Considering ways to differentiate your med spa? Look to an area where almost everyone has confidence issues—body hair. Laser hair removal is a simple aesthetic procedure that can be completed in minutes and customized to fit each client’s unique needs. Take a few minutes to explore this prevalent technology and stay ahead of the competition.
People are uncomfortable with body hair. That’s not just a generalization — 99% of women have reported undergoing some body hair removal at some point in their life.
Unsurprisingly, a whole industry has emerged around removing unwanted hair. Waxing, threading, electrolysis, and lasers are just a few of the hair removal techniques offered as paid services for clients seeking to remove some extra fuzz.
Over the past few years, laser hair removal has become the most sought-after of these techniques, with over a million procedures performed in the USA in 2018 and 2019. Even in 2020, despite the social distancing requirements in effect during the COVID-19 pandemic, there were still over 700,000 laser hair removal procedures offered, and experts project it to become the most popular cosmetic procedure in the United States somewhere between 2022 and 2027.
Laser hair removal is widespread and can be a great introduction to your med spa services. This article will discuss the basics of laser hair removal and why it is an excellent addition to the treatment options available at your med spa.
What is laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal is a safe, non-invasive cosmetic procedure that effectively removes hair using a laser—a concentrated light beam. It is an excellent alternative to temporary face and body hair removal methods like waxing, tweezing, and shaving.
Common laser-treated areas include:
- face, including the chin and upper lip
- legs
- chest
- arms
- underarms
- bikini line
Laser hair removal can be used on nearly any area of the body except for the eyelids and skin with tattoos.
How does laser hair removal work?
The procedure focuses highly concentrated light on the skin and hair follicles. This light energy gets absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in the hair shaft and turns into heat, and the heat damages the hair follicle and prevents hair regrowth.
Many who undergo laser hair removal report a sensation similar to a rubber band snapping to the skin or a warm sting. Clients may opt to receive a numbing gel, especially if the area to be treated is small or very sensitive.
Laser hair removal vs. laser skin resurfacing
Both laser hair removal and laser skin resurfacing are cosmetic procedures that use concentrated light beams or laser technology to achieve results.
However, laser hair removal only targets the hair’s pigment, not the skin’s pigment, and thus, it only damages the hair follicle and not the skin. In contrast, laser skin resurfacing targets the outermost layer of skin in an exact manner.
Types of laser hair removal
There are five primary\types of laser hair removal technologies:
- Ruby laser – The first laser hair removal technology on the market, ruby laser is most effective for clients with skin types I-III and dark hair.
- Alexandrite laser – A less intense laser, alexandrite is typically used on lighter skin and hair. Because it doesn’t penetrate as deeply, the client may need multiple sessions.
- Diode laser – Penetrating deeper, diode laser is ideal for targeting course or dark hair on skin types I-V.
- Nd: YAG laser – A heavy-duty laser, Nd: YAG is effective on skin types I-VI.
- Intense pulse light (IPL) – This technology similarly uses non-laser light to warm and damage the hair follicle. IPL generally requires more frequent treatments than a laser to see similar results.
How effective is laser hair removal?
Lasers and IPL systems are the best options for long-term hair reduction. A single treatment can reduce hair by 10 to 40%, while a series of treatments can reduce as much as 90% of hair.
A 2020 retrospective study assessing 948 patients treated with laser hair removal found that laser hair removal is a safe and effective way to reduce body hair, yielding high patient satisfaction and permanent results.
Aside from cosmetic purposes, laser hair removal is beneficial for a wide range of medical conditions.
How long does laser hair removal last?
Most people need between four to six sessions to reduce unwanted hair in a target area. While there is no guarantee that the treatment will eliminate all the hair, most treated areas will remain hair-free for as long as 12 months.
When hair does regrow, they are finer and lighter in color, making them less noticeable.
What does recovery look like?
Laser hair removal generally has no downtime; most can return to everyday activities. Side effects are minor and only last for several days. These include:
- redness
- discomfort
- swelling
How popular is laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal remains one of the most sought-after treatments in the US. In 2020 alone, it ranked among the top five minimally invasive procedures for men and women, according to data released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
How profitable is laser hair removal as a treatment option?
As people are becoming educated about the safety and lasting benefits of laser hair removal, so does the demand for it as a treatment.
The hair removal trend is not just a female-driven sensation. About 50% of males reported regular pubic grooming, also called “manscaping.”
Valued at USD 798.6 million in 2021, experts project the global laser hair removal market size to rise at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.4% from 2022 to 2030.
It can take as little as 180 treatments (dependent on the cost of the machine) for the laser machine to pay for itself. This means that you’ll only need 30 patients who receive six laser hair removal treatments from your med spa.
Most laser machines even offer more than one type of laser treatment, so you can maximize your ROI and diversify your offerings from the get-go.
Summary
Laser hair removal is an attractive, dependable, and highly lucrative option to consider adding to your med spa. Its high demand and popularity make it a must-have treatment that will bring in more customers and higher profits.
If you are ready to commit, the next step is to decide which laser hair removal treatments and machines best fit your business and budget. Allow our Moxie team to guide you through this process so you can get started in no time! Learn More About Moxie and How We Can Help You Open Your Own Med Spa >
*This article is intended to provide a general guide on what professional licenses and conditions are needed to operate a practice or perform certain treatments. This information alone does not authorize, certify, or confer the ability of anyone to perform these treatments, practice outside their scope, or violate the corporate practice of medicine.
While based on currently available information, the rules and policies on scope of practice issues and ownership can, and do, change frequently. Specific training, education, supervision, protocol and regulatory requirements will differ depending on each person's situation in their state. Therefore, each person must examine their own professional situation, skill level, regulating board guidance, and scope of practice before proceeding.
You should not act upon this information without seeking knowledgeable legal counsel that takes into account the laws of your specific jurisdiction. All uses of the content of this site, other than personal uses, are prohibited.