Laser hair removal cost can vary according to where you live, the type of laser hair removal machine and treatment you choose, the technician or doctor performing your procedure, and whether or not you have any medical conditions. The average cost of laser hair removal will range from $150 to $1,000 per session depending on your area.
It depends on your budget and how long you want your results to last. If you’re looking for permanent results and don’t mind spending some cash upfront, laser hair removal could be worth investing in if done correctly by a trained professional who knows how to use the machine correctly (which includes avoiding sun exposure after treatment).
Read on to learn more about Is Laser Hair Removal Cost, How Long Does Laser Hair Removal Last? and What Is The Cost Of Laser Hair Removal On The Face?
Is Laser Hair Removal Cost
Getting rid of unwanted body hair by using temporary hair removal methods like shaving, tweezing and waxing, can get tiresome. If you’re sick of the nicks from shaving or the burning pain from waxing, and you want longer lasting results, then you might consider laser hair removal.
One of the most popular cosmetic procedures out there, laser hair removal is a convenient way to finally be free of body hair that you don’t want. Anyone unfamiliar with the procedure usually has a lot of questions—including how much it costs. Here’s what you need to know about laser hair removal.
What Is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is a permanent form of body hair removal that uses pulses of laser light to destroy the hair follicle. Shaving removes the tip of the hair follicle and waxing removes hair from the root, and in both cases, those hairs will grow back. Laser light, on the other hand, essentially kills a hair follicle so that it will not grow back.
“Laser hair removal requires a true laser that targets pigment,” says Anna Guanche, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and founder of Bella Skin Institute in Calabasas, California, adding that the laser heats up and damages hair follicles. “When the pigment in the hair bulb is heated, it subtly damages the tissue around it and prevents it from growing a new hair.” Indeed, research has proven that laser hair removal is an effective way to get rid of unwanted body hair.
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During a laser hair removal treatment, you will first have a consultation to assess your skin type, hair type and overall expectations, says Dr. Guanche. From there, the specialist determines if you’re a good candidate, and if you are, you’ll move forward with the laser experience. There’s an option to apply a topical numbing cream to the area to minimize any discomfort from the procedure, and then the lasering happens. If you have coarse hair, it might be shaved prior to treatment.
“After the laser treatment is complete, a topical calming gel will be applied,” says Dr. Guanche. “Additionally, SPF is generally applied to the treated area (if exposed to the sun).”
The Average Cost of Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is often considered a beauty investment. It costs more money than shaving or waxing, but over time, when treatments are no longer needed, you can save money on body hair removal costs.
Many factors affect the price of this procedure. “Costs for laser hair removal vary by body area treated, geographical location, the expertise of the person performing the procedure, and time to perform the procedure,” says dermatologist Corey L. Hartman, M.D., founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama. “Individual treatment session costs are generally in the range of $100 to $800.”
In 2020, the average cost of laser hair removal with no other related expenses was $389, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Below, we dig into the average costs for common treatment areas. Remember that the average prices listed below are per treatment, and you may need four to six treatments overall, according to Dr. Guanche.
Average Cost of Laser Hair Removal for Large Areas
If you are getting laser hair removal on large areas of your body, such as your back or legs, the cost will likely be more expensive than removing hair from small areas. “Generally, a large area like the back or legs can be upwards of $600 per treatment,” says Dr. Guanche.
Average Cost of Laser Hair Removal for Small Areas
Smaller areas of the body are going to be less expensive. This can include the bikini line, underarms and facial areas like chins, lips and sideburns. “The bikini can be anywhere from $250 to $350 per treatment, depending on whether it is a Brazilian [removing hair from the labial to the perianal areas] or normal v-shaped bikini [removing hair from the groin areas, leaving a V or patch of hair on the mons pubis],” says Dr. Guanche. She adds that the lower face and chin can average about $250 per treatment, and underarm hair removal can range between $175 to $225 per treatment.
What’s Included in the Cost of Laser Hair Removal?
The cost of laser hair removal typically includes the office visit, the application of topical anesthetic to numb the pain, the laser treatment and the post-care topical application of products like soothing agents and sunscreen, according to both Dr. Guanche and Dr. Hartman.
How Many Treatments of Laser Hair Removal are Required?
