Laser Hair Removal Cost

[devon14]

Hello Everyone,

I am kind of nervous right now as I'm trying to decide if making this large of a financial commitment is worth it or if I should look elsewhere for hair removal. The place that I was planning on going to was having a 70% off sale on their hair removal treatments which today is the last day of the sale. This business has the latest laser technology and their staff is highly trained. They require you to pay the whole cost up front or go on a no intirest financing plan with them. They are asking about $5000 for a full body procedure over the course of 8 sessions. If I don't take this today within the next few hours, the same procedure would cost around $19,000. I only have 1500 right now that I've alloted for my immediate transition expenses. Should I take their offer or are they asking too much?

Thanks,

Devon

[kelly_aus]

Firstly, I wouldn't go full body.. And here's why.. I was at a mixed function a while back, one with cis and trans women.. And I realised that I could clock the trans women simply due to their complete lack of body hair. Women have body hair..

I was also somewhat lucky, hormones and a couple of wax jobs have left me with fairly female typical body hair - in fact, I know a stripper who is hairier than I am.

[devon14]

That makes sense. I'm a little afraid of my legs atm because my hair is so course and curly that if I shave with a razor I can be left with quite a few ingrown hairs and when I use an electric shaver, the hair grows back in a matter of a week. I start hormones in a few days but I've been told that hormones don't really help with the whole hair situation. I was stupid when I was in late middle school and would shave my legs without properly exfoliating and now my legs look like a battle ground of hair stubbles and red ingrown hair bumps and I'm afraid I can't fix it anymore. Does anyone have any techniques on how I could rejuvenate my poor legs? I also bought thishttp://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004QDO5OY/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1396303142&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40 as a plan B to remove hair from my face as that hair removal place is asking 700 for the chin and upper lip. Should I use this home product over their offer for my face?

[kelly_aus]

I'd go professional on my face..

Hormones won't do much for your facial hair.. But your body hair will change, over time.. I found a couple of wax jobs helped it along..

Ingrowns I can't help with.. I don't get them often and treat them myself when I do.

[devon14]

Thanks for the info Kelly 

[antonia]

Don't do it!

Laser hair removal industry is notorious for high pressure sales tactics, etc.

For example if they won't give you a quote unless you go in for an "assessment" that means they want to assess you, not if they can use the laser but how much they think you will pay for the service.
Another thing to watch out for are the package deals, why would they require you to pay for everything up front? If they do their job and you are happy with them and the price you are paying they won't mind if you pay as you go, they know you will be back.

Find a place that has medical affiliation, preferably run by medical professionals and ideally your treatments will be performed by a nurse.
Ask how much time each session will take, then figure out what a fair hourly rate is in your area, think professional salary times 2-3 for equipment and facilities.

Around Toronto where I live a nurse will make about $40 an hour, I pay $200 per full body session, takes about 2 hours, super professional and friendly.

Hello Everyone,

I am kind of nervous right now as I'm trying to decide if making this large of a financial commitment is worth it or if I should look elsewhere for hair removal. The place that I was planning on going to was having a 70% off sale on their hair removal treatments which today is the last day of the sale. This business has the latest laser technology and their staff is highly trained. They require you to pay the whole cost up front or go on a no intirest financing plan with them. They are asking about $5000 for a full body procedure over the course of 8 sessions. If I don't take this today within the next few hours, the same procedure would cost around $19,000. I only have 1500 right now that I've alloted for my immediate transition expenses. Should I take their offer or are they asking too much?

Thanks,

Devon

[Jessica15]

Sounds dodgy as heck to me.  I wouldn't go for that.

I was recently looking at laser hair removal places around where I live and I was really surprised by how they came across in their marketing.  The websites had that "infomercial" feel to them, with coupons and Paypal links.  I was expecting something a lot more professional and medicallly associated.  It makes it seem like any random person off the street can open a laser hair removal salon.  Definitely want to make sure these people are fully licensed to do this before you let them anywhere near your body.

