How Much is Laser Hair Removal? Average Costs (and How to Save)
Key takeaways:
Laser hair removal can be used to remove unwanted hair and create a smooth, hair-free look.
It’s important to discuss the costs of treatment and any other required services with a specialist. The cost will vary depending on the body part you want to treat, healthcare professional’s fees, geographic location, and other factors.
In most cases, laser hair removal is considered a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by health insurance.
Table of contents
Laser hair removal is one of the most popular nonsurgical cosmetic procedures performed in the U.S. More than 2.9 million laser skin treatments, including laser hair removal treatments, were performed in 2022, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Research shows that the laser hair removal market is growing each year.
Laser hair removal is an alternative to temporary facial- and body-hair removal methods, such as tweezing, shaving, and waxing. The procedure is designed to remove unwanted hair by using heat from the laser to destroy the hair follicle. This usually leads to smooth, longer-lasting results, achieved in a safer and more effective way.
If you’re considering laser hair removal treatment, it’s important to first consult with a specialist and consider the costs involved.
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How much does laser hair removal typically cost?
There are many factors that will determine the cost of your laser hair removal surgery. The average plastic surgeon's fee for laser hair removal was $697, according to the latest data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. In total, the price for full-body laser hair removal can reach several hundred dollars per session.
For example, SKN SPA in New York City charges $799 for a full-body package, while Skinsation in Los Angeles charges $450 for women. But these aren’t the full prices for the entire process. You could end up paying thousands of dollars, since removing body hair can require several sessions.
Your total costs will vary based on factors including:
Healthcare professional’s fee
Geographic location of the specialist
Prescriptions for medications
Body area you want to treat
Type of laser utilized (diode, alexandrite, etc.)
Size of the body area you want to treat
Anesthesia cream used to reduce discomfort
Special equipment needed for the procedure or recovery
Post-care products, such as sunscreen or soothing agents
Number of treatments you need to achieve a smooth, hair-free look
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Laser hair removal costs for face and body parts
Laser hair removal typically requires multiple treatment sessions to achieve your desired results. This could be anywhere between three and six sessions, depending on your body part being treated and your hair type. To get the best results, these sessions should be scheduled in 4- to 6-week intervals.
You may need extra sessions if you have dark hair and skin, because the laser focuses on pigment in the hair follicle. Darker skin tones may require special types of laser technology to achieve desired results. Ask your healthcare professional about total laser hair removal costs based on your skin tone to ensure you aren’t faced with any unexpected costs later.
If you’re considering laser hair removal surgery, below are some body parts that are commonly treated and the typical per-session cost at a range of spas:
Body part | Sample prices for single sessions |
|---|---|
Back | $210 at a Utah spa, $288 at a New York City spa, and $450 at a Northern Virginia spa. |
Bikini line | $95 at a Pasadena, California spa, $138 at a New York City spa, and $149 at a Northern Virginia spa. |
Chin | $35 at a Utah spa, $88 at a New York City spa, and $99 at a Northern Virginia spa. |
Underarms | $75 at a Chicago spa, $125 at a Northern Virginia spa, and $138 at a New York City spa. |
Upper lip | $35 at a Utah spa, $50 at a Sarasota, Florida spa, and $88 at a New York City spa. |
Full legs | $200 at a Chicago spa, $300 at a Sarasota, Florida spa, and $400 at a Northern Virginia spa. |
The cost of laser hair removal will depend on the size of the body part that you want to treat. Your chin and eyebrows will cost less than other areas of the body, as they cover a smaller territory.
You should expect the average laser hair removal costs to go up if you are focused on areas such as your back or legs. You should also consider how much of the area you want to treat, as well as your skin and hair color. Let’s say you choose to do a full-leg instead of a half-leg treatment. If a full-leg treatment is $200 and you need eight sessions, your cost would be $1,600. Keep in mind that’s only for one leg. Both legs would cost you $3,200.
Is laser hair removal worth it?
It depends. Review the short-term costs and long-term benefits to determine if laser hair removal is the best option for you.
Before you go ahead with a laser hair removal procedure, you should schedule an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist. They will examine your target body area to determine if you are a good candidate for laser hair removal. Your specialist should also discuss the following with you:
Skin type
Hair type
Goals and expectations
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The initial consultation is a great time to learn more about the potential costs and benefits of various cosmetic procedures. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons created a checklist of questions to get you started. Some of the questions include:
How many years of laser hair removal training have you had? (More experienced professionals will usually charge more money.)
How are complications handled?
How long of a recovery period can I expect?
What will be expected of me to get the best results?
Here are some additional questions to consider asking:
Is laser hair removal a safe procedure for the body part I want to focus on?
Will I need topical anesthetic to offset any pain?
Is the laser hair removal treatment permanent?
How many treatments will I need?
Will I need touch-up treatments after the procedure?
What technologies are involved in the treatment? What type of equipment will you use?
Are there any skin care products I should stop using prior to my treatment?
