Laser hair removal for your armpits costs anywhere from $75-$100 per treatment session at an in-office appointment. That’s more than some small areas like your chin but less than you’d pay to get your legs fuzz-free.
That average range can go up if your hair is super stubborn or you’re at some celebrity dermatology practice. It can also go down if you do yourself a solid and buy an at-home IPL device like this one.
Factors That Impact the Cost of Laser Hair Removal
How much does it cost to get armpit hair permanently removed? It can cost up to $2,000 to get armpit hair permanently removed using electrolysis. Laser hair removal can cost up to $1,200 for permanent hair reduction in targeted areas.
Your underarms will cost less than larger areas just because it takes so much less time to deal with unwanted hair under there vs. a set of legs. There are a few more factors that impact the total cost of laser hair removal from there:
- The provider: You should definitely go with an experienced, even board-certified specialist if you’re getting professional treatments. All of that comes at a premium.
- The type of laser: Some spas treat laser hair removal like a cosmetic procedure and will charge you accordingly. The fancier the equipment, the higher the cost.
- Your gender: Laser hair removal prices are different for men and women, but there’s no set rule for who pays more. Some men go in for larger treatment areas that cost more.
- Your hair type: Dark hair types are easier for the laser to detect because it seeks out the pigment in your hair follicles. That may mean fewer sessions. On the other hand, dense, stubborn hair may take more sessions.
- The number of sessions: If you need more sessions to get hair-free, you’ll spend more on those in-salon treatments.
How many laser sessions are needed for underarms? The number of laser sessions needed for your underarms depends on your individual hair growth. For most, laser hair removal generally takes 3, 6, or 12 sessions, with maintenance touch ups every few months after.
All of that matters less if you choose an at-home IPL device over laser hair removal. Even if you need more sessions, a one-time fee will cover the cost of your device.
Underarm Laser Hair Removal Sessions
Prepping the Area
Your armpit prep ahead of your laser hair removal treatment will look the same as with any other body part. Use a gentle exfoliant like The Revealer to cleanse your skin. Shave the area to give the laser its best chance at reaching the hair follicles. Skip deodorant.
Sunscreen isn’t as big a deal with areas like the underarms where the sun doesn’t shine. If you’re adding any other areas to your laser hair removal session, avoid too much sun exposure and tanning before and after treatment.
During Treatment
If you need a pit check just thinking about lasers near your most ticklish bits, ask about a topical numbing cream to make things a little easier on you. The dermatologist or other professional handling your body hair removal treatments will have a solution. Odds are they’ve heard it all.
Thankfully, underarm sessions only take about 10-15 minutes total.
Aftercare for Smooth Skin
Treat your skin with the TLC it deserves after any laser hair removal treatment. Don’t touch or pick, do ice the area, and avoid clothing that’s tight around those pits. If you’re feeling some discomfort, a soothing gel like the Reviver can feel pretty great.
Avoid tweezing or plucking if you notice any errant hairs. You’ll only make your next treatment less effective. Exfoliating is great for sloughing away shedding hairs after.
Pain Level & Potential Side Effects
A laser hair removal procedure can be painful, especially in those super sensitive underarms. Some compare it to a rubber band snapping against their skin. If you’re using an IPL device at home, you probably won’t feel much at all.
We’ve already mentioned topical numbing creams, but over-the-counter pain relievers ahead of a treatment might work, too. Don’t plan treatments around your period when many women are more sensitive to pain.
Side effects of laser hair removal are rare. Redness and swelling are the most common and typically go away within a few hours. Rare cases may experience blistering or scarring, but even those are temporary.
Let’s Talk Results
Laser technology is one of the most effective methods of permanent hair reduction out there. Both laser hair removal and IPL treatments damage hair follices to the point that any regrowth is severely limited at treated areas.
How long does laser hair removal last? Laser hair removal can last years. Most users experience up to an 85% reduction in unwanted hair within just 8 weeks, and permanent results with a monthly maintenance session over the following 4-6 months.
At-home IPL treatments are just as effective, with the added bonus of letting you stay in your jammies whenever the mood strikes to use your device.
Is laser hair removal for armpits worth it? Laser hair removal for armpits is worth it as a safe, effective way to permanently reduce unwanted hair and uncomfortable stubble.
Alternative Hair Removal Methods
| Expected Maintenance | Average Session Length | Long-Term Results? | Pain Level | Cost | |
| Laser Hair Removal | 6-8 initial sessions** | 15-60 minutes | Yes | Moderate | $50-$900/session |
|
Depilatory Creams |
2 times/week | 5-10 minutes | No | Low | $10-$20/container |
|
Waxing |
Every 3-6 weeks | 10-30 minutes | No | High | $25-$100/session |
|
Shaving |
2 times/week | 15 minutes | No | Low | $10-$15/month (cheaper for men!) |
|
Electrolysis |
10-14 total treatments | 15-60 minutes | Yes | High | $75-$200 per hour |
|
IPL |
4-6 initial sessions** | 15-60 minutes | Yes | Low | As low as $189 (cost of Nood device) total |
*Session length will vary based on the treatment area.
**Expect maintenance sessions every few months for both IPL and laser hair removal.
Depilatory Creams
Depilatory creams are cheap and easy to use. Spread a cream onto your underarms, leave the solution on for a few minutes, then wipe or rinse it away. It sounds great until you realize you already have regrowth within a few days, not to mention the wet dog smell involved.
Waxing
The cost of waxing your underarms is around $25-$30 each session. That sounds pretty great until you realize you’re pulling hair from the root in one of the most sensitive parts on your body.
Waxing is much more painful than laser hair removal, and you’re setting yourself up for ingrown hairs. A good wax should last anywhere from 3-6 weeks, so that cost you were impressed by can add up if you stick with it.
The draw for many is that waxing works on all skin colors and most skin types. Both laser hair removal and IPL treatments work best when there is an obvious contrast between your skin tone and your hair. Neither is recommended for very dark skin or red, blonde, or gray hair colors.
Shaving
Shaving is cheap, accessible, and one of the most popular forms of hair removal out there. If you’ve ever noticed stubble on your legs at the end of the day after shaving that morning, you know the good times don’t last long with shaving.
Electrolysis
Much like waxing, electrolysis is a preferred method of hair removal for darker skin tones that don’t respond to laser hair removal or IPL. It’s also the only hair removal method that is truly permanent. You shouldn’t even see sparse regrowth after you’re done with your sessions.
That all comes at a cost. Expect a full course of electrolysis for your underarms to run you anywhere from $400-$2,000, depending on the number of sessions you need.
IPL Treatment
IPL works just like laser hair removal. It just involves a broadband pulsed light instead of a single laser to target unwanted hair follicles. At-home devices are the most cost-effective solution for your underarms if you’re seeking long-lasting, even permanent hair reduction.
All you need to cover is the one-time cost of a device. From there, your wallet doesn’t take any other hits.
Looking for smooth skin all over? Go Nood!
Nood isn’t limited to your underarms, but we love the idea of a good stretch while you take care of unwanted hair. Use the Flasher 2.0 wherever hair grows, from your chin to your bikini line to that weird spot on your knee you always miss shaving.
Choose Nood and pay just $189 for your handset. Pay with Shop Pay and get started with 4 interest-free payments of only $47. Every purchase comes with a 90-day money back guarantee, so there’s no risk!
The proof is in the pits. Follow us on Instagram for more real talk from our Noodist community.
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