In the salon
How long does a hair removal session take? Time by area
In short
How long does one hair removal session take?
It depends on the area. According to Innovatione, with IPLASER the face takes about 5 minutes, the underarms 5–10, the bikini 20–25, the lower legs 30 and full legs 40–50 minutes. The same logic applies to laser and IPL devices: the time depends on the size of the area, the spot size of the handpiece, the hair and the skin, and on whether gel has to be applied and wiped off. A full body session is the sum of the chosen areas: underarms, bikini and full legs together take about 65–85 minutes of treatment time. The first visit takes longer, because the consultation, the photos and, where the protocol requires it, a test flash come before the treatment. A course is not one session: 6–8 treatments on dark hair and 8–10 on light hair, at intervals of 6–8 weeks. For a salon, these figures are the basis for booking slots and the daily schedule.
How many minutes does each area take?
| Area | Treatment time |
|---|---|
| Face | 5 min |
| Underarms | 5–10 min |
| Bikini | 20–25 min |
| Lower legs | 30 min |
| Full legs | 40–50 min |
This is the treatment time itself. Preparing the skin, the photos and the talk with the client come on top of it. For areas not in the table, such as the arms, back, chest or abdomen, the specialist estimates the time at the consultation: it depends on the size of the area and on the hair.
What makes a session longer or shorter?
- The size of the area. Full legs take longer than the underarms simply because there is more skin to cover.
- The spot size. The larger the working window of the handpiece, the fewer flashes an area needs. The IPLASER 755 handpiece has a spot of 6.24 cm².
- The skin and the hair. The protocol sets the parameters for each skin type and area, and a darker skin type may call for a test flash first.
- Gel. On devices that use cold gel, it is applied before each area and wiped off after it. With contact cooling there is no such step. More in the article on hair removal without gel.
- The specialist’s training. A trained specialist works to a protocol and covers the area evenly, without gaps or overlaps.
Why does the first visit take longer?
Before the first treatment, the specialist talks to the client, checks the contraindications, assesses the skin type and hair colour, and takes photos of the area. Where the protocol requires it, a test flash is done first. What happens at this visit is described in the article before the first session.
How long does a full body session take?
There is no single figure for the full body: it is the sum of the areas the client chooses. A common combination of underarms, bikini and full legs adds up to about 65–85 minutes of treatment time by the figures above. Large areas such as the back or chest are estimated at the consultation.
Some clients prefer one long visit, others split the areas over two visits. Both work, as long as each area keeps the interval set by the protocol.
How many sessions in total?
| Hair | Treatments | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| Dark | 6–8 | 6–8 weeks |
| Light | 8–10 | 6–8 weeks |
Why one session is never enough is explained in the article on sessions and intervals.
How a salon plans its booking slots
- Take the time per area as the basis for each slot, and add time for preparation and for cleaning the handpiece between clients.
- Book a longer slot for the first visit: consultation, photos and a test flash where needed.
- Offer common combinations of areas as one booking, so that the client comes once for several areas.
- Book the next session at the interval set by the protocol before the client leaves.
- Check the real times in your room after the first weeks and adjust the schedule.
How the schedule turns into a business plan is covered in the article on opening a hair removal studio.
Questions and answers
How long does a hair removal session take?
According to Innovatione, with IPLASER from about 5 minutes for the face to 40–50 minutes for full legs. The underarms take 5–10 minutes and the bikini 20–25.
How long does a full body session take?
It is the sum of the chosen areas. Underarms, bikini and full legs add up to about 65–85 minutes of treatment time. Large areas such as the back are estimated at the consultation.
Why is the first visit longer?
The consultation, the check of contraindications, the photos and, where the protocol requires it, a test flash come before the first treatment.
Does a bigger spot make the session faster?
Yes. The larger the working window, the fewer flashes an area needs. The IPLASER 755 handpiece has a spot of 6.24 cm².
How many sessions does a course take?
According to Innovatione, 6–8 treatments on dark hair and 8–10 on light hair, at intervals of 6–8 weeks.
This material is for general information and is not medical advice. The time and the course are planned by a specialist. Checked on 11 November 2026.
