Occasionally I let my body hair grow out — typically when I’m single or stuck in the middle of a frigid winter.
I don’t do it because I’m fond of the tiny hairs tickling my sheets or the way stubble sparkles in bright light.
I let it grow because shaving eats up too much of my money and time.
I’ve tried other options. I thought about waxing, but both times I had my brows done I developed an ugly reaction from my sensitive skin. No thanks.
I also experimented with Nair, but accidentally removed a patch of arm hair. And anything that stinks that badly — and slightly burns — probably shouldn’t be soaking into my skin.
Then I began considering a longer-term fix. It’s not cheap, but is laser hair removal worth the expense?
How Much Money and Time I Spend Shaving Each Year
I use Gillette Venus Spa razors, which are pricier than the typical razor but don’t require shaving cream. These run me roughly $100 per year — including a box of Band-Aids, just in case.
Time-wise? I shave about three times weekly, and it tacks on roughly four extra minutes to my showers. That’s 12 minutes a week or more than 10 hours a year.
My legs are the biggest time drain, but my underarms and bikini line also add to that $100 and 10 hours annually.
So would laser hair removal be a reasonable fix for my frustration?
Is Laser Hair Removal Worth It? A Part-by-Part Look
When I started thinking about laser hair removal, my first thought was, “Will hairy body parts ever become fashionable?”
I assumed probably not — and personally I find it uncomfortable — so I moved on. I chose to run a cost-benefit analysis by body area.
Let’s wade into this prickly topic.
Legs
As I noted earlier, ditching leg shaving would save me a decent amount of time and cash.
Of course, prices depend on where you live, how large the area is (I have long legs) and how many sessions are required.
On average, each treatment costs $289, according to theAmerican Society of Plastic Surgeons.
I checked a Tampa, Florida salon that a friend recommended. There, I could get a “large” six-session package for $845 — or a single session for $169.
It generally takes about three to seven treatments to remove hair permanently, according to WebMD, so I’d go with the package.
WebMD notes laser hair removal on larger regions can take up to an hour per session, so the full process is about six hours of treatment time.
But I also have to factor in driving to the salon, which is roughly 30 minutes from my house, six times. Altogether, let’s estimate the whole process will consume about 12 hours, not counting traffic or waiting room time.
Since I spend nearly $100 a year on shaving supplies, it would take about eight and a half years to recoup the laser cost — assuming I only need six sessions.
That’s promising, but dropping $845 up front versus about $20 for a pack of six razors is a tough sell.
And that’s just my legs; I’d still have to maintain other areas. While I wouldn’t burn through razors as fast, I’d still have to buy them.
Underarms
Shaving my underarms takes very little time and fewer supplies, but having that hair removed by laser does sound appealing.
My skin there is extremely sensitive. Every time I run a razor over it, razor bumps appear. Dramatic? Perhaps. Accurate? Definitely.
I also feel like it’s nearly impossible to get a smooth, close shave. Underarms are awkward contours.
A coworker, Malina Rivers, had laser removal for her underarms last year. She said she has very dark hair and, despite daily shaving, still had a shadow. “It made me self-conscious,” she said. “Especially living in Florida.”
She paid more than $1,000 for eight sessions, but doesn’t regret it at all.
At the Tampa salon I mentioned, underarms are classed as a “medium” area, costing $495 for six treatments. That’s only $350 less than legs, but if razor bumps grew intolerable I’d consider it.
Bikini Area
The bikini zone is another troublesome spot, especially in summer. I’d consider laser here if I had dark, stubborn hair.
That Tampa salon treats two inches beyond the bikini line. It’s considered a medium area, priced the same as armpits — $495 for six sessions.
Some women stick to razors, but many opt for waxing or buy pricier gadgets to manage this region. A bikini wax at my local place runs $33 plus tip. (I’m too timid, so I stick with shaving.)
Waxing lasts three to six weeks, according to Pop Sugar. If you assume one appointment a month, that totals almost $400 a year — tip not included.
At that pace, if you choose waxing, you’d break even on laser treatments in about 15 months.
Upper Lip
I don’t personally worry about this, but many do. Options include bleaching, waxing, shaving, depilatories (Nair) and tweezing (ouch!).
The upper lip is likely the cheapest area to treat — at the same laser clinic, this “small area” would cost $325 for six treatments.
My editor let me pry a bit; she mentioned she spends around $85 a year on waxing.
If she went the laser route, she’d pay it off in just under four years.
Additional Laser Hair Removal Considerations
Here’s something I hadn’t realized: laser hair removal works best on certain hair colors.
I asked a family friend about her experience with laser on her upper lip, underarms and bikini area. She recommended it but warned it’s not ideal if you have gray, blonde or red hair.
Why?
Ideal Image, a national laser hair removal specialist, explains on its site:
The light from the laser is attracted to the melanin, or dark pigment, in the hair follicle. This means that dark hair is treated most effectively. Treatments performed on red, blonde, and gray hair are not generally as effective.
My family friend confirmed this. She said she didn’t realize she had some gray hairs, so they didn’t fully disappear.
Looking at my own hair, some strands are dark, but many lean toward strawberry blonde. I’d be wary of investing a lot of money in a treatment that might not deliver.
I’m also a bit of a coward, so I asked about pain. My friend said her technician described the feeling as like a rubber band snap.
Her verdict? “It’s a pretty decent snap” — though she called the technology “a wonderful invention.”
Is Laser Hair Removal Worth It?
I’d love not having to wrestle with leg hair every few days and not have my grocery bill nudged up by razor cartridges.
But, as I said, it would take more than eight years to recoup the laser cost. That’s a long stretch — and a hefty one-time expense.
And I’d still need razors for my underarms and bikini line, though I wouldn’t go through them so quickly.
Plus, with those tricky blonde strands, I’d want assurance the treatment would actually work.
Time would be my strongest motivator. I dread showering. On jam-packed days, showering — especially when shaving is involved — eats into my schedule.
So would I get laser hair removal? For me, at this moment, it’s not worth it. If I had to deal with daily maintenance or my upper lip hair started bothering me, I’d reconsider.
All in all, it’s a hairy choice, but for now I vote no; laser hair removal isn’t worth it to me.
Your Turn: What about you? Would you consider laser hair removal to save money and time?
Carson Hale (@CarsonHale) is a junior writer at Savinly. She despises shaving her legs almost as much as she despises roaches.
