At-home IPL absolutely does something - but “works” depends on what you expect. It reduces hair, it does not remove it permanently, and it works far better for some people than others.
How much hair it actually removes
Expect roughly 45-75% hair reduction from a consistent at-home IPL routine, versus about 85-90% from professional laser. Long-term follow-ups widen the gap further, with one study showing around 27% lasting reduction for IPL against 46% for laser. The flashes are FDA-capped for safety, which is exactly why home results are gentler than a clinic's.
Why it is reduction, not removal
Home devices are explicitly cleared for “hair reduction,” not permanent removal. That means you finish an initial course of ~8-12+ weekly sessions, then keep doing a maintenance flash every few weeks to hold the result. Stop, and regrowth gradually returns.
Who it works best for
IPL targets the contrast between dark hair and lighter skin, so it is most effective on dark hair with fair-to-medium skin. It is far less reliable on very light, red, or grey hair, and carries more risk on deep skin tones - if that is you, a clinic with the right laser is the safer and more effective choice.