Over-the-counter cosmetic laser and light devices have become as readily available as OTC pain relievers. A quick Google search for “at-home laser therapy for skin” returns devices that promise to zap zits, eliminate unwanted body hair, reduce wrinkles and fix discoloration.
Dr. Tyler Hollmig, director of Laser and Aesthetic Dermatology at Stanford Health Care, told CNET it’s obvious why the market for at-home laser treatments has grown so much: “Going to an actual clinic can be less than convenient as well as expensive,” he said. “At-home devices are relatively inexpensive and promise similar results as those used by dermatologists.”
While it’s tempting to place an order for one of these skin-smoothing lightsabers, dermatologists warn that you might not get the results you want. Before you spend the money, learn about the safety of these devices, how they work and what kinds of changes to your skin you can expect.
How does laser therapy for skin work?
To clear up any confusion, it’s important to mention that most devices marketed or referred to as “at-home lasers” don’t actually use laser technology like the kind you’d get at a clinic or medispa.
“True laser technology is not available for home use,” Dr. Kathleen Cook Suozzi, a dermatological surgeon and the aesthetic director of Yale Medicine Dermatology, told CNET. “The at-home ‘lasers’ on the market are typically light-based devices that do not have the power of laser devices available for in-office procedures.
Home use devices do use some of the technology you’d find in a dermatologist’s office, such as intense pulsed light (IPL) and light-emitting diodes (LED), but not with the same pinpointed accuracy.
Many home “laser” hair removal devices also use light therapy, but there are some devices that actually use a laser to remove hair.
What kind of conditions can at-home skin devices treat?
You can find at-home light and laser devices for treatment of acne, scars, hair removal and wrinkles using various methods, including IPL, LED, heat, infrared and more.
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