To achieve smooth, hair-free skin, several hair removal methods are at your disposal. In this article, we discuss two of the most popular: laser and waxing. We will explore how these treatments work, how they differ, and which is a better option for your skin and hair type.
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Laser hair removal is a cosmetic treatment that uses a laser to heat and destroy hair follicles, preventing hair growth. For long-lasting results, patients need to undergo multiple treatments spaced several weeks apart. Results last for years and, in some cases, patients report permanent hair removal.
Waxing is a hair removal method where the cosmetic practitioner removes hair in the target area using wax. The treatment removes hair from the root but doesn’t damage or destroy the hair follicle. Hairs typically grow back after three to six weeks, but long-term use may diminish and even inhibit hair growth in certain areas.
The following table shows the main differences between laser and waxing.
| Laser Hair Removal | Waxing | |
| How Does It Work? | A laser beam heats and destroys a hair follicle. | Wax pulls hair from the hair root. |
| Common Treatment Areas | Upper lip, chin, armpits, arms, chest, legs, bikini line, shoulders, and back. | Upper lip, chin, armpits, arms, chest, legs, bikini line, shoulders, and back. |
| Pain Level | Minimal; the treatment includes a numbing cream. | Mild to strong, depending on the patient’s pain threshold. |
| Side Effects | Common: Redness, swelling, discomfort Rare: Skin discoloration, scarring, excessive hair growth | Common: Redness, swelling, discomfort With long term use: ingrown hairs |
| Longevity of Results | Several years, in some cases permanent. | Three to six weeks. |
| Treatment Duration | A few minutes to one hour, depending on the area. | A few minutes to half an hour, depending on the area. |
| How Many Treatments Are Required? | An initial series of 4 – 10 treatments spaced 1-3 months apart, and a few years of annual maintenance treatments. | Every 3-6 weeks. |
| Eligible Candidates | Preferably, people with light skin and thick, dark hair. | Anyone |
| Cost | $150 – $450+ | $20 – $100+ |
Both hair removal treatments have their advantages over other hair removal methods. They help patients decide which method to use.
Laser
Waxing
Laser hair removal and waxing can both be done on most body parts. Common waxing and laser hair removal areas are:
Note: Estheticians refrain from treating the area around the eyes to avoid the risk of eye damage. However, with the necessary precautions, it is possible to use lasers to remove eyebrow hairs. Learn how laser hair removal for eyebrows works.
Laser and waxing are safe and effective for most healthy individuals.
Laser
The best candidates for laser hair removal are people with dark body hair and light skin. This is because the contrast between the skin and hair color is strong enough for the laser to target only the melanin in the hair and not damage the skin.
More technologically advanced laser devices that treat a wider range of skin and hair color combinations are now used in many med spas.
Note: Read our article and find out more about laser hair removal for blonde hair.
Waxing
Almost anyone is eligible for waxing. It’s important that your hair is at least a quarter of an inch long to ensure the procedure’s effectiveness. However, people with sensitive skin may experience more severe side effects.
Cosmetic professionals recommend following specific pre-treatment instructions to minimize side effects and ensure optimal results.
Laser
Note: For more information, read our article on how to prepare for laser hair removal.
Waxing
The procedures for laser and waxing differ. Here’s what to expect when you come to your hair removal appointment.
Laser
A single laser hair removal appointment can take anywhere between a few minutes to an hour.
Waxing
A waxing appointment lasts anywhere between 5 and 30 minutes, depending on the target area.
Several factors determine how painful a hair removal session will be, such as the thickness of the patient’s hair, their pain threshold, health status, etc. The following are general observations from patients regarding pain and discomfort during laser and waxing treatments.
Laser
Laser hair removal isn’t painful because the medical provider applies a numbing cream prior to treating the area with a laser. However, the patient may feel a slight tingling or pricking sensation, particularly in areas with denser and thicker hair.
