Let’s face it: laser hair removal is not cheap. Throughout the United States, the average price for one laser treatment ranges between $400 and $450 per session. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average laser hair removal price is about $430 per procedure.
Factors Influencing Laser Hair Removal Costs
The actual price of laser hair removal can vary significantly based on a number of factors including the size of the area that is treated, the number of sessions that are needed, amount of time the various sessions take and the kind of laser being used.
As everyone’s pattern of hair growth is unique, the price of laser hair removal varies from person to person. There are different factors involved, and you have to decide, whether the laser hair removal is for you. Price depends on which body part you are having done, the amount of hair you wish to have removed, and color of hair you want removed. Other factors that play a role are your geographic location, the level of experience of the laser removal professional, and the type of payment you choose (certain discounts may be offered to those who pay in advance).
Usually, only two to four treatments are needed to effectively remove hair because laser hair removal is capable of affecting hundreds of hair follicles at one time. Call around to your local clinics to get some idea of how many treatments you’ll need, which will determine your total cost.
As a general gauge, this is what you should expect to pay for various laser hair removal procedures (costs are for a single treatment and multiple treatments may be required): facial hair - $250, bikini - $250, back - $650, legs - $350, arms - $250, under arms - $150, chest - $350.
Laser Hair Removal Pricing Structure
Laser hair removal price calculation method may be different for different clinics, but the good news is that regardless of the cost structure used to develop the laser hair removal price list, the dollar figure for the completed treatment will generally come out about the same. So, when visiting a laser hair removal clinic for your initial consultation, always ask for a price quote for the completed laser hair removal treatments.
Here are some methods that laser hair removal clinics use to calculate the price of laser hair removal:
Flat Fee Basis
You may be charged a flat fee per session or set of sessions, for example, $600 for back hair removal.
Time
Some laser clinics bill per 15 minute segment of time, for example, $150 per 15 each minutes of the procedure. So, if a man’s back takes about an hour, it would cost $600 per treatment. Of course, the time needed will be affected by the amount of hair to be removed, the speed of the laser machine and the skill of the professional doing the work.
Fee per pulse
This cost structure is based on how many pulses it takes to remove hair from a selected area. Every time the laser fires, it is called “a pulse.” Each pulse takes can remove up to about a hundred hairs from a spot as big as a dime to a quarter. For instance, a laser clinic might charge a two dollars per pulse, so if you are removing upper lip hair and it takes 50 pulses that would be $100. Of course, larger areas are going to take more pulses to attain the desired hair removal. In the case that a treatment center charges per pulse, there may be a minimum pulse fee regardless of how many pulses it takes to remove the hair. You will only get billed for actual pulses, so the cost per session may go down as you have less hair to be removed. Different lasers have different firing area sizes so the price per each pulse will vary.
Although the methods that laser hair removal clinics calculate the price of laser hair removal vary, the overall cost usually comes out to be the similar for the same type of treatment.
Important Considerations
Remember, most of the time, it takes more than one treatment to achieve the hair removal. This is the most important thing to remember in terms of cost. Having a consultation appointment is also the best way to determine the costs for laser hair removal, as there is no universal guideline for cost, and it often depends on the treatment center and area, types of cost structures and time involved.
The main reason laser hair removal prices are so high is that it’s a procedure that should be performed in a physician’s office or in select clinics that are licensed to operate the Class II medical device. In some states, it is legal for a non-medical person to be trained to use a laser, which can lower laser hair removal cost. But especially since not all types of lasers can be used on everybody, you’re better off paying the additional cost to work with a physician who is a certified laser hair removal specialist.
Be sure to carefully research the various options available in your area and ask many questions before you choose a clinic. Also, make sure you have a realistic price estimate BEFORE you start your treatment. That means discussing with the clinician how many treatments you’ll likely need. That is why it is a good idea to sign up for a consultation to have your questions answered and discuss the pricing. The key here is to eliminate any surprises after the treatments are done!
Keep in mind that most insurance companies do not cover laser hair removal cost, because the procedure is cosmetic in nature. Also, remember that price for laser hair removal is not the only factor to consider. QUALITY of service is very important too.
Read more on my Laser Hair Removal blog. Also read about laser hair removal cost, Laser Hair Removal For Bikini Line, IPL Laser Hair Removal, and other methods of hair removal, such as waxing hair removal.
Hair Removal Forum is a leading resource for permanent hair removal. Find the answers to all of your hair removal questions, and locate a laser center in your area.
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