A few questions on the cost of laser.

[Ltl89]

Hey all,

I am going to get laser sometime soon, hopefully within the month, but want to know how expensive everything is.  From what I have seen, I've read that one session is about 200 dollars for just the face?  Does that sound correct?  How about the whole body?  And how many sessions are usually necessary?  I live in NY if that helps with  regional pricing in anyway.  I realize it differs in general, but I would appreciate an average figure to help me judge what to do. 

I'll likely just do my face, but I'm interested in seeing how expensive the rest of the body is.  I'd love to be done with shaving all the time because it annoys me. 

[Thylacin]

Where I am, I've seen that 175 - 225 ish per session is normal for male pattern beard/neck laser. Most places to package deals, from what I've seen those are usually 6 sessions at around 25% off what the cost of 6 individual sessions would be. i.e. one local dermatologist does 200 per sessions for face, or 900 for 6.

Of course, I'm sure a lot of that depends on where you are, population, competition, etc, etc.

[Lexi Belle]

I'd also like to know whether I should use laser hair or electro.  I've heard laser hair is quick, easy, effective and inexpensive.  Yet so many people still do electro, why might that be? Is electro better?

[Thylacin]

I'd also like to know whether I should use laser hair or electro.  I've heard laser hair is quick, easy, effective and inexpensive.  Yet so many people still do electro, why might that be? Is electro better?

http://www.tsroadmap.com/physical/hair/

You might want to check this page, it has a lot of information.

Bottom line is, electrolysis is the only hair removal technique that is FDA approved for permanent hair removal, while laser is FDA approved for permanent hair reduction.

[KatelynRain]

My licensed esthetician only charges $100 dollars a session for the full face (: using a 810nm diode laser

That includes sideburns, upper lip, lower lip, chin/beard.  She's very accepting and friendly too, so I'm very grateful to have found her. 

and regarding electrolysis vs laser:

I did electrolysis for a year and a half and it barely made a dent in my facial hair (((  It was a torturous, expensive, and painful experience each week, and I shelled out thousands and thousands for it. 

I fully cleared my face in 7 months of laser with only $700.  The only thing is that I am a good candidate for laser because I have fair skin and dark hair.  If you have lighter hair or darker skin, it may not be as effective or suitable. 

[KatelynRain]

Oh!! I just noticed you live in NY, learning to live, Hey, if you're anywhere near the syracuse area, I highly recommend Amber Weakley.  Like I said, she's transgender supportive and knows what she is doing, and is extremely friendly!!!

http://drderoberts.com/skin-care-syracuse/syracuse-laser-hair-removal/

She works under Dr.Dereobert's office at the hospital in Syracuse. 

She has a lot of equipment too!  She's one of the few upstate that has the NG:Yag laser for darker skin, but she says the 810 nm diode is better for my skintype. 

[Ltl89]

I'd also like to know whether I should use laser hair or electro.  I've heard laser hair is quick, easy, effective and inexpensive.  Yet so many people still do electro, why might that be? Is electro better?

From what I read, laser is best for people with light skin and dark hairs. If you fit in that category, laser may be more effective for you than others.  I don't know much about laser vs electro, but I thought that was something worth brining up.

Where I am, I've seen that 175 - 225 ish per session is normal for male pattern beard/neck laser. Most places to package deals, from what I've seen those are usually 6 sessions at around 25% off what the cost of 6 individual sessions would be. i.e. one local dermatologist does 200 per sessions for face, or 900 for 6.

Of course, I'm sure a lot of that depends on where you are, population, competition, etc, etc.

That sounds pretty reasonable for the face.  I could do that with some time.  How about laser for the entire body?  What's average cost there?  I probably can't do that, but not having to shave is a wonderful fantasy to take part in, lol. 

Oh!! I just noticed you live in NY, learning to live, Hey, if you're anywhere near the syracuse area, I highly recommend Amber Weakley.  Like I said, she's transgender supportive and knows what she is doing, and is extremely friendly!!!

http://drderoberts.com/skin-care-syracuse/syracuse-laser-hair-removal/

She works under Dr.Dereobert's office at the hospital in Syracuse. 

She has a lot of equipment too!  She's one of the few upstate that has the NG:Yag laser for darker skin, but she says the 810 nm diode is better for my skintype. 

I'm somewhere in the metropolitan NY area, so upstate is very much out of my way.  However, I do appreciate the feedback and the recommendation. 

[Lexi Belle]

From what I read, laser is best for people with light skin and dark hairs. If you fit in that category, laser may be more effective for you than others.  I don't know much about laser vs electro, but I thought that was something worth brining up.

