The Best Laser Devices for Anti-Aging Skin Care, Thicker Hair and More – Robb Report

Every year, more and more clinical-grade skin care and hair growth treatments are becoming available for use at home. In particular, laser, LED, and IPL gadgets are clearing the FDA’s rigorous approval process at a high clip—and that’s great news for anyone who wants clearer, firmer, and brighter skin. a fuller head of hair; or smoother hairless skin. It’s also great news for anyone looking for a gift for a loved one.

For the curious consumer, it’s good to understand the various functions of these devices as well as diversify your options. To help with this, we sought the expertise of board-certified dermatologist Heather Rogers, MD, founder of Doctor Rogers Skincare as well as Seattle Modern Dermatology clinic. Below is Rogers’ framework for understanding the differences between LED, IPL, and other lasers and how they can be applied to everything from wrinkles to acne scars and more.

Here are the key differences between home devices that use lasers, LEDs, and IPLs. However, Rogers says don’t expect the same results from DIY devices as you would from clinical treatments: “At-home devices won’t work as well as [in-office treatments], but they are less expensive and easier to make. I find them for free,” he says. “I have patients who use IPL hair removal devices at home to enhance and speed up results from laser hair removal, and I love the red LED light for maintaining healthy beautiful skin as well as faster recovery after treatments.”

The best home laser devices

“Laser” is actually an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. And in skin or hair care devices, Rogers says the mechanism is to emit a single, concentrated wavelength of light. “The energy is focused on a specific target, such as pigmented lesions, blood vessels or hair follicles—or water, when the laser is for skin resurfacing.” He adds that lasers are the most powerful of the three types of light emitters. Consequently, they can also penetrate deep into the skin. “Lasers are mainly used in medical practices for hair removal, tattoo removal, [mimizing the appearance of] blood vessels and skin reconstruction. Different types of lasers target different skin concerns,” he explains. They are less likely to be found in household appliances because they are the strongest and most effective (and come with the most risks). However, there are some true laser devices that you can find on the market today.

The best for antiaging

Nira offers one of the most effective and efficient ways to enjoy laser-level antiaging benefits at home. Simply glide its ergonomically designed device around your face for 3 to 5 minutes each day, and within months you’ll have firmer, clearer skin. It has five different intensity levels, so you can adjust its intensity if you find that your skin is sensitive to its higher levels.

Buy now at Nira Skin: $599

Best for a brighter complexion

Test driving the Lyma Laser proved that this device delivers seriously profound results in just a few months. A dedicated daily regimen can deliver brighter, glowing skin—as long as you have the patience to be consistent. While the company recommends treating your skin for up to an hour each day, I took a targeted approach of 10 to 15 minutes daily and still saw a noticeable improvement in the texture and appearance of my skin.

Buy Now at Lyma: $2,156+

Best for strengthening hair

This is arguably the best hair follicle laser cap on the market today, with 300 laser diodes to truly rival the experience of receiving low-level laser treatment at the hair clinic. A few minutes each day is all you need to strengthen your follicles and ensure the hair grows thicker and better anchored.

The best LED devices in the home

Devices that use LEDs (light emitting diodes) use specific colors of light to stimulate different cellular responses, Rogers explains. “Each color penetrates the skin at different depths and has unique benefits.” For example, red light LEDs can stimulate collagen production, calm inflammation and improve uneven skin tone, while blue light LEDs can kill acne-causing bacteria. (Though Rogers has warned me more than once that blue LEDs can potentially reduce skin cells, so use them with caution and consider alternative methods for reducing acne.) “LEDs are the lowest energy and safer for all skin types,” Rogers adds.

Best for firmer and brighter skin

We recently wrote a love letter to this mask, which offers light anti-aging and anti-acne functions while also massaging the tired skin around your eyes. It also allows you to choose which type of light you want to use depending on your needs: red for collagen production, blue for acne or infrared for texture improvements.

Buy now at TheraBody: $599

Best for hair growth

A daily 10-minute session with this helmet will guide your scalp to produce thicker, fuller hair, while also reviving dormant hair that was otherwise close to disappearing. As a bonus, there are Bluetooth headphones inside the lid so you can listen to your favorite songs or podcasts while it’s running.

Buy now at CurrentBody: $859

The best multitasker

Designed to lie down on, this LED panel can induce improvements in everything from collagen levels and eczema to joint and muscle pain with three different wavelengths of light: Blue (for acne), Red (for collagen) and near infrared (for inflammation and cell regeneration). The latter two functions can be combined to help improve the overall texture of your skin.

Buy now at CurrentBody: $2,495

The best IPL device at home

IPL stands for intense pulsed light, and IPL devices use a wide spectrum of light with multiple wavelengths, Rogers says. “Unlike lasers, which emit a single, focused beam, IPL devices release scattered wavelengths of light. It is versatile and can target a variety of skin problems, including pigmentation, vascular lesions and hair removal.” Rogers says IPL is less precise than lasers, but it can also cover larger areas. For people with darker skin tones, a big disadvantage of IPL is that it is less effective and can cause complications (including burns) as IPL targets the pigment and can have a hard time telling the difference between hair and skin.

Best for body hair removal

If you’re sick and tired of waxing, shaving, or just getting a little blurrier than you’d like, then consider doing some IPL treatments at home with Braun’s best-selling device. You can adjust its intensity and swap out different heads to focus the light on more precise areas. Allow about 12 weeks for deep results and always make sure to treat stubbled or shaved areas as opposed to longer hair. (And remember: The more contrast there is between your skin and hair, the better your results will be.)

Shop now at The Art of Shaving: $380