Illustrative image
Laser Treatments
Laser Hair Reduction
Laser hair reduction uses concentrated light to heat and damage hair follicles so they produce less hair. It reduces hair rather than removing it permanently, and results vary from person to person.
- Price
- From $100per session
- Category
- Laser Treatments
- Pricing
- By area size
How It Works
Understandinglaser hair reduction.
Light energy is absorbed by the pigment in the hair and turns to heat, damaging the follicle so it produces less hair — a process known as selective photothermolysis.
Hair grows in cycles, and treatment works on hairs in their active growth phase. Because not every hair is growing at the same time, a series of treatments is usually discussed. How many depends on your hair, your skin and the area treated, and some hair may grow back over time.
Laser devices emit light at a single wavelength. Intense pulsed light (IPL) devices are not lasers: they release a broad spectrum of light, filtered for the treatment. Both are used for hair reduction, and devices differ in how well they suit different skin and hair types. The equipment used here is confirmed at your consultation.
Redness, swelling and discomfort are common and usually short-lived. Less often, treatment can cause blistering, burns, infection, scarring, or lightening or darkening of the skin that may be permanent. Tanned skin and an inexperienced provider raise these risks.
Commonly discussed at consultation
- The areas you want treated and your hair-reduction goals
- Your skin tone, hair colour and any recent tanning
- Medications, including any isotretinoin use
- Cold sores, scarring or keloids, pregnancy and skin cancer history
Concerns & Suitability
What laser hair reduction is used for.
People often consider laser hair reduction when they want:
- Less unwanted hair on the face or body
- Regrowth that is finer and lighter
- Longer-lasting results than shaving or waxing
- A plan for occasional maintenance treatment
Suitability is individual
Results depend on the contrast between hair and skin: treatment tends to work best on dark hair and lighter skin, and may be less effective on blonde, red, grey or white hair. Darker skin tones can be treated with appropriate equipment and extra care. A recent tan, pregnancy, certain medications, active cold sores, and a history of scarring or skin cancer also affect suitability.
Your Appointment
What to expect.
-
Consultation and assessment
Your provider looks at your skin tone, the colour and coarseness of your hair and the area you want treated, asks about your medical history, and explains whether laser hair reduction is likely to suit you.
- Mention a recent tan, cold sores, scarring or keloids
- Share all medications, including any isotretinoin use
-
Treatment planning
If treatment is appropriate, your provider explains how hair-growth cycles shape the plan, what reduction you might reasonably expect, the side effects, and the cost by area before you begin.
- Ask how many treatments are likely for your hair and skin
- Ask about the provider’s experience treating your skin tone
-
Ongoing review
Because results vary and some hair can regrow, your provider reviews your progress and discusses whether further or maintenance treatment makes sense for you.
- Report blistering, burns or changes in skin colour
General information only. Your provider will give instructions specific to you.
Pricing
Laser hair reduction pricing.
Laser hair reduction is priced per session by the size of the area treated. Your total depends on the areas you choose and the number of sessions in your plan; your provider confirms it with you before you begin.
Laser Hair Reduction, Small Area
From$100
per session
Laser Hair Reduction, Large Area
From$250
per session
- Starting prices per session
- Which areas fall into each size is confirmed at your consultation
Sample menu and pricing for demonstration only.
Laser Hair Reduction FAQ
Questions aboutlaser hair reduction.
General information drawn from published guidance, alongside how pricing works here. Your provider confirms what applies to you.
View All FAQsNo — it reduces hair rather than removing it for good. Many people find hair grows back more slowly and finer or lighter, but some regrowth is common and maintenance treatments may be discussed. Results vary from person to person.
Treatment works on hairs in their active growth phase, and at any time only some hairs are growing. A series of treatments gives the opportunity to reach hairs as they enter that phase. The number varies with your hair, skin and the area, and your provider will discuss it with you.
It tends to work best where hair is darker than the surrounding skin, and may be less effective on blonde, red, grey or white hair. Darker skin tones can be treated with appropriate equipment and extra care, so ask about your provider’s experience with your skin tone.
People often describe it as warm pinpricks or a rubber band snapping against the skin. Redness and swelling afterwards are common and usually short-lived. How it feels varies with the area and the person.
Possible side effects include blistering, burns, infection, cold sore flare-ups, scarring, and lightening or darkening of the skin, which can occasionally be permanent. Tanned skin raises the risk, and an experienced provider matters.
Laser hair reduction is priced per session by the size of the area treated, with a starting price for smaller and larger areas — see the pricing on this page or our Pricing & Packages page. Which areas fall into each size, and your total, are confirmed at your consultation.
Take the Next Step
Talk throughlaser hair reduction.
Book a consultation to discuss the areas you’d like treated, your skin and hair, and whether laser hair reduction is suitable for you.