Criteria for choosing devices for laser hair removal at home, the principle of their operation
In the history of laser hair removal, scientists have developed several types of hair removal devices that work on a similar principle. Each of them has both advantages and disadvantages. You should choose a device based on your specific skin type and expectations of a certain effect.
Ruby
The home laser epilator was the first device for removing body hair after the electric one. The principle of operation of ruby devices is that their rod inside the device, when heated, produces rays that affect exclusively areas of the body with increased melanin. Not only dark hairs were exposed, but also dark skin itself.
Ruby epilators are not capable of removing light hair; they simply “don’t see” it. In addition, they can have a destructive effect on nearby moles, like a dark irritant that the ruby rod is designed to destroy. In this regard, there is a risk of burns on dark areas of the skin.
Alexandrite
The next generation after ruby epilators is alexandrite. Alexandrite rods have proven to be less aggressive to dark areas of the skin than their predecessors. Their beam length is longer, which means there is no need to come into close contact with the skin, as an invisible mole may appear in its path.
But these epilators still do not remove light hair, and they are not recommended for use when tanning.
Due to less impact on darker areas of the skin, it is possible to treat not only light skin tones found in the visible area, but also the bikini area, where the pigment is somewhat darker in some people. However, according to doctors, alexandrite epilators may still pose a danger to dark areas of the skin, despite the manufacturers' approval.
Diode
After alexandrite epilators, diode epilators were developed, and their task was to shorten the exposure time on the skin and follicle, act less aggressively on dark areas of the skin and recognize light hairs. The device successfully coped with these tasks. Now you can use it when tanning and on any area of the body.
Another positive effect is the maximum penetration of the beam under the skin, namely 4 mm, which allows you to permanently remove the bulb, and not just damage it. After using diode epilators, hair on the treated areas will never grow back.
Neodymium
The latest generation of epilators is neodymium. The point of their development was to create a longer wave of impact on the follicle. But the experiment outdid itself from a negative point of view. The IR beam passed past the required area, slightly touching the bulb.
The effect of such hair removal is short-lived and after some time it should be repeated. In addition, neodymium epilator only works on dark areas of the skin, ignoring light, visible parts of the body.
The principle of operation of a laser epilator
Over the many years of its existence, the laser hair removal device has been transformed into a compact device that today can be used even at home. The main purpose of using the device is to remove unwanted body hair, which is done through destructive laser radiation. The device emits targeted light energy that penetrates the hair follicle, which is immediately or gradually destroyed under the influence. The effectiveness of the influence is determined by the amount of melanin pigment: the more of it, the better the results of the procedure. For this reason, the best effect is achieved when treating dark hairs on light skin.
Under the influence of a laser beam, melanin in the bulb is destroyed and the hair dies
With each procedure, the hair in the treated area becomes less and less until it stops growing altogether (for this, 5 to 10 sessions are usually enough). No special skills are needed to work with a household device: proper preparation and following the instructions in the instructions - and the smoothness of the skin will become a constant companion.
A household laser epilator is a portable device that can be used to remove hair without visiting a salon.
It is widely believed that laser hair removal is hair removal once and for all. In fact, this is a myth, and those who do not know this are faced with a surprise after the procedures - the hairs still grow. It is worth understanding that the laser has a destructive effect only on mature hair follicles, and there are 20–30% of them. The destroyed hairs will no longer appear, but new bulbs will begin to ripen, although the hairs will be weaker and thinner. Therefore, several procedures are required for the same area, and the final result will depend on individual characteristics - hormonal levels, the full cycle of hair renewal, etc. Usually, after 4 years of laser hair removal, no more than 30% of hairs grow.
Advantages and disadvantages of laser hair removal
Home laser epilators, unlike professional ones, have a number of disadvantages. For example, the area affected by the beam is about 30 mm₂, that is, each hair will have to be irradiated separately for 4 seconds. This may take a long time. Only some epilators with a scanning function are capable of capturing an area of 60 mm₂.
Another disadvantage is the need to carry out several procedures. A home epilator cannot destroy the bulb at once; its power is not so high. In addition, burning hair at once creates the risk of burns. Therefore, the weaker the power, the safer the device. It will take 2-3 sessions to completely remove body hair, the interval between them is 2-3 weeks.
