Average Cost of Laser Hair Removal for Upper Lip

Laser hair removal for the upper lip is one of the most popular methods for getting rid of unwanted facial hair. But how much does it cost?

The average price for laser hair removal for the upper lip is $350 to $600 per session. The amount you pay will depend on where you live and which clinic or spa provides your treatment. Most places offer packages and discounts to help keep costs down.

Laser hair removal is the process of removing unwanted hair from the body by targeting darkly pigmented hair and destroying it with a laser. It can be used on any part of the body, including the face, legs, bikini line, underarms, back and chest.

In this article, we will discuss How Much Does Laser Hair Removal Cost For Bikini and how long does laser hair removal last.

Average Cost of Laser Hair Removal for Upper Lip

The price varies from place to place, depending on how many sessions you need to complete your treatment. A typical upper lip treatment can cost anywhere between $100 and $300 per session. The lower your pain threshold is and the more sessions you need, the more expensive it will be.

Many patients want laser hair removal so they don’t have to worry about shaving. But how much does it cost? Here’s your guide to laser hair removal prices.

Fear the pain of hair wax removal? Unsatisfied with regular shaving?

You should turn to laser hair removal.

Why and how?

Because it offers a permanent solution to the bane of women’s existence: unwanted hair.

After completing your sessions, the hair in the area will no longer grow. The laser zaps away the root of the hair to keep it from re-growing. This means no more shaving or waxing for the rest of your life!

But how much does each session cost?

Well, the laser hair removal prices will vary widely among different clinics. If you’d like to know how much you’ll need to prepare, read on to find out what it will cost you to get this procedure.

Average Laser Hair Removal Prices

Laser hair removal costs $306 per session on average, according to 2016 data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. However, don’t expect to see the same price, or close to it, when you go to your nearest clinic.

The price still depends on the clinic and the area you want to rid of hair. In general, LHR treatment on small areas is cheaper than on bigger areas, like legs.

For example, you can get a $60 procedure for the upper lip or chin, but it can cost up to $300. Laser treatment on the underarms cost $150 on average. This is also the average cost of other small areas like the bikini line, chest, and abdomen.

That’s a low price considering other physicians will charge $250 to $450 in these areas.

Legs and arms demand a higher price, and clinics divide these by half. Half arms or half legs treatments have a low average price of $250 and a high average price of $650.

You can also get a laser hair removal procedure for your face or buttocks, with average prices of $250 to $650. The whole back, being the largest area, is the most expensive, at $300 to $800 on average.

Keep in mind that these laser hair removal prices are per session. You need 6 to 10 sessions for the treatment to work, so the costs will pile up over time.

Factors that Determine the Laser Hair Removal Prices

The area isn’t the only factor that dictates the laser hair removal prices. You also have the type of laser, the clinic, and the physician who’ll do the procedure.

The Clinic and Its Equipment

LHR is a popular procedure. You may see it at your friendly neighborhood clinic with generous prices. Then, when you go to a high-end clinic, the much higher laser hair removal prices will probably shock you.

The location and the quality of the facility are factors, of course. But so are the equipment and the physician’s expertise. There are different types of laser hair removal and the machine for one type may cost more than the other.

The high-end clinic can afford the latest high-end equipment, which may offer a painless and fast procedure. However, don’t disregard the cheaper option, as it may work well for you, too.

Moreover, each type of machine employs different procedure. The dermatologist must be knowledgeable on how to operate it to avoid accidents like burns.

Your Skin and Hair Tone

The skin and hair tone matter when choosing the best laser hair removal type for you. There is a system, for example, that works better on people with lighter skin and darker hair. Sometimes, this will not work on darker or tanned skin.

However, there are also laser types that are great for all skin colors. The trade-off is that it can be more painful or it might require more sessions.

In other words, your skin tone will dictate what type of system is best for you. As such, the price will also change depending on the machine that the clinic will use on you.

Here at our clinic, we have the latest laser technology with an FDA-approved Melanin Reader to make sure that you get the treatment that’s right for you. The Vectus (R) laser also features a cooling system that keeps you comfortable. A uniform beam profile keeps each session short to get you on your way.

Hair Removal Financing Options

Unfortunately, you can’t have your insurance company pay for your treatments. Nevertheless, we are always trying to offer our customers multiple options. These can make laser hair removal prices more easy on the wallet.

As we’ve mentioned above, you’ll only see the full effects of LHR when you finish the sessions. This allows many clinics to offer a package that offers a lower price per session. Only, you have to buy multiple sessions at once.

Furthermore, there are also financing options that allow you to pay in installment. Clinics may have in-house financing options, or you can use your credit card. At Skin Deep Laser MD, we accept the healthcare financing credit card CareCedit.

Laser Hair Removal Near Me

Why Get a Laser Hair Removal?

The upfront laser hair removal prices may seem daunting, so why get it in the first place when you can just shave or wax?

