At-Home Laser Hair Removal vs. Professional—Which is Better? 

At-home hair removal with permanent results in the comfort of your own home? Sounds amazing and easy—but are they, really? They claim to be cheaper and offer the same results as professional laser hair removal. Before you try them, see what the experts at Milan Laser Hair Removal in Philadelphia think about the differences between professional laser hair removal and at-home hair removal devices.

What are the results from at-home devices vs. professional laser hair removal?

Sometimes confused with laser hair removal, at-home hair removal devices use an actual laser (diode) or intense pulsed light (IPL). The intensity is low, and the small treatment areas take a long time to treat and see results. The results you do see are often patchy because of the treatment inconsistencies.

On average, there’s about a 70 percent reduction in unwanted hair after three months of using IPL and diode devices at home. And typically, hair will grow back once you stop using at-home devices, and there’s no guarantee that users will see results. 

Professional laser hair removal uses true laser light to target the hair follicle, which is exceptionally stronger than the strength of at-home devices. The pigment in the follicle absorbs the laser light and overheats, which destroys the follicle so hair can’t grow back. When performed correctly, results from professional laser hair removal are permanent—in seven to 10 treatments, most Milan Laser clients are 95-percent-plus hair-free.

Who can use at-home hair removal devices?

Everyone has a higher chance of burning with at-home devices due to user error, but deeper skin tones have an even greater burn risk, whether it’s used properly or not. Some devices will even lock the user out—rendering the device completely unusable—if the skin tone isn’t compatible. IPL devices aren’t as sophisticated as real lasers at distinguishing between the pigment in the skin and hair, which makes them unsafe for anyone who doesn’t have very fair skin and dark hair. Professional laser hair removal is the only safe option for all skin tones. It’s worth noting that most at-home devices cannot be used for facial hair removal either. 

Places like Milan Laser, however, can safely treat almost any body area and do so by utilizing a customized treatment plan for each client. Some lasers, such as the Candela GentleMax Pro used at Milan Laser, include two laser technologies to treat all skin tones—the Nd: YAG for deeper skin tones and the Alexandrite for lighter skin tones. 

How expensive is laser hair removal compared to at-home devices?

An at-home device is indeed cheaper upfront than laser hair removal. But let’s break this down: The average cost for IPL can be between $300 and $600. However, batteries die, and technologies malfunction. There are add-ons you need to purchase that enhance your treatments. And even after all of that, you’re not guaranteed results. Any results you do see will require continued use to keep. 

Laser hair removal, on the other hand, is a one-time expense for permanent results. At Milan Laser,  the Unlimited Package™ comes with every body area purchased, so there are no hidden fees, and your results are guaranteed for life. So if hormones change or new follicles become active down the road, you’ll get all the touch-ups needed at no additional cost.

Professional laser hair removal may be your best bet!

In the end, at-home hair removal devices are much more time-consuming and painful when treating larger areas. These areas need multiple sessions to treat a full body area, depending on the device’s battery life. Many areas, such as the back of the legs, the back of the neck, and the full back, are hard to reach and better treated by a laser hair removal professional. 

Professional laser hair removal ensures all treatments are safe and effective for all skin tones, with tailored options for all clients. Providers like Milan Laser have medical oversight and are performed in a judgment-free environment with care for you and your safety. 

Ready to ditch unwanted hair for good? Give the experts at Milan Laser a call at 833-NO-RAZOR or visit a local laser hair removal expert at any of Milan Laser’s Philadelphia locations conveniently located in Blue Bell, Jenkintown, King of Prussia, Lansdale, Philadelphia (West), and Springfield.

Learn more about laser hair removal in Philadelphia.

This is a paid partnership between Milan Laser and Philadelphia Magazine