Average Cost of Laser Hair Removal

What is laser hair removal?

Laser hair removal is a noninvasive way to reduce or remove unwanted body hair. With more than one million procedures performed in 2016, laser hair removal is one of the most popular minimally invasive cosmetic treatments in the United States. It can be a good option for those with excess body hair who are looking for a way to effectively reduce or remove hair from both large and small areas of the body.

Procedure

Laser hair removal procedure

Before the procedure, a medical specialist (a physician, physician assistant, or registered nurse) cleans the treatment area. If the area is particularly sensitive, numbing gel can be applied. During the procedure, everyone in the room needs to wear special protective eyewear to prevent eye damage from the laser.

Once the numbing gel kicks in, the medical specialist focuses a beam of high-energy light at the desired area. The bigger the area you would like treated, the longer the procedure takes. Small areas can take as little as a couple of minutes while larger areas such as the chest can take an hour or more.

Some patients report a sensation similar to a rubber band snapping or a sunburn-like sting. As the hair vaporizes from the energy of the laser, there can be a sulfurous smell from the smoke puffs.

Preparation

Preparing for laser hair removal

Your doctor should provide thorough preparation instructions before your appointment. Following these instructions improves the effectiveness of the procedure and reduces the risk of side effects. Here are some common recommendations:

• Stay out of the sun for a few days before the procedure. Laser hair removal shouldn’t be performed on tanned skin.
• Avoid irritating the skin.
• Stay away from waxing and plucking.
• Try not to take anti-inflammatory drugs that may increase bleeding, such as aspirin.
• If you have an active infection, such as a cold sore or bacterial skin infection, the procedure should not be performed.

Additionally, if you have dark skin you might be recommended to apply a skin-bleaching compound to the treatment area.

Target areas

Target areas for laser hair removal

Target areas include:

• back
• shoulders
• arms
• chest
• bikini area
• legs
• neck
• upper lip
• chin

How it works

How does laser hair removal work?

Laser hair removal works by using concentrated light to affect hair follicles, which are small cavities in the skin from which hair grows. The hair follicle absorbs the laser, which is attracted to the hair’s melanin pigment, and the hair vaporizes instantly.

The pigment in the hair attracts the laser, so darker hair absorbs the laser more effectively, which is why people with dark hair and light skin are ideal candidates for laser hair removal.

Patients with dark skin typically need to be treated with a special type of laser that detects the hair against their skin.

Those with light hair make less ideal candidates, and they are also less likely to experience drastic results as the laser doesn’t focus well on nonpigmented hair. Laser hair removal is not effective on blonde, gray, or white hairs.

Side effects

Are there any risks or side effects?

Serious complications related to laser hair removal are rare. The most common side effects include:

• swelling
• redness
• discomfort and skin irritation

They typically subside within a few days after the treatment. If symptoms persist, you should contact your medical specialist.

Less common side effects include:

• scars
• burns
• blisters
• infections
• permanent changes in skin color

What to expect

What to expect after laser hair removal

The recovery time after the procedure is minimal and most patients can return to life as normal directly after. Just as wearing sunscreen before the procedure is important, so is continuing to wear it after the procedure. This will help prevent further irritation.

You can expect to see a reduction in the number of hairs in the treated area immediately after the procedure. Two to eight weeks after laser hair removal, you may begin to notice an increase in hair growth in the treated area. The reason for this is that not all hair follicles respond equally to the laser. Most patients see a 10 to 25 percent reduction in hair after the first treatment. It typically takes between three and eight sessions for permanent hair loss. The evaluation with your specialist before the procedure will give you a better idea of how many treatment sessions you may need. Also, you will likely need a touch-up session yearly to maintain effect.

Cost