Device reviews and male grooming drive hair removal news to 30 August 2026

Analysis

The strongest UK-relevant commercial signal this week came from the manufacturing side: Insider Media reported surging profits at a 300-strong hair removal products firm, with the business stating that the "group is well positioned to pursue diverse opportunities" ^[1]. That momentum sits alongside a heavy week of device-led editorial, suggesting continued consumer appetite for at-home solutions rather than salon-only routines.

At-home light-based devices dominated coverage. Women's Health published a round-up of at-home laser hair devices framed around achieving smooth skin this summer ^[2], while Forbes ran its own list of the eight best laser hair removal devices positioned as a way to cut down on shaving ^[3]. Epilators remain the other pillar of the at-home category: Which? published refreshed tried-and-tested rankings for 2026, pitched at easy hair removal ^[4], and Gulf News ran a comparable five-pick epilator selection built around longer-lasting results at home ^[5]. For UK readers, the Which? testing is the most directly applicable benchmark of the two ^[4].

Male hair removal is the clearest emerging trend, and it is being reported from Japan by two UK outlets. The Independent reported that men in Japan are turning to hair removal to cope with the scorching summer ^[6], while The Times covered men smoothing over hairy "dad legs" amid social pressure, with laser treatment in the frame ^[7]. On timing, Yahoo Finance reported that New York clients are learning timing is everything when considering laser hair removal in summer ^[8], and a Georgia clinic promoted autumn as the ideal season to start treatment ^[9]. Separately, the Guardian tested 18 pet hair removal tools ^[10].