That sounds pretty reasonable for the face.  I could do that with some time.  How about laser for the entire body?  What's average cost there?  I probably can't do that, but not having to shave is a wonderful fantasy to take part in, lol. 

I'm somewhere in the metropolitan NY area, so upstate is very much out of my way.  However, I do appreciate the feedback and the recommendation.

How long have you been on HRT?  I know a lot of people lose a good portion of their body hair on hormones.

Do you mean arm and leg hair specifically? If so I'd imagine that'd probably end up costing about double your facial hair per limb.

In my case, since I have no hair on my upper arms, light hair on my forearms I'd only need it on my legs if anything.  That'd be a nice luxury, but it's only vanity. 

[Ltl89]

How long have you been on HRT?  I know a lot of people lose a good portion of their body hair on hormones.

Do you mean arm and leg hair specifically? If so I'd imagine that'd probably end up costing about double your facial hair per limb.

In my case, since I have no hair on my upper arms, light hair on my forearms I'd only need it on my legs if anything.  That'd be a nice luxury, but it's only vanity. 

I'm Italian, so I'm cursed with the hair aspect.  I hope it will go away in time, but for now I must shave.  Wish it were easier because I don't enjoy shaving. 

Hrt?  I've been on a low dose form of estradiol since June 14th.  On July 24 (I think) I started a normal dose of estradiol and began spiro.  I'm going to see if me endo will adjust my meds next week, but I don't it.  She didn't even want to put me on spiro because my t levels were too low in her book. 

[Jenna Marie]

I hear it's a lot cheaper sometimes these days, but I paid $1000 for 6 sessions plus unlimited touch-ups for a year, and that was plenty. By the sixth session, we were basically already doing touch-ups (tiny little areas), and four years later my facial hair is still 99% gone.

Laser is *permanent* hair reduction : it doesn't kill all the hairs, but what it does kill, stay dead. I was lucky enough that the survivors are like fewer than two dozen hairs.

[KabitTarah]

I only know my groupon price ($279 / 6 sessions) in RI. I'm seriously hoping that it's not more than double that post-groupon!! It will be tough to afford ~$100/month (paid in advance) let alone $200 what w/ a divorce coming down the line...

My hair is super, super thick... but just one session of laser did wonders. I know some will come back, I'm fine with that! The pain, though! And the red welts that never seem to disappear. They faded a lot - but the mostly hair free parts still have a redness to them. My neck is super sensitive, though - it was always razor burn city down there (which I'm happy to report hasn't happened since about a quarter of the hair disappeared).

My aesthetician was pretty awesome, though. Said I'd be in for pain... said it'd take 1-2 years... and I was happy through all the pain I'm almost looking forward to my 2nd on Friday......

[Ltl89]

I saw a dermatologist for something besides hair removal, but we did get to chatting about laser.  In her opinion, hair will return about 6 years after laser, although not all of it IIRC.

Laser doesn't touch grey hair, which my beard is about half so.  I've home lasered the colored parts but I'll have to do electro for the rest.

6 years is great for me!  I'm so depressed because of dysphoria that any immediate relief will do!  I just want it gone.  I'll worry about it returning 6 years from now if it ever does come back, lol.  Still, let's hope not.

I hear it's a lot cheaper sometimes these days, but I paid $1000 for 6 sessions plus unlimited touch-ups for a year, and that was plenty. By the sixth session, we were basically already doing touch-ups (tiny little areas), and four years later my facial hair is still 99% gone.

Laser is *permanent* hair reduction : it doesn't kill all the hairs, but what it does kill, stay dead. I was lucky enough that the survivors are like fewer than two dozen hairs.

That's not bad at all.  I'm assuming that is only for facial hair though.  Still, I can afford that.

I only know my groupon price ($279 / 6 sessions) in RI. I'm seriously hoping that it's not more than double that post-groupon!! It will be tough to afford ~$100/month (paid in advance) let alone $200 what w/ a divorce coming down the line...

My hair is super, super thick... but just one session of laser did wonders. I know some will come back, I'm fine with that! The pain, though! And the red welts that never seem to disappear. They faded a lot - but the mostly hair free parts still have a redness to them. My neck is super sensitive, though - it was always razor burn city down there (which I'm happy to report hasn't happened since about a quarter of the hair disappeared).

My aesthetician was pretty awesome, though. Said I'd be in for pain... said it'd take 1-2 years... and I was happy through all the pain I'm almost looking forward to my 2nd on Friday......

That doesn't sound to bad for me, but I have no real expenses.  I think I could do something like that. 

Sorry to hear about the divorce.  That sounds rough and I'm sure any extra expense is tough at this time.  At the very least, you won't have facial hair anymore, so there is some positive aspect about paying for laser, lol. 

