Friday, August 28, 2026

How Much Does Laser Hair Removal Cost: 7 Things I Wish I Knew

by MBV
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Introduction

Laser hair removal cost can be quite a lot if you don’t know much about it. Personally for me laser hair removal, for a female traveller is so necessary. You always have a list of things you need to do before you go on a trip. Mine usually involves new hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, nails and pedicure and more etc. alongside working through my pre-trip packing checklist to make sure I haven’t forgotten anything.

If you are travelling and want zero body hair, then you need to read this blog post because you might decide to actually consider hair removal.  And if you’re like me, one of those tasks is getting rid of body hair. I used to do this through professional waxing until someone showed me the light – laser hair removal.

After a while, I decided to go ahead with the laser treatment, and I have to say I can’t believe I let it take me so long to get it DONE! In total, my laser hair removal cost with Pulse Light Clinic cost me £638 with a discount! This was for underarms and full Hollywood. I’ve already had 5 sessions and can’t believe it took me so long to get it done! Even with 3 more sessions to go and being under quarantine, I still have no hair!

But before you book your first session, there are some things I wish someone had told me especially as a Black woman. So here is my honest experience from how long does laser hair removal last with the good bad and to how much laser hair removal cost me.

Most read post: The 5 Best Luggage for Long-Haul Solo Travel 

How much did laser hair removal cost me?

I mentioned this in the intro but I wanted to clear up that I had my treatment at Pulse Light Clinic and the laser hair removal cost me £638 with a discount for underarms and a full Hollywood. However, I would say that the prices on laser hair removal can differ depending where you go and other facts. It’s important to find out how much laser hair removal cost before committing to it. You can find out laser treatment cost for hair removal here.

A few things affect the price more than people expect:

  • Area size – underarms and Hollywood are on the smaller/cheaper end compared to full legs or full body packages, which can run into the thousands.
  • Number of sessions – most clinics quote per-session or per-package pricing, and you’ll usually need 6-8+ sessions for a proper result, so always ask what the full course costs, not just one session.
  • Clinic location – London clinics (like Pulse Light) tend to sit at the higher end compared to clinics outside major cities.
  • Discounts and referrals – I got my discount through Pulse Light’s referral scheme (£30 off for both people if you refer a friend), so it’s always worth asking if a clinic has one before booking.

When I compare it to what I used to spend on waxing every 4-6 weeks, laser has actually worked out cheaper over time, even with the upfront cost feeling higher.

7 things to know about laser hair removal

Laser Hair removal can be painful  

I think this is the first or maybe second question people ask me. I will be honest with you. Laser hair removal is not painful. BUT… it can be depend on what you usually do for hair removal. If you regularly wax then you will be able to handle this easily. If you are someone that shaves then this might be a bit more painful than usual.

For a couple of days after treatment, the affected skin may become red and tender. Many people describe the sensation as similar to a sunburn. The process itself, however, is typically not painful.

If you’re someone who’s nervous about pain (like I was before my first session), it genuinely helps to go in already knowing what to expect, it’s more of a warm zap than anything sharp, and most clinics will do a test patch first if you ask.

The treatment session can go quite quick  

All of my sessions have been extremely short. Before your session, you are advised to shave the areas for laser. Once you are in it’s usually a wipe down and a quick zap of about 20 minutes. With Pulse Light, this includes a good old chat with the dermatologist.

Honestly, as a busy traveller this is one of the reasons I love it. I’ve booked sessions on my lunch break before and been back at my desk within the hour. Compare that to a full wax appointment, and it’s a no-brainer for anyone short on time.

You can’t be in the sun during treatment  

Yes, this is true. Staying away from the sun as travellers can be quite difficult. Laser hair removal won’t work if you’re receiving treatment. You will need to avoid sunbathing or sun exposure as much as possible before and after treatments.

