The cosmetics industry has no shortage of technological advancements that will help people achieve their goals. While shaving and waxing are the traditional hair removal methods, laser treatments are not going away anytime soon. Many are asking, “How much is laser hair removal?”
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of laser hair removal today is $389. This cost is only part of the total price you can expect to pay. For a wider price range, expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $1,000 for a single treatment.
This is roughly a gauge of how much you can expect to pay to achieve your hairless goals. The final cost you pay varies depending on different factors. These factors include your location and provider, treatment area, laser used, recovery and post-care, and the number of treatments you need.
Below, we’ll cover everything you need to know about laser hair removal, including its benefits and downsides. Then we’ll go over treatment costs and what could affect the total price.
What is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is a cosmetic procedure that removes unwanted hair. It’s a longer-lasting solution to unwanted body hair and a popular alternative to other hair removal methods like shaving, waxing, and tweezing.
Laser hair removal offers a long-lasting, safe, and effective way to get rid of unwanted body and facial hair.
Though results are longer lasting, it’s not permanent. It does, however, delay hair regrowth for longer periods.
Multiple treatments are required for the initial removal of hair and maintenance treatments prevent regrowth over time.
How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
Laser hair removal treatments emit pulses of laser light to destroy the hair follicles in the treatment area. This kills the hair follicle so hair doesn’t grow back too soon as it does with shaving or waxing.
The pigment or melanin of the hair follicles absorbs the energy from the laser light. This, then, damages the hair follicles, delaying hair growth.
Which Areas Can Be Treated?
Laser hair removal treatments can be done pretty much anywhere in your body or face where you have unwanted hair.
Some common treatment areas include:
- Underarms
- Arms
- Legs
- Back
- Chest
- Face
- Chin
- Neck
- Bikini line
Who are the Ideal Candidates?
Laser hair removal would work best for patients with dark-colored hair and light-colored skin tone. This is because the pigment of the hair and follicles should absorb the light energy and not the skin color. The greater contrast between the hair and skin, the better the results would be.
That being said, it’s not impossible for patients with light-colored hair or dark-colored skin tone to get the treatment, especially with the latest technological advancements. They still can but results may be less efficient.
This is why you must first seek out a consultation with your provider before proceeding.
Is Laser Hair Removal Procedure Worth It?
The answer to the question of whether laser treatment is worth it for removing body hair varies from one patient to another. To help you’d decide for yourself, we’ll discuss below all the benefits and downsides of laser hair removal:
Benefits of Laser Hair Removal
- It gets rid of unwanted body and facial hair. Unlike hair removal methods like shaving, waxing, and tweezing, results are longer-lasting.
- It reduces future hair growth.
- There are no issues with nicks, cuts, razor burns, and ingrown hairs.
- Maintenance treatments are typically done once every two years.
- It can target specific areas while leaving the surrounding skin undamaged and untouched.
- Treatments are fast. Pulsating lights don’t even take a second to work on several hairs at the same time.
- It often leaves the skin of the treatment area smooth and even.
- It’s less expensive and more money-saving in the long run.
Downsides of Laser Hair Removal
- Though results are longer-lasting than other hair removal methods, they’re not permanent.
- You will need to undergo multiple sessions during the initial cycle.
- The procedure might be uncomfortable.
- The skin might be dry, red, or irritated after the treatment.
- Depending on your skin type, the procedure might cause pigmentation issues, which may either be temporary or permanent.
- There might be issues of swelling, scarring, blistering, and changes in skin texture. These are rare but a possibility.
- Out-of-pocket, laser hair removal treatments are more expensive than other hair removal methods.
What to Expect During Laser Hair Removal
During the treatment, the hair on the treatment area will be trimmed down to just a few millimeters above the skin’s surface. A numbing cream may also be applied 20 to 30 minutes before the procedure.
You and the technician may wear proper eye protection to protect your eyes from the laser light. A cooling gel will also be applied to protect the skin and help the laser light penetrate the skin.
After the procedure, an anti-inflammatory cream or lotion will be applied to help with the discomfort.
How Much is Laser Hair Removal?
Many are growing curious about how much laser hair removal actually costs.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and their latest report and statistics, the average cost of laser hair removal is $389.
This average cost is only part of the total price. Individual laser hair removal treatment sessions can range anywhere from about $100 to $1,000.
The final fee you will pay will vary depending on different factors and other additional fees.
Factors that Determine Laser Hair Removal Costs and Prices
As mentioned above, laser hair removal prices vary greatly depending on a variety of factors:
Location and provider
Laser hair removal treatment costs vary from one location to another. Places, where the procedure is high in demand are more costly than in places with low demand.
Moreover, the experience of your provider or technician could affect the final price you will pay.
Treatment area
Larger areas will typically cost more than medium to smaller treatment areas. Arms, legs, and back tend to be the most expensive treatment areas.
Type of laser
There are different types of laser technologies used for hair removal. And depending on what your provider will use, the price varies. Some common laser types include alexandrite laser, ruby laser, and diode laser.
Recovery and post-care
Depending on your specific laser hair treatment recovery and post-care needs, you could be looking at ointments, lotions, and even medications to help your treatment area recover.
Number of treatments
The number of treatments and sessions will directly affect the final price you’re paying. The average cost of $389 mentioned earlier is only for a single treatment. So depending on how many you need, this cost will add up.
Laser Hair Removal Costs: According to Common Treatment Areas
To give you an even bigger picture of how much you might expect to spend on laser hair removal, here are the average costs for some common treatment areas:
How Much is Brazilian Laser Hair Removal?
Brazilian laser hair removal could cost anywhere from $100 to $200 per treatment.
How Much is Laser Hair Removal For Face?
Expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $300 for a single treatment for facial laser hair removal. The price could also vary if you’re going for a full face, with or without the neck, or just the lower face.
How Much is Laser Hair Removal For Legs?
Full legs laser hair removal could cost you about $300 to $400. Price would vary if you’re doing full legs hair removal or only the upper or lower legs.
How Much Does Laser Hair Removal Cost: Full Body
If you want to go hairless in your entire body with no expectation and hesitation, expect to spend at least $1,000 to a few thousand more.
Does Insurance Cover Laser Hair Removal?
Generally speaking, laser hair removal is a cosmetic procedure and insurance companies don’t typically cover them.
There are, however, rare cases in which they may cover them, or at least a portion of the total price. If you need treatment for a health condition, you may inquire with your insurance company and request coverage approval.
Other than that, you will need to pay out-of-pocket.
Laser hair removal isn’t cheap, so always ask your clinic for financing and payment options, packages, and sales you can consider.
How Many Laser Hair Removal Treatments Do I Need?
Laser hair removal isn’t a one-time procedure. You will need several treatments to get the results you want.
To get the area completely hair-free, one would need about four to six treatments with a four to six weeks interval for touch-ups and maintenance.
After completing that initial cycle, your provider might suggest yearly touch-ups to maintain the results.
Conclusion
Who doesn’t want to achieve a hairless body and face, right? Almost everyone wants to – that’s why many rely on hair removal methods like shaving or waxing. Another popular method these past few years is laser hair removal and many are growing curious just how much they cost.
The average cost of laser hair removal is $389. This price could vary and expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $1,000. Factors like your location, provider, treatment area, laser technology used, patient recovery and post-care, and the number of treatments could greatly affect the final price you will pay.
That has been our detailed answer to the question, “How much is laser hair removal?”. And don’t hesitate to reach out to us below with any of your other queries!
