Laser Hair Removal at Home vs. Professional - Este (2024)

If you’re done with the tweezers, the hair removal cream, the razors, the waxing, and the epilators, we hear you. Getting rid of unwanted hair has never been such a chore. Fortunately, when you choose laser hair removal, it’s not such a huge drama.

At Home Laser Hair Removal vs Salon

Deciding whether to go with laser hair removal at home or professional, is something to consider carefully. After all, whichever route you choose, you’ll still be spending your hard-earned cash. So, let’s look at the difference between at home laser hair removal and professional options.

Pros and Cons of At-Home Laser Removal

Let’s start with the pros of at-home laser hair removal. They are -

  • It’s super convenient
  • It’s cheaper
  • Zero embarrassment factor
  • Ideal for small areas of unwanted hair
  • Good if you suffer with mobility issues

At-home laser removal is ideal if you’ve got a tight budget to consider. You can buy at-home laser hair removal tech for anything upwards of £85 - £350+. The cost depends on whether you need a laser to treat a large surface area like your legs, or just a few annoying hairs on your face that you’d rather weren’t there.

Convenience is also a key pro when choosing at-home laser. If you live alone, have minimal interruptions outside of work, choosing an at-home option could really work for you. If, however, you have a family and a busy home life, finding the time to squeeze in laser hair removal at home could tip you over the edge.

And the cons?

  • It’s down to you to stick to the schedule
  • It’s not as powerful as in-salon laser hair removal
  • It will take longer to cover a larger area
  • Many at-home lasers aren’t suitable for all skin tones and hair types

The cons of at-home laser are pretty obvious and are largely down to the fact that the tech available in at-home models just can’t compare to in-salon versions. However, if you’re committed to regular top-ups then you should still see decent results.

Pros and Cons of Professional Laser Hair Removal

And now onto the professional treatment. Let’s take a look at the pros -

  • Powerful technology
  • Expert clinicians perform the treatment
  • Quicker results
  • Safety levels are adhered to
  • Suitable for a wider range of skin tones and hair types

When you choose to have a professional treatment in a reputable salon, you’ll be choosing the best technology available. That, coupled with the expertise of the salon staff, should ensure you have a great experience and see noticeable results.

As in-salon tech is more powerful, your results should be seen quickly, and you won’t have to go through as many treatment sessions as you would if you were using an at-home product.

And the cons?

  • It can be costly – you'll need a course of treatments and then may need top-ups
  • It might be difficult to schedule sessions into a busy lifestyle
  • You may not enjoy the idea of a stranger lasering certain body areas

The biggest drawback to having laser hair removal in a clinic is undoubtedly the cost. This is often one of the main reasons why many people choose to opt for at-home methods. However, if you get better results with the professional treatment, isn’t it worth the extra cash?

Laser Hair Removal at Home vs. Professional - Este (1)

Is At Home Laser Hair Removal as Effective as Professional?

If you’re wondering, ‘is at home laser hair removal as effective as salon?’ then you’ll be pleased to hear that when you choose to treat yourself at home you can still get great results. However, there’s a real time commitment involved when going down the at-home route.

What’s more, because the laser devices are much smaller, and they don’t pack as much power as salon tech, you’ll need to spend longer treating even a small area.

Professional laser devices provide faster treatment time and give more impressive long-lasting results.

The Verdict

Of course, whether you choose to go down the at-home route or opt for the professional experience, it’s all down to personal choice. If getting out and about is tricky for you, then treating yourself in the comfort of your own home will undoubtedly be easier.

If money is no problem and your home life is hectic with young kids on the scene, scheduling a treatment in during your lunch hour will probably suit you better. So, deciding which option is for you isn’t about finding the answer to, ‘does at home laser hair removal work’, it’s about figuring out the choice that’s right for you.

At Este, we offer laser hair removal at our clinics across the UK.

Our treatments are safe, time efficient, effective, and offer zero downtime. Find out more about our expert treatment when you book in for your free, no obligation consultation and discover why an in-salon treatment might be the right option for you.

