hair will regrow over time.
Even when hair does regrow, there will be less overall hair, producing a smoother appearance. To get a realistic understanding of what to expect from laser hair removal, discuss treatment goals with a doctor or hair removal specialist.
Some skin complexions and hair types produce better results than others. The only way to know for sure what to expect is to talk to a doctor, a dermatologist, or another skilled practitioner.
Side effects of laser hair removal on bikini area
by Bridgetown Aesthetics
The unwanted leg hair…
The unflattering back hair…
The hours spent shaving (and dreading having to shave)…
You’re excited that laser hair removal will remove more than just your hair. It’ll also remove insecurities with your appearance. It’ll remove hours of shaving. It’ll remove expensive razors and shaving equipment.
But, you’re worried about the side effects.
You’ve read some crazy claims that laser hair removal can increase risks of cancer, infertility, and more.
What’s true and what isn’t? This article will dive into the science of your laser hair removal procedure to let you know if it’s safe.
COMMON SIDE EFFECTS AND CONCERNS
You’re pumped about permanent hair removal, but you want to make sure that it’s safe.
There are many different hair removal methods, but the most common used today is called “laser genesis” – this is what the medical spas and hair removal clinics use. This process targets hair follicles and actually destroys them.
And there are 3 main side effect concerns that people have: 1) cancer, 2) infertility, and 3) pimples.
This section will share scientific evidence about the 3 common side effect concerns.
But, are these headlines actually something to worry about? Can laser hair removal actually increase your risk of getting cancer?
Here’s what Heathline has to say about it:
“It’s a myth that laser hair removal can cause cancer. In fact, according to the Skin Care Foundation, the procedure is sometimes used to treat certain forms of precancerous lesions.”
So, why has there been such a buzz about laser hair removal and cancer?
The lasers used to treat unwanted hair do emit some radiation. And people often associate radiation with cancer.
But, recent data has shown that the radiation that is emitted during a laser hair removal treatment is minimal – much lower than what an average cell phone emits.
INFERTILITY
The second most common side effect that women worry about is if laser hair removal can increase risks of infertility.
Women usually ask this question during bikini line treatments. They’re worried that the lasers can go deeper than just the treated area (the hair around the bikini line) and interfere with their ovaries.
Elizabeth Hale, a professor at NYU School of Medicine, commented on this topic. She says:
“The lasers we use penetrate less than one millimeter into the skin, so there’s no way they could reach your ovaries. But even if they did—which they never, ever could—they wouldn’t do anything, anyway. They work on pigment and have no bearing on fertility.”
Therefore, there’s nothing to worry about.
PIMPLES
Younger people who decide to get laser hair removal worry about it causing acne.
Will getting laser hair removal increase your likelihood of getting pimples?
There hasn’t been any official scientific research into this, but experts in the field have discussed it.
One expert shares how laser hair removal might actually DECREASE your risk for getting pimples. They claim that:
“Laser hair removal does not pull the hair from the skin, but rather is less invasive and uses light to target the hair follicle, to prevent further growth and eventually have the hair fall out. As a result, laser hair removal may result in a decrease in breakouts.”
This is not something that you should worry about. Laser hair removal has not been clinically shown to increase acne.
ARE THERE ANY LONG TERM SIDE EFFECTS OF LASER HAIR REMOVAL?
Mayo Clinic, a highly respected medical institution, states that there are no known long-term side effects of laser hair removal.
In order to become legalized, laser hair removal had to be intensely studied in order to determine its long-term safety to our health.
But, there are known short-term, temporary side effects. Here are a few of those side effects:
REDNESS AND SWELLING
To effectively remove your unwanted hair, the laser has to target your hair follicles. During this process, the goal of the laser is to actually severely damage those hair follicles so that they’re not able to continue growing hair.
During this process of safely damaging your hair follicles, you may experience temporary redness and swelling.
TEMPORARY SKIN COLOR CHANGES
This all depends on your skin color.
We’ve seen that some patients that come in who have darker skin color may experience a lighter skin pigmentation following the procedure.
Those patients with lighter skin may experience a darker skin pigmentation following the procedure.
These changes in skin color can be exacerbated by sun exposure. That’s why we highly recommend that you avoid prolonged sun exposure following your treatment.