While the idea of getting facial laser hair removal is intriguing, it is also scary as the facial skin is delicate compared to the body. Additionally, the fact that our face is always visible when other body parts can be concealed with clothing makes you even more cautious.
So, weighing the pros and cons of laser hair removal on the face is essential to decide if you should book a session or look for another hair removal method. Also, the cost of professional laser hair removal sessions is a big factor when making a decision to get permanent hair removal.
Moreover, there are several things about lasers that make you curious just before you go for a consultation. We are here to help get accurate answers to those along with a detailed discussion of how laser hair removal can be useful for you and what are your other options.
So, without further ado, let us get started.
What is the Cost of a Facial Hair Removal Laser?
The cost of laser hair removal depends upon the facial area you want to treat. For example, it will be less if you only want to have your upper lips or chin hair removed while it will be more if you are only going for a full face laser.
Additionally, the clinical setup, equipment, the type of laser used, the skills of the laser surgeon, the fee of the initial consultation, and the discount plays a role in determining the final cost of each session. Also, let us not forget the cost of traveling.
Cost of One Session
The average cost of one laser hair removal session on the entire face is somewhere between $200 to $500 dollars. It is around $300 dollars for the facial area below the line connecting the nose with ear lobes while it reaches $500 if you are also getting your sideburns, cheek and forehead hair burned with laser.
Number of Sessions Required
The number of facial laser hair removal sessions differs depending upon the thickness of the facial hair, its color, its difference from skin tone, your response to treatment, and underlying conditions like PCOS or hirsutism.
These sessions are spaces at an interval of 30 days. It takes as little as 3 sessions to as many as 6 to 8 sessions to have fully hairless smooth facial skin.
Total Cost
There is no hard and set rule that determines the whole cost of laser hair removal on the face. On average it varies between $1000 to $3000. However, you must keep in mind this price is only for the face and you still have to remove the unwanted body hair every month.
Also, if you want to get laser hair removal sessions on the legs, check the price inhow much the laser hair removal on legs costs.
Benefits of Laser Hair Removal
As other methods of facial hair removal are much cheap compared to laser and the results of laser only last for a few years, you have to check if the advantages of laser are worth its price.
Long-lasting Results
Once you are done with your 4 to 6 monthly treatments, all of the hair follicles in your skin are killed. The results last as long as these follicles stay dormant. So, you can expect the results of laser hair removal on the face to last from 6 months to 2 years or more.
Safe
Laser hair removal is an FDA-approved method of facial hair removal for long-lasting results. It is a non-surgical procedure that uses laser intensity safe to be taken by the skin.
Prevention of Skin Concerns
In addition to removing unwanted hair, the laser can help in relieving skin concerns that are associated with unwanted hair and the method of hair removal. These include ingrown hair, folliculitis, skin pigmentation, and uneven areas of skin discoloration.
Minimal Long-Term Side Effects
Laser hair removal is associated with some side effects. The first of the most annoying ones is pain but it is dealt with by taking over-the-counter painkillers and applying typical anesthetic gels to the skin. There are other side effects like redness, photosensitivity, and skin irritation.
But it also goes away in a day or two. So, there are no long-term side effects associated with laser hair removal.
Precise and Quick Hair Removal
Laser only targets the hair and not the skin. Moreover, it only takes a few minutes to treat the whole face. As a result, hair removal is precise and fast to attain your desired results within a few sessions.
Possible For People with Dark Skin Tones
When laser hair removal was first introduced, it only works for people having a visible difference in the color of their hair and skin. But some advanced lasers are now suitable for dark skin tones as well.
Additionally, you can know about the types of lases in5 professional laser hair removal equipment.
Drawbacks of Facial Laser Hair Removal
Although the side effects of laser hair removal are not long-lasting, it is not without drawbacks which are given as.
Painful
Sadly, you will have to go through a few minutes of pain with the laser if you are running away from waxing because of it. This pain can be tolerable when it is just like a tingling sensation. However, it can be too much for people with low pain sensitivity.
Expensive
The results of the laser only last for a few months or years. Its average cost reaches that of waxing or shaving the face for two years if not more. The only good thing is that you do not have to remove the hair periodically.
Skin Changes
Although laser does not target the skin when it is fair-toned, this is not the case with brown or dark color skin tones. The radiation gets absorbed in the pigment of the skin and leads to burning, blistering, scarring, or hyperpigmentation.
Furthermore, you can know moreside effects and risks of laser hair removalhere.
FAQs
Does Insurance Cover the Price of Laser Hair Removal?
Unfortunately, laser hair removal does not come under the coverage of the insurance because it is not a medically important or life-saving procedure. Rather it is a personal choice and a cosmetic treatment.