Laser Hair Removal at Home vs. Professional - Este (2)

Laser Hair Removal at Home vs. Professional - Este (2024)

FAQs

Laser Hair Removal at Home vs. Professional - Este? ›

While both at-home and professional options may require multiple sessions for full hair removal, at-home users typically need more sessions. Professional laser hair removal achieves 95%+ hair removal within 7-9 sessions.

Is at home laser hair removal as good as salon? ›

What's more, because the laser devices are much smaller, and they don't pack as much power as salon tech, you'll need to spend longer treating even a small area. Professional laser devices provide faster treatment time and give more impressive long-lasting results.

What is the difference between professional IPL and at home IPL? ›

Professional IPL Treatments Are More Advanced

At-home devices do not have this patented technology. They operate at lower intensities and require significant time for treatment. Consequently, results may appear inconsistent and patchy due to irregular treatment patterns.

Which laser hair removal technology is best? ›

Studies consistently show that alexandrite laser devices can eliminate a greater percentage of hairs compared to other machines. Alexandrite is proven safe and highly effective for Fitzpatrick skin types 1-3, but those with deeper skin tones will do better with a different laser, such as the Nd:YAG.

Should I buy my own laser hair removal machine? ›

If you're looking to reduce the amount of hair you have or make it finer, then at-home laser hair removal devices are worth it. They're significantly more affordable than professional sessions and can be performed in a matter of minutes, making them much less of a time commitment.

Which is better at home, laser hair removal or professional? ›

Professional laser hair removal achieves 95%+ hair removal within 7-9 sessions. In contrast, many at-home laser devices max out at 70% removal after 3 months of consistent use, necessitating more frequent maintenance sessions.

Is it better to get laser hair removal professionally? ›

It may sound beneficial to do laser hair removal at home, however this requires more time as the device is relatively small, and the intensity is lower, so it takes more sessions to see improvements. Professional laser hair removal offers faster, downtime-free procedures with better long-lasting results.

What is the most effective form of laser hair removal? ›

Alexandrite (755 nm)

The Alexandrite laser hair removal system is the most frequently used laser on the market because it is so quick and extremely effective. Alexandrite (“Alex” for short) can provide quick treatments on large body surface areas due to fast laser pulse repetition rates and larger treatment spot sizes.

Does at-home laser hair removal work permanently? ›

Laser hair removal devices work by killing the hair follicle. But hair grows in cycles, and the lasers only damage follicles during an active cycle of hair growth. So it takes multiple treatments, about a month apart, to completely stop hair from regrowing. For some people, laser hair removal is not entirely permanent.

How often should you laser your hair at home? ›

How Often Can I Try the Home Use Laser Hair Removal Treatment? Most experts recommend using the device 3 times per week to reap maximum results. On the other hand, you can also use your IPL machine at home once every two weeks and still remove hair effectively. But, don't exceed the recommended use range.

How effective are home laser machines? ›

Results. The professional laser showed an overall hair reduction of 85% on the right axilla and 88% on the left axilla. The home-use laser showed an overall reduction of 52% on the right axilla and 46,3% on the left axilla.

Can you do Brazilian laser hair removal at home? ›

Short answer: yes. “At-home laser hair removal is typically safe as long—if you follow directions and use caution to avoid burning,” says Dr. King. However, it's also important to note that at-home laser hair removal isn't for everyone.

Do home hair removal lasers really work? ›

It depends on the person, but people generally see results within 6-10 treatments. As previously mentioned, the devices available for use at home are not as powerful as the devices you would find in a dermatology office, and therefore more treatments are usually needed.

How often should you do laser hair removal at home? ›

How Often Can I Try the Home Use Laser Hair Removal Treatment? Most experts recommend using the device 3 times per week to reap maximum results. On the other hand, you can also use your IPL machine at home once every two weeks and still remove hair effectively. But, don't exceed the recommended use range.

Can you do at home laser hair removal too much? ›

It is not recommended to use at-home laser hair removal devices on sensitive areas of the body more frequently than on other areas. While these devices are less powerful than those used in clinics, they can still cause skin damage and pain if not used properly.

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