How to Maximize Your Laser Hair Removal Business

Laser hair removal is the most voluminous cosmetic procedure. The market has changed rapidly over the past 5-10 years as more and more suppliers enter the market, as technology evolves and consumer prices fall.

Competition is difficult for many clinics that are slower to adopt older technology and have high running costs, so they see fewer numbers or decide to focus on other higher-margin treatments. However, these changes can be seen as an opportunity. With the price lower, the treatment is more affordable to a wider audience, i.e. it is entering the mass market.

How to choose the best technology

With so many lasers on the market and prices vary widely, it can be very confusing for clinics. Basically, there are 4 things you need to look for when choosing a laser to compete profitably in the laser hair removal market.

Power: For permanent results, you need high power to heat the base of the hair follicle to 70 degrees, at which point the hair will be destroyed. At least 1800 watts if needed, but higher is better.

Pulse duration: A very short pulse duration will give better results, especially with lighter, finer hair, and it will also make the treatment more comfortable. To achieve very short pulse durations you need very powerful lasers.

Wavelength: Choose the wavelength where the melanin absorbs the most, delivering heat to the target or conductor at the base of the hair follicle. Maximum melanin absorption is around 755-800nm, so 755nm (Alexandrite) or 810nm (diode) is the gold standard. 755nm is limited to lighter skin types, diodes are suitable for all skin types (as long as you have good cooling and pulse duration).

Cooling: The ability to cool the surface of the skin while delivering high-power lasers into the skin requires sophisticated cooling techniques that surprisingly few manufacturers have mastered. By keeping the skin surface constantly cool, it protects the skin and allows high power delivery to the hair follicles without discomfort.

How much do I need to spend?

Prices range from £3,000 to £150,000. How could this be?

At the low end, i.e. under £20,000, you'll have low-spec and poor quality equipment usually made in China (despite what the label might say!). A typical power level is 600-800 watts, which is simply not enough for permanent hair removal.

They only damage the hair instead of removing it, so you need to retreat every 4 weeks, no better than waxing. At such low powers, they cannot achieve short pulse durations, and the cooling is inconsistent at best and may start to cool but heat up quickly.

They use low quality diode bars that are typically 50 watts, and compared to 300 watt bars, they burn out quickly and require replacement at your own expense. What's more, you can't build a good reputation if you don't deliver great results and meet your customers' expectations.

At the high end, you pay a hefty premium for brands that may or may not have consumer awareness. These specifications are enough to build a good business, but not a very profitable one. With such high upfront and running costs, the ROI is slow.