Laser Hair Removal: A Man’s Guide

If you’re a guy who thinks shaving sucks, why wouldn’t you try laser hair removal?

Men remove unwanted hair just as often as women, especially when it comes to their face or neck. Unfortunately, a lot of guys also experience irritation, bumps, and even cuts as a result (especially from shaving).

If there’s a treatment that saves you pain, time, and money in the long run, you owe it to yourself to try it. Laser hair removal is that treatment. It’s the least painful, most effective solution for unwanted hair. Read this post to become a pro on all things related to laser hair removal for men.

Popular Treatment Areas for Men

Men usually opt for laser hair removal treatments that follow their routine hair removal efforts. Based on that, you probably won’t be surprised by our male clientele’s go-to treatments:

Back Hair Removal for Men

When it comes to body hair, most men would rather have a smooth back. Back laser hair removal is a popular treatment area for men. The hair growth patterns on the back can be very different from person to person, so we offer a few back laser hair removal treatment options for men.

• Half back for either upper or lower back
• Lower or upper back for smaller strips of hair
• Full back for those who want an all-over solution

A lot of our male clients combine their back treatments with shoulder, back of the neck, or buttocks treatments.

Pelvic Area /Manzilian 

It’s becoming increasingly popular for men to get laser hair removal in the pelvic area. A lot of med spas even nickname the treatment the “Manzilian” (and in some cases, they charge a little more for it).

At SEV, our Brazilian laser hair removal treatments are unisex, with the same prices for men and women. The treatment includes the entire pubic area, around the genitalia, and the buttocks strip.

Instead of getting a full Brazilian treatment, some men opt for “happy trail” laser hair removal to remove the hair growing from the belly button down to the pubic area.

Chest Hair Removal

Chest laser hair removal is another popular treatment for men. Some people like a hairy chest, but the look isn’t for everyone. For example, chest hair removal is a go-to for bodybuilders because it helps show off hard-won muscles, and even helps them get ready for competition. For some men, the issue is that their chest hair grows in patches so laser hair removal creates a cleaner look.

Full Body Hair Removal 

If you’re a bodybuilder, swimmer, or just a guy who hates body hair, you owe it to yourself to get full-body laser hair removal. Full-body laser treatments can target all hair growth anywhere on the body, or just the group of areas you’re concerned about. For a lot of men, dealing with all unwanted hair at once can save you a ton of time and money.

Facial Hair Removal

Facial laser hair removal for men is becoming increasingly popular, as men realize they no longer have to suffer from razor burn or waste their time shaving.

Men usually prefer to combine our full-face laser hair removal treatment with front-of-the-neck laser hair removal, for a totally clean-shaven look. Some men choose to only treat the tops of their cheeks, or they opt for a complete beard “line-up” with laser.

There are also extra-small areas where men usually remove unwanted hair, like the ears, “unibrow”, or the nose and nostrils.

Addressing Male-Specific Concerns

A lot of guys worry if it’s normal to get laser hair removal as a man. If you ask us, getting zapped with a laser that destroys hair with heat sounds pretty masculine.

Imagine being able to say to your friends, “You use a tiny blade to remove hair? That’s cute. I use a friggin’ laser!”

It’s true, laser hair removal is much more thorough than shaving, impacting the very root of the hair. If you like a 5 o’clock shadow, full-face laser hair removal may not be for you (although you could still treat your neck!). On the other hand, if you’re a member of the military or you just prefer a very clean-shaven look, there isn’t a straight razor out there that beats the smoothness of a laser.

Search for a provider who understands how to work with men, especially when it comes to treatment areas where style makes a difference, like laser hair removal for beard outlines or the back of the neck.

Expected Results and Maintenance

Men usually have denser and thicker hair than women, so their laser hair removal timelines can be a little slower.

Your laser hair removal nurse or technician should be able to give you a loose estimate, although keep in mind that your results cannot be guaranteed.

Most men will require a minimum of six laser hair removal sessions before they can see notable results. It’s impossible to predict how many treatments each man will need for full hair reduction, however.

Most studies on laser hair removal stop at a high but not complete hair reduction. This was the case with a 2024 study where male participants achieved 80% hair reduction after four chest and back laser hair removal sessions.

The hair reduction process is usually gradual, but it’s not always linear. Hormonal fluctuations later in life can also trigger renewed hair growth, even in areas that had been lasered.

At SEV, we recommend that all of our clients come in consistently every 4 to 6 weeks until they achieve their maximal level of hair reduction. After that, bi-yearly appointments might be necessary to maintain your results.

Laser Hair Removal and Your Grooming Habits

If you’re the kind of guy who’s interested in laser hair removal for men, you’re probably also a fan of other healthy lifestyle and grooming practices. Here’s what to keep in mind when combining a few wellness practices.

• Shaving: Shave 24-48 hours before your laser hair removal appointment. Avoid shaving for 10 days after your appointment.
• Hot environments: Stay away from saunas, hot tubs, steam rooms, and other high-temperature environments.
• Gym and exercise: Avoid intense exercise for 24-72 hours after getting lasered. 

• Sun and tanning: Avoid all unprotected sun exposure throughout your treatments, as well as 2-4 weeks before and after. Don’t use sunless tanners.

• Medications, treatments, & supplements: Review your medical clearance forms for a complete list of potential interactions.

There may be a few other pre and post care instructions based on your particular needs. Make sure to review and follow all of the guidance you receive from your clinic or med spa.

Cost Considerations for Men’s Treatments

Some men spend thousands of dollars a year on professional body waxing or barbershop shaves.

While laser hair removal can seem expensive at first, it’s a one-time, upfront cost that can save you both time and money in the long run. Most men will achieve their desired level of hair reduction within a year of treatments, and afterward, the costs associated with laser hair removal decline significantly.

Throughout a lifetime, you could be looking at thousands of dollars of savings by choosing laser hair removal. The only hair removal method that’s cheaper over 30 years is shaving with $0.8/piece disposable razors, which are often quite irritating, inefficient, and quick to lose their sharpness.

The numbers on the chart are approximate and based on the following assumptions:

• Replacing razor once a week
• Professional barbershop shaves once a month
• Waxing every 3 weeks
• Based on 12 laser hair removal treatments in the first year at SEV on a medium area, followed by occasional touch-ups. Precise number of treatments will vary from client to client, results cannot be guaranteed.

Choosing the Best Laser Hair Removal Provider for Men Near You

As a man, you want to go to a laser hair removal studio where you’ll be welcomed with open arms. Look for male-friendly med spas like SEV with affordable unisex pricing.

No matter which SEV location you visit, rest assured that you’ll be treated by a laser nurse or technician who understands men’s laser hair removal needs.

We’ve got you covered when it comes to results, thanks to our advanced dual-wavelength laser equipment. It’s the safest and most effective hair removal technology currently on the market, with customized laser options for different skin tones and cooling features that keep the skin calm.

If you’re ready to experience the best laser hair removal for men near you, book now at your local SEV med spa.