[SamiT]

Jessica,

  Try and find an establishment that does both electrolysis and laser. Typically those technicians are licensed and extremely well trained by a state backed agency or at the least a national registered group. Typically there is a certification program required for EACH technician. A lot of these BIG box outfits pay a doctor who has the certification or pay to certify a doctor and provide both the blanket DOCTORS supervision that is required as well as the licensing requirements. Then they hire techs that work by a prescribed method. Most of them just let loose of the burger flipper at the fast food joint next door, And will be shuttling cosmetics at Macy's next week cause the smell of burning pubic hair grosses them out. A BY THE SESSION situation is the best DONT buy into a one price deal that says all the appointments you need until its gone bit.. Most of the fine print says 5 sessions. and Well my experience has been I'm on #13 and probably a few more to go, and that's just the face. You will be VERY VERY surprised at what HRT will do for body hair. BUT on the down side it does effect the coarseness of the facial hair as well so GET as many laser sessions done PRE HRT as you can. I did 3 prior and saw the most gains pre HRT. Wish I could go back now and do more before but.. Hindsight is always 20/20.. Most good Laser/Electro salons will charge about $250 to $325 per hour for laser. My laser sessions started out at just over an hour and now I'm in and out in 20min.. Less painful than electrolysis but again its YMMV. skin type, root color, coarseness of the hair and even if you had grown facial for any prolonged amount of time will all determine effects. Be VERY careful an untrained/poorly paid tech can burn and permanently damage your skin. I have seen photos of several ladies that went to the BIG BOX laser outlet and just were never the same..

Sami

[Achila]

If you are in NY you can go to this great, extremely professional and advanced laser clinic in Forest Hills, Vanity Laser. I did my entire treatment there and they kept me within my budget. They use Candella machines, the same ones used in Europe and at the high end places in Manhattan. Contact me if you are local and want to know more.

[Just Shelly]

I wouldn't. Let HRT do its thing first. I had fairly dense hair on my legs....after 4 years HRT my calves are almost always bare, the rest on my legs grows slow and when it is present its much finer. I have had only one session on my chest and arms....my chest stays fairly clear and also what comes in is much finer. My arms grow a bit faster...but again much finer. I am going back in for one more session on my arms and lower chest....actually Monday....I get a good deal though, it $150 for both. They use a lag laser and an Alexandrite where I go, don't waste your money on IPL.....if they say its works don't believe them! I know what I have done works.....on my lower chest I have a clear bikini line even if not shave good.....and its been over a year.

[Sarah leah]

I am back after my two week break to escape my depression

So I found a lady in a beauty place that does laser. However, she has only done two other males in the 6 months she has been in this town (although she did a dozen in Adelaide from 2000-2010)  and stated, "I am confident in my ability to do the job, but it will not be as cheap as a simple lower leg."

She went on to explain that it takes longer to do it "right" and the settings required will be higher so it will sting a bit more, as she will crank it up if I pass the medical skin check? We spoke at length and she stated she uses a fan based laser to cool the skin and it does a slightly bigger area each "click of the laser". She also asked a ton of questions about my skin, if I had heart issues, skin cancer in my family, etc etc. Now this bit shocked me as she stated it will, "Cost $350 Australian for the whole face and neck." Does this seem way to much to others as well? Also she is 100km away from me, so I have to factor in 30 fuel per round trip.

[kelly_aus]

I am back after my two week break to escape my depression

So I found a lady in a beauty place that does laser. However, she has only done two other males in the 6 months she has been in this town (although she did a dozen in Adelaide from 2000-2010)  and stated, "I am confident in my ability to do the job, but it will not be as cheap as a simple lower leg."

She went on to explain that it takes longer to do it "right" and the settings required will be higher so it will sting a bit more, as she will crank it up if I pass the medical skin check? We spoke at length and she stated she uses a fan based laser to cool the skin and it does a slightly bigger area each "click of the laser". She also asked a ton of questions about my skin, if I had heart issues, skin cancer in my family, etc etc. Now this bit shocked me as she stated it will, "Cost $350 Australian for the whole face and neck." Does this seem way to much to others as well? Also she is 100km away from me, so I have to factor in 30 fuel per round trip.

The quote I got from a place here in Adelaide was about $170 per session and 6 -8 sessions were recommended..

[Sarah leah]

That is a huge difference. I might bring it up with her then as she is the only person I found for 5-600km that does it

[kelly_aus]

That is a huge difference. I might bring it up with her then as she is the only person I found for 5-600km that does it

I should probably mention that the woman said the $170 was for the 'face' and that she would include my neck 'for nothing'..

[DrBobbi]

Paid $2,300 for my entire body until I'm satisfied. Alexandrite laser.