It’s Cheaper in the Long Run

A razor is cheap and you can use it for weeks. A wax session costs more, but it’s still cheaper than the average laser hair removal prices. However, these are only temporary and you’ll have to shave and wax every so often.

A laser hair treatment, on the other hand, results to a permanently hair-less you. Did you know that in a lifetime, you’ll spend less on LHR treatments than on waxing sessions because of this?

Waxing your bikini line would cost you $35 each session on average. If you start doing it every three months at 21 years old and stop at 55, you would have spent $4,900 in a lifetime.

If you get an LHR procedure on the same area at $150 each session, you’ll only spend $1,500 if you get 10 sessions. You’ll spend less if you don’t need that many treatments.

That means that you will save at least $3,400. Even if you opt for the more expensive laser session, you’ll still save more.

It Saves You Time

Laser hair treatments are precise and fast. You won’t have to spend too much time in your clinic for every session. You’ll also have less and thinner hair every time you walk out.

By the time you’re done with your sessions, you won’t have to shave every morning or before every date. You’ll always be ready to wear a bikini anytime, anywhere.

You Won’t Have to Deal with Ingrown Hairs

Shaving, waxing, plucking, and other temporary hair removal procedures can leave your skin red and irritated. You’ll also be familiar with the nasty ingrown hairs that result from these methods.

Because laser hair removal targets the follicles, making hair disappear, you can also expect for the ingrown hairs to disappear as well. The treatment will also get rid of the inflammation, bumps, and discoloration.

You’ll Be Hairless All Year Round

After completing your sessions, you’ll be able to wear short shorts the whole year if you so choose. This means that you won’t have to wear pants just to hide the growing hair before it grows long enough for waxing.

This also means that you won’t have to resort to shaving just because you don’t want to wait for it to grow out.

There Minimal Side Effects

You can expect a slight redness and discomfort in the treated area up to a few days after the procedure. The side effect is similar to a sunburn. As such, moisturizers and cold compresses will help aid the healing process.

However, that’s about all that you’ll experience, unlike in other hair removal options. You won’t have to worry about cuts, ingrown hairs, bleeding, and even infections. As long as you’re in the hands of a trained Skin Deep Laser MD physician, you’ll be safe.

How to Prepare and What to Expect

Depending on the clinic, you might have to shave prior to the treatment. Contact us first so we can advise you what to do before the procedure.

We do advise against plucking and waxing up to six weeks before the laser hair removal. These methods will remove the hair follicles that the laser will target. Avoid other methods that do the same.

Furthermore, note that you might feel some stings and discomfort during the procedure. Rest assured that our system minimizes the pain. We do our best to keep you comfortable throughout the process as well.

After each session, wear a sunscreen at all times and avoid the sun to prevent any discoloration. This will also prevent uneven toning and sunburns.

Everything You Need to Know About Laser Hair Removal 

The process is more complicated than other in-office procedures, which is why it requires a bit more explanation than, say, your average chemical peel. Here’s what you need to know—and everything I certainly wish I’d known—before booking an appointment.

How does laser hair removal work?

Think of laser hair removal as a video game, says Ellen Marmur, M.D., a dermatologist at Marmur Medical in New York City. The laser seeks out pigment in your skin, which is typically found in the base of your hair follicle. Once the laser locates the hair follicle root, which houses your hair stem cells, “the laser then converts from light energy to heat and basically explodes it,” she says. The hair root dies, and the hair falls out.

Because the laser works by seeking out pigment, it’s best to time it right—basically, you want to limit the amount of other pigment in your skin, like that from sun exposure. “Patients are less likely to be tanned in winter and spring,” says David Kim, M.D., the dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology in New York City who zapped my upper lip. The laser’s energy can penetrate your skin and hair follicles if you have a tan, which could result in burns or blisters and a disfiguring scar.

If your skin type is a 3 or higher on the Fitzpatrick scale (which takes into account both skin tone and ethnicity), you may need a special laser. Since I’m a 4, Kim used Candela’s GentleYag, which is an ND:Yag laser. “It uses 1064-nanometer wavelength, which is much safer and very effective for patients with darker skin type,” he says. “In contrast, I use GentleLase for patients with lighter skin type, which uses 755-nanometer wavelength.” That shorter wavelength is more powerful, and better suited for skin with less pigment. (For more on this, check out our guide to laser hair removal for dark skin.)

Either way, you’ll definitely need multiple sessions, though it depends on a huge variety of factors, including “skin tone, the type of hair and body location, the type of laser, the settings and power that you’re using with the laser, and even the time of year,” says Marmur. But expect to need at least three sessions.

How to prepare for laser hair removal

You’re going to need your follicle roots intact for the laser to do its job, so avoid waxing, tweezing, threading, or anything else that removes hair at the root before your appointment. Then “shave the areas one to two days prior to the treatment, but not the day of the treatment,” says Kim.

