Laser Hair Removal Cost & Procedure Information

While there is no fixed laser hair removal cost, here are some estimates that should serve as a guideline for you (more in depth information follows):

  • Hair removal in the bikini area is between $350 and $500
  • The laser hair removal cost of a larger area, like the back, is around $600 and $900 per session
  • Treating the chest costs around $350 to $600. F
  • Upper and lower legs cost from $600 to $850.
  • The arms are slightly cheaper at $350 to $500.
  • The cheapest laser hair removal cost is for the underarms: about $250 to $350
  • The laser hair removal cost on the face and neck is slightly higher, due to precision and the intensity of the lasers. The price here ranges from $600 to $900.

 

Background:

I think every adult has dealt with an unwanted hair at one time or another in our lives. Generally they are not a big deal and can be plucked or shaved and not really worried about. Now for some of us these unwanted hairs can become quite a burden. Whether its hair in an unsightly area, overgrown in another or the upkeep is too much, many people are turning to laser hair removal. Most people do not realize that this procedure was tested for nearly 20 years before it was available to the consumer during the 1990’s. It is now hailed as a success and a routine procedure in the dermatological community. We are going to discuss some of the benefits, risks, and other information that you will find helpful about this procedure.

 

Why Laser Hair Removal?

There are many different reasons for getting laser hair removal. One of the biggest is an increase in confidence. Generally this process is used to remove unwanted hair from a certain region in your body. With the hair gone you are left with clean smooth skin which will leave you looking good and feeling great. Many people are using this procedure to save time because they no longer have to shave or do so much less frequently. It should come as no surprise that this procedure saves money as well. Over time you will spend much more money on things like electrolysis, waxing and other continuous hair removal methods.

 

Who Can Get Laser Hair Removal?

One downside to this procedure is that it does not work for everyone. The best candidates are people with light skin and dark hair. If you have dark skin they do have certain lasers that are becoming more effective as time goes on. Light hairs can only be removed by the process known as electrolysis. Also it is important to note that you cannot get laser hair removal if you have a tan from the sun or sunless tanning products. You must wait until this fades away completely to get the procedure. This is due to the darkening of the skin which makes it harder to pin point the hair and have it removed.

 

The Process- How Does It Work?

We are going to get a little scientific to describe the procedure but you should be able to follow it. The main driver behind the process is something called Selective Photothermolysis also known as SPTL. This means that a wavelength of light (the laser) is matched to a pulse duration to ensure that the hair is removed while not hurting the surrounding skin. Lasers are effective at targeting the melanin or dark matter in the hair follicle.

 

Two Types of Hair:

As we spoke about earlier, the laser targets the melanin in the hair follicle. Melanin what is known as a chomophore, which means it gives something color. In hair there are two types of melanin:

  • Pheomelanin- This is the pigment that gives hair either a blonde or red color
  • Eumelanin- This is the pigment that gives hair a brown or black color

Lasers are very effective when it comes to removing hair, but not all of it. As of right now only black or brown hair can be removed due to the lasers ability to target the melanin. Right now there are people working on solutions for people with light hair. The best candidate is someone who has dark hair and light skin. This procedure is becoming more effective for people with dark skin and dark hair as well.

 

Laser Types:

As with any industry, there are a number of different types of instruments used. We will discuss a few of the different ones that are on the market.

  • Ruby Laser-This is one of the oldest lasers on the market today. It’s best on fine or light haired individuals and does not work on dark skin. They are becoming less popular as time goes on.
  • Diode Laser-Effective for dark skin and is not as effective on lighter or finer hair.
  • Alexandrite Laser-This is the fastest laser type which makes it the most used on the market. It is used for large areas and people with light to olive complexions.
  • Long Pulse ND: Yag Laser- This laser can be used with all skin types which makes it very popular. Large areas can be treated fast, but this laser is associated with more pain or discomfort than the other lasers. It is also not too effective on light or fine hairs.

 

Other Hair Removal Methods:

Laser hair removal is not the only game in town when it comes to the removal of unwanted body hair. There are two other ones which we will discuss briefly.

  • Intensed Pulsed Light Epilators- This is also known as IPL for short. This procedure is similar to laser hair removal since it uses xenon flash lamps that use the full spectrum of light. They are effective, but are not laser hair removal.
  • Electrolysis- This procedure has been in existence for over 100 years! This is the only solution for those with light colored hair who want it removed. This procedure is the only one recognized by the FDA as “Permanent Hair Removal”. A recent study found that laser hair removal was incredibly faster and much less painful for patients.

