Double Chin: Fat or Loose Skin? The Question That Decides the Treatment
Two problems that look alike under the chin, two different treatments. How to tell them apart in a mirror, and what radiofrequency doesn't do.
How much does laser hair removal on the back cost, and how many sessions does it take? A full back is $275 a session à la carte, plus tax. Plan on 8 sessions on average, sometimes more: the back is one of the larger male areas. The Unlimited Zones plan is $697/mo, plus tax.
The back is the area you cannot shave yourself, and waxing it is a chore. You want to know what it takes before booking: the number of appointments, the total, the commitment. Here are the numbers, the math on both options, and what the laser cannot do.
What the laser does on back hair
The laser targets melanin, the dark pigment in the hair. The darker and coarser the hair, the better it responds: dark back and shoulder hair is where it works best. White, grey, very light blond or red hair does not have enough pigment: the laser does nothing for it, and we tell you before we start.
According to the manufacturer, the Lutronic Clarity II combines two wavelengths: Alexandrite (755 nm) for lighter skin and Nd:YAG (1064 nm) for olive, dark and tanned skin. The settings are adjusted to your skin. For deeper skin tones, this article explains what matters.
How many sessions for the back
At the clinic, we count 8 sessions on average, and sometimes more on large male areas like the back. There is no cap at 8: the number is refined at the consultation, based on your hair, your hormones and the surface. Sessions are spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart, to follow the hair cycle.
A back takes eight sessions or more, one every four to six weeks.
Reference organizations give lower ranges. They do not concern an area as large as the back, and we found no study on the male back.
| Source | Sessions | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| Clinique DC (men's laser hair removal page) | 8 on average, sometimes more on the back | 4 to 6 weeks |
| Cleveland Clinic | 6 to 8 | 6 to 8 weeks |
| American Academy of Dermatology | not stated in its FAQ | 4 to 6 weeks |
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, most people can have laser hair removal once every 4 to 6 weeks, and it "can be dangerous in inexperienced hands." That is why the settings are handled by a medical esthetician, session after session.
The price of the back, per session
À la carte, you add up the areas treated in the same session. Each zone has its own price on the list of the men's laser hair removal page. For the back and the areas next to it:
- half back: $150 a session;
- full back: $275 a session;
- shoulders: $135 a session;
- chest: $135 a session;
- full arms: $190 a session.
All prices are plus tax. Add areas and the sum rises with every session, which is where the plan comes in.
The Unlimited Zones plan for men
The 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 in the same session. The plan is $697/mo, plus tax, with a minimum 3-month commitment, then month to month.
Here is what that looks like over 8 sessions, the average course:
| What you treat | Price per session | Total over 8 sessions |
|---|---|---|
| Half back, à la carte | $150 | $1,200 |
| Full back, à la carte | $275 | $2,200 |
| Full back + shoulders + chest, à la carte | $545 | $4,360 |
| Unlimited Zones plan, every zone | $697/mo | $5,576 |
For the back, even with the shoulders and chest, à la carte costs less every session than the plan: that is the one to choose. The page also lists pre-set per-session bundles, including full back with shoulders, at a lower price than the sum of the zones. The plan makes sense once the sum of your zones, bundles included, passes its monthly price: in practice, when you are aiming for a large part of the body.
One note on duration. If your back needs more than 8 sessions, the plan keeps going month to month, and à la carte keeps going session by session.
What we treat on men, and what we do not
The back, shoulders, chest, abdomen, neck, nape, arms and legs are treated. On the face, we treat the beard line, and we work on the beard conservatively, because the result is permanent. We do not treat intimate areas on men.
What we tell you before the first session
We would rather you know before paying, without having to ask:
- Results vary from person to person, and none is guaranteed. Male areas, active under hormones, sometimes call for upkeep.
- Shave the area 24 hours before the session. No waxing, tweezing or epilator for the 4 weeks before: the laser needs the root of the hair.
- Avoid direct sun and tanning beds for 2 weeks before and after each session. The Cleveland Clinic also advises keeping the treated area out of the sun after treatment.
- Medications, damaged skin: what applies to your case is confirmed at the assessment.
Questions we get asked
How many sessions for the back?
8 on average, sometimes more, because the back is a large male area. Sessions are spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart. The number is refined at the consultation.
Is the plan worth it if I only want back and shoulders?
You can work it out. For back and shoulders, à la carte costs less than the plan, and the pre-set full back + shoulders bundle costs less still. For more zones, add up their prices on the page's list and compare the sum with the plan. The plan keeps its price, whatever the number of zones.
Does back hair respond as well to the laser?
Dark, coarse hair responds well, and dark back hair is where it works best. White, grey, very light blond or red hair does not respond. We confirm this with you before starting.
Do you treat intimate areas?
No, not on men. On the face, treatment is limited to the beard line and the beard, treated conservatively.
Can I start in winter?
Nothing prevents it. Direct sun is to be avoided before and after each session, which is confirmed at the consultation based on your skin.
Sources
- American Academy of Dermatology, "Laser hair removal: FAQs" (interval, caution on darker skin, inexperienced hands). Read the page
- Cleveland Clinic, "Laser Hair Removal" (number of sessions, interval, sun after treatment). Read the page
- Clinique DC, men's laser hair removal page (sessions, à la carte list, Unlimited Zones plan). Read the page
- Clinique DC, Clarity II technology page, based on manufacturer (Lutronic) data. Read the page