This is honestly the trickiest part for me as someone who’s always jetting off somewhere sunny. My advice: try to time your sessions around your travel calendar, or at least make sure you’re diligent with SPF and covering up if you can’t avoid the sun completely.

Laser Hair removal means you will need to shave the areas off 

I mentioned already that you are advised to shave the areas that are to be treated. This at the beginning was difficult for me because I’ve always had a fear of ingrown hairs. However, since I’ve been receiving laser hair removal. I have noticed that I don’t have this problem.

What are the side effects of laser hair removal? 

I have to be honest and say that there are a few side effects which can appear after laser hair removal treatment. I’ve experienced some of those side effects, one of them is a constant burn and redness. You can also experience other common side effects such as crusting, a change in skin colour or possible skin infection. Anyone that is experiencing lasting side effects should consult their dermatologist immediately!  

How long does laser hair removal last?

I’ve now done 5 sessions of laser hair removal and so far, so good! I can’t say that I won’t ever see hair again, but at least I’ve not seen any for a long time. What I do know is this: hair removal treatment can significantly reduce hair growth. After my first treatment, I noticed that my hair was a lot finer and I hardly noticed any hair.  

I’ve paid for eight sessions, of which I hope to achieve more of a permanent result. I will have to do a blog post when I finish my treatment.  

It works on all skin types including for Black women

At a younger age, I was told that I wasn’t able to receive laser hair treatment due to the pigment in my skin. I went and asked if I could get laser hair removal when I was 16 loool. Now that times have changed, I have learnt that laser for Black women is very normal now. It is for now for all skin types are easily managed. Your hair now just needs to be dark enough to be read by the laser.  So if you are thinking whether laser hair removal Black women is an option then the answer is yes.

And there we have it, a few things you need to know before getting your laser hair removal treatment. There are a number of different hair centres you can choose from. If you want to know mine, then please have a look a Pulse Light Clinic, get a free consultation and if you refer a friend, you both get £30 off!  

Hope this helped you and you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask away my email is: info@mybreakingviews.com  

Frequently Asked Questions on Laser Hair Treatments

Is laser hair removal painful?

Not really, for a couple of days afterwards the skin can feel red and tender, a bit like sunburn, but the treatment itself isn’t painful. If you’re already used to waxing, you’ll find it easy to handle. If you usually shave, it might feel slightly more noticeable at first.

How long does a laser hair removal session take?

Sessions are quick usually around 20 minutes once you’re shaved and ready. At Pulse Light Clinic this also includes a chat with the dermatologist beforehand

Can you get laser hair removal if you’re travelling a lot or love the sun?

You’ll need to avoid sun exposure as much as possible before and after each session, since laser hair removal won’t work properly if your skin has been sun-exposed. This is worth planning around if you travel frequently.

Do you need to shave before a laser hair removal session?

Yes, you’re advised to shave the treatment area beforehand. It sounds counterintuitive if you’re worried about ingrown hairs, but regular laser sessions actually reduce ingrown hair problems over time.

What are the side effects of laser hair removal?

Redness and a burning sensation are common straight after treatment. Some people also experience crusting, temporary changes in skin colour, or (rarely) infection. Any side effect that persists should be checked by a dermatologist.

Does laser hair removal last forever?

It significantly reduces hair growth and thickness over time rather than guaranteeing permanent removal. After 5 sessions, hair is noticeably finer, but ongoing sessions (this post covers 8 in total) improve the results further.

Does laser hair removal work on Black skin / darker skin tones?

Yes, it’s a common misconception that it doesn’t. Modern laser hair removal works on all skin types; what matters is that the hair itself is dark enough for the laser to target, not the skin tone.

Final Views on Laser Hair Removal

If you are looking for laser hair removal for Black women then you now know where to go. Pulse Light Clinic.

Now you’ve read my post would you consider getting laser hair removal? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. If this post inspired you, subscribe to the blog so you never miss an update. Want more travel tips? Visit the Travel Resources.

Happy Lasering lol!

MBV X

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