At-home laser hair removal and electrolysis tips
By Carla Snuggs

Have you noticed that everywhere you turn, there is a commercial or print ad or for at-home laser hair removal systems? These at-home laser hair removal systems may be cheaper and more convenient, but are they safe and effective? I decided to talk to Dr. Glen Kolansky, board certified dermatologist at the Advanced Dermatology Surgery and Laser Center about at-home laser hair removal systems.

I asked Dr. Kolansky : “Are at-home laser hair removal systems safe?” Here is Dr. Kolansky’s advice:

• Safety is an individual issue as the devices need to be used as directed and results will vary based on the individuals skin and hair color. These devices require multiple treatments and results do vary. They can also be used to supplement professional laser treatments. Home machines and professional lasers are very different. Home machines can reduce the amount of hairs and the hairs thickness. They require multiple treatments. There have been some reports of hair stimulation with IPL (intense Pulse Light) --hair growing thicker and darker after treatment.
• Tria is a diode laser cleared by the FDA for use below the neck. Silk’n uses IPL known as Intense Pulse light. It used disposable lamp cartridges. Tria can be used on the face, cheeks downward except for genitals. These systems can have a 10-25% reduction in hair after each treatment.
• All systems require the hair to have pigment in it. Therefore it will not work on gray blond or light shades of red hair. These devices target Melanin; the color of the hair, therefore it should not be used on darker skin tones because it will attack the pigment in the skin and can result in scars, burns or blistering.

Here are a few at-home laser hair removal and  electrolysis systems at various price points:

Tria Hair Removal Laser 4X

The first and only FDA-cleared hair removal laser available for at-home use just got better! Re-designed for better results in half the time, the Tria Hair Removal Laser 4X features the same diode laser technology preferred by dermatologists for in-office laser hair removal.  The device is also now FDA-cleared for use on both the face and body! You can use the Tria Hair Removal Laser 4X on your legs, arms, bikini line, underarms, feet, hands, chest, back, stomach, women’s upper lip and chin.  

Treatment is now simpler than ever, thanks to the pulse counter, which   keeps track of the amount of pulses per session. Directions let you the number of pulses per body part so you now when you have effectively treated each area. What’s more, the Tria Hair Removal Laser 4X is now available in limited-edition shades of Graphite, Lilac, Turquoise and Peony. It’s definitely worth the investment ($499, Triabeauty.com). 

Silk'n Flash&Go  

Silk'n’s Flash&Go, the dermatologist-recommended, FDA-cleared cult-favorite, now boasts an updated protocol for quicker, permanent results and increased efficacy! The Silk'n Flash&Go uses Home Pulsed Light (HPL) and features 5,000 pulses.

It also features a large treatment spot size of 4cm, which allows you to properly target any desired area, big or small, whether it be your bikini line or underarms. For the first two months, use the Silk'n Flash&Go every other week and then use it once a month to maintain beach-ready results. After a series of treatment, users report less hair growth in the treatment are, and eventually the hair will cease to grow ($199, Silkn.com).

Verseo ePen Electroylsis System

If you’re looking for an even more affordable way to remove unwanted hair, you may want to try the Verseo ePen Electroylsis System. This neat little pen is one of the few affordable systems to permanently remove unwanted hair without pain or needles. The ePen removes hair on the face, upper lip, legs, bikini line and back, and is great for shaping eyebrows.

“The Verseo ePen works by passing a direct current through the hair to the base of the follicle, where salt water can be found. An electrolytic action takes place that changes the salt water to Sodium Hydroxide also known as lye. This process damages the root of the hair every time a treatment is repeated resulting in the cells being unable to grow more hair.” The Verseo ePen comes with 6 ePen Replacement Conductive Pads so that you can get a total of 48 hair removal treatments ($59.99, Verseo.com).

Some products received for editorial consideration

Have you ever used an at-home laser hair removal system? Leave your comments below!