Laser hair removal offers long-term savings over depilatory cream, razor blade refills or expensive wax treatments – yet some people may be put off by its upfront costs.
Laser hair removal is considered cosmetic surgery and typically not covered by insurance plans. We’ve put together this guide to help you understand what are prices associated with laser hair removal.
The Cost
Some may be put off investing in laser hair removal due to its cost, but when considering what you spend annually on razors and waxing sessions, laser hair removal proves more cost-effective in the long run. Plus, as it’s permanent compared with shaving or other forms of temporary hair removal methods such as waxing.
Your initial consultation will involve speaking to a physician or certified laser specialist about the treatment you are interested in and to see whether it suits your needs and goals. At this time, they’ll also determine how many laser treatments will be necessary in order to achieve desired results.
Laser treatments vary depending on your area of the body, skin tone and hair color, but typically six treatments should suffice to permanently reduce unwanted hair.
Notably, cosmetic procedures like laser hair removal usually do not fall under private health insurance plans. While your insurer may cover some costs in certain instances, for optimal results it is wise to consult both with a doctor and insurer prior to embarking on any cosmetic treatments.
Location can also have a substantial effect on the price of laser hair removal treatments, with coasts experiencing more laser treatments, leading to increased costs overall. According to the 2020 American Society of Plastic Surgeons Report, which tracks procedures by region, more laser hair removal treatments occur on coasts, which often results in higher prices overall.
As part of your consultation process, be sure to inquire about discounts or promotions you might qualify for. Some clinics may offer package deals for multiple sessions while others will give discounts if you sign up for multiple laser treatment sessions in advance. Always inquire about these offers since savings can quickly add up; financing might also be an ideal solution if upfront costs become prohibitive.
The Area
Laser hair removal can help you attain permanently smooth skin in any desired body area. While it can be costly, many plastic surgeons and spas offer financing and discounts that make the treatment more accessible. You may also be able to save money by scheduling multiple sessions upfront or bundling them into one package price.
Prior to opting for laser hair removal treatments, it is wise to speak with a physician or technician regarding which areas you intend to target and for how long. This ensures you receive an appropriate laser type according to your skin tone and type in order to minimize side effects and ensure desired results are reached more quickly. Your physician can also provide an estimate as to the number of sessions that will be necessary in order to reach desired goals.
Location and physician expertise can also have an effect on laser hair removal prices. If you visit an expensive clinic located in an affluent neighborhood, expect higher laser hair removal prices.
Laser hair removal costs also depend on the size and location of the body area being treated, including legs and back. Treating larger areas such as these usually requires additional sessions; additionally, dark skin tones may need different laser types in order to get satisfactory results.
An additional factor affecting laser hair removal prices is the type of laser used during treatment. While older laser technologies may be less effective and may lead to unwanted side effects like redness or swelling, for the best experience with this treatment option it is wise to visit only reputable centers using the latest and most cutting-edge technology for treatment.
Laser hair removal may cost more up front, but when measured against all the time and money spent on shaving or waxing alone over your lifetime it becomes more cost-effective to invest in laser treatments than ever.
The Type of Laser
Laser hair removal treatments vary significantly in cost depending on which lasers are chosen for treatment. Certain lasers are tailored specifically for certain skin tones or hair colors while others can treat all. Therefore, it’s essential to consult a plastic surgeon or laser hair specialist prior to scheduling a consultation appointment.
Geography also plays a big part in laser hair removal prices; different regions across the country have different rates of cosmetic surgery procedures that could increase prices for laser hair removal services.
Additionally, the amount of hair in an area will determine how much a laser hair removal treatment costs; more hair requires additional sessions in order to reach desired results, making large body areas such as legs and back the most expensive options for treatment.
Though laser hair removal might initially seem costly, once you take into account what money could be saved by eliminating costly maintenance expenses like waxing, depilatory cream use and shaving over time it quickly becomes evident that this procedure could prove cost effective in the long run.
Laser hair removal specialists often offer discounts and promotions to make the treatment more cost-effective, such as groupon deals, gift card giveaways, financing options or payment plans with lower interest rates. When considering options such as this it is wise to ask about all available discounts/promos before selecting one and be aware of potential interest rate implications before signing any payment plans or financing contracts.
Laser hair removal can be an ideal solution for women and men suffering from excess or unwanted hair growth, including polycystic ovary syndrome and hormonal imbalances, or men who have thick, unattractive body hair on their back or shoulders. Laser treatments eliminate regular waxing or shaving and offer much safer chemical solutions than may damage skin in terms of side effects and safety concerns. Most individuals find their hair growth is greatly limited or stops entirely after four to six laser hair removal treatments, although some regrowth may occur with finer and less noticeable growth than previous.
The Experience
Laser hair removal is an investment in your skin, so it is essential that the provider you select has undergone adequate training. A comprehensive laser hair removal training program should feature lecture-based lessons, live demonstrations and hands-on practical experience for optimal results.
Consultations is the first step, wherein a specialist will assess if you’re an appropriate candidate for laser treatment and analyze your skin tone and hair color. They may suggest shaving the area the day prior to therapy, or apply topical numbing cream to minimize discomfort during your procedure.
Expect your procedure to last several hours, depending on the size and scope of your treatment area. Recurring sessions may be required, which is why many laser centers offer package deals; for example if you plan to treat both legs simultaneously then purchasing six treatments at once could save money and time!
Cost of laser hair removal depends heavily on where you reside; prices in Los Angeles tend to be much higher than Fresno due to increased demand and hence higher prices in major cities.
Consideration should always be given to the quality of a clinic when considering price variations. A reputable laser center must be accredited by a national regulatory body, employ an experienced team of technicians for oversight purposes, be licensed for cosmetic treatments and have adequate insurance coverage.
Laser treatment can have a substantial impact on your appearance. It can reduce or even eliminate the need for shaving, waxing and other manual methods of hair removal such as plucking. Unfortunately, most private health insurance plans don’t cover laser hair removal procedures as cosmetic procedures; in rare instances when medically necessary cases exist it might be covered; so talk with both your physician and insurance provider regarding coverage before scheduling treatment.
