Home-Use Laser and Light Devices for the Skin—An Update

In 2011, an update on home-use laser and light devices for skin treatments was provided, discussing their benefits for privacy and cost but noting their generally lower efficacy compared to professional treatments. The FDA had cleared several devices, yet there was a lack of large clinical trials to fully assess their effectiveness. The document cited the PaloVia Skin Renewing Laser, which improved facial wrinkles in clinical studies, and the HairMax LaserComb, which increased hair density in a trial with 110 male patients. Hair removal devices like the Tria Laser and Silk'n showed varying results in studies, while acne treatment devices such as Tanda Clear, Omnilux Clear-U, Zeno Hot Spot, and Thermaclear, as well as combination devices like no! no! skin and Claro, were mentioned for their effectiveness. However, the scientific evaluation of these devices was limited, with some claims, like those from the Claro device, based on company-led evaluations without published data. Dermatologists were advised to become knowledgeable about these devices to guide their patients, despite the challenges posed by the scarcity of scientific studies.