Medically Reviewed June 2023, by Charlotte Tundy, Regional Nurse Trainer, for sk:n. Next review due June 2024.

Certain do-it-yourself beauty tricks are well worth the effort. Dyeing your own roots or threading your own brows in the privacy of your bathroom can save you both time and money. How about laser hair removal? Our expert trainer Charlotte discusses more.

Can you do laser hair removal at home?

Laser hair removal works by destroying the hair follicle. But because hair grows in cycles, the lasers can only destroy follicles when a particular cycle of hair development is actively taking place. So, you need a few treatments, each spread 4-8 weeks apart to stop hair from growing back.

There are two kinds of hair removal tools you can use at home. One is a real laser, while the other uses short bursts of very bright light. Both types of devices remove hair, but neither is as strong as the tool you’d find at a dermatologist’s office.

On the one hand, less power means less responsibility. These devices are safe for beginners to use at home, so you don’t have to worry about burning yourself to get smooth skin. However, the at-home gadgets don’t perform as effectively as the professional models found at sk:n.

Does at-home laser hair removal work?

The downside of at-home laser hair removal is that it’s hard to cover a large area, such as an entire leg, with the small at-home device. Additionally, these devices may not be powerful enough to remove all of your hair, leaving patchy results.

Is at-home laser hair removal safe?

Only a small range of hair and skin colours are compatible with at-home laser hair removal devices. The lasers only work when there is significant contrast between the skin and the hair because they focus on pigments in the hair follicle. This means that the systems are best for people with dark hair and light skin. Using these devices poses a danger of burns for those with darker skin. The gadgets are generally safe to use if you have the appropriate skin and hair tones, but it’s crucial to use them properly to avoid burns.

Laser hair removal at home vs salon

Professional in-clinic laser hair removal is the best approach to achieving long-term hair removal. Additionally, you’re in the hands of professionals who can safely and thoroughly remove hair from the locations you desire.

It may sound beneficial to do laser hair removal at home, however this requires more time as the device is relatively small, and the intensity is lower, so it takes more sessions to see improvements. Professional laser hair removal offers faster, downtime-free procedures with better long-lasting results.

 

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The best part of in-clinic treatments is that they are performed in a welcoming environment by compassionate medical staff who are interested in you and the reasons you desire smooth, hair-free skin.

At sk:n, we’ll fully discuss the procedure, and recommend the right number of treatments, your aftercare and the expected results. Find your nearest clinic and arrange a consultation with one of our dermatologists for advice on how laser hair removal can work for you.