Laser Hair Removal
- Procedures
- Laser Hair Removal
- Cost
If you’re tired of waxing and razors and are considering a laser hair removal procedure to be hair free, we’ve got all the details about what the financial investment might look like.
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Written By: Erin Storm, PA-C
Published: April 11, 2021
Last updated: March 28, 2024
Average Laser Hair Removal Cost
Laser Hair Removal Cost Factors
Total Laser Hair Removal Cost Analysis
Laser Hair Removal Cost by Treatment Area
State-by-State Laser Hair Removal Cost
Global Laser Hair Removal Cost
Insurance Coverage
The Skinny
Content Reviewed by AEDIT Medical Advisory Board
What is the average cost of a laser hair removal treatment?
The average price of a laser hair removal procedure is between $125 to $1,000, but there are other possible expenses (more on them below!) that should be reviewed when considering a removal.
Average Cost of Laser Hair Removal: $287
Price Range for Laser Hair Removal: $125 - $1,000
Candidates considering laser hair removal, which is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for permanent hair reduction, may find it useful to understand the potential factors that contribute to the overall cost of this cosmetic procedure. The table below offers an outline of these factors.
Factors to Consider in the Total Cost of a Laser Hair Removal
Cost Factor | Explanation |
---|---|
Treatment Area | Face, lower legs, bikini line, etc. |
Provider | Training, experience, specialty |
Consultation Fee | May or may not be applied towards procedure cost |
Location | Facility fees vary by region and are typically higher for larger facilities |
Recovery Expense | Special equipment, follow ups, etc. |
The Specifics
What affects the cost of laser hair removal?
Let’s look a little closer at the variables from the first table. Friendly reminder, the guidelines provided in this article are generalized estimates. Consultations with your cosmetic provider will always create the most accurate assessment of the cost of your laser hair removal treatment.
All that said, the following can help give you an idea of the questions to ask and elements to consider when going into a consultation so you can feel informed and empowered throughout your cosmetic experience.
Provider: A more experienced, board certified plastic surgeon, dermatologist, or specialized technician typically charges more for their expertise. This can cause higher consultation fees (this may not be a factor in laser hair removal) and a higher procedure cost.
Treatment Area: Larger areas will cost more while smaller treatment areas will, you guessed it, cost less. Typically, the face and body hair of the arms and legs are the most expensive.
Location: The 2020 American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Report offers procedure occurrences broken down by region. The coasts accounted for a majority of all laser hair removals performed in 2020. More laser hair removals on the coasts typically lead to generally higher prices.
Recovery: Laser hair removal recovery will vary by individual and are typically minimal, however, recovery time may include medications and time off from certain activities.
Before we move on, let’s look a little closer at how body area affects the price of laser hair removal. The table below offers general estimates by major body area.
Average Per Session Cost of Laser Hair Removal by Treatment Area
Area | Cost |
---|---|
Upper Lip or Chin | $200 |
Underarms | $200 |
Bikini | $300 to $375 |
Half Leg or Arms | $450 |
Back | $550 |
Chest or Abdomen | $275 to $300 |
What does the cost of laser hair removal include?
We’ve covered the basics and now you’re probably curious about what the price of a laser hair removal actually includes? We can help. The cost of the time the dermatologist or cosmetic provider spends performing the laser hair removal procedure is usually what gets quoted as the ‘average cost’ or ‘surgeon’s fee’ (yes, we know this isn’t a surgical procedure). The following is not exact, but it’s basically the hourly rate of your provider. Remember, they need to cover their business expenses like payroll, rent, professional insurance, and office/medical supplies.
Laser hair removal costs might creep up as additional factors are added. Any other medical staff in the room during your removal (nurses or assistants), the tools and supplies used during your hair removal (the device, gauze, gloves, etc.), medications before, during, and after your procedure (anesthetics and cleaning agents), and the fee for using the facility’s procedure room.
Another thing to be mindful of: laser hair removal is a temporary treatment. Multiple initial sessions may be needed to achieve the desired results and regular maintenance will be needed for upkeep. For example, if your upper lip laser hair removal is $100 and requires maintenance monthly, your total yearly costs will be $1,200.
How much does laser hair removal cost?
All in (minus your personal expenses), you can expect a single laser hair removal treatment to cost $125 to $1,000. The total cost will be dependent on the factors we listed above, the body area you are treating, and the length and involvement of the medical procedure. The higher end of that range may represent a procedure in a larger facility with a more experienced provider on a larger body area. Additionally, the quality of the laser removal equipment used will affect the cost.
How much does laser hair removal cost across the United States?
It’s all about your location! In case we haven’t spent enough time on this, location is a major factor in the overall cost of all cosmetic procedures. As stated above, the 2020 ASPS Report shows a large percentage of all laser hair removals occurred on the coasts. More procedures equals higher costs.
The table below breaks down per session hair removal costs in major cities across the US.
Average Laser Hair Removal Cost by City and State
State | Average Cost |
---|---|
New York, NY | $200 to $1,000 |
Chicago, IL | $150 to $1,000 |
Miami, FL | $175 to $1,000 |
Birmingham, AL | $100 to $1,000 |
Austin, TX | $125 to $1,000 |
Los Angeles, CA | $200 to $1,000 |
How much does laser hair removal cost around the world?
For those considering pursuing a laser hair removal abroad, the following table compares average cost ranges in a few countries. Don’t get too excited by the price difference though, you’ll need to factor in travel expenses and consider the reputation of the provider and facility when comparing costs. The table below reflects per session costs converted to U.S. dollars.
Average Laser Hair Removal Cost by Country in USD
Country | Average Cost |
---|---|
Canada | $50 to $800 |
Mexico | $50 to $500 |
Colombia | $50 to $500 |
United Kingdom | $100 to $1,000 |
Australia | $100 to $1,000 |
Japan | $50 to $750 |
United Arab Emirates | $100 to $1,000 |
Does insurance cover the cost of laser hair removal?
Are you wondering if insurance will cover your laser hair removal procedure? Let’s look these definitions from the American Medical Association (AMA):
Cosmetic Surgery: Procedures for reshaping normal structures for improved appearance and self-esteem.
Reconstructive Surgery: Procedures performed on abnormal body structures resulting from congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, disease, infection, or tumors.
Basically, cosmetic procedures are not covered by insurance and reconstructive surgeries possibly are. Hybrid procedures with aesthetic and functional benefits are a maybe. To keep it simple: your laser hair removal will almost certainly be considered cosmetic and, therefore, not be covered.
The Takeaway
Laser hair removal treatments used to destroy hair follicles and reduce hair growth are popular choices for those with unwanted hair. Keep in mind, laser treatments are not safe in all skin tones, skin types, and hair colors, so be sure to consult with a board certified provider to ensure you are a candidate. Laser hair removal can be costly in the long run, so hopefully this guide has given you a better appreciation for what this hair removal method may cost for you.
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Source List
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AEDIT uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons 2018 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report plasticsurgery.org; 2019-01-01
- American Board of Cosmetic Surgery Cosmetic Surgery Prices www.americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org
- Conrad J Harrison, Michael Tyler, Jeremy Rodrigues Value-based Plastic Surgery pubmed.gov; 2020-12-01
- Madeleine Blank, et al. The underreporting of cost perspective in cost-analysis research: A systematic review of the plastic surgery literature pubmed.gov; 2019-03-07
- Natalia Ziolkowski et al. Systematic review of economic evaluations in plastic surgery pubmed.gov; 2013-07-01
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