One of the advantages is the relatively low cost compared to professional models, which cost an average of $300. Home appliances cost an average of 15-30 thousand rubles. Plus, the procedure is carried out in the comfort of your own home. The savings are significant when compared to visiting a beauty salon, where several sessions may be required.
How to choose a machine for laser hair removal at home and what to look for
When choosing a laser epilator for your home, you need to consider some points that will help you more effectively deal with unwanted hair. The advantage of the diode laser is that it can affect dark skin.
- Procedure time. Perhaps this criterion can be called the main one when choosing a laser device for hair removal.
- Manufacturer. Well-known manufacturers adhere to all the rules and make every effort to ensure that their device does not cause inconvenience and lasts a long time.
- Processing area. This indicator is important for epilators with a scanning function. The higher it is, the less time the procedure will take.
- Laser length. An important indicator. The optimal length is 808 nm. It is at this length that not only a discernible part of the hairs is destroyed, but also the follicle. At the same time, there are no burns on the skin after using the device for laser hair removal at home. If the wavelength is less than 808 nm, the risk of burns increases.
You can buy home laser epilators on the Ozon website at prices starting from 14,000 rubles.
In addition, experts recommend paying attention to safety, since it is important to protect your eyes during laser hair removal. To achieve the effect, women with dark hair, due to physiological characteristics, require a greater number of procedures.
This video demonstrates the principle of operation of a home laser epilator:
Contraindications to the procedure
Although home laser epilators do not have a negative effect on the skin and only work on hair follicles, they still have a number of contraindications for use. It's all about infrared rays, the strong effects of which, under certain circumstances, can negatively affect blood cells. The person doing laser hair removal must be completely healthy.
IR rays are contraindicated for people who:
- pregnant and breastfeeding women;
Laser epilators should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. - have any cancer;
- suffer from any kind of skin diseases, including abrasions, cuts and bruises on the surface of the skin;
- predisposed to varicose veins, problems with blood vessels and the circulatory system;
- have diabetes mellitus type I and II;
- take antibiotics during hair removal.
In addition, laser hair removal should not be done if you have a sun tan; in this case, there will be no result - the IR rays will simply scatter over the surface of the skin. An abundance of moles on the body may also be a reason to refuse the procedure.
How does a laser epilator work for home use?
The mechanism of operation of a laser epilator is simple: when turned on, the device emits an infrared beam that penetrates the hair follicle. There, light energy is absorbed by the brown pigment melanin and converted into heat energy, heating and damaging the hair root. As a result, hair falls out. After several procedures, the bulb is completely destroyed.
Thanks to the pigment melanin, light energy is converted into heat, having a destructive effect on the follicle
Laser hair removal becomes effective only during the active phase of hair growth, which is not easy to catch. Therefore, hair often continues to grow after the first procedures. Typically, several sessions are required to completely remove excess hair. Sometimes this lasts for 5–6 months.
Important: laser hair removal is only suitable for those with dark hair and fair skin due to the high content of melanin pigment.
A home device differs from a salon device in terms of smaller power and grip area, so it will take more time to completely get rid of hair at home. In addition, when carrying out the procedure yourself, it is important to strictly follow all the rules for using the device, otherwise there is a high risk of not only not achieving the desired effect, but also getting burns. In this case, you will have to take full responsibility for your health.
A home laser epilator differs from a professional one in terms of power and grip area.
But from a financial point of view, a laser epilator for home use looks much more attractive than visiting a salon. By paying once, you get an unlimited number of procedures. This is very important, because it is not known in advance how many sessions you will need to completely get rid of unwanted vegetation.
Laser hair removal zones. Features of the procedure
Using modern, new generation epilators that are completely safe for the skin, you can perform hair removal on any healthy area of the skin.
Epilation can be performed for:
- legs;
- hands;
- neck;
- backs;
- faces;
- belly;
- breasts;
- bikini zones.
You should not bring the laser to the mucous membranes: to the eye (removing an eyelash) and around the eyes, try the beam on the tongue and near open wounds on the body.
