Laser hair removal is a safe and effective solution to reduce unwanted hair. It offers an ideal alternative to shaving, waxing and plucking.
Tipping etiquette may differ among beauty services, and especially laser hair removal. This article will explore this unique situation and provide tips on how to appropriately tip.
How much should I tip?
Tipping for laser hair removal services is usually not necessary. If your technician went above and beyond to ensure you had a positive experience or was especially skilled at their job, however, you could leave a small gratuity as a token of your appreciation – especially since these treatments tend to cost more than other spa services like massages or facials.
Your choice of facility for laser hair removal services will also have an effect on whether or not you should tip. In general, salons and spas tend to employ beauticians more commonly than doctors’ offices or plastic surgery facilities; as opposed to this, medspas and clinics tend to hire medical professionals instead of estheticians, so how much you owe could become confusing at times.
No matter where you seek laser hair removal services, it is always advisable to inquire about their etiquette prior to booking an appointment. This will give you a clearer idea of whether or not a tip should be offered and will also reduce confusion during payment time.
As for how much to tip, it is recommended that you give 10-20% of the original service cost as a tip – for instance if you receive treatment on an extensive area of your body it should range between $20-$80 as a donation.
Another great way to determine whether or not it’s customary for you to tip your laser hair removal technician is to consult friends and family who have undergone similar treatments. They should be able to offer direct advice on whether tipping is expected at their specific center and help determine an amount that’s suitable for your situation.
As an additional point, it should also be mentioned that one way of determining whether or not you need to tip in a laser center may be simply looking at its signage. Many centers post notices stating tips are not required so their clients won’t feel pressured into giving one.
How much should I not tip?
Individuals often base their decision of whether or not to tip on several factors, including quality of service, satisfaction with results and personal budget considerations. Tipping is common practice among beauty services; however, tipping may not always be appropriate when it comes to laser hair removal treatments since these are considered medical procedures rather than beauty services.
Tip laser technicians as you would any beautician or esthetician — 15%-20% of your total treatment cost should suffice as a general recommendation; you don’t have to leave one if you weren’t pleased with their services and it isn’t required by law.
Some individuals prefer not to leave tips altogether and instead express their appreciation in other ways, such as leaving an online review or referring them to others; others might choose to send a handwritten thank-you note directly to their laser technician.
If you are uncertain as to the appropriate tip amount for your laser technician, it might be useful to inquire before scheduling a session and follow all post-treatment instructions provided by them.
Importantly, laser treatments during pregnancy should only be administered by your physician or dermatologist as this could expose the unborn fetus to light that could potentially cause burns or scarring.
If you’re searching for an effective and safe hair removal solution, at-home laser devices like The Flasher 2.0 can offer lasting results after just one or two sessions compared to waxing, tweezing and plucking. Before purchasing one of these home devices, be sure to research all state regulations as well as your individual laser hair removal needs; this will ensure you purchase a high-quality device which provides optimal results.
What if I don’t want to tip?
Many individuals find themselves uncertain as to whether or not to tip their laser hair removal technician, given it is more often more costly than other beauty services and is considered medical by some people who would not typically give doctors or dentists tips as tips.
However, in certain instances it may be appropriate to leave a tip for technicians who go above and beyond in providing quality service – for instance working late to accommodate you or staying past their shift end to ensure you receive full treatment sessions, then it would be appropriate to tip them.
If the laser technician provides you with exceptional results, it would be appropriate to tip them a small amount such as $10-$20 for small areas or $20-50 if treating larger ones. Furthermore, friendly service personnel offering advice regarding your treatment is also deserving of tipping.
Note that many salons and clinics include gratuity or service charges with their fees; it would generally not be appropriate to add extra tips in these instances; you should always ask what their policies on tipping are prior to providing any service or payment.
As well as seeking information from salons or clinics about their tipping policies, it can also be useful to talk to friends and family. They will be able to tell you whether they tip their laser technicians and give a sense of what is typical in their locality.
If you are still uncertain whether tipping is appropriate, it would be advisable to discuss it directly with them during or before your appointment or call to book it. Most technicians are happy to address your inquiries and help determine whether tipping is the appropriate action for you.
