Laser hair removal is becoming more common and more available as a viable option for individuals looking for a permanent solution to dealing with unwanted hair. Though it seems like most people think that the cost is way out of their reach. Most people consider hair removal a luxury instead of a need, so if they think it is too expensive it can easily be discarded as an option.
In this article, we will uncover all of the ins and outs of laser hair removal. We will help you to understand the costs related to laser hair removal and the average costs across the board. We’ll give you a good idea of how to prepare for laser hair removal, the results you may experience, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of hair removal.
- What is Laser Hair Removal?
- Types of Lasers Used for Hair Removal: What’s the Difference?
- Reasons to Consider Laser Hair Removal
- Pros and Cons of Laser Hair Removal
- Common Myths About Laser Hair Removal
- Getting Ready for Your First Session
- What You Should Expect
- Risks and Worries
- How Much Does Laser Hair Removal Cost?
- Average Cost of Laser Hair Removal
- How to Find a Qualified Provider
- Is it Worth It?
What is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is a procedure performed by a trained and certified clinician. The treatment involves using a special focused laser that pulses light that is absorbed by the hair. The treatment causes damage to the hair follicles and the hair falls out. Hair that does grow back with be finer and grow slower. Laser hair removal involves 4-6 treatments to achieve the most permanent results.
Types of Lasers Used for Hair Removal: What’s the Difference?
There are several types of lasers hair removers, and the type that works for your hair may be different than what is best for someone else. That is why it is important to understand the differences.
Nd: YAG Lasers
Alexandrite Lasers
Diode Lasers
Ruby Lasers
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Reasons to Consider Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is one of the most effective hair removal methods available. Individuals that are prime candidates for the best results from treatment have thick, dark, coarse hair growth. In the past, there were some results that showed laser hair removal was less effective for lighter hair or dark skin tones. However, technology has advanced enough that laser hair removal can be done on all skin and hair types.
A fairly common reason some people seek laser hair removal is to fight increase hair growth as a result of some medical condition. For women, PCOS is a condition that causes excessive growth of facial hair. Men and women that have gone through chemotherapy also often find that hair begins to grow in areas where there was no hair before treatment.
Another reason to consider hair removal is to eliminate skin irritation, razor burn, ingrown hairs and breakouts that may result from using other hair removal methods. This is particularly valuable for individuals with acne prone skin or skin conditions where shaving may damage the skin increasing the risk of infection.
Finally, probably the most common reason people seek laser hair removal is because they are just tired of going through the process of shaving, waxing, etc. Hair under most conditions continues to grow. While waxing, for example, can result in a longer period of time before hair growth becomes visible again, it will eventually come back.
Pros and Cons of Laser Hair Removal
Everything in life has good and bad attributes. Laser hair removal is no different, so here are the most important pros and cons.
Pros:
Cons:
Common Myths About Laser Hair Removal
It Causes Cancer
Since the first laser hair removal system was developed in 1964 the entire process has been examined repeatedly and there have not been any indications that laser hair removal causes any type of cancer. However, the laser does introduce trace amounts of radiation into the body, for this reason, individuals with a history of radiation sickness, or exposure to high levels of radiation are often discouraged from receiving laser hair removal.
Infertility
This is probably a reaction to the radiation present in laser hair removal since exposure to high levels of radiation can cause issues with fertility. However, as mentioned above the radiation is only in very tiny quantities. An individual would have to be exposed to the treatment laser continuously over the years to reach detectable levels of radiation in their bodies.
You Can Get the Same Results at Home
There are products available that make claims that they work as well, or even better than professional laser hair removal. And while some of these products can effectively remove hair and even decrease hair growth, no home laser removal system will achieve the results of professional treatments.
It Costs a Fortune
As you can see if you look at the cost break down below, laser hair removal is definitely not cheap. However, we would argue the cost is nowhere near what most people consider a fortune. Especially if you compare the costs to other hair removal methods over time. In the table below you can see this cost comparison using a conservative 10 year time from for other methods of hair removal, including shaving and waxing.
Causes Hair to Grow Faster
Have you ever heard that shaving can cause your hair to grow faster or thicker, even darker? This myth is probably from the same line of thinking. Since the laser actually damages the hair follicle there is no reason to believe that hair will grow well if at all.
