Are you fed up with waxing and shaving? If so, you're probably on the hunt for a more permanent solution to hair removal. Laser hair removal offers just that as it uses pulses of light that destroy the hair follicle at the root. As a result, the hair growth cycle is disrupted. And that means the hair won't grow back. The good news is that instead of going to a salon for laser hair removal, there are many at-home devices you can purchase. If you're searching for the best laser hair removal systems for women, here are our top five picks to choose from so you can get super smooth at home. Best Choice Permanent Hair ReductionOffering permanent hair reduction in just three months, the Braun IPL Hair Removal system works incredibly for the body and face. Bye Bye hair, all from home. Best ChoiceFind on Amazon Pros: Braun is a trusted household name, so it makes for an ideal choice for those unsure about laser hair removal in general as it’s FDA-approved. The product instructions clearly state which skin tones and hair colors the device is suitable for. It even comes with a Venus razor, which is designed to be used before application so the laser can pick up the color of the hair root. It promises a permanent reduction of hair in just three months. Cons: It removes hair over a period of three months. That’s slower than their other model, the PL 5137, which claims to do so in just four weeks. Best for Bikini Area With Ice Cool FunctionThe Love Dock Laser Hair Removal offers painless hair removal with an ice-cool function to soothe your skin after you use it.Best for Bikini AreaFind on Amazon Pros: This device has five different adjustable levels that offer a customizable experience. I had fun fussing with each of them. It promises a 75% reduction in hair removal over four weeks, which is faster than other devices. Just a further four weeks of treatment is required to see a more permanent reduction in hair growth. It’s super simple to operate and has an ice-cool function for added comfort. I never thought I’d like ice so much. Cons: This is their only product so if you love it, you can’t get more from them. For Permanent Removal Prepare For Fast Results For GoodThe BoSidin Painless Permanent Hair Removal can be used on the face, bikini area, and legs for a gradual reduction of hair over a period of eight weeks.Most Permanent ResultsFind on Amazon Pros: It works on an eight-week schedule in which users will start to see results within just four weeks as the hair grows back thinner. Once the treatment is complete the hair will be destroyed and won’t grow back. There are three different attachments to be used either on the bikini or face. The third attachment is for photorejuvenation to help the skin look younger. It treats the lower leg in just eight minutes for speedy results. Cons: There is a three-second lag in between each zap, so it takes a while to complete larger areas of skin. So, the speediness it promises may not ring true. Users are required to wear glasses while using this product, although they are supplied in this set. Best with Ice Mode For a More Comfortable User ExperiencePromising outstanding cool care technology, the BeMyLady Laser Hair Removal system maintains the skin’s temperature for a more comfortable user experience.Most Comfortable ExperienceFind on Amazon Pros: It’s suitable for use on sensitive areas and promises no hot sting. What’s more, it has an ice mode that keeps the skin cool and soothed. It works by creating a cool layer that forms on the surface of the skin during the treatment. It can provide laser hair removal for up to fifteen people and will work for up to twenty-five years. It does work on light, red, and white hair, which most laser hair removal systems don’t, which is fantastic. Cons: If you’re only intending to use it on yourself, the maximum of fifteen people that it can treat is a bit of a waste of money. So, it would perhaps work out to be more affordable for salon use rather than personal use if budget is your top priority. Best or Home Use Convenient for Home UseThe Lovcoyo Permanent Hair Removal system is a small, handheld device that is designed specifically for at-home use and it will not let you down. Best for Home UseFind on Amazon Pros: The appearance of this product is not as intimidating as regular laser hair removal devices, so is ideal for beginners. It contains everything you need to get started, including thorough instructions, a razor, and protective glasses. The shape of the device is lightweight and easier to hold compared to laser gun style devices. It has 500,000 flashes, making it suitable for the whole family to use. It has five different modes to suit a variety of skin tones. Cons: As it’s a smaller device, this means it will take slightly longer to see results. Some users find they have to increase the number of flashes to see any effect, which reduces the overall longevity of the product. What Really