[KabitTarah]

That doesn't sound to bad for me, but I have no real expenses.  I think I could do something like that. 

Sorry to hear about the divorce.  That sounds rough and I'm sure any extra expense is tough at this time.  At the very least, you won't have facial hair anymore, so there is some positive aspect about paying for laser, lol.

Yeah... I think the divorce is a good 6+ months away unless my wife figures she can keep the house by raking me over the coals or something. (I sure hope not... I want it to end amicably)

Laser is the most important thing I'm doing right now... and it seems so slow! Still - there's one BIG thing that makes me look permanently male (yes... permanently - I have 6 a.m. shadow). Foundation can only do so much, too... Laser is super important to me and I'm a perfect candidate (other than the undying red welts I get from it).

The "best" part about these welts? The first time I'm sure work people noticed, but they didn't say anything (I think they think something's up). The second time, people will KNOW something's up. I don't think I can cover it up stealthily with foundation, either... not at work, anyway.

I'm sure you'll do better... most people say the red goes away within 24 hours, and I WILL be talking with my aesthetician about it on Friday.

[Ltl89]

Yeah... I think the divorce is a good 6+ months away unless my wife figures she can keep the house by raking me over the coals or something. (I sure hope not... I want it to end amicably)

Laser is the most important thing I'm doing right now... and it seems so slow! Still - there's one BIG thing that makes me look permanently male (yes... permanently - I have 6 a.m. shadow). Foundation can only do so much, too... Laser is super important to me and I'm a perfect candidate (other than the undying red welts I get from it).

The "best" part about these welts? The first time I'm sure work people noticed, but they didn't say anything (I think they think something's up). The second time, people will KNOW something's up. I don't think I can cover it up stealthily with foundation, either... not at work, anyway.

I'm sure you'll do better... most people say the red goes away within 24 hours, and I WILL be talking with my aesthetician about it on Friday.

I'm sure you'll be fine.  Facial hair is a huge aspect of passing.  I'm starting to notice how stubble takes away from all the improvements my face has made.  If I just got that done, a big chunk of the battle would be out the window.  I imagine it's similar for many of us.  Good luck with laser and keep us posted!

[Jennygirl]

Yeah 900 for six sessions is exactly what I paid.

If you want to talk about heavy facial hair, I started with this:


After 6 sessions I was clear on my neck, cheeks, and most of chin. My god were those first few painful. EEEK. After the 7th my upper lip finally saw a drastic improvement, but not all the way clear yet. I have 5 more saved up to do touch ups... Actually going in for my 8th on Thursday

Good luck LTL. And I agree- shaving is wack!

[Thylacin]

I paid 800 for 8 + sessions needed to clear my face/neck, with a 3 year guarantee on regrowth.

[Jenna Marie]

Yes, that was for facial hair only. But now I see people getting as low as six sessions for $200 (wow!!), so there are some good deals out there.

[michelle666]

I only know my groupon price ($279 / 6 sessions) in RI. I'm seriously hoping that it's not more than double that post-groupon!! It will be tough to afford ~$100/month (paid in advance) let alone $200 what w/ a divorce coming down the line...

My hair is super, super thick... but just one session of laser did wonders. I know some will come back, I'm fine with that! The pain, though! And the red welts that never seem to disappear. They faded a lot - but the mostly hair free parts still have a redness to them. My neck is super sensitive, though - it was always razor burn city down there (which I'm happy to report hasn't happened since about a quarter of the hair disappeared).

My aesthetician was pretty awesome, though. Said I'd be in for pain... said it'd take 1-2 years... and I was happy through all the pain I'm almost looking forward to my 2nd on Friday......

I go to RI also for my laser. I got a groupon for it about a year ago for I think the same price as you for 6 sessions. I'm about 15 in now and am pretty much clear with a couple of stubborn hairs left here and there. I wonder if we go to the same place, do you go in Warwick? My laser lady is awesome also, very accepting.

[KabitTarah]

I go to RI also for my laser. I got a groupon for it about a year ago for I think the same price as you for 6 sessions. I'm about 15 in now and am pretty much clear with a couple of stubborn hairs left here and there. I wonder if we go to the same place, do you go in Warwick? My laser lady is awesome also, very accepting.

I'm at Coastal in East Greenwich... I can't wait to get fried for the 2nd time tomorrow I'm with Lynn.

How much does it cost for you post-groupon?

[michelle666]

I'm at Coastal in East Greenwich... I can't wait to get fried for the 2nd time tomorrow I'm with Lynn.

How much does it cost for you post-groupon?

I pay $50 for the session now. Even at that price, she's getting more than what she got for the groupon. When you buy something with a groupon, the vendor gets 50% and groupon gets the other 50%.