A device for cutting hair is disclosed that includes a laser beam generator (2) and a polarisation controller (6) configured to polarise the laser beam (10) and substantially align the polarisation of the laser beam with a longitudinal axis of a hair to be cut. Also disclosed is a method of cutting hair using a laser beam to cut hair. The method including generating and polarising the laser beam to substantially align the polarisation of the laser beam with a longitudinal axis of a hair to be cut.