Matters Effectiveness The goal of any hair removal system is to see a reduction of visible hairs and also achieve smooth skin. With laser hair removal, it goes one step further as it’s largely considered a more permanent solution. Having said that, the results of laser hair removal are not always quickly apparent. It can take many weeks until you start to see results, which can seem frustrating at first. Within the first two weeks, you will notice the hair becoming finer. However, it will take at least eight weeks until there is a permanent reduction of hair growth. If you need to have hair-free skin before then (such as for a vacation) waxing is more suitable for a quick, short-term solution. Wait to do laser hair removal until you have the time and patience to treat the skin regularly. Ease of Use When you want to laser the hair on your face or body, you can either head to a professional salon or use an at-home system. It goes without saying that using a laser hair removal device on yourself can present some challenges. It’s important the device is comfortable to use but also easy to maneuver along the different contours of your body. Ideally, each device should be supplied with a thorough set of instructions, including an explanation of each mode and what aftercare steps you should take. Longevity Your laser hair removal device will need to be used many times over a period of eight weeks. Depending on how many areas of the body you’ll be treating and how many people in the same household are using your device, you may want to consider the longevity of the device you choose. That’s because most laser hair removal devices have a set number of zaps they contain before it no longer works. A typical range is 500,000 zaps, which sounds quite generous but can be easily used up if the high intensity is used. FAQs Is laser hair removal better than waxing or shaving? If long-lasting results are your main aim, then yes. Keep in mind, though, that laser hair removal isn’t suitable for everyone. So, if you’ve had a consultation and been told laser hair removal isn’t suitable for your particular complexion or hair color, then waxing or shaving is still the better option. That’s because although neither of these methods will offer a long-lasting solution, it will at least remove the hair, which laser hair removal won’t if you fall into the exclusion category. If you want immediate results, then laser hair removal isn’t better than waxing or shaving, because it can take a few weeks of repeated use to see a reduction in hair growth. Why is laser hair removal unsuitable for some skin and hair colors? The laser is looking for a distinguishable difference in the color of your skin and the color of your hair so that it will only zap the hair follicle. If you have pale skin and white hair, the pigment is too difficult to detect because the two colors are too similar for the laser to be able to differentiate. Likewise, on deeper skin tones, most people will have black or very dark brown hair, which is too similar to their natural skin color. In contrast, if you have pale skin but dark hair this is a very large difference in the two pigments, making it easier for the laser to distinguish between the two shades. On red hair, there is less pigment for the laser hair removal device to be able to work effectively on. Does laser hair removal hurt? Laser hair removal feels like an elastic band being flicked against the skin, and it can also feel quite hot unless it has a built-in cooling device. Having said that, the device does move quickly over the skin and you can adjust the level of intensity. Compared with waxing, the feeling of laser hair removal is more of a short, warm zap than intense pain. With waxing especially, it can be painful in sensitive areas especially as a large amount of hair is being ripped out at once. Laser hair is felt more specific in a tiny area that quickly subsides. Why do I need to shave before laser hair removal? There are several reasons why it’s important to shave before laser hair removal. Firstly, shaving the hair attracts a higher amount of energy on the skin. A lower concentration of energy would mean less hair is treated and would actually stimulate hair growth rather than inhibit it. Shaving will also protect your skin as it keeps the laser-focused directly on the follicle. Otherwise, laser hair removal can feel more painful and even irritate or burn the skin. It’s also not a good idea to wax the hair as the melanin from the hair still needs to be somewhat visible so that the laser can find it. What’s helpful, though, is many laser hair removal devices will actually provide a razor so that your treatment doesn’t have to be delayed to go out and buy one. Related posts:Powered by SearchIQ The Best Pet Hair Removers Read more The Best Dog Hair Removers Read more The Best Dog Hair Removers Read more The 5 Best Dog Hair Gels And Hair Styling Products Read more