Permanent hair removal
Laser hair removal devices work by killing hair follicles. But hair grows in cycles, and the laser only destroys follicles during an active cycle of hair growth. Therefore, it takes several treatments, one month at a time, to stop hair growth completely.
Laser hair removal at home: pros and cons
There are two types of home hair removal devices, one is a real laser and the other uses intense pulsed light. Both types remove hair, and both are less powerful than the device you'll find at a dermatologist's office.
One downside is that it's hard to cover a lot of areas - like an entire leg - with small household appliances. It may not be strong enough to get rid of the hair completely.
The laser focuses on the pigments of the hair follicles and is only effective when there is a large contrast between the skin and the hair. This means that these devices are recommended for people with fair skin and dark hair.
In people with dark skin, there is a risk of burns - but to prevent this, many household appliances have sensors that prevent them from working on dark skin.
If you do not have a combination of light skin/dark hair, a professional laser (in skin clinics) is the only option.
Safety of laser hair removal
Home laser hair removal devices are generally safe, but it is important to use them correctly.
Do not use:
Close to your eyes
On tattoos or pigmented areas, including moles.
In the genital area
