Other considerations include rate of hair growth for the individual and size of body areas to be treated. The estimates of hair removal costs below are approximate in view of these variables.

Hair removal costs - Under $100 per year.

Shaving, waxing, sugaring, tweezing. When done at home the cost of razors, gels, foams, waxes, sugaring solutions, tweezers, is very economical as compared to other methods.

Hair removal costs - Between $100 - $500 per year

Hair inhibitors - these solutions are rubbed in after regular hair removal methods so hair gradually reduces making further hair removal sessions less frequent. In some cases the hair stops growing permanently.

Waxing, sugaring, tweezing, threading by professional beauticians.

Recommendation: To reduce hair removal costs, use a hair inhibitor after each hair removal session. The hair growth significantly slows down and grows back finer and softer making removal much easier.

Hair removal costs - Above $500

Hair removal costs involving electrolysis - Usually there is a rate per hour. Get an estimate of how many hours are required for your particular problem and then multiply it by the rate per hour. A cheap hourly rate does not necessarily mean lower cost if the procedure takes longer than it should! Electrolysis hair removal costs can vary from $25 to $100 per hour.

Hair removal costs involving laser treatment can also vary greatly depending on the geographic area.

Coolglide Technology

With CoolGlide's unique design, there is now the flexibility to treat all skin types. Before CoolGlide, tanned patients and persons with darker skin could not expect good results from laser treatment.

A CoolGlide device has a longer wavelength which allows it to treat all skin tones. While patients with fair skin still respond the best, medical studies indicated that patients with tanned or dark skin can now achieve hair reduction equal to fair skinned patients without undesireable side effects.

Other Laser Hair Removal Devices

With some laser equipment, an absolute requirement is that the hair must be darker than the surrounding skin.
White skin with dark hair responds best. Persons with dark, coarse hair are the easiest to treat as dark hair contains melanin, a dark pigment which attracts the laser light so more laser energy is absorbed. Fewer sessions are needed.

Note: Due to the variables involved it is impossible to predict exactly what the results will be for any individual. Many reputable clinics avoid giving guarantees for this reason.

A consumer guide on laser hair removal costs gives $500 per treatment session as a reasonable average with 3 to 4 sessions often necessary.

Another survey on laser hair removal costs in the U.S.A. gives these averages according to area:

Average Cost for 1 treatment:

Midwest - $497
East - $458
South - $307
West - $469

When checking laser hair removal costs in your area, ask for special offers. Also you could offer to pay for all treatments upfront in exchange for a discount.

Additionally, you could try and get a discount by giving a referral if you have a friend who also wishes to receive laser hair removal treatment.

Some practitioners offer a 6 treatment package which includes 1 free if you pay for 5. Others may even offer a 50% discount on laser hair removal costs if you need more than 6 treatments.

In other cases, laser hair removal costs can be reduced by seeking discounts on additional areas to be treated. Some for example, offer a 10% reduction in cost for each additional area.

A final tip - to clarify the laser hair removal costs you are given, be sure to find out whether the quote is for both arms, underarms, or legs or just one.

Conclusion: Laser hair removal costs can vary greatly. Do your research, use the guidelines above in trying to get discount prices and go with the clinic that offers you a professional service for a reasonable price.