Annoyingly, there are currently no at-home laser hair removal devices that are safe to use on dark skin and/or light hair, even if the device claims to work for “everyone.” In reality, they won’t work—or are unsafe for—any skin tones deeper than “light brown” or on hair colors lighter than “medium brown.” So make sure to speak with your dermatologist before wasting your money or, worse, damaging your skin. Got it? Good.

Now keep reading for info on how at-home laser hair removal works, the difference between IPL devices and laser devices, and first-person reviews on the best ones to try.

Why we love it: A handful of Cosmo editors. have tested the Ulike laser hair removal devices over the years, and every single person has shared rave reviews. And after testing five different devices on myself (doing hard work over here), I can confidently say the Air 3 model is the best one. It's affordable, extremely easy to use and set up, doesn't hurt, and comes with everything you need (including a mini razor to shave with before starting). Lemme get into it:

First of all, Ulike uses a unique "ice cooling" technology that essentially cools down your skin as it zaps you, cutting down on any pain and making your treatment really comfortable. To make it easy to use, the device has three different modes: "Soft mode" for your face and upper lip, "body mode" for your arms and legs, and "power mode" for your under arms and crotch—all of which are designed to work the best on these areas based on the thickness of skin and hair (think about it: your upper lip doesn't need the same power as your pubes). And when you actually use the tool, you can stamp it against your skin and press the button, or glide it across and it'll auto-zap you (which definitely trims treatment length).

Cosmo editor's review: "I'm no stranger to laser hair removal devices and have used a handful over the years. I really didn't think I could love one this much, though (I should have listened to my coworkers, lol). I've been putting this to use on my underarms where my skin is sensitive and gets irritated so easily. And I've never noticed any issues. Best of all, though, it's so easy to use that I've actually remained consistent. I am quick to stop doing things once they become complicated (I'm a Sagittarius! I can't help it!), but all I have to do is shave, plug this in, turn it on, and start zappin'. There aren't any useless buttons to press or apps to connect to. And the key to getting the results you want—i.e. fewer hairs over time—is keeping up with your treatments. I've used this now for two months, and I definitely am picking up the razor less. Now, I pretty much only shave when I'm going to do a treatment."—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR

Why we love it: Like the Dyson of laser hair removal devices, the Braun Skin i-Expert won the Cosmo Holy Grail Beauty Award in2024. The device pairs with a free app to take you through the whole process, so it's fantastic if you're totally new to this whole thing and need some guided help. The app also keeps track of all of your treatments so you know how often you're using it to really nab your results. There are also two methods based on different areas of your skin: A stamping method that's great for getting more precise areas, and a gliding method that you can use on your legs or underarms.

It comes with a lot (which certainly helps make up for the price). There are four heads (two precision caps for face and your bikini line, one wide cap for your body, and one standard size, all of which have skin tone and hair color sensors to avoid any potential skin damage), plus a Gillette Venus razor—aka a very good one—to shave with beforehand and a chic carrying case to store everything in.

FWIW, this Braun device is highly loved on Reddit, especially by users with tan to medium skin tones who normally find they can’t use most IPL devices without damaging their skin. One reviewer said they love that the device automatically adjusts the settings based on their skin tone, which tends to be on the low side for their medium skin. They said they used it twice weekly for five months and noticed that they barely have any hair on their underarms, legs, and bikini line these days, and even the hair that does grow comes back very slowly. So while, yes, it’s an investment, it’s a whole lot more ~fancy~ than the others on this list—and still a fraction of what you’d spend on laser hair removal treatments in-office, FYI.

One Cosmo editor's review: "I was a laser hair removal virgin, except when I tried getting my under-arms professionally lasered in high school, but my pain tolerance was too low to do more than two sessions, so I was super excited to try an at-home laser device. I loathe shaving, so I'll usually use an epilator or wax my underarms. I will say upon first impression, I loved how Braun's device came with allll the bells and whistles—including a razor. The case itself is very compact, which I also appreciated as a beauty editor with tons of tools living in a small NYC apartment. After setting up the app for about 10 minutes, the rest of the process was seamless. The device is super techy and does the adjusting for you, so all I had to do was hold the device on my skin and wait for it to flash. It wasn't completely painless, but it hurt less than my professional appointment, and a lot less than an epilator. It's safe to say that I'm officially an at-home laser convert."

