Laser hair removal may seem expensive initially, but in the long run it could save money – just think if you no longer had to purchase razor blades or pay for waxing!
Laser treatments use light beams to inhibit hair growth by targeting pigment in the hair shafts. Darker locks and lighter skin types seem to respond best, although it may not always work completely effectively for everyone.
Cost of Treatments
Many people spend both time and money to remove body hair. Waxing, shaving or using other hair removal products are popular ways of accomplishing this task; this process may take several hours every month depending on where they live and can cost several hundred dollars or more each time around. Laser hair removal offers both time- and money-saving potential as it permanently eliminates unwanted hair – it may cost more upfront, but over time can actually save both both.
Cost of laser hair removal treatment will depend on several factors, including where the treatment area is being addressed, type of laser used and location of clinic. Prices in Los Angeles will differ significantly from prices in Fresno as laser hair removal is regulated and requires licensed professionals. Unfortunately, it cannot be covered under Health Savings Account or Flex Spending accounts because cosmetic surgery cannot be considered medically necessary expenses.
Laser hair removal treatments can be performed in a med spa, dermatologist’s office or other facility. While some insurance policies cover laser treatments for hair reduction, not all will. Therefore, prior to starting any sessions it is essential that an evaluation be conducted so you know exactly how many sessions will be necessary to reach the results that you’re after – usually between three and six sessions will give permanent reduction. You should also have maintenance sessions yearly in order to preserve these results.
Laser machines themselves can make an enormous impactful on the cost of laser hair removal, with prices that often run into the thousands. Once purchased, dermatologists and spas must pay maintenance expenses as well as other business expenses related to owning such machinery.
Many individuals opt to pay for laser hair removal treatments with cash or credit cards; others use an HSA or FSA account as a way of spreading out costs over time. Any funds withdrawn from either of these accounts could incur penalties due to nonqualified distributions.
Duration of Treatments
Laser hair removal treatments will depend on the area being treated. Some areas produce hair more quickly than others and multiple sessions will likely be necessary in order to remove all unwanted hair completely. Maintenance sessions may also be required in order to maintain optimal results.
Consultations with doctors will allow them to create a tailored treatment plan tailored to help you meet your aesthetic goals, including laser hair removal sessions.
Prior to your treatment session, a medical specialist will clean and apply numbing gel in order to minimize discomfort. After the area is numb, a laser technician will hone in on specific target areas and begin treating them; you may feel intense heat during this process as the laser targets hair follicles and disables them.
Most patients require two to six treatments of laser hair removal for full removal of unwanted hairs. Results tend to be long-lasting; even when hair does regrowth it tends to be finer and lighter in color than prior.
Laser technology has advanced over time and now works on all skin types; however, its optimal use remains on people with light skin and dark hair. Therefore, selecting an experienced provider who can perform this procedure effectively to meet your unique needs is critical.
After each treatment, you should begin to notice that the hair follicles are becoming gradually smaller, with thinner and shorter regrowth due to laser damage to follicles that cannot produce additional hair growth.
If you require more than six laser hair removal sessions, your doctor may suggest electrolysis as a permanent hair reduction solution. While electrolysis takes more time than laser treatments to get rid of unwanted body hair, electrolysis will eventually eradicate all unwanted hair on your body permanently.
As well as the number of laser treatment sessions you require, the duration of each will play a part in determining your final costs. Treating smaller areas such as facial features and armpits typically take only minutes while larger spots like backs or chests could take as long as an hour to treat.
Cost of Additional Treatments
Laser hair removal can be an ideal way for both men and women to rid their bodies of unwanted body hair. The treatment is permanent, safe, and painless – eliminating the need for shaving, waxing or tweezing altogether. Laser treatments typically take place in an office setting where topical anesthetic is applied before using a laser on the area in question.
Note that laser hair removal should not be seen as elective surgery and that most insurance policies don’t cover its cost. Individual costs will depend on factors like geographic region, facility type and provider selection – and whether a physician or nonphysician performs your procedure.
Size plays an important part in determining the cost of any procedure. Larger areas like back and legs tend to cost more than smaller ones like chin or upper lip treatments because larger bodies require multiple sessions for treatment.
Hair growth rates and skin color play an important part in how often treatments are necessary; those with darker locks or skin may require more frequent sessions, while lighter hues typically need fewer. Your provider can assist in helping determine how frequently to schedule appointments during a consultation visit.
At your initial consultation, your provider will assess your skin tone and color, along with asking you a series of questions about your past hair removal habits and recommend the most suitable course of treatment. It is best to refrain from tanning, as naturally or artificially tanned skin can make laser targeting of hair follicles more challenging. It is also advised that two to three days prior to an appointment you shave the area that will be treated and avoid plucking or waxing hair from this area.
Results
Laser hair removal can be a successful solution to unwanted body hair, though multiple sessions may be required before seeing results. Maintenance treatments will then need to be conducted regularly in order to keep skin hair-free. With laser, however, you no longer have to shave or wax — both time-consuming and painful tasks — or deal with stubble showing through jeans!
Your results depend on your hair color, skin type and area you are targeting for removal. Lasers work best on dark hair against light skin as the contrast allows the laser to more efficiently target pigmented follicles for destruction; however, it doesn’t work so well on blond, gray or white locks as its beam cannot differentiate between hairs’ pigments and skin pigments.
Once treated, you’ll notice that the hair in the treated area is gradually thinning and fading away, or perhaps stopping altogether. Regrowth usually is finer and lighter in color – just plan for maintenance sessions every few months or annually so your results last as planned!
Maintain your treatment plan by sticking with each appointment as planned. Missed sessions can increase damage to hair follicles, making permanent removal more challenging. Also avoid applying topical creams or substances directly onto treated areas.
Laser hair removal may seem costly initially, but in the long run it could prove worthwhile. You could save both time and money by forgoing frequent shaving, waxing, and plucking sessions; plus it could boost your self-esteem by getting rid of embarrassing stubble or risk of ingrown hairs!
Consider that laser hair removal is considered elective procedure and therefore not covered by insurance. Speak to the clinic where you plan on having treatments about payment options such as payment plans or using your flexible spending account.
