The short answer
- Waxing removes hair from the root for a few weeks at a time. Laser hair removal is designed to reduce hair growth over a course of sessions.
- Laser usually costs more upfront, while waxing is an ongoing cost for as long as you keep doing it.
- Laser suits darker hair best. Waxing works on any hair colour, including blonde, grey and red.
- You can’t mix them: waxing removes the root the laser needs, so you stop waxing once you start a laser course.
The short answer
Laser hair removal is usually the better fit if you want less hair over the long term and your hair is dark enough to respond. Waxing is usually the better fit if you want quick, predictable results now, your hair is light or grey, or you only remove hair occasionally.
Both have a place. Plenty of people wax for years before switching to laser, and some keep waxing for areas or hair colours that laser does not suit.
The best choice comes down to your hair colour, your skin, how often you remove hair now and how you feel about regular appointments. It is worth thinking about the next few years, not just the next few weeks.
How each one works
Waxing pulls hair out from the root. The skin is smooth straight away, and hair grows back over roughly three to six weeks as the follicle produces a new hair. Over time, some people find their hair grows back a little finer, but waxing does not stop the follicle working.
Laser hair removal uses light that is absorbed by the pigment in the hair and turned into heat in the follicle. Over a course of sessions, this is designed to reduce the follicle’s ability to grow hair. Many people get long-term hair reduction, but results vary, and some regrowth over time is normal.
Side by side
Here is how they compare on the things people ask about most.
- Results: waxing is smooth for weeks; laser is designed to reduce hair over months
- Comfort: waxing is a sharp pull; laser is usually described as a quick snap or warm flick
- Hair length: waxing needs some regrowth to grip; laser needs the area shaved
- Hair colour: waxing works on any colour; laser works best on darker hair
- Ingrown hairs: common with waxing for some people; many find laser reduces them
- Cost pattern: waxing is a smaller cost repeated indefinitely; laser is a larger cost over a set course
- Time: waxing appointments continue for as long as you want smooth skin; laser sessions become less frequent once the course is complete
Cost over time
Laser usually costs more in the first year, and waxing usually costs more over many years. That is the honest trade-off. A laser course is a set number of sessions spread over months, with occasional maintenance later. Waxing is a regular appointment every few weeks, for as long as you keep going.
The comparison depends on how often you wax, which areas you treat and how many laser sessions you need. Our guide to laser hair removal prices explains how laser is priced, and where to see our current prices.
Skin and comfort
Both can cause temporary redness. Waxing can lift the top layer of skin, especially if you use retinoids or acids, and some people get ingrown hairs and bumps as the hair regrows. Laser can leave the skin red and warm for a few hours to a day or two, and you need to avoid sun and tanning around sessions.
Laser suitability depends on your skin tone and hair colour. Darker skin tones can often be treated with appropriate settings, and we assess your skin and hair and usually do a patch test first. Read more in laser hair removal and skin types.
Switching from waxing to laser
If you decide to switch, stop waxing about four weeks before your first laser session and shave instead, even if the stubble takes some getting used to. That gives the follicles time to grow new hairs for the laser to target. From then on, shave between sessions.
We offer both at our Liverpool clinic, so we can help you choose. If laser suits your hair and skin, see our laser hair removal page to find out more.
Questions
Can I wax between laser sessions?
No. Waxing removes the root the laser needs to target. Shave between sessions instead.
Is laser less painful than waxing?
Many people find laser more comfortable than waxing, but it varies by person and area. Most describe laser as a quick snap or warm flick.
Does laser work on blonde hair?
Light blonde, grey, white and red hair usually respond poorly to laser because they have little pigment. Waxing may suit these hair colours better.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Everyone’s skin and hair is different. If you have a medical condition, take medication or are pregnant, speak with our team and your healthcare professional before treatment.
