Laser hair removal is considered a cosmetic procedure and therefore not covered by insurance, although some plastic surgeons may offer financing plans to make treatments more affordable.
Patients should expect multiple sessions, spaced four-to-six weeks apart, scheduled in which their doctor presses a handheld laser instrument against the skin with cooling features or gel to protect from discomfort.
1. Ask Your Doctor
Laser hair removal can be an efficient and quick solution to unwanted body hair, yet can be expensive and is usually not covered by most insurance plans. To reduce costs and save money, always ask about special offers or discounts available, and have your doctor advocate for you with your insurer so as to increase the chance that the procedure will be approved.
Prior to getting laser hair removal, the first thing you should do is learn what its cost will be. Prices may differ depending on your location and it is essential that you shop around to find the best price. Furthermore, be sure to ask about payment options and interest rates; medical credit cards, loans and flexible spending accounts could all provide funding options to cover this treatment plan.
After researching your potential clinic, it’s important to assess their equipment. Make sure they use FDA-approved, medical grade devices designed specifically for laser hair removal treatments; this will ensure your treatment is both safe and effective while decreasing any risks of side effects.
Your doctor should also provide you with pre-treatment instructions. Failure to abide by them could result in serious complications and health problems; for example, laser hair removal should not be used if you are taking antibiotics or have genital herpes; similarly, pluckeding, waxing or shaving the area prior to laser hair removal could put you at risk.
Finally, it is essential that you discuss any allergies or sensitivities with your physician. Laser hair removal is generally safe treatment option; however, it could pose risks if you are sensitive to certain chemicals or medications used in laser hair removal treatments.
After speaking to your doctor about what pain you should expect during and after treatment, be sure to inquire as to the amount. While individual experiences will differ, in general the level of discomfort should be less painful than tweezing or waxing. Furthermore, redness and itching may occur afterward.
2. Schedule a Consultation
Before scheduling laser hair removal treatment with insurance, the first step should be scheduling a consultation. This gives you the chance to gain more information on the procedure, ask any questions that arise and determine whether or not it suits you. During the consultation, you may also be asked about your medical history – pregnancy and skin cancer can make someone an unsuitable candidate for laser hair removal; additionally, technicians need to understand both hair and skin color as different laser technologies don’t suit everyone.
Make a list of all your current hair removal methods – this may include everything from shaving and waxing, as well as hair removal creams – so the technician can assess if laser hair removal would be best suited to treat your condition. It may also help if you bring along an image of the area where you wish to have treated so they can identify which areas require treatment first.
At your consultation, the technician will go over the cost and financing options available to you for your procedure. Be sure to ask about packages as these can reduce overall expenses. Furthermore, inquire as to the number of treatments required in order to achieve desired results – multiple sessions may be needed depending on what kind of results are desired.
Once your consultation is over, it will be necessary to schedule your initial treatment appointment. It is advisable to make multiple appointments over four to six weeks as lasers target hair during its growth phase; since different parts of your body grow at differing rates. Therefore, multiple treatments will need to be scheduled in order for all hair in its growth phase when lasers are utilized.
Before the treatment begins, your technician will thoroughly clean the area and apply a cold gel to your skin. While the treatment itself may cause minor discomfort, this should be managed easily.
3. Bring Your Insurance Card
If your medical condition causes abnormal hair growth, health insurance might cover the costs of laser hair removal treatments. But you need a doctor who can advocate on your behalf and demonstrate why such procedures are necessary in order to avoid further complications; additionally, they must assess if such procedures pose any life-threatening risks to their patients.
Most health insurance providers consider laser hair removal a cosmetic procedure, so they will likely not cover its cost. However, if you suffer from PCOS – an ovaries condition which causes an imbalance of androgen hormone production – insurance may cover it provided your doctor can convince them that unwanted hair growth has an adverse impact on health.
Step one is scheduling an initial consultation with a laser hair removal specialist. They’ll assess your skin, treatment areas and hair type before devising a personalized plan to address all of your individual needs and goals. Plus, your consultant can explain costs involved – bring along your insurance card so they can check with providers to see which plans cover this procedure!
Before your treatment begins, it is essential to prepare your skin by taking steps such as taking off any clothing and jewelry you might be wearing and refraining from tanning/using self-tanners at least a month in advance of your appointment. Furthermore, be sure to shave any areas where you will be treating as this will remove any extra hair that might otherwise form.
Speak to your practitioner about any medications or past skin reactions you are currently taking or previous ones you have had, as this information could help them spot potential red flags that indicate potential problems with treatment. Also make sure that they know about any health issues which could make treatment uncomfortable or unsafe for you.
An at-home IPL hair removal handset is an effective and cost-cutting way to reduce treatment expenses. There are affordable devices online.
4. Schedule Your Treatment
Select a doctor experienced in laser treatments who has extensive knowledge of your skin type. Avoid salons and spas that employ nonmedical personnel to perform laser hair removal; medical supervision ensures all procedures are performed safely. Your doctor may suggest multiple laser sessions over four to six weeks for optimal results; for any concerns over duration, talk to them directly about scheduling options that work for you best.
Your first session will begin with a consultation, where a consultant will evaluate your medical history and discover any reasons that would prevent laser treatment from being performed on you. They may perform a test patch to ascertain skin sensitivity before conducting laser treatment on you – be sure to inform them if you have allergies or take medications, so they can suggest possible solutions or alternative approaches.
Before beginning treatment, your consultant will apply a topical gel to protect and numb the area. You must avoid products like deodorant, perfumes, lotions, sunless tanning creams or makeup for at least two hours prior to receiving laser therapy in order to lower risk of side effects. Your consultant may also suggest restricting plucking and waxing as this can render laser less effective.
Your treatments may cause some discomfort similar to when a rubber band snaps against your skin, and immediately following them you may notice some redness and swelling which will subside over the course of 72 hours. You can speed up this process by applying soothing cream or aloe vera directly on the affected area.
Some individuals may require regular sessions every six weeks; others will require annual adjustments. You can save money on treatment by making use of flexible spending accounts or asking the clinic about package deals.