Another Cosmo editor's review: "Per my testing, this device is fully the most high-tech that I’ve ever used. I connected it with the app to track my progress, which definitely has helped keep me consistent (the most pivotal point of at-home laser-hair removal that I often struggle with as a busy person). The reminders on my phone really held me accountable. The app also guided me through treatments that felt pretty quick, which made me way more likely to do them. And I especially love that I can just stuff everything back in the (tbh, very chic) carrying case to hide amongst my other beauty gadgets."—BG

Why we love it: I used to get bikini waxes every month. Now, I just shave once a week and follow up with this at-home device that leaves me smooth for a fraction of what I was spending before. This at-home laser utilizes intense pulsed light (IPL) to help gradually reduce hair growth, and I’ve noticed a significant difference, especially on my underarms and legs.

I recently told one of my friends to start with this device when she was unsure about at-home laser hair removal because it’s fairly simple and beginner-friendly. It’s got three treatment modes depending on the area you’re focusing on (gentle, speed, and power mode), 10 intensity settings, and a skin sensor so the device only flashes when it’s pressed up against a safe skin tone. The device also comes with an adjustable head plus a four-point contact system, so you really avoid missing spots (something I’ve noticed with other bulky devices). It’s been essentially foolproof for me, all while actually giving me hair-free results after three to four months.

One Cosmo editor's review: “Compared to every other IPL device I’ve tried, this is definitely the gentlest while still providing a damn good result. TBH, my legs have never been smoother—even months after finishing my last treatment.” —BG

Why we love it: Listen, I wouldn’t say at-home laser hair removal is horribly painful, but it’s definitely not comfortable. So if you’re a baby like me or have sensitive skin, try Ulike’s IPL laser-hair removal tool, which emits a cooling effect as the device passes over your skin to help reduce some pain and heat. Plus, it has five intensity levels depending on the area you’re treating, which helps cut down on unnecessary discomfort (because I def don’t need the same strong laser on my lil chin hairs as I do my legs).

Cosmo beauty contributor Mary Honkus tested this device for a full month before giving a glowing Ulike review. “If I had known how easy and effective the Ulike Air 3 was, I probably wouldn’t have spent my hard-earned cash to get my armpits professionally lasered,” she wrote. “The device has completely simplified my hair removal routine, and I know it will save me a ton of money in the long run.”

One Cosmo editor says: “My sensitive skin is prone to razor burn, so I turned to this Ulike device for a more long-term hair removal solution that wouldn’t cause as much irritation. When they say quick and painless, they actually mean it. There was no zapping or burning sensations, unlike other devices I’ve tried, and I began seeing less hair growth in a matter of weeks. Months after adding this to my routine, my underarms have never been happier.” —SARAH MABERRY, FASHION AND LUXURY COMMERCE EDITOR

Why we love it: No surprise here: Nood makes the best device to use on your bikini line, crotch, pubes—whatever you wanna call it. The Flasher Pro is their newest and best device, per our testing. They actually say it's the "most powerful at-home IPL device" on the market, and on the surface, it definitely has the specs. At 7 J/cm2, it's the strongest device on this list—but don't take that to mean it hurts. Next to the treatment window is a metal piece that stays uber cold, helping to immediately counteract the heat of the zap against your skin.

Sure, it's strong—but what's so special about this device is the shape and size. It makes treating between your legs so easy, compared to so many other devices on the market. You do have to press the button as you move the device through the treatment, but it's ergonomic enough that it's not a pain.

One Cosmo editor's review: "I was skeptical before I tried this—I'm pretty loyal to all of my other hair-removal methods for my Brazillian. But I've officially been converted with the Nood Flasher Pro. I love how easy it is to use—just turn it on and start zapping. It really doesn't hurt, thanks to the cooling metal piece, which is exactly why I was so afraid of trying a device like this on such a fragile area of skin. But rejoice, if you are like me and have sensitive skin: This did not irritate me at all—and I do a full Brazillian with it once or twice a week."—BG

Why we love it: Look, most laser hair removal devices aren't the easiest to store. They're bulky and usually come with extra-long and heavy cords that take up mega space. I could absolutely never travel with many of the other options on this list (even though I love them, ofc). But this pick from Foreo is basically made for those of us with minimal storage space. The device itself, sure, it's on the larger side, but it packs easily in a bag.