Also, consider the beach off-limits. Two weeks before your appointment, avoid the sun, especially if you’re getting hair lasered on sun-exposed areas like your face, neck, chest, back, arms, and legs. No matter your natural skin tone, it’ll put you at risk for side effects.

When you arrive at the office, expect to do a test spot, especially if your skin is very fair or naturally medium to dark. “Sometimes we’ll do a test spot in a hidden area, like the underarm,” says Marmur. “Then we can see if you’re the kind of person who gets really, really red afterward, for example.” Any reactions will be immediate, so the technician can address them on the spot.

What are laser hair removal side effects?

Let’s start by clarifying: There are expected side effects, and then there are unwanted side effects of laser hair removal. We’ll cover the expected stuff first. A little pinkness and swelling is normal, as are tiny goose-bump-like bumps; those are actually from the swelling of the injured follicles beneath the skin. You also may notice “little black specks that come out of your skin,” says Marmur. “People often misconstrue that as new hair growth, but it’s not—it’s dead hair shedding.” That’s a sign that the laser hair removal worked.

The unwanted side effects include blisters, scabbing, hyperpigmentation, and hypopigmentation. Of some comfort: Pigmentation issues aren’t always permanent. “If you get it, let your doctor know right away and use a little cortisone 1% cream on the area,” says Marmur. Keep it out of the sun and heat, and apply a cool compress ASAP.

If you’re predisposed to hyperpigmentation, your dermatologist may even make a preemptive strike. “For patients with darker skin types, we apply over-the-counter hydrocortisone 1% cream in the office to minimize inflammation and the risk of darkening of skin, or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation,” says Kim. “We recommend applying the cream twice daily to the affected areas for three to five days.”

Is laser hair removal painful?

It largely varies, since the lasers themselves have gotten better over the years. “I’ve had patients who were able to tolerate the treatment without any numbing, and patients who experienced some pain even with topical anesthesia,” says Kim. (I, a baby, prefer to spend an hour with numbing cream and have never felt a thing.)

Marmur compares the laser beam to a zinging feeling, similar to a needle prick. She’s a fan of contact cooling systems, as they blunt the heat created as the laser beam (which is light energy) converts into heat. Plus, they offer enough cooling to minimize any damage caused to surrounding skin, reducing the risk of hyperpigmentation.

Certain pain-reducing methods, like suctions and contact cooling, are often built into the lasers. “There is a new laser by Lumenis called Splendor that is very effective and significantly more comfortable than other existing lasers, and I have had great success with it,” says Kim. “Because this laser is much more comfortable, I have been able to treat almost all patients without any topical numbing cream, which significantly reduces the waiting time for the patients as well.”

Aftercare for laser hair removal

Since laser hair removal heats up your skin as it blasts your hair follicles, it’s important to cool it back down afterward to avoid side effects like redness. “We often give people cold gauze in Ziploc bags,” says Marmur. “If you’re getting in a car, put on the air conditioning and stay in a cool place for a bit, or take a cool shower afterward.”

Marmur sends her patients home with a cooling serum, the Marmur Metamorphosis MMRevive Serum. You could also try Avéne Cicalfate Restorative Protective Cream, which soothes with a combination of barrier-repairing ingredients and probiotics.

Avoiding sun exposure and wearing sunscreen is also a must, as sunlight can kick-start hyperpigmentation. Kim recommends wearing a minimum of SPF 30. Got another session coming up? “Patients should not wax, pluck, or thread the treated areas in between treatments, because it’s essential for the hair follicles to be intact in order for the treatments to be effective at the next session,” he says.

Is laser hair removal safe?

Always make sure you’re going to a board-certified dermatologist or reputable practitioner—this isn’t a procedure you want to cut corners on just because you found a good discount online. And don’t be afraid to ask for a consultation ahead of an appointment to discuss the procedure. As for during your appointment, you’ll want to make sure both you and your practitioner have safety goggles on while the laser is in process. 

At-home laser hair removal devices also exist, but they’re generally less effective (meaning it will take much longer to see results), and there’s more room for error as the beam is less specific. This is why experts generally suggest going in-office for the procedure.

How Much Does Laser Hair Removal Cost for Face

How much does laser hair removal cost?

Laser hair removal costs an average of $285 for one session, according to the latest statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, but some treatments can run up to $1,500 per session. That’s because the cost varies widely according to a number of factors, such as the size of the area you’re treating, the provider’s expertise, and where you’re located. Just remember: Any treatment that seems too affordable to be true often is. 

How Much Does Laser Hair Removal Cost For Bikini

The cost of a bikini wax can vary depending on the type of waxing you choose. For a Brazilian wax, where hair is removed from the labial to the perianal areas, you can expect to pay between $250 and $350 per treatment. On the other hand, a standard v-shaped bikini wax, where hair is removed from the groin areas, leaving a V or patch of hair on the mons pubis, may cost slightly less. Ultimately, the price of a bikini wax will depend on the salon or spa you visit and the level of expertise of the esthetician performing the service.

How Long Does Laser Hair Removal Last