There are several laser and laser-like devices currently used for hair removal. Some of the more common ones are detailed below:

Alexandrite: The long-pulse alexandrite laser accomplishes deep penetration into the skin where the hair follicles are located. The heat build-up in the hair shafts disables those follicles in the active growth phase.

Diode: The diode laser is a very efficient device that contains small diodes or semiconductors that are arranged together to produce light. The diode laser has a longer wavelength than other lasers used for hair removal, which may improve treatment results on darker skin types.

Light based sources: In many circumstances, intense pulsed light devices also operate on similar principles to lasers. Using the photoepilation process, the device offers a broad spectrum of light to treat a variety of hair and skin colors as well as hair depths. Some of the commonly used light-based sources include:

Q-Switched Nd:YAG: This laser delivers two different wavelengths of light. One is an invisible infrared light used for deeper penetration. This wavelength is used to reach deeper hair follicles. The other wavelength, a green light, is used for treating hair follicles closer to the surface. In both cases, the Q-switching device emits rapid bursts of laser light to the treatment site.

Ruby: In this type of a light-based source, the red-colored beam seeks out the target melanin inside the hair shafts.