It is 100% Permanent
We would all love to believe that laser hair removal offers a permanent solution to body hair. While it is true that the treatments will cause hair to shrink, grow more slowly over time, and less hair will return with each treatment. There is no way to guarantee every hair follicle is treated. And the body has a built-in system to repair damaged tissue. People achieve nearly complete hair removal, but most require maintenance treatments every 6 to 12 months for the best results.
You Can Get All Your Hair Removed In One Treatment
Laser hair removal is done in segments and over the course of several treatments. The side effects alone are enough to eliminate the possibility of receiving enough laser treatment to achieve it all in one session. Individuals that desire the removal of all of their body hair will have to plan for several sessions over the course of several visits to treat every area on the body.
Anyone Can Do It
Laser hair removal machines are not simple to operate and calibrate. That is why it is so important to find someone who is properly trained and certified to give yourself the best chance of good results and limited side effects.
Getting Ready for Your First Session
Once you have decided to go forward with laser hair removal you are going to want to prepare for your first treatment well in advance.
First, research where to get the best treatment, contact friends and look online for honest reviews and you can even check on the status of any licensure by contacting the state.
The worst part about getting ready is that you should limit any hair removal that pulls the hair from the root for at least 6 weeks before treatment. These methods include tweezing, waxing, electrolysis, and even some depilatory creams.
You should also avoid the sun as much as possible for 6 weeks before treatment. This also includes alternative sun exposure, such as tanning beds and self-tanners. Better results are achieved with more difference between the hair color and the surrounding skin tone.
What You Should Expect
Once the day finally arrives, you are probably going to be a bit nervous. Knowing what to expect during the treatment will help make the whole process easier.
Before Treatment
The hair will be trimmed very short. This allows the hair left behind to absorb more of the treatment and allow you to achieve better results by not wasting the laser on longer hair growth.
You should be given eye protection for the procedure. This may be something to ask ahead of time if they are supplied or if you need to bring your own. The technician will also cover the area with a layer of gel or a special device that cools and protects the skin from the laser. This means that the laser is more focused on the hair follicle, not the skin.
In most cases, they will do a test run to see if you have any unwanted reactions to the laser. This only lasts a few minutes and allows the laser to be adjusted if necessary.
During Treatment
The pain that people feel during treatment can vary, but most people find that the process is not super painful. One common comparison is the feeling of a rubber band snapped against the skin repeatedly. Since everyone has different levels of pain tolerance there is no surefire way to explain what you will feel. The area will be treated with multiple passes of the laser. The entire process is very quick, but larger areas will take a bit longer to cover the area.
After Treatment
Immediately after your treatment, you will likely be given a cold compress. One common effect following treatment is a slight inflammation of the skin. A cold compress or other treatment is to help decrease the inflammation and soothe the skin.
There is virtually no downtime for most people, so you can immediately return to work or other regular activities. However, you should avoid sun exposure for the following 6 weeks after treatment and wear sunscreen. The treated area will lose hair over the first few days up to a full 4-weeks after treatment.
Risks and Worries
As with any procedure, there are risks. Immediately following treatment, up to 48 hours or so, it is going to feel like you have a sunburn. You can use ice packs, cold clothes, and even lotion to help relieve any discomfort.
Some people, especially with darker skin tones, may experience blistering. And in extremely rare instances laser hair removal can even cause permanent scars or darkened skin. Other common reactions include swelling, redness, tenderness, and feeling hot to touch.
Anytime during or following treatment if you feel a high level or pain report it to the technician immediately. In some rare cases, some people can develop an infection as a result of skin and follicle irritation. If you think you have an infection you should contact your medical doctor or dermatologist for treatment.
Women who are or may become pregnant or are lactating should consult their doctor before undergoing laser hair removal. There are no known issues, however, it is better to be safe than sorry.
How Much Does Laser Hair Removal Cost?
The actual cost of laser hair removal is going to vary depending on the area you want to treat, hair density, your location, treatment package, discounts when available, sales, etc. However, both the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Academy of Dermatology have shared the common range of costs for treating specific areas.
