Thinking about laser but not sure if it's worth the cost? Here’s the honest answer — including the real long-term comparison with waxing and shaving.
It’s the question almost everyone has before booking — and it deserves a straight answer, not a sales pitch.
The short version: for most people who shave or wax regularly, yes. But the longer answer depends on what you’re comparing it to, what results you can realistically expect, and whether the timing is right for you.
Laser hair removal isn’t a one-session treatment. A course typically involves six to eight sessions, spaced several weeks apart, each targeting hair at the active growth stage of its cycle. You pay for a course — not an instant fix.
At myskiin, we use the Soprano laser system by Alma Lasers — professional clinical equipment used by aesthetic clinics across the UK. The technology is different from IPL devices used in some salons. It’s designed for clinical results, and it works across a wide range of skin tones.
The investment you’re making is in a course of clinical treatments delivered by a qualified team, using professional-grade equipment. That’s what determines the quality of results.
Here’s the calculation most people don’t run.
A standard underarm wax costs roughly £15–25 and needs repeating every four to six weeks. Over ten years, that’s around £1,000–1,500 — just for underarms. Add legs, bikini, and upper lip and the number climbs significantly. Razors, shaving foam, and time add further cost. Neither method reduces hair long-term.
A course of laser hair removal for underarms at myskiin starts from £50 per session. After a full course, most clients experience significant, lasting hair reduction — meaning the routine either disappears or becomes dramatically less frequent.
The calculation changes depending on the area and the number of sessions needed. But for anyone who has been waxing or shaving for years and plans to continue doing so, laser is typically cost-effective within two to three years — and more convenient in the long run.
Worth knowing: The “from £50” price is per session for a single area. A full course across multiple areas is a larger investment — but the calculation above holds for the cumulative cost over years of waxing. Ask for a full quote at your free consultation before deciding.
Most clients see significant, lasting hair reduction after completing a course of sessions. Many find they no longer need to shave treated areas on a daily or even weekly basis. Some reach a point where treated areas need only occasional maintenance every twelve to eighteen months.
Results are not guaranteed to be identical for everyone. Variables include your hair colour, hair thickness, skin tone, the area treated, and — particularly relevant for clients with PCOS — your hormone levels. Your specialist will give you a realistic assessment at your free consultation, not a promise.
The phrase “permanent hair removal” is not one we use, because it overstates what laser achieves for most people. “Long-lasting reduction” is accurate — and for most clients, that reduction is significant enough to make the routine either very occasional or unnecessary.
Laser hair removal tends to be most worth it for clients who:
It may be less suitable if your hair is very fine and light in colour, or if you have specific medical contraindications — both of which we assess at your free consultation before any treatment.
The most useful thing we can tell you: the “is it worth it for me?” question is one we answer specifically, not generally, at your free consultation. We look at your skin type, your hair type, the areas you want to treat, and your goals — and give you a picture of what a course might realistically achieve.
No commitment. No patch test charge. Just an honest conversation about what’s possible for your skin.
19 Lichfield Street, Walsall, WS1 1UG · Open every day, 10am–7pm · 01922 929850