 

At Home Laser Hair Removal:

There is a growing trend for home laser hair removal, and many new products are flooding the markets. From all the research we have done some of these machines do in fact work. As with any type of procedure there are risks which we will discuss later. These risks are greatly increased when you are performing the procedure on yourself instead of having it done by a trained clinician. Also some of these machines are quite expensive which deters people. We recommend having someone trained in laser hair removal do your procedure versus home laser hair removal.

 

Number of Sessions Required:

Each person is different when it comes to the amount of sessions needed to effectively remove the unwanted hair for good. There are a few different things that will determine how many sessions needed.

  • Skin Color- Light skin is the easiest to work on
  • Coarseness of hair being removed- The dark coarse hair is the easiest to remove
  • Body part being treated-Areas like men’s facial hair take long to remove.

Generally most patients need a minimum of seven sessions to effectively remove the hair. This is because the lasers can only remove hair that is actively growing. By properly spacing out the sessions the inactive follicles will have time to grow and at that time be removed by the person doing the procedure. The normal amount of time between each session is three to eight weeks. This depends upon the part of the body and the hair growth cycle.

 

Areas Treated:

There are a number of different areas that can be effectively targeted using laser hair removal. You may have only one area that you would like to get treated while others need multiple.

  • Back-The back is one of the trickiest areas for hair removal by other methods. You generally cannot do it yourself and must have someone help. Generally shaving or waxing would be the normal methods of removal. Laser hair removal makes this process easier and permanent so they no longer have to get help in removing back hair.
  • Chest-The chest is generally the most coveted muscle group for men. Many men do not want their muscles covered in a bed of hair so this is a great solution over shaving and waxing as well.
  • Facial Hair-This goes for both men and women. In women, facial hair is a major source of embarrassment. Laser hair removal is faster, easier and far more comfortable than the alternative of electrolysis and waxing. In men this procedure is meant to lower the amount of times needed to shave. Also it can be used to remove excess eyebrow hair.
  • Legs-This is generally a procedure used by women to ensure that they no longer have to shave their legs. It is also a great alternative to the ever painful leg waxing that many women endure. This process does not guarantee that your leg hair will be 100 percent gone, but it will be drastically reduced.
  • Bikini Line-You can get a regular bikini removal or even a Brazilian if you want. This again is a better alternative to shaving or waxing.
  • Underarm-This is also normally one for the ladies. No more shaving your armpits is a major plus.

 

Laser Hair Removal Side Effects:

The saying goes “beauty is pain”, so there will some pain with this procedure. The great news is that the pain is small in comparison to many other beautification processes. The normal side effects of this procedure are:

  • Redness
  • Swelling around the treated area
  • Itching

These side effects will generally go away in a few days. There are a few side effects, although rare, are much more serious for the patient. These include:

  • Hyper or Hypopigmentation: This is where you have either white spots or darkening of the skin around the area that is treated.
  • Acne- Sometimes acne comes to an area after treatment
  • Infection- Ensure that the treated area doesn’t look infected, and if it is contact your doctor immediately.

 

What Are The Costs?

As with any procedure done to enhance the look of your body, you do not want to go solely on price. There is the old saying “you get what you pay for”, and you don’t want to pay for a cheap look. The price varies from person to person depending on many different variables.

  • Location- Certain areas of the country tend to charge more for their services. Large cities like Los Angeles will charge more than somewhere in the Midwest.
  • Amount Of Hair Removed- The more hair removed equals a greater cost
  • Body Part- Certain body parts are harder to work on therefore are more expensive
  • Type of Laser- Some lasers are more expensive to run

While each center is different in the way that they charge, there are generally 3 different ways they determine fees. First there is the flat fee where you are charged for a certain body part. For example they might say all men’s chest procedures are $200 no matter how much hair. Another method is based upon time. So you will be paying for how much time that the person is working on you. The last that has been used is the per pulse method. This generally has a minimum of say $100 plus a dollar per pulse. None of these are better than the other, but we recommend visiting a few places to see which one will work best for you.

 

Consultation Time

Now that you have decided that this is something you want, you should schedule a consultation with a clinician. During this time you will review your medical records with the person performing your procedure. Make sure to be candid and let them know everything including which prescriptions you are taking. They normally take photographs of the area being treated so that they have before and after photographs. Also make sure that you discuss all risks and potential complications with this procedure with the clinician. Do not be afraid to ask questions because this is your body and you need to feel comfortable with the process.

 

Conclusion:

Every single year there are countless people who are taking advantage of this amazing technological breakthrough in hair removal. After reading this information you should be able to determine if you are a candidate. Once you make the decision just call and schedule consultations with a few different centers to see which one you like the best. The decision of a center should be made by finding one you find affordable and comfortable with. We wish you good luck in your search and are excited for you to be able to rid yourself of unwanted body hair.

 

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