The skin should be smooth and clean, folds on the body should be smoothed out, allowing the laser to directly hit the follicle.
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Carrying out the procedure
Homemade laser epilators should be studied in detail after purchase. To do this, you need to read the instructions, become familiar with its power, area and time of exposure. On many devices, 2 buttons are built into the beam area, pressing them simultaneously turns on the beam itself. This is done for safety, so as not to accidentally press 1 button and direct the laser, for example, into the eye.
Carrying out the procedure:
- It is necessary to prepare the skin by washing it with soap and wiping it dry.
- Then, by pressing the device against your body or pressing the button with your thumb (depending on the model), the beam itself is activated.
- The radiation is carried out on average for 2-4 seconds, which is due to the power of the epilator.
- During this time, the beam manages to penetrate the follicle and treat it with high temperature, simply burning its contents.
- After the procedure, the skin can be lubricated with a soothing cream.
To begin with, it is advisable to conduct testing. To do this, a separate area on the skin is selected and the hair removal procedure is carried out, say, on 2-4 cm₂ of the body. After this, you should wait 2-3 days and observe what the effect will be. Hair begins to fall just during this period, and not immediately. After the test has been successfully completed, you can safely begin treating the entire body.
Choosing a laser epilator
To choose a suitable laser epilator, focus on the following criteria:
- time costs for the procedure - how many minutes or hours are you willing to allocate for home hair removal;
- cost of the device - the difference between the single and scan options is, on average, 8–10 thousand rubles;
- power, laser wavelength - the optimal pulse size is 808 nm, the values should not go beyond 694–1064 nm;
- features of the system settings - does the device have modes, emergency shutdown, child locks;
- treatment area - for local areas and individual hairs, a pinpoint epilator is sufficient; for large areas with dense hair growth, it is better to choose a scanning device;
- manufacturer - brand reputation, its rating, consumer reviews.
Please note that devices marked IPL are not laser. These are photoepilators. They fight unwanted hair using a broadband light source - a xenon lamp.
How does a home epilator differ from a salon epilator?
A portable laser epilator for home has a number of differences from a salon device. Its average power is lower than that of professional equipment produced for cosmetology salons. This affects the quality of self-hair removal, especially if we are talking about a complex phototype - light hair and dark skin.
To make sure that a home laser can handle your hair, consult an uninterested cosmetologist!
The salon laser is more powerful, so the hair removal result is often better and lasts longer
In addition, salon laser devices are equipped with various attachments that allow you to use hair removal techniques on different parts of the body: legs, back, arms, abdomen, bikini area, armpits, nasolabial folds. This significantly expands the capabilities of the device and increases the ease of use. When purchasing a home option, you are forced to choose between epilators that have different impact areas. In this case, the advantage of a portable device is its mobility, the ability to use it while traveling and at home. Don't forget about the financial side of the issue - a one-time purchase of a home laser epilator will cost you tens of times less than regular visits to the salon as your hair grows again.
Most laser devices in salons are equipped with special water or glass cooling from +50C to -50C, which helps reduce pain, soothe the skin and prevent irritation. There is no cooling system on home epilators!
An important difference between a portable device and a salon device is the lack of adjustment of the size of the laser working spot, which determines the area of impact on the skin during one series of pulses. Options for home do not imply this possibility - by switching modes on the body, only the depth of laser penetration changes.
Depending on the type of laser used, the beam affects only the superficial layers or goes deeper into the dermis
Features of choosing a laser device for intimate areas
When choosing a home epilator for intimate areas and areas of increased sensitivity, consider the level of your pain threshold. Despite the fact that the laser hair removal procedure is considered painless, some women who received this service in the salon complain of pain.
Such devices should not be used in the bikini area or underarms:
- with swelling and inflammation of the lymph nodes;
- during an increase in body temperature, fever;
- if the integrity of the skin in these areas is damaged, there are wounds, scratches, hematomas;
- in case of inflammation or irritation of the epidermis in the treated areas;
- during the development and exacerbation of gynecological and endocrine diseases!
For high-quality treatment of sensitive areas of the body, it is important to take into account the wavelength of the laser with which the device affects the follicle. In the case of the armpits and bikini, this indicator in the characteristics of the epilator should be at least 800 nm.
