5 Laser Hair Removal Myths Debunked

Laser hair removal myths abound as does misinformation about hair removal in general. Here are some of the more popular myths debunked so you can separate fact from fiction.

Laser Hair Removal Is Expensive

Well, it’s not necessarily cheap like water. And often the cheaper you go with laser hair removal the less effective the results you get. But laser hair removal doesn’t have to be super expensive and in fact costs are going down.

In 2012, the cost of an average laser hair removal session was $329. In 2019, it cost $287. This is directly from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons who keep track of the cost of all such procedures.

So in actuality the cost has gone down over this time. While not cheap – and this is the average cost mind you – it’s not necessarily overly expensive either. Especially when you consider the amount of time and money you could spend shaving, waxing, etc that same body part(s) for the rest of your life.

Laser Hair Removal Is All The Same

Not all laser technologies work on all skin colors and not all lasers deliver the same results.

Newer laser technologies – often Nd:YAG and Alexandrite machines – tend to yield the best results for a wider range of skin tones than ever before. But as with anything in life, there are good brands and manufacturers and ones who are not so good.

Many higher end machines are expensive and the best ones tend to be used in better clinics. There is a reason that a home laser machine that you can use yourself costs $200 and why a machine used by a professional hair removal clinic can cost $20,000 and up.

Hair Removal Is Permanent

Electrolysis does remove hair permanently but even it requires multiple treatments most likely depending on the amount of hair to be removed.

Shaving only offers hair removal for a few days at best of course. Waxing results may last 3-6 weeks as may epilation. But laser hair removal (and Intense Pulsed Light) offer longer term results that may eventually with numerous treatments over time deliver permanent hair reduction.

Once you understand how hair growth works you’ll have a better understanding of what to expect from your hair removal choice. The typical hair growth cycle runs 4-7 years. Many people assume that when they get laser treatment, they’ll eventually end up with no unwanted hair whatsoever.

While that could eventually occur, it’s also possible that new hair starts growing now, in the near future, or later in life. If you’re of a certain age, you probably know about sudden ear, nose, back, face, toe and other hair suddenly coming to life. Hair can remain dormant for years and then suddenly start growing. Men in their 20s and middle age can suddenly grow back and shoulder hair out of the blue.

Conversely, we typically lose hair as we get older in places we’d prefer we still had hair, like the scalp. Go figure.

So if you have successful hair removal treatment today, there’s no guarantee that new hair won’t appear in say 1 year from now. Or 3 years. Or…

You may very well have had permanent hair removal on certain hairs but then new hair grows that were previously dormant and you’re back to square one.

Cheap Is As Good As More Expensive

We’ve already talked about how all lasers aren’t the same. Neither are all laser hair removal providers certainly when it comes to service, quality and training.

Have you ever had frequent flyer miles and when it comes time to cash them in for a flight, you find that all the good dates and times are for paying customers? Or you bought discounted tickets on one of those group buying websites and find out about the small print later, that you’re limited to redeeming the ticket only on certain days and times? Same goes with hair removal. I’ve heard of cases where those customers with the cheapest treatment price or ones with discounted package tickets get the worst service when trying to set up appointments.

In terms of quality, you do get what you pay for. Not all clinics are as professional as the good ones. Some clinics charge you money to shave you before treatment. Some charge you for a razor if they have to do it themselves. I’ve heard about some clinics that will cancel your appointment if you show up without having shaved the hair to be treated yourself. I went to IPL and laser clinics that did the shaving with clippers for me when I arrived. No charge. Little things like this add up.

Training and standards may not be equal. In the US, there are no federal guidelines for laser hair removal although some states have set up standards on their own. In Canada the industry is unregulated. Check with a clinic to see how well-trained their staff are. Look for certifications on the walls for staff to see what standards are being adhered to. Visually inspect the clinics and make note of what you see each one you visit.

Other things to consider: Cleanliness of the clinic. Timeliness of appointments (are they late to begin your appointment like many doctors are, every time you’re there? Do you have to prepay in advance? What is their refund policy?

Laser Hair Removal Is Very Painful

I had both laser and IPL hair removal and found that in general terms, it hurts most:

The more hair you have to remove. No surprise. The light flash from both laser and IPL hits the hair, travels down the shaft, heats the hair and attempts to destroy the hair follicle. The more hair you have, the more each flash will hurt. As you eliminate hair over time, it should hurt less.

Around bones and areas where skin is thin. For me, the pain was most around the collarbone area and the back of my neck. The collarbone is bony and the depth of the laser hit the bone and made it hurt a bit. And the back of your neck has thin skin which makes it more sensitive. That’s why people often get sunburned on the back of the neck. I found the pain here hurt quite a bit at times.

But the pain was largely tolerable. I did have a few times when parts of my skin had to recover a day or two after treatment and was a bit sensitive, but it passed quickly.

Modern lasers have built-in features that make the pain less than before. Some have cooling features – a fine mist of cryogen, a spray of air onto your skin, or cooled tip of the laser device – all help to provide more comfort than ever before.

And machines can be tailored and set to your specific situation – skin tone, hair type – better than ever before.

Conclusion

Separating fact from fiction before you agree to any hair removal method is your best bet for success. When it comes to laser hair removal, it’s easy to find info online and in marketing brochures. But when push comes to shove, a great deal of your success or failure will be due to the specific clinic you choose. How they deal with service, quality and practitioner training is a strong indicator of whether or not you’ll have success with hair removal to your liking.