Each of these involves costs for separate areas and can also be treated at different times. The exact costs will vary, contact your treatment center for exact pricing information for your needs.
Average Cost of Laser Hair Removal
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average price of laser treatments in the United States is $429.
How to Find a Qualified Provider
At this point, it is obvious that finding a treatment center or licensed technician to perform your laser hair removal is extremely important. Not only should your provided be fully licensed to operate in their location, but since licensure requirements can vary from state to state, you may want to seek professionals with advanced training.
Use a Dermatologist
One way to ensure that you are only dealing with a properly trained is to discuss your options with a dermatologist. Dermatologists are medical trained and board certified. Treatments performed by a properly licensed dermatologist rarely see complications or side effects beyond what is normally expected, such as inflammation and redness.
Know the Facts
Research the treatment centers in your area. Don’t take their word for it accord to an ad or their website. Ask around, check out non-biased reviews online, and check the Better Business Bureau for any claims against them.
Consultation and Questions
Schedule a consultation and be prepared to ask the important questions, including qualifications. You will also want to find out if they use an FDA-approved laser hair remover. There are several types of lasers and many are used for different cosmetic procedures. You want to be sure that the laser has been thoroughly evaluated to be used for hair removal.
Testimonials and Before/After Photos
One thing that many people may not realize is testimonials and even before and after photos used on a website may not be a true representation of the services. After all, the business has complete control over their own website and may even manipulate review on other sites. In some cases, you can ask for references and actual before and after pictures of real patients.
One great option is to troll the treatment facility on social media. We mean check out their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts. Closely examine any reviews you may find. Be leery of self-posted reviews or reviews that are listed as anonymous, because they cannot be verified that they come from an individual at all, let alone one with no connection to the business.
Look for reviews from individuals located within a short distance but with no other ties to the business. For example, in many cases employees (of many types of businesses) are asked or given an incentive to give the business a positive review. Not only is the practice unethical, but it should also probably be considered some form of false advertising.
Is it Worth It?
In order to decide whether the cost of laser hair removal is worth it, we need to compare it to other types of hair removal. Cost is not the only factor to consider when deciding if laser hair removal is worth it, you should also consider the risks and issues we’ve discussed to decide for yourself if laser hair removal is right for you.
Since most laser hair removal requires 4 to 6 separate sessions for permanent results to be achieved, it is we will compare the cost of 5 sessions versus the costs of other ongoing hair removal options through the course of a lifetime. For our purposes, we will use 10 years as a guide since research shows that people in their twenties are most likely to represent around 60% of customers.
Take a look at this table for direct price comparison. (Prices are based on an average number of sessions for each hair removal method using the best-selling options to calculate costs). We will also consider one area of hair removal, for this comparison we will use a small area, such as the face and neck.
| Hair Removal Type | Initial Costs | # of Treatments /Year | Recurring Costs | Purchases Per Year | Total Cost (10 years) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shaving (Razor) | $10.00 | 104 | $17.00 | 1 | $180.00 |
| At Home Waxing | $35.00 | 15 | $20.00 | 2 | $435.00 |
| Pro Waxing | None | 12 | $50.00 | 12 | $6000 |
| Laser Hair Removal | None | 5 | $125.00 | 5 total treatments | $625 |
Using these average prices for hair removal on a fairly small area, you can see that while laser hair removal costs much more than shaving or even waxing at home, it costs significantly less using professional waxing services each month.
Conclusion
Ok, we have covered just about everything you could want to know, and more, about laser hair removal. We hope you have found the information in this article helpful in deciding whether or now laser hair removal is a good option for your personal situation and hair removal needs. If you think there is some information we have left out, please reach out and let us know and we will be sure to fix it. Hope you have hair free days in your near future.
Contents
- What is Laser Hair Removal?
- Types of Lasers Used for Hair Removal: What’s the Difference?
- Reasons to Consider Laser Hair Removal
- Pros and Cons of Laser Hair Removal
- Common Myths About Laser Hair Removal
- Getting Ready for Your First Session
- What You Should Expect
- Risks and Worries
- How Much Does Laser Hair Removal Cost?
- Average Cost of Laser Hair Removal
- How to Find a Qualified Provider
- Is it Worth It?