Hair in each zone should be treated with lasers of different lengths
Table: overview of manufacturers of laser epilators for home use
Model / Country of manufacture | Wavelength/Number of power modes | Features of use | Area of influence | What skin type is it used on? | On what areas is it recommended to use? | Positive evaluation from consumers | Negative consumer rating | Average price in rubles | Rating based on reviews |
Rio Salon Laser Tweezer, UK | 808 nm/5 | Powered by network. Designed to work with individual hairs. | 1 mm2 | I–IV | Face | Effective in the fight against individual hairs. | Inconvenient for working on large areas, gives inconsistent results. | 13 thousand | 3,5 |
Rio LAHR-C Salon Chic, UK | 808 nm/5 | Powered by network. Designed to work with individual hairs. | 1 mm2 | I–IV | Face | The optimal combination of price and quality. | A very long time to achieve results! | 12 thousand | 4,5 |
Rio LAHS-3000, UK | 808 nm/5 | Powered by network. A built-in system for scanning and identifying hairs on the skin. You can work in two modes: Single and Scan. | 1–3.5 cm2 | I–IV | Body, face | The device does not have enough reviews for an objective assessment, so it has a rather low rating. | — | 19 thousand | 3 |
Rio LAHH Go Laser, UK | 808 nm/5 | Powered by network. Built-in scanner function. Simultaneous removal of up to 60 hairs. | 1.3 cm2 | I–IV | Body, face | Modern, user-friendly design. Effective with regular use. | Duration of achieving the result. There is a possibility of the device freezing and its processor malfunctioning. | 23 thousand | 4 |
Rio LAHC5 Scanning Laser 60, UK | 808 nm/5 | Powered by network. Has a smart hair recognition function. | 6 cm2 | I–IV | Body, face, arms, bikini, armpits | High efficiency and large treatment area in one series of pulses. | Inconvenient for independent use. It takes several months to achieve lasting results. | 25 thousand | 4 |
Tria Hair Removal Laser Precision, Thailand | 808 nm/3 | Portable. Battery operated. Average charging time is 15 minutes. A diode laser is used. There is a sensor that determines skin type. | 1 cm2 | I–IV | Body, face, arms, bikini, armpits | Ease of use and transportation. The device shows good results. | Very long treatment of large areas. There is a cumulative effect of the procedures with gradual hair loss. | 13 thousand | 4,5 |
Tria Hair Removal Laser 4X, Thailand | 808 nm/5 | Portable. Operates on battery and mains power. Average charging time is 2 hours. There is a sensor that determines skin type. | 1 cm2 | I–IV | Face, body | Reviews about the device are mostly positive. The epilator is highly efficient and easy to use. | The long period of achieving the result of absolute smoothness is 2–3 months. | 22 thousand | 4,9 |
An example of a Tria Hair Removal Laser 4X laser epilator
Fitzpatrick color types: table
Phototype | Hair color | Color of the skin | Action of the sun |
I | Redheads | Milky white | No tan, burns very easily |
II | Light, brown | Light | Light tan, burns easily |
III | Dark brown, chestnut | Light or slightly dark | Tans quickly, burns moderately |
IV | Dark | Dark | Fast and beautiful tan, rarely burns |
V | Dark | Dark | Permanent tan, very rarely burns |
VI | Black | Black | Maximum dark pigmentation, natural protection, never fades |
To prevent burns, always start using the laser epilator with the lowest power, switching modes depending on the degree of sensitivity of your skin!
Skin care rules after the procedure
Since laser hair removal does have a destructive effect on certain segments of the body, after the procedure a recovery process begins, accompanied by pain, burning and inflammation.