Waxing
Patients report different pain levels. People with a lower pain threshold may experience the treatment as painful, especially in areas with sensitive skin or dense and thick hair. Fortunately, the pulling action is quick, and the pain lasts only a few seconds.
You can expect the following results from each treatment.
Laser
The goal of laser hair removal is to ensure long-lasting or permanent hair elimination. A series of four to ten treatments one to three months apart is necessary to reach this goal because each hair is in a different growth stage. One laser treatment may damage hair follicles from which the hairs are growing but won’t affect follicles in the resting phase.
The number of necessary treatments depends on the patient’s skin and hair type.
After each treatment, hair gradually sheds from the follicles. After a series of four to ten treatments, the patient may need annual or bi-annual maintenance treatments for a few years. Patient experience show that after a few years of maintenance treatments, hair growth is either sporadic or permanently inhibited.
Waxing
The results of hair waxing are temporary. The procedure doesn’t damage the hair follicle but only pulls the hairs out with the root. The hairs usually grow back after three to six weeks, depending on the patient. After long-term use, hairs may thin out or stop growing in certain areas. With long-term use, there is a risk of developing ingrown hairs.
Follow these aftercare tips to maximize the effects of both treatments and minimize the chances of side effects.
Laser
Note: Find a more detailed list of dos and don’ts in our blog post on laser hair removal aftercare.
Waxing
Laser hair removal and waxing are considered safe for most healthy adults. However, patients may experience certain side effects.
Laser
These common side effects occur during the first few hours after the laser treatment and subside quickly.
Patients rarely experience the following symptoms:
Waxing
The common side effects of waxing are the same as those of laser hair removal. However, frequent waxing can cause the hair to grow crooked due to the pulling motion. This can result in ingrown hairs, which cause a whole set of issues.
Not all lasers are effective for light hair or dark skin. In addition, providers often recommend avoiding the sessions during the warm and sunny season. Sun exposure and heat can increase the risk of burns and dark spots, and delay recovery.
Waxing is more painful than laser and it provides only temporary results. Most patients need to come in for another treatment within a month. Although a single waxing session costs less than a laser treatment, the expenses add up over the years. The cumulative cost of years of waxing is typically higher than the cost of laser hair removal, which offers long-lasting hair reduction.
Laser and waxing are suitable for most people. However, some medical conditions, medications, and skin issues may increase the risk of complications, making alternative hair removal treatments more appropriate.
Laser
Waxing
The patient’s budget often determines which hair removal treatment they choose.
Laser
The cost of laser hair removal depends on the size of the treatment area. It ranges from $150 to $400+ per treatment. The pricing of laser hair removal at Vibrant Skin Bar is as follows:
Waxing
Depending on the size of the treated area and the location of the salon, the price of waxing ranges between $20 and $100+. One waxing treatment is less expensive than a laser hair removal treatment, but the cost of waxing during the patient’s lifetime by far exceeds the total cost of laser treatments.
The answers to our patients’ common questions can help you decide which hair removal option to choose.
It’s best to consult your medical provider to determine which hair removal method is better for your skin type, hair color, pain threshold, desired results, and budget.
They may recommend laser hair removal if you want to avoid frequent visits to the salon. If you have light hair, waxing may be more effective.
Providers don’t recommend waxing after laser hair removal because waxing pulls hair out with the root, which is where melanin is located. Because most lasers target melanin, waxing can hinder the process. The best way to get rid of excess hair after laser hair removal is shaving.
Wait at least three to four weeks after waxing to start your laser hair removal sessions. Waxing removes the hair from the follicle, leaving no visible hair shaft for the laser to target. The period of three to four weeks should be enough for the pigmented hair to regrow, so that the laser can effectively target it.
Laser and waxing are among the most popular hair removal methods today. The only thing they have in common is their final goal—hair removal. In fact, these two procedures are quite different in the method, pain level they cause, cost, and longevity of results.
We recommend you carefully research both treatments to determine which hair removal method is right for your needs.
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