Which Laser for Hair Removal: How to Pick the Right One for Your Skin and Hair
Alexandrite, diode or Nd:YAG: what each laser does, for which skin and hair, explained in plain words, with what the research says about how they work.
How many sessions do full legs and full arms take? About eight, sometimes up to twelve, one session every 4 to 6 weeks. À la carte, full legs and full arms cost $475 a session, plus tax. The Unlimited Zones plan costs $497/mo, plus tax, and it becomes the better deal as soon as you add a third zone.
You want to be done with the razor, and you would like to know what to expect before booking: how many appointments, over how long, for what total. Here are the numbers, the math on both options and what we tell you before the first session. The prices in this article come from the women's price list; the men's page has its own.
How many sessions, and at what pace
The laser only works on hair in its growth phase. At each session, only some of the hairs are in it, so it takes several spaced-out passes to catch the rest. On the laser hair removal page, we count 8 sessions on average, sometimes up to 12 depending on the amount of hair and on hormones.
Full legs and full arms: about eight sessions, one every four to six weeks.
Eight sessions spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart run over 32 to 48 weeks, or roughly seven to eleven months. The reference organizations give slightly different ranges:
| Source | Number of sessions | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| Clinique DC (laser hair removal page) | 8 on average, sometimes up to 12 | 4 to 6 weeks |
| Cleveland Clinic | 6 to 8 | 6 to 8 weeks |
| American Academy of Dermatology | 2 to 6 | 4 to 6 weeks |
The three ranges overlap without being identical. Ours is the one on our page, and your own number is refined at the consultation. It shifts with:
- the colour and thickness of the hair: the darker it is, the better the results;
- hormones;
- the area treated;
- your skin, which sets the laser's energy.
Once the protocol is done, 1 to 2 maintenance sessions a year are generally enough, depending on hormones.
How long a session lasts
Full legs and full arms are treated in the same session. The exact length depends on the surface to cover and on the hair, and we have not fixed it in an article: it is confirmed at the consultation, before the first session.
Per-zone sessions or the plan: the math
À la carte, each zone has its own price, and you add up the zones treated in the same session. With the Unlimited Zones plan, the price does not move, whatever the number of zones. The math below is worked out over 8 sessions, the average course, with the prices on the laser hair removal page, plus tax.
| Option | Price per session | Total over 8 sessions |
|---|---|---|
| Full legs + full arms, à la carte | $475 | $3,800 |
| Full legs + full arms + underarms, à la carte | $570 | $4,560 |
| Unlimited Zones plan, every zone | $497/mo | $3,976 |
For legs and arms only, à la carte costs a little less per session than the plan. If that is all you are aiming for, it is the one to choose. As soon as you think of adding underarms, bikini or face, the plan wins: the price stays the same.
The plan's name is confusing. It is the zones that are unlimited, not the sessions: you come once a month, and we treat every zone you want. The commitment is 3 months, then the plan continues month to month. The details and conditions are on the laser hair removal page.
What we tell you before the first session
We would rather you know all this before paying, without having to ask:
- The laser works on dark hair. On white, grey, very light blond or red hair, there is not enough pigment for it to respond, and we tell you before we start.
- Shave the area 24 hours before the session. Avoid waxing, tweezing and epilators for the 4 weeks before: the laser needs the root of the hair.
- Avoid direct sun and tanning beds for the 2 weeks before and after each session.
- Results vary from person to person, and none is guaranteed.
- Medications, damaged skin, pregnancy: what applies to your case is confirmed at the assessment.
Sessions are done on the Lutronic Clarity II, a laser with two wavelengths (755 nm and 1064 nm) and built-in cooling, according to the manufacturer. The two wavelengths make it possible to treat skin types I to VI, and the settings are adjusted to your skin.
Questions we get asked
How many sessions for full legs?
About eight on average, sometimes up to twelve depending on the amount of hair and on hormones. Sessions are spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart to follow the hair cycle.
Are arms and legs done in the same session?
Yes. À la carte, we add up the price of each zone treated. With the Unlimited Zones plan, the price stays the same, whatever the number of zones.
Does the Unlimited Zones plan give unlimited sessions?
No. It is the zones that are unlimited: one session a month, with as many zones as you want. A 3-month commitment applies.
Does the laser work on light hair?
No. It targets melanin, the pigment in the hair. White, grey, very light blond or red hair does not have enough. We confirm this with you before starting.
Is one series of sessions enough for good?
Results vary and none is guaranteed. After the protocol, 1 to 2 maintenance sessions a year are generally enough, depending on hormones. For the full picture of how it works, the article on laser hair removal covers it.
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic, "Laser Hair Removal" (number of sessions and interval). Read the page
- American Academy of Dermatology, "Laser hair removal: FAQs" (number of treatments and interval). Read the page
- Clinique DC, laser hair removal page for women (sessions, pace, à la carte price list, Unlimited Zones plan). Read the page
- Clinique DC, Clarity II technology page, based on manufacturer (Lutronic) data: two wavelengths, built-in cooling, skin types I to VI. Read the page