To make the healing process faster, you must follow certain rules of skin care after hair removal:
- To reduce the discomfort from hair removal, apply a cold compress or ice wrapped in cloth to the affected area for 10 minutes. no more than 3 times a day;
- 3 times a day, the affected area can be treated with aloe vera extract, which will soften the skin and help get rid of inflammation;
- if severe pain is present, you can take a mild pain reliever, but not aspirin, which thins the blood, prolonging recovery time;
- if the pain does not stop within 24 hours, you should consult a doctor;
- the affected area should be protected from ultraviolet radiation, use sunscreen, and do not visit a solarium or beach for 6 weeks;
- you should avoid hot showers for 2-3 days while the burning sensation is felt, so as not to increase the pain;
- do not allow the body to heat up, avoid physical activity, visiting the gym, running, sports games;
- You need to cleanse your skin of dust 2 times a day, but no more, and you should use hygiene products for sensitive skin;
- if the skin dries out after epilation, you must use a moisturizer;
- after removing facial hair, you should refrain from using foundation and powder for 3-5 days;
- After removing armpit hair, deodorant should not be applied for at least another 1 hour.
The best home laser epilators
Home laser epilators are currently available in diode and neodymium types. Ruby instruments are no longer relevant and can rarely be seen anywhere. Alexandrite epilators can only be found in professional clinics; such devices are not available for home use. The following review will describe the most modern home epilators.
Braun IPL BD 5001
An English-made photoepilator has the function of sliding over the skin. The functionality includes intensity adjustment and 3 levels of flash power. The device is intended for epilation of legs, face, bikini area and main body. The epilator works from the mains and covers an area of the body of 3 cm₂.
There is a special sensor on the side of the device that corrects the correct tilt; it will light up red if the beam is not positioned correctly relative to the skin.
The device includes a skin tone sensor, switching to optimal power, and a body contact sensor. The photoepilator comes with a Gillette razor, which is necessary for shaving the body before the procedure. Price in stores: 20-35 thousand rubles.
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Philips Lumea Prestige BRI950
Nozzles | Hair removal time | Nozzle shapes | Description | Price |
|
|
| An epilator does not remove hair forever. After some time, you will have to carry out the procedure again, but hair growth will slow down significantly. The intensity is adjusted in 5 modes, which are set depending on the skin type and its shade. The device also has a fuse to prevent accidental flashes. | 20,000-25,000 rub. |
Silk'n Glide Infinity 400K
Today, this Israeli photoepilator is the “longest-lived” of all models. Its resource is 400 thousand flashes, while other devices have only 100-300 thousand flashes. This model is also the fastest of all - it flashes at intervals of 1-2 seconds, cutting the processing time of one area in half.
The set includes only 1 nozzle with a working area of 3 cm₂.
The epilator has a built-in Bluetooth function, which allows you to connect it to a mobile phone and, by downloading the application on GooglePlay, keep a log of use or lock the device from children remotely. The device is capable of removing light hair and working with dark skin and tanning. The epilator does not have a built-in display, but it does have a sliding function. Device price: 25 thousand rubles.
Beurer IPL10000+
A semi-professional photoepilation device can be used both at home and in the salon. Its resource allows for 250 thousand flashes; after the expiration date, the cartridge can be replaced. The device has a built-in sensor that allows you to determine your skin type and shade and select the appropriate power and frequency of flashes for it.
The area of influence is 7 cm₂, this is quite a lot for a home epilator, so due to this function it can be used in salons, saving time on surface treatment.
The device does not affect health and does not cause any contraindications. The power of the device allows you to significantly reduce the amount of hair on your body in 3-4 sessions. One session for all areas of the skin will be 25 minutes. The disadvantage of the epilator is that it is not intended for dark skin and is not capable of removing light and gray hair. Its price is 25 thousand rubles.
BaByliss G935E
The epilator of this model is designed to treat skin types IV (according to the Fitzpatrick table). The built-in sensor is able to determine a specific shade and adjust to the optimal power. The device's resource reserve consists of 200 thousand flashes, which means that the entire body can be processed 30 times. Already after the first procedure, heavy hair loss begins.
After completing the course, 90% of body hair is destroyed forever. The device has built-in bluetooth, which allows, through an application that can be downloaded on the manufacturer’s website, to adjust the power, keep a log of observations and control procedures, and also turn the device on and off remotely. The area of the impact zone is one - 3 cm₂, the device operates from the mains. The price of the epilator is 15-19 thousand rubles.
