The cost to professionally remove all unwanted hair – from head to toe – can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $15,000+.
The total cost of whole-body laser hair removal can vary based on your hair type, the number of total treatments you receive, where you live, and the clinic you visit.
Learn how much you can expect to pay for whole-body laser hair removal near you.
Whole Body Laser Hair Removal: Cost Breakdown
Salons typically charge per area for laser hair removal – meaning removing facial hair permanently costs less than removing hair on a larger body part, like the legs or back.
But what happens when the area you want is “all of it?” Good news: it typically costs less than the total cost of treating individual areas. Many laser hair removal clinics offer special pricing for whole-body laser hair removal.
Here are some common whole-body laser hair removal deals we’ve seen:
- Laser Hair Removal Memberships/Subscriptions – Some clinics offer 12-24-month memberships for a set or unlimited number of treatments.
- One-Time Cost for Unlimited Treatments – Some clinics offer unlimited laser hair removal treatments (including maintenance touch-ups as needed) for a one-time (high!) cost.
- Package/Bundle Deals – Full-body laser hair removal typically takes 4-12 sessions – some clinics offer a discount if you purchase multiple sessions upfront.
- Financing/Payment Plans – Some clinics offer third-party financing so you can start laser hair removal treatment now and pay it off over time.
If you have your eye on whole-body laser hair removal, it might be worth making a call and asking your clinic for more information. They’ll likely be able to find some sort of deal or discount for you.
Short Term vs Long-Term Costs
It’s a good idea to consider the total cost of laser hair removal before you book an appointment, but note that the total cost likely won’t be due upfront. You’ll typically pay for each treatment individually, or pay toward the whole cost of full treatment in installments – meaning that big pricetag will be split up into still-big-but-smaller chunks. You’ll likely spend closer to $500-1000 per treatment, and $2,000 to $15,000+ over time.
Beyond the initial treatment time of 8-12 months, you’ll also want to plan for a long-term cost of one laser hair removal session each year.
Potential Hidden Costs to Watch Out For
When you’re working toward the result of total hair removal on your entire body over the course of multiple months, some unforeseen costs can arise. Here are some of the most common ones to look out for:
- Needing more sessions. it’s hard to know exactly how many laser hair removal sessions will be needed to achieve your desired result upfront – and since laser hair removal costs are charged or estimated per session, this can significantly influence how much you end up paying. You may need more laser hair removal sessions than initially quoted due to your skin tone, the coarseness of your hair, the type of laser being used, or other factors. Note also that some clinics offer whole-body hair removal packages, but will actually only treat 50% of the body per appointment for safety reasons. This may mean higher total treatment costs and sessions.
- Ongoing maintenance sessions. While laser hair removal does provide permanent hair removal after a certain number of initial sessions, hair can grow back intermittently after that – most salons recommend planning for a touch-up session once a year to target any hairs that grow back.
- Laser hair removal aftercare needs. You may need to stock up on vaseline, lotion, over-the-counter pain meds, and SPF to care for your skin and manage discomfort following laser hair removal treatment.
- Time cost. Each whole-body laser hair removal session takes 1-3 hours, and you’ll likely need 4-12 total. Note that many laser hair removal clinics keep regular business hours – you may need to take time off work for regular sessions.
Cost of Alternatives to Laser Hair Removal
If whole-body permanent hair removal is what you’re after, consider a DIY option that costs the same no matter how many areas you treat.
Lumi is an at-home IPL handset that offers similar results as laser hair removal does, only at a much lower cost. Lumi works similarly to laser, except it uses broad-spectrum light pulses to target and destroy unwanted hair follicles, making it safe to DIY at home. IPL also offers permanent hair removal results much faster than laser hair removal can, with just 30-minute full-body treatments and full results in just 6-12 weeks.
If budget is a main concern when trying to decide between IPL vs laser hair removal, an at-home IPL device is a no-brainer. You can purchase Lumi for less than the cost of just one full-body laser hair removal session, and it’s equipped with enough flashes to treat your entire body and then some. (Bonus: laser hair removal can be painful, while Lumi treatment is pain-free!)
Related: Why IPL Hair Removal is Great for Getting That Smooth Body of Your Dreams
At-home Laser Hair Removal Alternatives
FAQs
Does the size of the treatment area affect the cost of laser hair removal?
Yes. Laser hair removal is typically priced by treatment area. Facial hair removal on just a small area of your chin, for example, will typically cost significantly less than whole-body laser hair removal.
If your body hair is thicker, will laser hair removal be more expensive?
It may. If your body hair is thicker, it may take more total laser hair removal sessions to fully treat the area and achieve your desired result.
Does the location of the clinic impact the price of laser hair removal?
Yes. The location of the clinic you visit is one of the biggest factors that can impact the price of laser hair removal. Clinics in big cities like LA or NYC might charge more due to higher operational costs, while cities in the midwest that experience a lower cost of living may charge significantly less. Prices can vary widely from clinic to clinic in the same city as well. If you’re a globetrotter, you could also consider looking into laser hair removal abroad – regions like Eastern Europe and Central America are known for offering affordable laser hair removal procedures with a high standard of care, starting at under $100.
Do advanced laser technologies increase the cost of treatment? Are the results worth the added expense?
Often, yes. Advanced medical-grade laser hair removal devices can cost up to $250,000 – and that equipment cost may factor into your treatment. Laser technology is advancing all the time – newer, higher-cost machines are able to offer significantly better results than their predecessors. Treatment using a better laser could result in fewer total sessions needed to achieve your desired result. If you have very dark skin, it’s also important to note that not all lasers will be suitable for treatment. Nd:YAG lasers are currently the safest and most effective lasers on the market for patients with darker skin tones.
Does your skin tone or hair color influence the cost of laser hair removal?
It may. Laser hair removal relies on contrast between skin tone and hair color to accurately target the hair follicle. This means it may work faster (and mean paying for fewer sessions) if your skin tone is light and your hair color is dark. Those who have less contrast between hair and skin may require more treatment sessions. Also, if your skin tone is very dark, you may need to seek treatment with a specialized, modern laser that could come at a higher cost. If your hair is very light, laser hair removal may not be a suitable permanent hair removal method for you at any cost.
Can package deals or discounts lower the overall cost of full-body laser hair removal?
Yes, often, but it depends on the clinic. We’ve seen 12-24-month membership plans, full-body bundle deals, payment plans, and more, all aimed at making the total cost of whole-body laser hair removal more affordable. As you prepare for laser hair removal, don’t be afraid to ask the clinics you’re considering about possible discounts and bundle deals, especially if you can’t find any information about their whole-body laser hair removal packages online.