Full body laser hair removal typically covers every major area where unwanted hair grows, from the face down to the toes. A standard package includes the face, underarms, arms, chest, abdomen, back, bikini area, and full legs. The exact list varies by clinic, but the goal is comprehensive coverage in a single treatment plan rather than booking each zone separately.
Areas Covered for Women vs. Men
Most clinics divide full-body packages into zones, and the specific areas emphasized differ between male and female clients. For women, the most commonly treated zones are full legs, underarms, upper lip and chin, arms, and the bikini area. For men, the package tends to focus more heavily on the back, shoulders, chest, abdomen, neck, and facial hair, in addition to legs and arms.
In both cases, a “full body” package generally includes these regions:
- Face: upper lip, chin, jawline, sideburns, and sometimes the full face (excluding the area immediately around the eyes)
- Neck and nape
- Underarms
- Full arms: upper arms, lower arms, hands, and fingers
- Chest and abdomen
- Full back and shoulders
- Bikini or Brazilian area
- Full legs: upper legs, lower legs, knees, feet, and toes
Some clinics consider the bikini area a separate add-on rather than part of the standard full-body package, so it’s worth confirming before you book. The same goes for the face, which certain providers list as a separate zone.
What’s Typically Excluded
Even in a “full body” package, a few areas are almost always off-limits. The skin directly around the eyes is excluded because the laser can damage the eye, even through closed eyelids. Eyebrow shaping, for instance, is not part of any standard laser hair removal package. Mucous membranes and the inner nose or ears are also excluded. Any area with a tattoo will be avoided since the laser can react with tattoo ink and cause burns or scarring.
How Long a Full Body Session Takes
A single full-body session typically takes two to three hours, depending on the density of your hair, the laser technology being used, and how many zones you’re treating. Smaller areas like the upper lip take just minutes, while full legs and back can take 30 to 45 minutes each. Some clinics split a full-body appointment across two visits within the same week to keep sessions manageable.
You’ll need six to eight sessions total to see significant reduction. After the first treatment, most people notice only about a 10% to 25% decrease in hair growth. The laser can only target hairs that are actively growing at the time of your appointment, and not all hairs are in that phase at once. Spacing sessions four to six weeks apart allows each round to catch a new wave of growth.
Laser Types and Skin Tone
Not every laser works well on every skin tone, and this matters when you’re treating your entire body. Three main technologies dominate the field:
- Alexandrite (755 nm): absorbs melanin very well, making it effective for light to medium skin tones. It works quickly on large areas like legs and backs.
- Diode (810 nm): a versatile middle ground that works across a wider range of skin tones, from light to moderately dark.
- Nd:YAG (1064 nm): penetrates deeper into the skin and absorbs less melanin at the surface, making it the safest option for darker skin tones. It’s the go-to for people with Fitzpatrick skin types IV through VI.
Intense pulsed light (IPL) devices are also used for hair removal, though they aren’t true lasers. They emit a broad spectrum of light rather than a single wavelength. For full-body treatments on darker skin, Nd:YAG lasers have been shown to be more effective than IPL with fewer side effects. When you’re booking a full-body package, ask which laser the clinic uses and whether it’s appropriate for your skin tone. A reputable provider will adjust settings by body area if needed, since skin on your inner arms, for example, may be lighter than skin on your legs.
What Results Actually Look Like
Laser hair removal is often marketed as “permanent,” but the clinical reality is more nuanced. After completing six to eight sessions, most people experience significant hair reduction that lasts several months to several years. Hair that does grow back tends to be finer and lighter than before. Some regrowth is normal, and many people schedule one or two maintenance sessions per year to keep results consistent.
Results vary based on hair color, skin tone, hormonal factors, and the area being treated. Coarse, dark hair on light skin responds best because the laser targets the pigment in the hair follicle. Light blonde, red, gray, or white hair contains less of that pigment, making the laser less effective.
Cost of Full Body Packages
Full body laser hair removal ranges from $800 to $2,000 per session. Since you’ll need six to eight sessions, the total cost for a complete treatment plan typically falls between $3,000 and $5,000 or more. Pricing depends on your geographic area, the clinic’s equipment, and how many zones are included in their definition of “full body.”
Most clinics offer package pricing that brings the per-session cost down compared to booking sessions individually. Some also offer financing plans. Before committing, ask exactly which zones are included, whether touch-up sessions are discounted, and if there’s a separate charge for the face or bikini area.
How to Prepare and What to Expect After
You’ll need to shave all treatment areas one to two days before your appointment. The laser targets the root beneath the skin, so the hair shaft needs to be trimmed down, but the follicle must still be intact. That means no waxing, plucking, or threading for at least four weeks before your session, since those methods pull the hair out entirely and leave nothing for the laser to target.
Avoid sun exposure and tanning beds for at least two weeks before treatment. Tanned skin increases the risk of burns and pigmentation changes because the laser can’t distinguish as easily between the melanin in your skin and the melanin in the hair follicle. Skip self-tanner as well.
After each session, your skin may feel warm and look slightly red, similar to a mild sunburn. Applying aloe vera gel or a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer helps soothe the area. Wash treated skin with a mild, sulfate-free cleanser and lukewarm water for the first couple of days. Avoid scratching or picking at the skin, even if it feels itchy.
Sun protection is the most important aftercare step. Wear sunscreen with at least SPF 30 on any treated areas that are exposed, and reapply throughout the day. Most aftercare precautions should be followed for at least 48 hours after each session, but sun avoidance is recommended throughout your entire course of treatment, which can span several months.