You may receive a complimentary laser hair removal consultation, depending on your healthcare professional. If you have to pay for a consultation, the fee may be applied to the cost of your laser hair removal. Your medical professional should guide you through the entire process and let you know what type of fees to expect.
After your consultation, review the pros and cons of laser hair removal. Here are a few to consider:
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Reduces hair growth | Results are not permanent |
Maintenance treatments are typically once every 2 years | You will need multiple treatment sessions (possibly every 4-6 weeks) to reach your desired results |
No razor burns or ingrown hairs | To protect their skin, patients with darker skin tones may need to avoid older laser hair removal devices |
Typically less painful than other hair removal options | May endure side effects if your skin becomes dry |
May be less expensive over the long term | Upfront costs can drain your pockets |
Some studies report that women may spend as much as $23,000 on hair removal during their lifetime. You may be able to save money by pursuing laser hair removal. Track how much money you spend on waxing and other hair removal services every year to determine if a laser hair removal procedure can keep more money in your pocket over the long term.
Does insurance cover laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal is generally considered a cosmetic procedure. Therefore, private insurance usually won’t cover it.
There are rare cases when an insurance company may cover a portion or all of your laser hair removal services. If you are seeking the procedure due to a health condition, you may be able to contact your insurance company for approval. Consult with your healthcare professional and insurance company to receive guidance and more information about your request.
Some states, such as Massachusetts, provide guidelines for determining if a procedure is medically necessary. For example, hair removal could be medically necessary if it’s used to treat gender dysphoria.
Other conditions that may allow you to classify laser hair removal as medically necessary include:
Hair follicle infections (folliculitis)
If you are 65 or older, you may have Medicare. Unfortunately, a cosmetic procedure isn’t an approved Medicare expense. That means you will have to pay for 100% of the costs unless it’s medically necessary.
You also can’t use your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) to pay for laser hair removal. This is not an HSA-eligible expense under IRS Publication 502. If you tap into these accounts to pay for your laser hair removal procedure, this would be considered a nonqualified distribution. You may be subject to a penalty.
How can you pay for laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal can be expensive, depending on where you live and the body area you need to treat.
If your laser hair removal procedure is not medically necessary, you’ll most likely have to cover 100% of the costs on your own. Payment options to consider include:
Save cash for the medical procedure
Apply for a medical loan such as Prosper
Consider a medical credit card such as CareCredit
If you have good credit, look into a credit card that has a 0% introductory annual percentage rate (APR). Do your research to find out how long the promotional APR will be available.
You should also assess your financial situation to determine if you can pay the entire credit card balance before interest payments kick in. You don’t want to be stuck with high-interest payments if you can’t afford to pay the credit card balance off in time.
It’s important to shop around for the best specialist and consider geographic location when planning for your laser hair removal costs. Since the demand for laser hair removal is higher in coastal areas, you can expect to pay more if you receive services in those states. Fortunately, you may not have to pay all the costs upfront. Ask your laser hair removal specialist if they offer a patient payment plan and if you can finance the procedure. Pay attention to interest rates before moving forward.
Although medical credit cards, loans, or long-term payment plans may sound appealing, you should review all your payment options to avoid putting yourself in a financial jam.
The bottom line
Laser hair removal can be a quick and convenient way to remove unwanted hair. Before you move forward with the procedure, though, consider the costs. Since laser hair removal is not covered under Medicare, Medicaid, and many insurance plans, you will have to determine how you’ll pay for the procedure to avoid getting into debt.
If you are interested in laser hair removal, it’s important to meet with a certified laser hair removal specialist or dermatologist to discuss your options. You want to make sure that your body area of choice can be safely and effectively treated with laser hair removal.
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References
American Society of Plastic Surgeons. (n.d.). 2022 ASPS procedural statistics release.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons. (n.d.). Laser hair removal: Hair removal procedure.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons. (n.d.). Questions to ask your plastic surgeon.
Barron, S. B. (2017). Women shave because of marketers: How the industry created demand for women's razors. HubSpot.
Global Market Insights. (2024). Laser hair removal market.
Internal Revenue Service. (2023). Publication 502, medical and dental expenses.
Le Rêve Med Spa. (n.d.). Laser hair removal pricing.
MassHealth. (2024). Guidelines for medical necessity determination for hair removal.
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Cosmetic surgery.
Minneci, P. C., et al. (2018). Laser hair depilation for the prevention of disease recurrence in adolescents and young adults with pilonidal disease: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials.
Mountcastle Medical Spa and Laser Center. (n.d.). Laser hair removal in Northern Virginia.
Old Town Med Spa. Chicago Medical Spa. (n.d.). Laser hair removal in Chicago, IL.
Regeneration Medical Spa. (n.d.). Laser hair removal cost.
Sarasota Laser Hair Removal & Aesthetics. (n.d.). Pricing menu.
Skinsation Los Angeles. (n.d.). Laser hair removal – Los Angeles.
Skn Spa. (n.d.). Laser hair removal.
