Laser Hair Removal vs Waxing vs Shaving: Who’s the real winner?

August 2, 2022

Laser Hair Removal vs Waxing vs Shaving: Who’s the real winner?

Armpit hair removal before and after

For decades, women have grappled with the exhausting task of removing unwanted hair. At first, shaving seemed to offer a quick and convenient fix, but then women flocked to salons for their monthly wax. Lately, laser hair removal has taken centre stage, becoming one of the most in-demand treatments. 


But which is really the best treatment? Which hair removal method is going to offer both a long-term, affordable solution for your client and a profitable method for your business? In this blog, we compare the three major methods of hair removal, before crowning one as the champion.


Shaving

It’s cheap, it’s quick, but it’s also the most irritating and temporary hair removal method. Shaving works by removing the hair at the surface of the skin, rather than targeting the root of the hair follicle. This means hair grows back quickly, making shaving required on a more regular basis.


Hair removed from shaving can also grow back thicker and prickly. Razor burn, cuts, rashes and ingrown hairs are all possibilities of shaving. There is significant evidence to show that over years of prolonged shaving of the same area of skin, trauma caused to the skin can cause irreparable damage.


Average Cost

While many think shaving is the most budget-friendly hair removal method, the average woman will still spend £6,500 and 8 weeks of her life managing unwanted hair through shaving! This method requires a lot more upkeep than other methods, making it expensive and time-consuming.


Waxing

The well-known *1,2,3 hold your breath and think good thoughts* method - waxing involves hot wax being applied to the treatment area which is then removed in the opposite direction to hair growth, pulling the hairs out from the root. 


While the results last longer than shaving, hairs are only temporarily removed, and start growing back after an average of 3 weeks, making it much less effective than laser hair removal. There also needs to be a little bit of regrowth in order for the wax to be effective, so you will end up with a little hair growth in between sessions. 


Average Cost

Waxing can cost anywhere from £20 to £60 per area, and the average woman will spend a shocking £23,000 on waxing in her lifetime. 



Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal works by emitting a specific wavelength of light to target the hair follicle at the root. This essentially destroys the follicle, inhibiting hair from regrowing. This method of hair removal has been proven to be the safest and kindest method for the skin, with no negative impact to the skin meaning that even the most sensitive skin can be treated. 


For many, laser hair removal results in permanent hair loss. A minimum of six sessions are required using our SMARTDiode medical-grade laser technology, with most UK patients requiring an average of 8 sessions. This makes it not only a more affordable treatment for your clients than both waxing and shaving, but it creates client loyalty for your salon, as customers will normally buy a pack of sessions up front. 


Average Cost

SMARTDiode costs around £60 a session, depending on the area being treated. With 6-8 sessions required and £260+ revenue an hour, SMARTDiode is both good value for your clients and your salon!



Conclusion

Both waxing and shaving are only temporary hair removal solutions. The SMARTDiode, on the other hand, offers a permanent solution to hair removal. 


Our MHRA-registered device is the pinnacle in effective, fast and comfortable laser hair removal for all skin types. Combining adaptive triple wavelength technology with optimum power output, the SMARTDiode delivers exceptional results and client satisfaction. 


SHR delivery ensures super-fast treatment times, increasing clinic revenue. Designed for the future with state-of-the-art design, superior build quality and the latest in control and diagnostic technology - our signature laser hair removal platform is the best in its class.


Key benefits:


  • No consumable operating cost (goodbye wax pot direct debit!)⁣
  • Average treatment time of under 15 minutes⁣
  • Average price of £67 a session = delivering £260+ per hour revenue⁣
  • Client loyalty: A minimum of six sessions is required (the UK average is eight)⁣⁣



If you’re ready to transform your salon offering and grow your customer base with our advanced medical-grade laser technology, visit our website to claim your Smart Start 6 offer, allowing you to own a SMARTDiode for only £50 a month for the first 6 months.




Claim Your Offer

Regenerative Skincare: The Clinically Proven Approach Now Being Adopted by Leading Salons

July 16, 2026
For years, aesthetic treatments have focused on improving the skin's current condition, addressing concerns such as fine lines, pigmentation and loss of firmness.

The Future of Laser Hair Removal: Faster Treatments, Better Experiences, Smarter Technology

