How Much Does Laser Hair Removal Cost

It can be tiresome to remove unwanted body hair using temporary methods such as shaving, tweezing or waxing. Laser hair removal is a great option if you are tired of shaving and waxing.

Laser hair removal, one of the most popular cosmetic treatments available, is an easy way to get rid of unwanted body hair. The procedure is often confusing to those who are not familiar with it. What you should know about laser hair reduction.

What is Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal uses laser pulses to permanently remove body hair. In both cases, the hair will grow back. Shaving only removes the hair tip, while waxing only removes hair at the root. The laser light kills the hair follicle, so it won’t grow back.

Anna Guanche M.D. is a board-certified dermatologist, founder of Bella Skin Institute, in Calabasas. She says that laser hair removal must use a laser that heats and damages the hair follicles. When the pigment in the bulb of the hair is heated, the tissue surrounding it is subtly damaged, preventing it from growing new hair.

According to Dr. Guanche, you’ll first undergo a consultation in order to determine your skin type, your hair type, and what you expect from the treatment. The specialist will then determine if you qualify for the treatment. If you do, you can proceed with the procedure. The area can be numbed with a topical cream before the lasering. You may need to shave coarse hair before treatment.

“After the laser therapy is completed, a topical gel for calming will be applied,” explains Dr. Guanche. “SPF is also applied to the treated areas (if they are exposed to sunlight).”

The average cost of laser hair removal

Laser hair removal can be considered an investment in beauty. The cost of laser hair removal is higher than that of shaving or waxing. However, over time you will save money when the treatments are no longer required.

The price of the procedure is affected by many factors. According to dermatologist Corey L. Hartman M.D. of Skin Wellness Dermatology, Birmingham, Alabama, “Costs of laser hair removal are affected by the body area being treated, geographic location, expertise of the person doing the procedure and the time required for the procedure.” The cost of a single treatment session is usually between $100 and $800.

Here we look at the average cost of common treatment areas. According to Dr. Guanche, the prices below are for each treatment. You may require four to six treatments in total.

The average cost of laser hair removal for large areas

The cost of laser hair removal will be higher if you have large areas on your body removed, like your legs or back. “Generally, large areas like the legs or back can cost upwards of 600 dollars per treatment,” Dr. Guanche says.

The Average Cost of Laser Hair Reduction for Small Areas

The smaller the area of the body, then, the cheaper it will be. The bikini area, underarms, and other facial areas such as chins and lips are all included. Dr. Guanche says that the bikini treatment can cost between $250 and $350, depending on if it’s a Brazilian (removing hairs from the labial area to the perianal area) or a normal v-shaped one [removing the hairs from the groin, leaving a patch or V on the monspubis] She says that lower face, chin and underarms can be treated for $250 on average.

What is included in the cost of laser hair removal?

According to Dr. Guanche, and Dr. Hartman, the cost of laser hair treatment includes the visit to the doctor’s office, topical anesthetic applied to the skin to reduce pain, the laser procedure, and any post-care products such as soothing agents or sunscreen.

How many treatments of laser hair removal are required?

Laser hair removal is not an instant fix, even though it may be more permanent. One laser hair removal procedure may be sufficient to reduce hair density, make it lighter, and finer, but you’ll need to repeat the process four to six more times to achieve complete hairlessness. In the first 12 months, Dr. Guanche suggests that you go every 4 to 6 weeks depending on your hair growth.

Dr. Guanche says that it takes several treatments to be effective. The laser treatment can either reduce the diameter and size of the hair or put it in remission. Multiple treatments at intervals of four to six weeks are required. You may need touch-ups every year for several years after your initial procedure.

Does Insurance Cover Laser Hair Removal?

You shouldn’t expect that your health insurance will cover the cost of laser hair removal. Dr. Hartman suggests that you may be able use your flexible spending account as a way to cover these costs.

In rare cases, however, Dr. Guanche says, insurance may cover laser hair removal. Patients with conditions like pilonidal cysts or hidradenitis supurativa, which can cause pain and could be treated by laser hair removal. She adds that “in my experience, it’s a difficult process to convince insurers to cover laser hair reduction.”

Ask the receptionist at your treatment center if there are any package deals or payment options that you can choose from.

Laser Hair Removal: Benefits

The cost of laser hair removal is high, but there are many benefits.

• Removes unwanted body hair. This is the best solution to remove/reduce body hair.
• Skin becomes smoother and more even. According to Dr. Hartman, laser hair removal can help “alleviate problems with skin caused by hair growth such as folliculitis or discoloration” and “reduce pigmentation issues associated with unwanted hair.”
• Reduces the time required to remove body hair. After laser treatments are completed, you won’t need to spend time waxing or shaving. “There’s no need for shaving, depilation or waxing,” Dr. Guanche says.
• Ingrown hairs are not a concern. Dr. Guanche says that ingrown hairs are no longer a problem after laser hair removal.

Laser Hair Removal: The Downsides

Consider the following cons:

• The procedure can cause temporary discomfort. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, laser hair removal can have side effects like mild swelling, slight skin redness, and temporary irritation which results in blistering or changes in skin texture. Some research shows that the side effects of laser hair removal are not severe and are only mild.
• Costs incurred by the customer. Laser hair removal is more expensive than other methods of hair removal.
• There is a possibility that pigmentation problems may occur. Depending on the skin type, laser hair removal may cause pigmentation. Dr. Guanche says that the fairest skin types and the darkest hairs will look the best. This is because the laser has a more precise way of targeting the dark hairs. The practitioner can also use higher energy levels to achieve more results. Lasering dark skin requires lower energy levels to minimize side effects. This means more sessions are needed to get the desired result. “Darker types of skin may need more treatments because energy levels will have to be reduced,” says Dr. Guanche. Inversely, lighter hair may also require more treatments, as there is less pigmentation that can absorb laser energy.
• Some inconvenience. Dr. Guanche says that sun protection and avoidance during pre-treatment and after-treatment weeks are very important. This is something you should consider when planning your vacations and warm weather.
• In-between treatment period. Dr. Guanche advises that between treatments you should allow the hair to grow without plucking or waxing.
• Potential for ineffectiveness:  Experts warn that lasers can be ineffective due to genetic factors, medications and nutrition. People who take testosterone, for example, may not see the same long-term effects due to their medication.