How Much Does Laser Hair Removal Cost?
If you are thinking about a more permanent way of getting rid of body hair, laser hair removal is probably a method you're considering. Among the many questions you may have is a big one: how much does laser hair removal cost? This is a notoriously expensive option, so the price is definitely something to keep in mind, especially if you're a to-be-wed budgeting for an upcoming wedding with other prewedding beauty treatment costs. But you also need to weigh the pros and cons: While it may cost more than shaving or waxing, laser hair removal can also be worth it because of how much longer the results last.
To help you make an informed decision on whether or not this is something you can swing before the big day, we've broken down what you need to know on how much laser hair removal costs.
In this article:
- How Much Does Laser Hair Removal Cost?
- Is Laser Hair Removal Worth It?
- What to Know if You Want Laser Hair Removal Before Your Wedding
- Where to Get Laser Hair Removal Near You
How Much Does Laser Hair Removal Cost?
Laser hair removal is a much more extensive process of getting rid of hair than something like shaving. "It uses concentrated light beams (aka lasers) to target and destroy hair follicles, reducing hair growth," explains Heidi Hall, master aesthetician at Elase Medical Spa in Florida. "The pigment in the hair absorbs the light and the heat generated damages the follicle to slow down or prevent future hair growth."
Because this is something that should be done by a professional over several sessions, it's going to cost more. According to Hall and Sara Millecam, master medical aesthetician at Beautiful Brows and Lashes and Lash Lift Store in Utah, the average price per session per area ranges anywhere between $50 to $500. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average total cost in the United States is $697.
While these prices can vary pretty vastly per session, it's safe to say you'll end up spending a few hundred dollars on laser hair removal. Different factors can make the price go up or down, according to both Hall and Millecam. The number of sessions required is one factor since you pay per session and you need multiple sessions regardless of the treatment area. "Hair grows in cycles and laser hair removal is most effective during the active growth phase," Hall explains. "Since not all hair is in this phase at the same time, multiple treatments are needed to target each follicle as it reaches the growth stage, leading to smoother, longer-lasting results." According to Millecam, there is a minimum requirement of four to six sessions.
Other factors that make a difference in price include hair density, thickness and color (for example, lighter hair is harder for the laser to pick up so it may require more sessions to get it all). The expertise of the provider can make a difference too.
The region you are getting treatments in can also affect the price. "Cities or regions with a high cost of living are also regions where service prices are generally higher compared to other regions which may be rural or low-cost," Millecam says. Generally, you'll find that laser hair removal costs in cities or major metropolitan areas are higher.
Another big factor is the area of treatment you want. Larger treatment areas like the legs and back tend to cost more than smaller areas of the body like the underarms or upper lip, Hall explains. Again, prices can vary, but below are the average costs for each type of treatment, according to Hall and Millecam.
- Full Body Laser Hair Removal Cost: $2,500 to $5,000
- Full Brazilian Laser Hair Removal Cost: $250 to $500 per session
- Bikini Line Laser Hair Removal Cost: $150 to $300 per session
- Leg Laser Hair Removal Cost: $350 to $600 per session
- Face Laser Hair Removal Cost: $100 to $400 per session
- Underarm Laser Hair Removal Cost: $150 to $250 per session
- Upper Lip Laser Hair Removal Cost: $50 to $600 per session
- Back Laser Hair Removal Cost: $300 to $600 per session
- Chin Laser Hair Removal Cost: $100 to $200 per session
If you want to do laser hair removal before your wedding, it's a good idea to add it to your budget to ensure you have the funds. Use The Knot Budget Tool to learn more about the cost of wedding beauty services, track your costs and make estimates that help you save in the long run.
Is Laser Hair Removal Worth It?
Laser hair removal might be expensive, but for those who don't want to deal with body hair all over or in a specific spot, it can definitely be worth it. Over time, it may save money compared to the constant cost and upkeep of methods like shaving and waxing and it means you no longer have to worry about getting rid of unwanted hair. It doesn't remove all hair permanently, but it can delay the growth of hair for a long time, leading to a lot less maintenance. The price might not be worth it for everyone, but for some, it's a big win. Some to-be-weds also include laser hair removal in their prewedding wellness routine.
"For a bride-to-be, laser hair removal can be a great choice," Millecam says. "It eliminates the need for routine hair removal procedures. For those aiming for a longer result, it's well worth the trouble." In other words: once your laser hair removal sessions are done, you have one less thing to add to your long to-do list.
What to Know if You Want Laser Hair Removal Before Your Wedding
If you're planning your wedding and you're set on getting laser hair removal done beforehand, keep your wedding beauty timeline in mind and make sure to give yourself plenty of time. According to Millecam, you'll need a minimum of four to six sessions with intervals of four to six weeks in between to get satisfactory results. That means you need to start treatments about six to nine months before the wedding date. "[Clients] will start seeing a reduction of hair after the first treatment, but the results will increase with every treatment," Hall adds.
It's also not a great idea to get the first session shortly before the wedding. Laser hair removal can sometimes cause irritation like redness and swelling, and if you don't know how your skin will react, it's not a great idea to test it out right before you're on display on your wedding night.
Where to Get Laser Hair Removal Near You
There are tons of places that offer laser hair removal services—it just comes down to finding a spot that's in a convenient location (since you need to go multiple times) with a good reputation that fits your budget. The Knot Vendor Marketplace is a great way to find places near you. Once you enter your location, filter the results by different "beauty services" to find spots that do laser hair removal. You can also use the search tool to find other wedding vendors, like hair and makeup pros, for your big day.