It might ultimately be a more permanent hair removal solution, but laser hair removal treatment is not a quick fix. Just one laser hair removal treatment may be enough to make hair thinner, lighter and more fine, but in order to be completely hair-free, you will have to get the procedure done four to six times. In the first year, Dr. Guanche recommends going every four to six weeks for touch-ups depending on how your hair is growing.
“It takes a number of treatments [to be completely effective],” says Dr. Guanche. “The laser treatment can reduce the size and diameter of hair, place it into remission completely, or not affect the hair at all. For this reason, multiple treatments are necessary at four to six week intervals.” You may even require yearly touch-ups for a few years following your first procedure.
How Long Does Laser Hair Removal Last?
The truth is that, although laser hair removal is permanent, your hair is still going to grow back eventually. While you might not need a touch-up for two to six years once you’re done with treatments, touch-ups are typically needed at least one to four times a year. Though eventually some hair will grow back, Dr. Bernstein says that it’ll grow back finer and less coarse than what you had before. “We also expect to see a reduction in the density or numbers of active hairs in the treated area,” he says.
Beyond timing, it can also depend on where on the body you’re getting the treatment done. “Areas of coarse hair, such as the lower legs, bikini area, and underarms, respond the fastest while finer facial hair responds the slowest,” says Dr. Bernstein. That said, other factors can influence how long the hair removal lasts. “That would include the energy levels used, the expertise of the laser physician, and underlying conditions of the skin,” he says.
It’s also not a one-and-done sort of deal. After you’re finished receiving all of your sessions, then laser hair removal will last for at least two years; however, maintenance sessions may be needed to keep the area without hair forever.
What Is The Cost Of Laser Hair Removal On The Face?
Laser hair removal on the face is a noninvasive medical procedure that uses a beam of light (a laser) to remove hair from the face.
You can get laser hair removal anywhere on the body, and it’s safe for most people. However, it’s advised the pregnant people don’t get laser treatments of any kind, including laser hair removal.
Laser hair removal can be done anywhere on the face including the:
- chin
- upper lip
- forehead
- temples
- cheeks
It can be done on other parts of the body too, like the armpits, legs, or bikini area, but on the face it’s used primarily around the mouth, chin, or cheeks.
There was a time when laser hair removal worked best on people with dark hair and light skin, but now, thanks to advancements in laser technology, it’s a suitable procedure for anyone who has unwanted hair they’d like to remove.
It’s a very common procedure. Data from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery showed that in 2016, laser hair removal was one of the top 5 nonsurgical procedures in the United States.
Cost?
One session of laser hair removal will typically cost anywhere between $200 and $400, and you’ll likely need at least 4 to 6 sessions, spaced about a month apart.
The average cost of laser hair removal is $429, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
However, the cost varies depending on a number of different factors. The biggest factor is the area of the body that receives treatment. The size of the area and the amount of time it takes to perform the procedure help to determine the cost.
The table below illustrates the average high and low costs of laser hair removal for different areas of the body.
| Area of body | Low cost | High cost |
|---|---|---|
| Face and neck | $600 | $900 |
| Arms | $350 | $500 |
| Bikini area | $350 | $500 |
| Lower legs | $600 | $850 |
| Back | $600 | $900 |
| Chest | $350 | $600 |
Because laser hair removal is an elective cosmetic procedure, it will not be covered by insurance, but you should be able to return to work immediately.
The doctor or technician goes over the procedure during the initial consultation and can provide a quote for an individual procedure. The physician also can recommend the number of treatments needed for permanent hair removal, although this can change depending on how the hair responds to the treatment.
The spa or clinic may offer discounts to those who pay for multiple sessions upfront or elect to have the procedure done on several different areas of the body.
Laser hair removal has a relatively high upfront cost. So, before beginning the procedure, make sure you know how much it costs.
Those interested in the treatment can expect to spend several hundred dollars per session and several thousand dollars total. However, because treatments are spread out — with usually eight weeks between each treatment, payments also can be spread out.
At some locations, customers can lower the cost by paying for several sessions at once or opting for treatment on multiple areas of the body.
When considering the lifetime cost of other hair removal treatments, laser hair removal is right on par. The procedure differs in that it provides permanent hair removal after several treatment sessions, thus cutting the time needed for grooming, which is priceless for many people.