By Dee Malan • June 25, 2026
The aesthetics industry has spent years talking about laser hair removal in terms of technology. More power. Faster treatment times. Better cooling. Larger spot sizes. While these innovations have undoubtedly improved clinical outcomes, they've also distracted attention from a far more important question: What actually drives growth for a clinic? The answer isn't simply owning a better laser. In today's market, where many clinics have access to excellent technology, competitive advantage is shifting away from the device itself and towards how that technology is used to improve profitability, efficiency and client retention. That's a significant change in thinking, and it's one that many businesses are still overlooking. Laser Hair Removal Has Become a Business Strategy For many clinics, laser hair removal is the treatment that introduces a client to the business. A course typically involves six to eight appointments, creating months of regular contact rather than a single transactional visit. That's a commercial opportunity that shouldn't be underestimated. Every appointment allows practitioners to strengthen relationships, educate clients and identify other concerns they may not have originally booked to address. The clinics generating the greatest long-term value are no longer viewing laser as a standalone treatment; they're using it as the beginning of a wider patient journey. As client acquisition costs continue to rise and competition becomes increasingly local, maximising the lifetime value of existing clients is often more profitable than continually chasing new enquiries. Faster Treatments Don't Just Benefit Patients When manufacturers talk about speed, the conversation usually centres around patient convenience. While shorter appointments are undoubtedly attractive, the commercial impact for clinics is arguably far more significant. Reducing treatment times creates additional capacity without increasing staffing levels or extending clinic hours. Over the course of a year, those seemingly small efficiencies can translate into hundreds of additional appointment slots, improved utilisation of expensive equipment and greater revenue potential from the same physical space. Technology should therefore be assessed not only by how quickly it treats a patient, but by how effectively it improves the productivity of the business behind it. Stop Buying Technology. Start Solving Problems. One of the biggest misconceptions in aesthetics is that growth comes from continually investing in the latest device. In reality, successful clinics rarely buy equipment simply because it's new. They invest because it solves a commercial challenge, whether that's increasing capacity, improving patient satisfaction, reducing treatment times or opening opportunities for complementary treatments. The question isn't "Is this better technology?" It's "Will this make our business stronger?" That shift in thinking often separates clinics that consistently grow from those that continually compete on price. Looking Ahead Laser hair removal will continue to evolve, and advancements in speed, comfort and technology will remain important. However, the clinics that lead the next phase of the industry are unlikely to be those with the longest list of devices. They'll be the businesses that understand technology is only valuable when it delivers measurable commercial outcomes.  The future of laser hair removal isn't simply faster treatments, better experiences and smarter technology. It's using those advancements to build a more profitable, efficient and resilient clinic.

You’ve Built a Successful Laser Business… What Comes Next?

By Dee Malan • June 22, 2026
You’ve Built a Successful Laser Business… What Comes Next? For many salon owners, laser hair removal has been a game-changing addition to their business. It attracts committed clients, creates opportunities for treatment programmes, and generates reliable recurring revenue. But once your laser offering is established and performing well, an important question often follows: What comes next? As the aesthetics industry continues to evolve, many successful laser businesses are looking for ways to expand their treatment menu, increase client spend, and strengthen client retention. For some, the answer lies in a natural next step: skin. Is Skin Your Thing? If you've already built a loyal client base through laser hair removal, chances are many of those clients are interested in more than just hair reduction. They're also concerned about skin health, ageing, pigmentation, acne scarring, texture, redness, and overall skin quality. By introducing advanced skin treatments, salons can begin serving a wider range of client concerns while building on the trust they've already established. The beauty of adding skin treatments is that you're often speaking to the same client. Instead of constantly searching for new customers, you're expanding the services available to the people who already know and trust your business. Increase Client Spend Without Increasing Footfall Growing a business doesn't always mean attracting more clients. Sometimes the biggest opportunity comes from increasing the value of each client journey. Advanced skin treatments can help create treatment plans that span multiple appointments, support ongoing maintenance programmes, and introduce complementary retail opportunities. This allows salons to increase revenue per client while delivering a more comprehensive treatment experience. Rather than being known for one service, you become a destination for results-driven aesthetic treatments. Strengthen Client Retention The most successful aesthetic businesses understand that retention is often more valuable than acquisition. While laser hair removal naturally creates repeat visits, advanced skin treatments can provide even more opportunities for long-term client relationships. Many skin concerns require ongoing treatment plans, seasonal maintenance, or progressive treatment journeys. This creates regular touchpoints with clients and helps keep your business front of mind long after their laser course has finished. When clients can achieve multiple goals under one roof, they're less likely to look elsewhere. Become a Destination Salon Today's clients are increasingly looking for clinics and salons that offer expertise rather than individual treatments. They want personalised recommendations, treatment plans tailored to their concerns, and a trusted professional who can guide them through their aesthetic journey. Expanding into skin allows your salon to position itself as a destination for advanced aesthetic treatments rather than simply a laser provider. This not only enhances your reputation but can also help differentiate your business in an increasingly competitive market. Why Advanced Skin Treatments? For salons considering their next move, advanced skin technologies can offer several advantages: High-value treatment programmes Strong profit margins Growing consumer demand Opportunities to treat multiple skin concerns Increased client retention Enhanced business positioning  Treatments such as RF microneedling, skin rejuvenation, skin tightening, collagen stimulation, and advanced facial treatments are becoming increasingly popular as clients seek visible, long-term results. Building on Your Success The skills, consultation process, and client relationships you've developed through laser hair removal have already laid the foundation for growth. Adding advanced skin treatments isn't about starting again—it's about building on what's already working. For many salon owners, expanding into skin has become the natural next chapter in their business journey. It's an opportunity to increase revenue, strengthen client loyalty, and position your salon as a leader in advanced aesthetic treatments. So if your laser business is thriving and you're thinking about the future, perhaps it's time to ask yourself: Is skin your thing?
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