This post is sponsored by LaserAway but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board.
I’m being dead serious: In my nearly 29 years on this earth, the hardest breakup I’ve ever had was with my waxer, Meagan. Standing 4 feet 11 inches tall, with bleach-blonde hair and lips so plump they deserved their own ZIP code, she was a ray of sunshine. Every five weeks, I’d settle into her chair, ready to overshare about people she didn’t know, and soak up the latest plot twist in her tumultuous love life. It was my religion.
What I didn’t struggle to part ways with? The pain of having a different set of lips nearly ripped clean off my body with hot wax, the itchy and awkward grow-out phase before every appointment, and the $70 I shelled out for dolphin-smooth skin nearly every month.
Eight months ago, I swapped my standing wax date for laser hair removal. Here’s exactly how laser vs wax compares in the pain department—and why I’m never going back.
If waxing is like ripping off a bandage in one dramatic swoop, laser hair removal is more like a series of quick, targeted zings. At places like LaserAway, the process is made even easier thanks to advanced diode laser technology paired with a built-in cooling system that blows a constant stream of chilled air onto the skin. This cooling not only minimizes discomfort but also helps protect the skin’s surface from irritation.
During your first session, your nurse starts on the lowest energy setting. This isn’t just to ease you in—it’s a professional safety protocol to assess how your skin and hair type respond to the treatment and to gauge your personal pain tolerance. From there, each session is customized, with the laser gradually dialed up to the optimal level for both comfort and effectiveness. Over time, as your hair becomes finer and sparser, you may notice that the sensation lessens significantly, even when the settings are higher, making subsequent sessions sting a little less.
The whole thing is over in under 30 minutes, and I’ve never left with that post-treatment tenderness or soreness I used to get from waxing.
Waxing is… well, waxing. It’s the OG of semi-permanent hair removal, but it’s not for the faint of heart. The process is as straightforward as it is brutal: warm wax is applied to the skin, adheres to the hair, and is then ripped away—pulling each strand straight from the follicle in one swift, aggressive motion. That means:
With laser, prep is simple: You shave the night before, walk in smooth, and walk out smoother. No grow-out phase means no itchy stubble in hard-to-reach places. And that alone makes it worth it for me. While people say it gets easier over time (it never really did for me), getting there takes forever and, honestly, even at its best, waxing hurt more than laser ever has.
No—actually, the opposite. Laser hair removal usually gets easier with each session. As hair becomes finer and sparser, treatments feel less intense. Waxing, on the other hand, hurts the same every single time (and sometimes worse if you wait too long between appointments).
Here’s the truth: laser hair removal is an upfront investment. Prices vary depending on the area you’re treating, your location, and how many sessions you need, but most people require six to eight sessions for optimal results. At LaserAway, you can often find package deals or seasonal promotions (hello, 70% off) that make the price tag much more approachable.
Yes, a single session can cost more than a wax, but here’s the beauty math: once your treatments are complete, you may only need a quick maintenance session once or twice a year. Compare that to paying $60–$90 every month for waxing, and the long-term savings start to add up. For me, the value isn’t just in the smoother skin—it’s in the freedom of basically being beach-ready at a moment’s notice.
IMHO: Waxing hurts more than laser hair removal. Waxing delivers instant smoothness but comes with sharp pain, ingrown hairs, and irritation. Laser is quick, tolerable, and gets easier every time.
I’ll miss my waxer, but not lying knees-to-chest in what felt like a medieval torture chamber.
Does laser hair removal hurt more than waxing? After eight months of LaserAway, my answer is a confident no. I’d say it’s the best pain swap I’ve ever made: a few quick zaps now for smooth skin that lasts, no itchy grow-out phase, and an upfront investment that’ll save me money in the long run.
From small community newspapers to country music marketing, Paige has found the most fulfillment in finding and sharing the uniquely human stories that compel an audience. As a Branded Content Editor at The Everygirl, she is able to combine her excitement about women’s issues and pop culture with her editorial skills to create quality content for our brand partners.
This post is sponsored by LaserAway but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board.
