Laser hair reduction or waxing: an honest comparison
Laser hair reduction or waxing? An honest look at cost over time, comfort, skin type, ingrown hairs and which suits your hair, from a Chester Hill studio.
We offer both waxing and laser hair reduction, so we have no reason to push you one way. Both have a place. The right choice depends on your hair, your skin, your budget and how much time you want to spend on hair removal over the next few years.
Here is an honest comparison.
How each one works
Waxing pulls the hair out from the root. The skin is smooth for around three to five weeks, then the hair grows back. Over many years, some people notice hair grows back a little finer, but waxing does not stop growth.
Laser hair reduction uses light absorbed by the pigment in the hair. The heat weakens the hair follicle so that, over a course of sessions, hair grows back finer, lighter and sparser. It is hair reduction, not permanent removal. Most people need a course of six to eight sessions and occasional top-ups after that.
Side by side
| Waxing | Laser hair reduction | |
|---|---|---|
| Results | Smooth for 3 to 5 weeks | Gradual reduction over a course |
| Hair length needed | About 5mm of growth | Shaved the day before |
| Suits fair or grey hair | Yes | Poorly |
| Suits every skin type | Yes | Yes, with the right laser and settings |
| Patch test | Not usually | Always, before the first session |
| Ingrown hairs | Can cause them | Often fewer over time |
| Sun care | Normal care | Strict, before and after |
| Ongoing visits | Every few weeks, long term | A course, then occasional top-ups |
Cost over time
Waxing costs less per visit. On our menu, an upper lip wax is $15 and laser hair reduction for the upper lip is $40 a session. But waxing is ongoing: if you wax every four weeks, that is around thirteen visits a year, every year.
Laser costs more per visit but the number of visits drops. After a course of six to eight sessions, many people only need occasional top-ups. For an area you wax often, laser can work out cheaper over a few years. For an area you wax only before holidays, waxing may stay the better value.
A simple way to decide: add up what you spend on one area in a year, then multiply by three. Compare that with the cost of a full laser course for the same area.
Comfort
Waxing stings sharply for a second, then settles. Laser feels like a quick snap or a warm flick, and it usually becomes more comfortable as the hair thins over the course. Neither is pain free. Sensitive areas, such as the lip and bikini line, feel stronger with both.
Ingrown hairs and bumps
Waxing can lead to ingrown hairs, especially on the bikini line and legs, and on curly or coarse hair. In olive and deeper skin, ingrown hairs can leave dark marks that take months to fade.
Because laser leaves hair finer and sparser, many people find they have fewer ingrown hairs as their course goes on. Results vary from person to person.
Who laser does not suit
Laser targets pigment. That means it works poorly on:
- blonde, red, grey and white hair
- very fine, fair facial hair
If your hair is in this group, waxing is still a good option, and we will tell you honestly at your consultation. We would rather lose a laser booking than sell you a course that will not work.
Laser is also postponed if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a tan, or have an active skin problem in the area.
Who waxing does not suit
Waxing is not ideal if you:
- use vitamin A creams or exfoliating acids on the area, which can make skin lift
- have very sensitive skin that marks easily
- get a lot of ingrown hairs or dark marks after waxing
- dislike growing hair out between appointments
You cannot mix them
If you choose laser, you need to stop waxing, plucking and threading on that area. Laser needs the hair root in place to work. Between sessions, shave instead. This surprises some people, especially for the face, but shaving does not make hair grow back thicker. That is a myth.
A plan that combines both
Many clients use both, on different areas. For example:
- laser hair reduction for underarms, Brazilian and legs, where hair is dark and coarse
- waxing or threading for fine facial hair that laser will not catch
- brow shaping, which is always done by hand
What about hormones?
If facial hair is linked to hormones, for example with polycystic ovary syndrome, laser can reduce the look of hair but new hairs may keep appearing. You may need more sessions and regular maintenance. Waxing can still be useful between courses. If hair growth is new, sudden or heavy, see your GP first.
When to see your GP
See your GP about any sudden change in hair growth, and about any rash, infected ingrown hair or spot that does not settle.
Making the choice
If your hair is dark and you are tired of booking waxes every month, laser is worth a consultation. If your hair is fair, or you only remove it now and then, waxing may suit you better. Look at our facial waxing prices or read about laser hair reduction, then book a Brazilian laser session if you are ready to start. A consultation and patch test come first, and results vary from person to person.
