Laser hair removal has quickly become one of the most sought-after cosmetic procedures for permanent hair reduction, saving both time and money over waxing or shaving.
As with most procedures, laser hair removal costs vary by body part. Below is a price guide of services offered for laser hair removal.
Costs by Area
Traditional hair removal techniques, such as shaving, waxing and creams can be time consuming, labor intensive and costly over time. Laser hair removal offers an affordable, safe and effective alternative that delivers long-term results with minimal discomfort. Lasers use targeted energy delivered directly to the hair follicle to destroy it so no further hair growth occurs – although occasional maintenance treatments will likely be necessary to keep growth under control.
The number of treatment sessions will depend on which body part is being addressed, but on average you should experience anywhere from a 10%-25% decrease in unwanted hair after just a few sessions. At minimum six treatments may be required but for some even more sessions may be necessary depending on hormones and natural growth cycles of hair follicles – schedule your treatments every four weeks for facial hair, eight-12 weekly for body hair growth cycles.
Before your laser hair removal appointment, it is wise to forgo tanning and use a skin bleaching cream if necessary to prepare the skin for treatment. Also avoid plucking, waxing and electrolysis before treatment as these could reduce effectiveness of laser. In addition to medications which thin blood (such as aspirin or other blood-thinners) which could increase risks related to laser treatments.
On the day of your appointment, you must remove any makeup or clothing covering the area to be treated. After this step is completed, special goggles will be worn as protection from laser beams, while your practitioner may apply cooling gel or spray to reduce any discomfort during treatment. In general, smaller areas like upper lips tend to take less than an hour while treating larger parts such as legs can take up to an hour.
After your procedure, you may experience some redness and swelling that resembles mild sunburn, for several days following which direct sunlight should be avoided on the treated area before gradually returning to regular activities. Maintenance appointments should also be scheduled every four weeks for facial hair growth and every 12-16 weeks for body hair.
Laser hair removal has been around for 135 years, and is widely considered to be safe and effective when administered by experienced practitioners using appropriate equipment. Still, it’s always wise to check that your practitioner is registered with an organization with high standards for training, skill and insurance – one way is through visiting UK’s Independent Healthcare Advisory Service who have a list of registered providers.
Costs by Type
Laser hair removal can be an effective and safe treatment option for many patients, yet requires training to administer safely. As with any medical procedure, this one should always be performed by an experienced aesthetician or physician.
As well, to ensure the highest-quality service is delivered, any provider offering laser treatment must be licensed and insured by their state. In the US, people can obtain this license by passing an exam given by their state; you should inquire further into their experience and training before making your choice.
What to Expect during a Laser Hair Removal Appointment
The duration and thickness of a laser treatment session depend on its size and location; smaller areas, like upper lips, may only need treatment in less than one minute while larger ones like legs may take up to an hour. A topical anesthetic will first be applied to reduce discomfort before using laser pulses that last only fractions of seconds to target multiple hair follicles simultaneously and shorten treatment time significantly.
Laser treatments are usually safe, though they may cause side effects like swelling and reddening to the skin, which should subside after several hours. Some individuals may also develop blisters or skin crusting; these effects tend to occur most commonly among those with darker skin tones. It is advisable that sun exposure and tanning beds be avoided prior and post treatment in order to ensure maximum effectiveness of laser treatment and reduce any more serious side effects from occurring as they could interfere with its efficacy and worsen side effects further.
After receiving laser treatments, most patients find that they do not produce new hair growth in the treated areas for months or even years – when new growth does return it is usually thinner and lighter in color than prior. However, laser treatments should not be considered permanent as they will require maintenance sessions every few months or so to remain effective.
Laser hair removal works best on patients with light skin and dark hair, since darker hues absorb heat more readily than lighter tones, making it easier for the laser beams to target and extract unwanted hairs from their bodies. Tannished skin or those taking acne medication should avoid laser treatments; people suffering from viral diseases such as herpes are not suitable candidates either, while patients affected by hormonal imbalances like PCOS may not achieve comparable results as others who are unaffected by hormones may see different results; speaking to a board-certified dermatologist will help determine whether laser treatment would be suitable.
Costs by Location
Laser hair removal is an increasingly popular alternative to shaving and waxing, providing near painless results on any area of the body for smooth skin. But the cost can differ depending on how large an area needs treating as well as where it takes place – and different laser types have differing prices, so be sure to shop around to find the best prices available.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons estimates the average cost per treatment session of laser hair removal as $389; however, this does not take into account all associated expenses such as surgeon fees and geographic location costs. Many cosmetic specialists provide payment plans or financing solutions in order to make procedures more cost effective for their patients.
An important element in setting the pricing for laser hair removal services at a salon are its overhead expenses, such as rent, employee salaries, equipment purchases and supplies, utilities (which can account for as much as 50% of operating costs), internet and phone services as well as water, electricity and gas utilities costs.
Property insurance should also be considered. This coverage protects against damage from fire, flood and other natural disasters as well as theft or damage to equipment and fittings – typically costing about $500 annually for most policies.
Employee salaries are an integral component of running a laser hair removal salon, yet their costs may fluctuate due to changes in minimum wage laws or employment regulations. Therefore, salon owners need to remain mindful of these costs and adjust them appropriately.
Remember, however, that the number of laser hair removal sessions will have an impactful cost-cutting impact. In particular, more sessions may be required for larger areas like legs and arms due to darker-than-skin tones in their hair being harder to target with lasers.
Before undertaking laser hair removal, always seek advice from a board-certified dermatologist or experienced practitioner. Also ensure that the facility you select has all of the appropriate equipment needed. At-home devices may be available, but they tend to be less effective and may lead to unpleasant side effects than in-office treatments. For optimal results, it is advised that individuals seek professional laser hair removal treatment from a clinic or spa that specializes in laser hair removal. Start planning now to ensure a high-quality treatment that will give you silky, beautiful skin for summer! Don’t wait; get those treatments done early if you want that perfect beach body! Results typically appear after four to eight sessions; so start shopping around and find what best fits you!
