Most cheap whitening kits rely on passive, low-intensity LED bulbs glued to bulky silicone trays. The light doesn't penetrate the enamel, meaning the gel only lifts superficial surface stains while leaving deep, yellow discoloration untouched.
What the bestsellers don't tell you upfront: the initial kit is just a loss-leader. Many ship with barely enough gel for a week, forcing you into expensive replacement gel pens every month or a mandatory app subscription to unlock the higher light intensities.
Six months in, you discover the proprietary gel pen tax. The generic, cheap gels don't fit the custom-molded lights, meaning you are locked into buying expensive refills directly from the manufacturer. When the cheap plastic hinges on the battery compartment inevitably crack, you realize there is no replacement part available - the entire system is designed for the landfill.