If you’re thinking about getting laser hair removal done on yourself or someone else in your family, it’s important to know all about the different types of lasers out there before making a decision about which one is right for you. We’ve put together this guide so you can learn about all the different types of lasers used today so that when you’re ready to get started on your own journey toward smoother skin, you’ll know exactly what type of treatment would work best for your needs! Read on!
Laser hair removal has been around for decades, but it’s still as popular as ever. With the technology getting better and better every year, laser hair removal can be a great option for removing your unwanted hair. Each year, more and more people are choosing to get their hair removed via laser instead of other methods like shaving or waxing. The main reason for this is that laser hair removal is much more permanent than other methods. While shaving or waxing will only keep your hair from growing back for a few days or weeks at best, laser treatments can keep your skin smooth and free of hair for several months at a time—sometimes even permanently!
Read on to learn more ABOUT Best Laser Hair Removal 2019, What Is Laser Hair Removal? and How Much Does Laser Hair Removal Cost?
Best Laser Hair Removal 2019
Laser hair removal is a popular alternative to shaving or waxing. Nearly painless, this procedure can be done on small or large areas of the body for smooth skin wherever you want it.
If you assume laser hair removal is out of your price range, check out this guide. You’ll see that this procedure can actually be quite affordable, at an average $143 per treatment session.
YAG laser hair removal is a technology that uses light energy to disrupt the growth of human hair. This treatment can be used on all skin types, but it is particularly suited for people with darker skin tones.
YAG laser hair removal works by emitting pulses of intense energy that heat up the pigment in the hair follicle. This disrupts the growth cycle of the hair, causing it to fall out and never grow back again. The procedure can be performed on any part of the body, with one session lasting between 30 minutes and an hour.
The procedure itself is painless and takes around an hour per area. It can be performed in your own home or at a clinic. You will need 5-10 minutes between sessions to allow your skin to cool down before proceeding to another area.
The cost of laser hair removal varies quite a bit based on your location, the specialist doing the procedure, the area of hair removal, and more.
We’ll talk about the different cost factors and what you can expect to pay for laser hair removal. If you’re ready to shun shaving, nix the Nair, and wipe out waxing, finding out how much laser hair removal will cost is the first step.
Keep reading to find out what laser hair removal is, how much it costs, and what factors into the total amount you’ll pay.
What Is Laser Hair Removal?
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Laser hair removal is a cosmetic procedure that removes hair by exposing follicles to laser light pulses. The powerful laser destroys the hair follicle at the root to prevent hair from growing back in the treated area.
Laser hair removal has been practiced for decades, but it’s only been a commercially available procedure since the mid-1990s. Since the light beam from the laser is so strong, it shines down the length of each hair shaft to contact and heat the hair follicles underneath.
Heat is what destroys the follicles to prevent future hair growth. Laser hair removal is a selective process. The lasers only target “dark matter” under the skin – melanin, which gives dark hair its pigment – and not the surrounding skin.
This means if you have light hair that is blonde, white, or strawberry blonde, it won’t respond well to laser hair removal. That’s because light colored hair is pigmented with pheomelanin instead.
The hair must have enough melanin in it to be successfully targeted by the laser. Likewise, if you have dark skin, the laser may not be as effective in detecting the presence of melanin in the follicles beneath the skin.
Laser hair removal is typically done in sessions to achieve the desired smooth result. The average laser treatment takes 5-7 sessions for complete hair removal. Fewer sessions are required for smaller areas or areas with less dense hair growth.
Laser hair removal sessions are typically scheduled anywhere from 4-8 weeks apart. This gives the hair time to continue in the growth cycle, making new hairs available to be treated by the laser.
How Much Does Laser Hair Removal Cost?
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Since laser hair removal has to be done in sessions, the cost will rise with each additional treatment. If you’re considering this procedure, you need to get an idea of how much it may cost per session and in total.
According to mariehayagmd.com, the average cost per session is about $143. Multiple sessions are required for complete hair removal, so plan on paying $715 to $1,000 on average for full hair removal in a given area.
The location of the clinic or facility where you get laser hair removal will affect the cost. In high-demand areas, costs may rise due to a higher concentration of specialists with expertise in the procedure.
Alternatively, if you live in a heavily populated area with several laser hair removal options, the competition in the area can drive costs down.
In any case, the average cost of living is a good predictor for laser hair removal costs. Areas with a higher cost of living tend to reflect that in the pricing of laser hair removal.
Facility and Specialist
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Different types of facilities offer laser hair removal. The type of facility you choose and the type of specialist who performs the procedure will affect how much the procedure will cost in total.
If you choose to visit a medical spa or clinic to be treated by a laser technician, your costs will be lower.
Going to a cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist for laser hair removal will increase the costs, but possibly give you better results due to improved equipment and skill.
Treatment Area
The area being treated also affects the overall cost of laser hair removal. Small areas like the lip, chin, underarms, or bikini line cost less per session and overall than large areas like the back, arms, and legs. To reduce your overall cost, you can opt to have partial coverage in a given area.
For example:
- Half legs vs full legs
- Half arms vs full arms
- Bikini line vs Brazilian
- Lip or chin vs full face
Hair and Skin Color
Laser treatments for hair removal hone in on dark hairs contrasted against light skin the best. If you have light hair or dark skin, it makes it more difficult for the laser to target your hairs effectively.
This means more sessions are required for complete hair removal in patients with light hair or dark skin. More sessions mean higher overall costs. As long as your hair is darker than your skin tone, it can be targeted by the laser.
But if your skin tone is very dark, it can attract the heat from the laser and result in burns or damaged skin. Any laser hair removal specialist can consult with you to determine if you’re a good candidate for this hair removal method.
Session Length
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Every laser hair removal session takes time. The amount of time each session takes is a factor in the overall cost of this procedure. If you’re having a small area treated, like the underarms, each session will be relatively brief.
But if you’re having your legs, arms, or back treated, each session will take longer because there’s more area to cover. In most facilities, longer sessions increase the cost, while shorter sessions reduce the cost.
Most laser hair removal sessions will take 60 minutes or less. Be sure to check with your potential laser hair removal specialist to find out how long each session should take for the areas you want treated.
Number of Sessions
It’s not just the length of each session that affects the cost of laser hair removal, but also the number of sessions required to get your desired result. The number of sessions varies.
But most patients will need anywhere from 4 to 8 sessions. Most need somewhere between 5 and 7 for complete hair removal in a given area.
Remember that your hair color and skin tone determine how effective each laser session will be. You might need more than 8 sessions – up to 12 – if you have a lighter hair color or a dark skin tone.
Desired Amount of Hair Removal
Each session removes 10%-30% of the hair in the treatment zone. If you’re not after a silky smooth result and just want reduced hair growth, you might only need a session or two.
Men who want to make shaving their facial hair easier while keeping enough hair to grow a beard in the future often opt for one or two sessions to thin the growth out. Fewer sessions means lower overall cost.