Is Laser Hair Removal available on the NHS?

The cost of laser hair removal tends to vary as different laser clinics charge in different ways. Some use a fixed price per treatment system, others are based on the amount of laser pulses used and many charge per length of treatment. This means that various factors are important in working out the cost of laser hair removal such as the level of hair growth, the size of the area to be treated and the number of procedures required. While many clinics offer discounts if treatments are booked in advance or with other procedures, it cannot be denied that laser hair removal is quite expensive. A typical current price range for one chest hair removal treatment is £75.00-£140.00 and the average patient can expect to require 6-12 treatments of optimum hair removal. 

For this reason, many patients enquire about whether laser hair removal is available on the NHS. In general, laser hair removal is considered a cosmetic procedure and will not be offered by most NHS Trusts. Even if excess hair is the result of a hormonal imbalance or conditions such as polycystic ovaries, the treatment offered by the NHS is usually medication. If excess hair is causing extreme distress, it is best to speak with a GP and discuss all the options available. Occasionally, laser hair removal will be provided but the evidence suggests that this is very rare.

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