Hair Removal Cost Comparison: Which Method Wins?
There is quite the variety of hair removal methods on the market today, from your day-to-day ease of shaving to the permanence of electrolysis and everything in between.
While shaving is the cheapest option, and long term solutions such as laser hair removal and electrolysis are more of an investment, which method is actually the most cost effective in the long run?
Is laser hair removal worth the expense, or are we just better off spending the money on a salon wax every month?
Based on four different body areas, face (upper lip and chin), half legs, bikini and armpits, we have aimed to provide average costs and compared them across a timeline of 5 years to see which method comes out on top.
Average sessions, prices per session and average costs
These averages have been compiled based on existing pricing and average number of sessions required. As they are averages, costs may be higher or lower depending on skin and hair type, area treated, frequency of treatment and where the treatment takes place.
Not everyone is an ideal candidate for laser hair removal and this is something you will need to discuss with a physician before opting for this solution.
Average number of sessions per year
| Shaving | Waxing | Laser | Electrolysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Face* | 365/yr | 12/yr | 7/yr | 20/yr |
Half Legs | 156/yr | 12/yr | 7/yr | 20/yr |
Bikini | 156/yr | 12/yr | 7/yr | 20/yr |
Armpits | 156/yr | 12/yr | 7/yr | 20/yr |
*Face assumes lip and chin
Average price per session
| Shaving* | Waxing** | Laser | Electrolysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Face | $1.50 | $25 | $150 | $45 |
Half Legs | $1.50 | $35 | $300 | $90 |
Bikini | $1.50 | $35 | $250 | $60 |
Armpits | $1.50 | $25 | $200 | $45 |
*Based on 4/5 uses per razor, higher end disposable Gillette razors (cheaper razors would bring the price down)
** Based on average salon prices
Average cost over the period of 1 year
| Shaving | Waxing | Laser | Electrolysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Face | $548 | $300 | $1,050 | $900 |
Half Legs | $234 | $420 | $2,100 | $1,800 |
Bikini | $234 | $420 | $1,750 | $1,200 |
Armpits | $234 | $300 | $1,400 | $900 |
Average cost for 1 year after the first year of treatment
| Shaving | Waxing | Laser* | Electrolysis** |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Face | $548 | $300 | $300 | $900 |
Half Legs | $234 | $420 | $600 | $1,800 |
Bikini | $234 | $420 | $500 | $1,200 |
Armpits | $234 | $300 | $400 | $900 |
*Assuming 2 touch up sessions a year
**Assuming treatment lasts on average 2 years
Average cost over the period of 5 years
| Shaving | Waxing | Laser* | Electrolysis** |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Face | $2,740 | $1,500 | $2,250 | $1,800 |
Half Legs | $1,170 | $2,100 | $4,500 | $3,600 |
Bikini | $1,170 | $2,100 | $3,750 | $2,400 |
Armpits | $1,170 | $1,500 | $3,000 | $1,800 |
*Assuming 1 year treatment + 2 touch up sessions per year after the initial year
**Assuming 2 year treatment and no further sessions
Comparision of Different Types of Hair Removal
In order to compare the pricing between different methods one really must look at the long term costs as opposed to the day to day costs.
Non-Permanent Options
While shaving may appear to be cheap in the short term, over the years you will always be spending the same amount of money by replacing razors.
Waxing may appear to be another cheaper option, and also less frequent, but, just like shaving, you will be paying the same amount every single year, as your hair will continue to grow.
When it comes to electrolysis and laser hair removal there is a larger investment required upfront, however, in these cases we are dealing with semi permanent and permanent forms of hair removal, so after the initial treatment is over costs are reduced significantly.
Laser vs. Shaving
Let’s take the face as an example. We can assume one will require a daily shave, and this would end up costing an average of $548 in disposable razors over the period of a year (shaving creams are not included in this average).
If one decides to invest in laser hair removal, the initial year would cost an average of $1,050, so about double the price. But from that moment onwards, while shaving would continue to cost $548 a year, laser hair removal touch up sessions would most likely cost less than $300 over the year.
It gets even better when you evaluate the average costs over the span of 5 years. While shaving and waxing continue to cost the same on a yearly basis, they become more expensive than laser hair removal and electrolysis.
This is where the initial investments pay off: by paying upfront, one actually reaps the benefits of having permanent, or at least semi-permanent, hair-free skin.
While the shaver is still going to be shaving his or her face every day, the individual who has been through successful laser hair removal or electrolysis treatments actually doesn’t need to worry too much about hair removal anymore.
Possibly a touch-up session here and there as a worst case scenario. While it’s important to remember that not everyone is a good candidate for these types of treatment, and significant hormone changes may cause additional hair growth over time, in the long run, laser hair removal and electrolysis treatments really pay off as you get not only the results you have always wanted, but also a significant reduction in hair removal costs.
Electrolysis vs. Laser
When it comes down to laser hair removal vs. electrolysis, electrolysis appears to take the lead in terms of final costs, as well as the fact that it is actually permanent. However, electrolysis takes a lot longer and is more painful in the long run.
While you would only require an average of 7 sessions of laser treatments over the space of a year, you would need at least 20 for electrolysis. Electrolysis is so time-consuming that it really works best on smaller areas such as the face.
So, in terms of total efficiency, laser hair removal comes out on top again.
All of the above averages are based on a specific area of the body. If you are looking for a full body solution the investment will be a lot higher, but the final results the same.
Conclusion
With the rapid advances of the efficiency and safety of laser hair removal, the initial investment really proves to pay off in the long run. Because that is what it is: an investment.
While the prices of razors, depilatories and waxes will most likely not change over time, nor will the number of times you resort to using them, opting for a form of semi-permanent hair removal will provide long term results and fewer costs over time.
Something to think about next time to pick up the razor!