So, insurance does not cover the cost of facial laser hair removal and you have to pay for the sessions from your pocket.
What is the Procedure for Laser Hair Removal on the Face?
The procedure and working of laser hair removal on the face is exactly like that of the body. First, your facial skin must be thoroughly cleaned and free of any skincare or makeup products. Then an anesthetic gel is applied to the face to reduce pain and discomfort.
After that, you wear UV protective goggles to protect your eyes, and the esthetician moves a laser probe over your face flashing it in the areas you want to remove hair from. In the end, a skin-calming treatment is applied.
Is Facial Hair Removal Safe During Pregnancy?
There is not much information on the safety or side effects of laser hair removal on pregnancy as there have been no experiments or research to prove the effects of high-intensity beams of the laser in pregnancy.
It is advised to stay away from unnecessary radiation when you have a fetus as it tends to absorb the rays leading to developmental abnormalities. So, the laser is considered unsafe in pregnancy.
What Precautions Should Be Taken Before and After Laser Hair Removal?
The before and after precautions of laser hair removal are almost the same as they are done to maximally avoid side effects. So, you should protect your skin from the skin by avoiding sun exposure or applying sunscreen, keeping active chemicals and tanning solutions on hold, taking cool baths, and using mild skincare products for up to a week before and after the laser.
Additionally, you can check more information about it by giving Whatto Do and What not to Do after laser hair removala read.
What Other Methods Can Be Considered for Permanent Hair Removal Other Than Laser?
The fact that laser hair removal only lasts for a few years, you are not allowed to pluck or wax the hair in between sessions, you have to make time for the sessions, and the pain might make you consider other methods of hair removal.
Out of these methods, the best alternatives to the laser are electrolysis because of its permanent results and IPL as it is convenient.
Advantages of IPL Hair Removal Over Laser
Let us see what makes IPL more convenient as compared to laser. The10 Best IPL hair removal machinesare our recommendations for your own at-home laser machine. Here we are going to discuss the advantages of laser with respect toUlike Sapphire Air3 IPL Hair removal handset.
1. Economical
As we talked about earlier, the cost of a laser is comparable to other methods of hair removal for 2 years. However, Ulike IPL is only $329. Even at this price, you are good to use this device for 50 years or even more making it a one-time investment for the whole life.
Also, this is not only for the face but also the full body including intimate areas allowing you to never spend on any other method of hair removal ever again.
2. No Pain, Redness, or Discomfort
You won’t feel any pain during the hair removal session with IPL as compared to the stinging felt with a laser. There is no need of eating a medicine or apply analgesic gel either. Moreover, you will experience no pain, redness, skin irritation, or discomfort after the hair removal session.
But do not forget to stay away from the sun and active skincare or chemical-containing makeup for a day or 2.
3. Specific Settings to Target the Face
Ulike Sapphire Air3 IPL device allows several intensity settings allowing it to be used for the face and body. Its comfort mode along with the 1st level of intensity is specifically designed for the sensitive and delicate skin of the face.
Also, in contrast to the 10 or more minutes taken in laser, it only takes 1 or 2 minutes to get done with the full face.
4. Easy to Maintain
What happens as your hair begins to regrowth after laser hair removal? You either shift to the typical methods of hair removal or book more sessions of laser for your face making you spend all that money and effort again.
However, IPL hair removal treatment is easy-to-maintain as you always have this portable user-friendly device at hand and the treatment can be done at any time.
5. Faster Results
Ulike Air3 only takes 3 weeks instead of 3 months to decrease the length, density, and growth of unwanted hair. In addition, it makes your skin completely hairless with 2 months instead of the 6 months with laser.
Comparison Table
Parameter | Facial Laser Hair Removal | Facial IPL Hair Removal | Winner |
Cost | $1000 to $3000 | $329 | IPL |
Effective | Yes | Yes | Both |
Comfort Level | Slight discomfort | No discomfort | IPL |
Skin Tone and Hair Color Compatibility | All skin tones and hair colors | Dark hair and fair or light brown skin | Laser |
Treatment Time | 10 to 15 minutes | 1 to 2 minutes | IPL |
Time to See Full Results | 3 to 8 months | 1 to 2 months | IPL |
Results Last For | 6 months to 2 years | About 6 months | Laser |
FDA-Approved | Yes | Yes | Both |
Convenience | Less convenient | More convenient | IPL |
The Final Verdict
Laser hair removal for the face has the benefit of helping to get rid of undesired facial hair safely for a year or more. But it costs thousands of dollars spent for the 3 to 8 sessions. Also, it requires a whole list of pre and post-laser precautions to keep your skin protected from side effects.
So, IPL hair removal can prove to be an effective, convenient, skin-friendly, and inexpensive substitute for facial laser hair removal.
