Hair removal can be a sore subject (literally).

The options are endless from waxing to shaving, but what if you’re looking to toss out your hair removal tools and creams once and for all? Laser hair removal costs more upfront, but you’ll save time and money long term when you never have to make a waxing appointment again. 
Keep reading to learn more about how much you can expect laser hair removal sessions to cost and, learn about the basics of this procedure before you book on StyleSeat.

How much does laser hair removal cost?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, laser hair removal costs an average of $389. This sounds a bit steep, but that’s because it typically takes several sessions for permanent results. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it usually takes two to six removal sessions for patients to start seeing results. Laser hair removal can’t be a one-and-done service because hair grows in cycles, so it takes a while to target all the active hair follicles.

According to our internal StyleSeat data, the average laser hair removal session costs $82 and ranges in price from $20 to $375. Here are the average prices by type of hair removal.

Laser Hair Removal Service	Average Cost
Abdomen	$100
Full arms	$89
Full back	$140
Bikini	$55
Brazilian	$87
Brows	$65
Butt	$68
Cheeks	$68
Chest	$102
Chin	$77
Ear	$53
Full face	$65
Feet	$65
Forehead/hairline	$40
Full bikini	$75
Full body	$349
Full leg	$108
Half arm	$70
Half leg	$81
Hands	$65
Lip	$56
Lower back	$75
Navel/lower stomach	$35
Neck	$70
Sideburns	$30
Underarms	$74
Upper back	$125

A few factors that affect laser hair removal cost include:

• Hair thickness: Thick hair may require more sessions to fully remove.
• Size of desired treatment area: Larger areas such as the back will cost more because it takes longer to treat the area.
• Difficulty of desired treatment area: Areas that require more precision and skills (such as the hairline) are more costly, regardless of size.
• Salon location/cost of living: Salons in locations with higher costs of living will need to charge more to cover their expenses.  

Here are the average costs of a laser hair removal session by state on StyleSeat:

State*	Average Cost Per Laser Hair Removal Session
CA	$50
FL	$150
GA	$44
IL	$75
LA	$74
MN	$119
MS	$49
NJ	$112
SC	$166
TX	$78
VT	$150
*Some states excluded due to insufficient data.

Who should try laser hair removal?

Anyone can try laser hair removal. The original lasers for hair removal targeted hair follicles based on contrast, so they initially only worked on pale skin with dark brown to black hair. Now, technology has evolved, and there are more lasers available for different needs.

• Intense pulsed light (IPL): not recommended for dark skin tones
• Alexandrite: safe for medium skin tones
• Diode: safe for dark skin tones
• Nd:YAG: safest for dark skin tones

If you have lighter skin, you may not need to worry about the type of laser as much, but that doesn’t mean you can go to anyone to get your hair zapped. Laser hair removal is safe, but there are some risks if you go to an inexperienced technician:

• Permanent skin discoloration
• Burns
• Scarring

People with dark skin, in particular, should be wary of these risks. Take these steps to research your technician and reduce your side effect risk:

• Research your risk ahead of time based on your skin and hair color.
• Research regulations in your state and ensure your technician meets them.
• Read reviews on StyleSeat for your technician and ask for a portfolio of their past clients.
• Schedule a consultation and request a patch test.

Benefits of laser hair removal

There’s a reason laser hair removal is so popular — there are many upsides to the procedure:

• Eliminates razor bumps and ingrown hairs
• Can thin out or permanently remove all hair, depending on your goals
• Saves time and costs less than waxing long term
• May be less painful than waxing
• Is a long-term solution to hair removal
• Procedure is relatively quick

Drawbacks of laser hair removal

It’s important to get the full picture of any cosmetic procedure before you commit to it. Here are some potential cons of laser hair removal:

• Not everyone can achieve permanent results
• Risk of burns, discoloration, and scarring
• Has a higher upfront cost than other hair removal methods
• Can take multiple sessions for permanent results
• Requires extensive research to find an experienced technician

Laser hair removal process

Are you curious what the laser hair removal process looks like? Here’s how you can prepare for your appointment, what to expect during the service, and how you can take care of your skin after for the best results.

Before your appointment:

• Stop waxing or plucking hair at least two to four weeks prior.
• Stop tanning two weeks prior until you’ve completely healed from your last session.
• Shave one to two days prior.
• Inform your technician of any medications you take.
• Shower before you leave for your appointment and remove any makeup or lotions.

During your appointment:

• Your technician will give you protective eyewear.
• You might be offered a numbing cream for your skin.
• You may experience some discomfort (it’s a similar sensation to snapping a rubber band against your skin).

After your appointment:

• Skin may be swollen and red or bumpy, similar to a sunburn.
• Avoid makeup, lotions, or other skin care for at least 24 hours.
• Avoid skin care with active ingredients like retinoids or exfoliants until skin heals.
• Avoid sun exposure and always wear sunscreen.
• Don’t wax or pluck new hair growth (only shave).

After your appointment, you can use ice packs to soothe your skin and reduce any pain. It’s common for skin to be red or discolored for a few days after your appointment. If pain, discoloration, or swelling persist, get in touch with your doctor to rule out any negative reactions or infections. 

Side effects typically resolve themselves in one to three days. Once your skin is healed (after a week or so), you can resume skin care, though you might want to give your skin some TLC with deep moisturization and skin slugging.

FAQ

Does full body laser hair removal include private parts?

Full body laser hair removal packages typically include private parts, but you should call your technician ahead of time to confirm.

How many sessions does it take to get laser hair removal on your whole body?

It takes two to six sessions for permanent laser hair removal to work. Everyone’s hair reacts slightly differently to laser hair removal, so it’s difficult to predict how many sessions you’ll need to achieve completely smooth skin.

How long does a full body laser hair removal session last?

You can expect a full body laser hair removal session to last 90 to 180 minutes, depending on your hair thickness.

Now that you know more about laser hair removal costs, are you ready to put down the razor for good? Search on StyleSeat for a technician who can help you achieve that goal and smooth your skin — permanently.