Compiled data shows that both women and men can save tens of thousands of dollars on hair removal over a lifetime by choosing laser hair removal over shaving or waxing.
Hair removal is a nearly unavoidable aspect of American beauty culture. Most men and women in the U.S. participate in some sort of hair removal throughout their lifetime, whether that includes shaving, waxing, or some other form of hair removal like depilatory creams, threading, or plucking.
Though hair removal may seem second nature after many years of routine, shaving and waxing and other forms of hair removal, when done over long periods of time for an entire lifetime, can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Does that seem surprising? Well, while the cost of a razor, razor replacements, waxing appointments, and other hair removal products may seem relatively low each time, that cost adds up when repeated over and over across an entire lifetime of hair removal. So it’s worth looking at the upfront cost of another option: laser hair removal.
Many people have heard of laser hair removal but might not want to try it because of the high one-time cost. However, they may not have considered how much money can actually be saved by opting for this option, which allows people to achieve major hair reduction over a series of treatments, often with a one-time payment if purchasing a package.
All the cost data below is based on a 2008 American Laser Centers Hair Removal Survey and from the Market Watch article “5 Ways to Save on Shaving.” The idea is that women spend, on average, 53.6 years removing unwanted hair throughout their lifetime and that, on average, men start shaving around 14 to 16 years old and live to be about 78 years old.
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is a medical procedure that utilizes a laser to safely reduce and remove unwanted hair from areas of the face and the body, including the neck, check, bikini, legs, back, buttocks, breasts/nipples, ears, abdomen, underarms, or arms.
The laser pinpoints hair follicles and delivers light energy, which the follicles then absorb. This causes damage or even destruction to the hair follicle. Since hair grows in stages, laser hair removal cannot damage all active hair follicles at once, and multiple treatments are necessary for best results. However, after multiple (usually about eight) treatments, those who have laser hair removal are left with a major reduction in unwanted hair and no longer have to worry about shaving or waxing.
Cost of Shaving
Women have reported spending about $15 each month on shaving, which adds up to about $10,000 over a typical lifetime. Men have reported spending more than $200 each year on razors and replacement blades, which adds up to $12,000 or more over a typical lifetime.
Cost of Waxing
Women who reported waxing one of two times per month spend an average of $23,000 on the waxing process over a lifetime.
Cost of Laser Hair Removal
For women, laser hair removal for the bikini area, legs, and underarms costs about $4,000 over a lifetime. For men, getting laser hair removal for the face and neck can cost about $2,000 or less over an entire lifetime.
Keep in mind, these costs take into account that most people need multiple treatments to achieve the best results with laser hair removal. After treatments are done, though, most clients enjoy 75 to 90 percent reduction in hair growth. No one can ever achieve 100 percent reduction in hair growth, but for only a few thousands dollars over a lifetime, the percentage of reduction is pretty great.
Though laser hair removal can seem costly at first, these numbers show that paying for a series of treatments once for a lifetime of results saves people tens of thousands of dollars that could be spent elsewhere. The savings speak for themselves.
So, now what? Of course, laser hair removal is not for everyone. Do some planning for laser hair removal by visiting several providers that offer a free consultation to make sure laser hair removal is right for you. However, when you do make that choice, just know that you will be saving tens of thousands of dollars over your lifetime by choosing laser hair removal over shaving and waxing!
Katie Caldwell is the content writing and marketing specialist for WIFH, a Laser Aesthetics Clinic and Med Spa recognized as Atlanta’s only Certified Laser of Excellence. WIFH provides top-notch services ranging from skin resurfacing and rejuvenation to body contouring and laser hair removal.
