Laser Hair Removal: Details, Costs and How It Works

Though you can’t control how and where hair grows on your body, you can remove unwanted hair with laser hair removal treatments. This procedure, which uses a few different laser types to heat and damage hair follicles, can reduce the amount of hair that grows on your body as well as the frequency at which it grows.¹

While this treatment is not guaranteed to be 100% permanent — particularly on faces — and does not always prevent future growth, it can significantly reduce the amount of hair growth and the thickness of hair that remains.¹ In some cases, it is considered a permanent solution after enough sessions.²

What Is Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal is a technique that targets the hair follicles with lasers to reduce the amount of unwanted hair on the body. Though it does damage the hair follicles, which prevents them from growing hair, it is not considered invasive.¹

The areas most effectively treated by lasers include:²

• Armpits

• Back

• Bikini area

• Chest

• Face, particularly upper lip and chin

• Legs

• Neck

• Shoulders

The laser light is absorbed by the pigment in the hair shaft in the follicle, which generates the heat that damages the follicle.¹ It works best for those with light-colored skin and dark-colored hair.² It's important to note that light blonde, red, gray or white hair may not have enough pigment to be effectively removed by laser treatment.³

How Much Does Laser Hair Removal Cost?

The national average cost* for laser hair removal can range between $207 and $913, according to CareCredit’s 2023 Cost Study, and depends on the specific area of hair removal as well as other factors.⁴

Average price for laser hair removal

Below is a breakdown of costs for laser hair removal according to treatment area:⁴

Average cost by state

Hair removal costs also vary by geographic location. Legs, one of the most commonly treated areas,¹ show significant cost differences across states. Below is a breakdown of the average cost for laser hair removal on legs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia:⁴

Is laser hair removal covered by insurance?

Unwanted hair removal is considered a cosmetic procedure, not a medical procedure, and is therefore not covered by insurance.²

How Long Does Laser Hair Removal Take and Last?

Laser hair removal requires patience and planning. The best results usually take six or more treatments, spaced six to eight weeks apart. Facial hair is more affected by hormones and will likely require additional sessions and frequency. The spacing helps to target the entire hair growth cycle — from anagen (active stage) to telogen (resting phase).⁵

Within seven to 10 days after treatment, the hair that was in the active stage of growth will start to fall out. The next treatment will address the hair that was not in the active stage, and so on. The more treatments you receive, the more likely you are to remove hair at all its stages.⁵

By the end of your series of sessions, you can expect about 80% of the hair to be permanently removed. The remaining hair will be thinner and finer and will grow back much more slowly.⁵

Is Laser Hair Removal Effective for the Bikini Area?

Another common area for laser hair removal is the bikini area, and the treatment is quite effective here. Those wishing to reduce hair in the bikini area typically need about six to eight sessions. You can choose between a standard bikini line hair removal or a full Brazilian, which removes all hair from the entire region.⁶

Laser Hair Removal vs. Alternative Removal Techniques

Laser hair removal is just one of several methods used to remove unwanted hair from the body. Several other common techniques include the following:

Electrolysis

While laser hair removal is one of the least invasive hair removal methods, it doesn't guarantee hair removal.¹ In contrast, electrolysis, which uses electrical current, is more invasive and guarantees hair removal.⁷

With electrolysis, the technician inserts a small needle into each hair follicle and uses a low-level electrical current to destroy it. Once the follicle has been destroyed, hair will not grow back.⁷

While this method may be more effective, it is also more painful and can cause swelling, redness and irritation. Like laser hair removal, it requires multiple sessions to achieve full hair removal.⁷

Waxing

Waxing is a form of temporary hair removal that can be done by an aesthetician or dermatologist in an office, or you can learn to do it at home yourself. It involves applying hot or cold wax to the skin, which pulls the hair out by the follicles when removed. While this may temporarily irritate the skin and hair follicles, it is minimally invasive. Waxing does not permanently damage the follicles, so the hair will grow back.⁸

Threading

Threading is a form of hair removal that involves wrapping and twisting cotton threads around unwanted hairs to pull them out. It can cause irritation and redness and is about as effective as waxing. It removes the hair from the follicle without damaging the follicle, so regrowth is not prevented. Threading is primarily effective for small areas like eyebrows.⁸

Depilatories

Depilatory creams, lotions and gels dissolve hair but do not destroy the follicles. Like waxing and threading, these treatments provide temporary hair removal. Depilatories can irritate the skin, so it’s recommended to test them on a small section before applying widely.⁸

How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?

Before undergoing laser hair removal, you’ll consult with a healthcare professional — likely a dermatologist or plastic surgeon — to discuss your goals and assess your health. Your practitioner will evaluate you for preexisting conditions and discuss your options and expected outcomes.¹

Preparation for laser hair removal may begin up to six weeks before treatment. During this time, your practitioner will ask you to stop waxing, tweezing or undergoing electrolysis. You’ll also be advised to discontinue using any hair removal creams, bleaching creams or other chemical products.⁶

Around two weeks before your laser treatments, you should limit direct sun exposure, tanning beds and topical self-tanners. If you do go into the sun, be sure to use a sunblock with SPF 30 or higher and wear protective clothing.⁶

The day before your laser treatment, you will shave the treatment area with a sharp razor.⁶

If necessary for pain management, a numbing cream or oral pain medication will be administered. A cool gel will then be applied to the treatment area, and the laser (most likely handheld) will focus only on the area of hair removal. It may cause slight discomfort for a few seconds each time it is used.⁹

You will likely need multiple sessions to achieve the desired results but can discuss these specifics with your practitioner.⁹

What to Expect After Laser Hair Removal

In the first 24 hours after your treatment, you'll need to give your follicles and skin time to heal. Avoid exercise and activities that cause sweating, as well as anything that heats the skin, such as saunas, hot tubs or hot baths.¹⁰

Keep the treated area clean with gentle skin cleansing products, take cool showers and pat your skin dry instead of rubbing it. While laser hair removal is considered safe and minimally invasive, mild swelling, redness and itching are common after the procedure. You can use mild hydrocortisone cream for itching and redness, and other soothing ointments to protect irritated skin.¹⁰

You may also experience any of these symptoms:¹

• Temporary pigment changes, especially in darker skin

• Temporary irritation

• Possible blistering, crusting or skin texture changes

Individuals with darker skin require a less intensive laser so as not to damage the skin. Additionally, those who have used tanning beds or spray tanner should wait until the tan fades, since darker pigment absorbs the laser light.¹

Financing Laser Hair Removal With the CareCredit Credit Card

When getting laser hair removal or another cosmetic procedure, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for costs not covered by insurance.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Jordan Rosenfeld has been freelance writing for 21 years about finances, health, education and more. Her work has appeared in The Atlantic, The Billfold, GOOD Magazine, GOBankingRates, DailyWorth, Quartz, Medical Economics, The New York Times, PayPal, The Washington Post and more.