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Smoothskin Bare IPL Hair Removal
The laser epilator of British origin works with skin type IV and independently selects the desired treatment mode. You will not be able to select the mode yourself; the device will not start if it is installed incorrectly. There is only one power button built into the case; the device does the rest on its own.
The lamp in this model does not have a resource reserve, that is, it is infinite. The processing speed is the highest today, the epilator is capable of 100 flashes per minute. In 10 min. you can walk completely over your entire body. There is no display on the device; the epilator operates from the mains. Photoepilator price: 17 thousand rubles.
Home laser epilators are designed to replace visits to expensive professional procedures in beauty salons. Despite the high cost of some of them, after a few times of use, they completely pay for themselves, considering the amount of time, effort and money that every woman or man spends on mechanical hair removal.
Article design: Oleg Lozinsky
The best laser epilators for home
Buying a reliable and effective laser epilator for your home will help you save a lot of money that could have been spent on regular visits to beauty salons. We have compiled a rating of portable, simple and practical devices that, in the opinion of real customers, are recommended for purchase in 2021.
Rio x20 (Rio LANS-3000)
The portable device will cope with the removal of unwanted hair on the legs, face, armpits and arms. It will also help to gently treat the bikini area. Can be used to remove hair on men's back. The model is equipped with a Rio Dezac Scanning x20 scanner, which allows you to use the device efficiently and safely at home. This is a unique technology that scans a 35 sq. mm area of skin.
A semiconductor laser is built into the design and a multi-level safety control system is implemented. The work is carried out in 2 modes: scanning and point impact. You can adjust the radiation intensity according to 5 levels. The laser wavelength is 808 nm, using semiconductor diode type.
In addition, this device is economical in terms of energy consumption - 500 mA, operates from a 220 V network.
Characteristics:
Nutrition | from the network |
Impact area, sq.cm | 3,5 |
Advantages and disadvantages
- FDA approved;
- universal;
- high processing speed;
- efficiency;
- long-term result 2-4 weeks;
- a shutdown timer has been implemented;
- there is an energy saving mode;
- light weight and compact.
- The beam length is not enough for dark skin after sunbathing;
- will not cope with gray, bleached and red hair.
Rio Salon Laser
Attracts with an affordable price. Capable of precisely removing hair follicles even in hard-to-reach places, on the face and bikini area, where the skin is especially sensitive. Built-in diode laser type. There are 5 levels of radiation adjustment in total. The current consumption of the device is 330 mA.
A special advantage is the presence of a multi-level security system. The manufacturer also took care of user protection by equipping the laser head with a cap. This eliminates the possibility of the beam coming into contact with the user's eyes. There is protection against accidental start-up; a timer is integrated into the design, which after 1 minute of inactivity reduces the radiation intensity, and after 20 minutes, turns off the device completely.
Advantages and disadvantages
- targeted effect on individual hair;
- approved by cosmetologists;
- easy to use;
- universal - can be used by men and women.
- safe device with a multi-stage control system;
- recommended for sensitive skin;
- cost-effective;
- there is an auto-shutdown timer and switch to energy-saving mode;
- small dimensions and weight.
- Contraindicated for use on tanned and very dark skin;
- not effective in removing bleached, gray and red hairs.
Tria Hair Removal Laser Precision
A compact device that is lightweight, mobile and allows you to treat small areas on the body. You can take it with you on vacation because it doesn’t take up much space in your bag. After the full course you can see the result. Reviews from the owners of Tria Hair Removal Laser Precision indicate that this is an ergonomic epilator that does not slip out of your hands during operation.
Powered by battery. A full charge provides 15 minutes of autonomous skin treatment. There is an auto shut-off that works after 30 seconds of inactivity of the epilator. The laser length is 808 nm, which operates in pulsed mode. There are 3 levels of radiation intensity that can be adjusted to suit individual requirements.
Characteristics:
Nutrition | from battery |
Impact area, sq.cm | 1 |
Advantages and disadvantages
- ergonomics and convenience;
- effective;
- suitable for sensitive skin;
- there is a skin tone detection sensor;
- There are battery charge indicators;
- FDA certified;
- built-in fan for cooling;
- compact size, light weight.
- does not work on dark and melanin-rich skin.