What “full body” laser hair removal actually means
“Full body” is a marketing term, not a defined one. No two clinics include the same list of areas, and the differences are usually in the expensive places — the face, the buttocks, the full bikini. Before you buy a package anywhere, get the included areas written down.
And the accurate word is reduction, not removal. Laser reduces how much hair grows and how coarse it is. It does not guarantee that an area will be permanently bare, and any clinic quoting you a precise percentage is inventing it.
What the laser is actually doing
The laser targets melanin, the pigment in the hair. That pigment absorbs the light, converts it to heat, and the heat damages the follicle so that it produces less hair, or finer hair, or none.
Two consequences follow from that mechanism and they explain nearly every question people have. It works on pigment, so it responds best where there is good contrast between dark hair and the surrounding skin — which is also why tanned skin changes the plan, as set out in coming back from holiday with a tan. And it only affects follicles that are in their active growth phase on the day, which is why one session is never enough and why sessions are spaced weeks apart.
On comfort: this is not painless, and pages that say so are not being straight with you. Most people describe a hot elastic snap, brief, and more noticeable on thin-skinned areas. It is tolerable rather than pleasant, and options exist if you find it hard — see numbing cream before laser.
What a full-body package usually includes
| Commonly included | Often extra, or excluded |
|---|---|
| Full legs, including feet and toes | Full face, or parts of it — some packages include only the upper lip and chin |
| Full arms, including hands and fingers | Buttocks and the area between them |
| Underarms | The full bikini rather than the bikini line |
| Bikini line | Chest and abdomen on men, often priced separately |
| Stomach line | Nipple and areola area — see that page |
The right question at a consultation is not “is it full body”. It is: list the areas, and tell me which ones are not in this price.
Reduction, not removal — and why that wording matters
You will see “permanent hair removal” and precise figures like “80% after four to eight sessions” used freely in this industry. We used to have a line like that on this page and have taken it out, because it is not something anyone can promise you.
What is fair to say: a course of sessions typically produces a substantial, lasting reduction in the amount and coarseness of hair in the treated area, and most people need periodic maintenance afterwards. How much, and how long it lasts, depends on your hair colour and thickness, the area, your skin, and your hormones. A clinic should give you a range and the reasoning behind it, not a number that sounds like a guarantee.
Why the number of sessions varies so much
- The growth cycle. Only follicles actively growing on the day respond, and they are not all in phase. That is the whole reason for a course rather than a single visit.
- Hair colour and thickness. Dark, coarse hair responds most predictably. Light blonde, red, grey and very fine hair respond poorly or not at all, because there is little pigment to absorb the light.
- The area. Coarse areas and fine areas behave differently, and the face is its own case.
- Hormones. Hormonal drivers can keep producing new hair, which changes the plan rather than ruling it out — see PCOS and facial hair.
- Your skin tone. Settings and approach differ, and a clinic should raise this with you rather than wait to be asked.
Before your appointment
- Do not wax, pluck or use epilators for several weeks beforehand. The laser needs the root in place; removing it makes the session pointless.
- Do shave the area. Shaving is the one hair-removal method that is compatible with laser between sessions — the reasoning is at shaving between sessions.
- Avoid sun and self-tanner on the area in the weeks before. Both change what can safely be done.
- Tell the clinic about medications. Several, including some antibiotics and acne treatments, increase light sensitivity.
- Plan around events. If there is a date, work backwards from it — see before a wedding.
Who should speak to a doctor first
Laser hair removal is not recommended during pregnancy. Talk to a doctor before booking if you take photosensitising medication, have a skin condition affecting the areas to be treated, have a history of keloid scarring, or have noticed new, rapid or unusual hair growth — that last one is worth investigating rather than simply treating.
Before you buy a package
Full-body packages are the largest purchase in this category, so the terms matter as much as the price.
- Which areas, in writing. Named individually, not as a category.
- How many sessions, and what happens if you need more.
- Whether sessions expire, and what the spacing will be.
- Whether you can swap an area if your priorities change partway through.
- What maintenance costs afterwards, since most people need some.
Where to book
- Downtown Montreal — 2365 rue Saint-Patrick, Unit A5
- Laval — 1655 boulevard de l’Avenir
- Saint-Léonard — 5045 rue Jean-Talon Est
- West Island — 45 boulevard Brunswick, Dollard-des-Ormeaux
Frequently asked questions
What areas are included in full body laser hair removal?
There is no standard definition, which is the main thing to know. Full legs, full arms, underarms, bikini line and the stomach line are commonly included; the full face, the buttocks, the full bikini and men’s chest and abdomen are frequently extra. Ask for the areas listed individually in writing before you buy.
Is laser hair removal permanent?
The accurate term is permanent reduction rather than removal. A course typically produces a substantial, lasting reduction in how much hair grows and how coarse it is, and most people need periodic maintenance afterwards. Anyone quoting you a precise percentage is inventing it.
Does it hurt?
It is not painless, despite what some pages claim. Most people describe a brief hot elastic snap, more noticeable on thin-skinned areas. It is tolerable rather than pleasant, and there are options if you find it difficult.
Why do I need so many sessions?
Because only follicles in their active growth phase on the day respond, and they are not all in phase at once. That is why sessions are spaced weeks apart, and why a single treatment cannot clear an area.
Does laser work on blonde, red or grey hair?
Poorly or not at all. The laser targets the pigment in the hair, so light blonde, red, grey and very fine hair give it little to work with. Dark, coarse hair responds most predictably.
What should I do before my appointment?
Do not wax, pluck or epilate for several weeks, because the laser needs the root in place. Do shave. Avoid sun and self-tanner on the area, and tell the clinic about any medication, since several increase light sensitivity.
General information about full-body laser hair removal. It is not medical advice, it is not a diagnosis, and no result or number of sessions is promised or implied. Laser produces hair reduction rather than guaranteed permanent removal, and results vary with hair colour, hair thickness, the area treated, skin tone and hormones. Laser hair removal is not recommended during pregnancy. Photosensitising medication, skin conditions in the treatment area, a history of keloid scarring, or new, rapid or unusual hair growth should be discussed with a doctor first. Whether a treatment suits you depends on your skin, your health and your history, and that is a judgement for a qualified professional at a consultation.