However, all of this doesn't mean the tool skimps on efficacy. The circular treatment window on this is massive compared to many others we've looked at. This means it'll take likely half as long to cover large areas of your skin, like your legs or arms. And the head adjusts and moves around so you can maneuver it more easily around small areas, like your underarms or bikini line. Once you connect the device to the app, you also get more guidance and setting options.

One Cosmo editor's review: "Okay, so bringing this home recently, my dad did think I was pulling something funky out of my bag, lol. But! It's genuinely the most compact device since the cord is a normal length. It really doesn't take up any space in my bag. I could see myself bringing this on long trips when I don't want to miss a session, or just to fit inside my teeny-tiny bathroom. And it works as effectively as many of the others I've tested."—BG

Laser hair removal is a process where specific wavelengths of light are directed onto your skin in little pulses, targeting and heating up the hair follicle to destroy a portion of it with each treatment, says dermatologist Arash Akhavan, MD. Compared to in-office treatments (which, although pricey, are done by board-certified derms or trained professionals who know exactly what they’re doing), at-home devices have a much lower energy output—mostly because they often use IPL (intense pulsed light) rather than true laser technology—which makes them safer for you to use on your own, says dermatologist Julie Russak, MD.

Yes, at-home laser-hair removal devices do work, but they take consistency. Because at-home devices use lower energy levels than in-office treatments, they require continued use (think: weekly or every time you shave) to notice similar results, says cosmetic doctor Ana Mansouri, MD. Basically, they are not for the lazy.

No, laser hair removal isn’t necessarily permanent (even though that’s what they told us). Despite how they sound, these devices don’t permanently remove hair in a few sessions, leaving you hairless like a full-body wax. Instead, laser-removal devices only help to reduce the total number of hair follicles in your skin and potentially make your existing hair finer and thinner (only electrolysis hair removal can permanently remove all hair, FYI). Even in-office laser hair removal isn’t completely permanent. Typically, you’ll need to go in once every 8 to 12 weeks after you’ve done your round of treatments (which is usually between 6 to 12, depending on the area, your hair, etc.)

Neither IPL nor laser-hair removal is “better”—it really just comes down to preference. True laser hair removal only uses one wavelength of light (essentially, one precise laser beam) that targets just the hair follicle to help slow down hair growth. IPL (intense pulsed light), on the other hand, isn’t actually a laser. Instead, they emit broad-spectrum light in multiple wavelengths that spread across a larger area of skin, meaning they are less precise and won’t penetrate your skin as deeply. That’s why IPL devices are generally gentler and easier for people to use, which is why most at-home devices use IPL rather than laser beams.

That said, both IPL and laser-hair removal can slowly destroy your hair follicle to reduce hair growth over time with continued use. But expect laser-hair removal to be a bit stronger (and potentially more painful or irritating), which is why it often yields quicker and better results. Meanwhile, IPL devices are usually not as intense, so they’re great for using consistently at home or for use on sensitive skin, like on your bikini line or face.

Yes, it’s okay to do laser-hair removal at home, according to Dr. Akhavan, but there are some things to consider. “At-home devices tend to be generally safe, though a real potential for adverse effects, like scarring, does exist,” he says. Which is why most dermatologists will suggest opting for the professional in-office route, if you have the means (laser hair removal can cost anywhere from $200 to $1,500 and usually requires at least six sessions spaced six weeks apart).

Just note: “If you’re using an at-home device, don’t use it on sensitive areas, like your face and neck,” says Dr. Akhavan. “And if you have sensitive skin, always patch-test first on a smaller area, then wait three to four weeks to make sure there are no complications.” And depending on the area you’re treating, you may also need to adjust your skincare routine to exclude skin-thinning ingredients (like chemical exfoliants or retinol serums) for three days before and after your laser-hair removal treatment.

Currently, at-home laser-hair removal devices don’t truly work for dark skin. These lasers work by targeting the dark color of your hair follicle, and at-home devices don’t have the technology yet to properly distinguish between dark hair follicles and dark skin, meaning they can potentially burn you. While some devices might market themselves as being safe for dark skin, they are usually considering medium-to-tan skin versus actual deep-brown skin tones.

So far, there are no at-home devices that are safe to use on true type-six Fitzpatrick scale skin tones (reminder: This dermatological scale ranges from one to six, with six being “brown to dark-brown” skin). Most laser-hair removal devices are only approved for up to level-four skin tones, with four being “olive to medium” skin. But if you’re unsure where your skin tone lies, talk to your dermatologist before you try an at-home laser device.