Cost is a major factor when a person decides to go for laser hair removal. Laser treatments may be expensive and out of reach for several people. Moreover insurance companies do not cover cosmetic beauty treatments. However, laser clinics and doctors may have tie-ups with finance companies to offer loans to cover the cost of laser treatment. This way the person pays in affordable installments to the doctor and can avail of his services without pinching his pocket.
As per some professional bodies, the average cost of laser hair removal is about four hundred and thirty dollars per session. But, a number of factors determine the cost, including the location of the clinic, the skill and experience of the doctor, the body area to be treated and the texture of hair. Some people have dark hair; others have dense hair growth or hair that grows back very fast. Some women may be hirsute due to hormonal imbalance. Therefore there are no fixed charges for laser hair removal as the cost depends on the individual. Hence it is advisable to go for a consultation with the doctor before embarking on the treatment.
For some patients a few sessions of laser treatment can remove hair for a few months. Others may need more sessions. Usually clinics offer treatment packages and a discount for a fixed number of sessions. Paying some fee in advance may also result in a substantial discount on the treatment package For example removal of back hair may cost between six to nine hundred dollars, as the area of treatment is large. Similarly hair removal from the arms or chest area may cost between three to six hundred dollars. Hair removal from the legs costs about eight hundred dollars while treating underarms may cost between two to three hundred dollars. These costs are rough estimates and may vary with the clinic.
Location also determines costs to a great extent. A good doctor in a rural town will charge much less than a doctor of similar experience in the big cities. Similarly the type of laser used, the number of pulses used in each session also determine the cost of laser hair removal. Different clinics have different policies for deciding the cost. Some charge the same fee irrespective of the treatment area, or the person's rate of hair growth, for each session.
A few clinics charge on the basis of time for which the laser is used in each session. Here again, the time taken depends on the amount of hair and the area of body requiring treatment. The skill of the doctor and the speed of the laser beam also determine the pricing structure. Some doctors charge on the basis of the number of pulses of laser beam used in each session. The charge is only for the actual number of pulses and may include a basic minimum charge. Hence the individual must be informed of all these factors and then decide on a clinic that offers the best treatment without charging him an exorbitant fee.
