Most people walk into their first laser hair removal appointment with at least three questions they're embarrassed to ask out loud. The pain one. The skin tone one. The "what if it doesn't work" one. At Bared Monkey Laser Spa, the Penn Station team answers these every day. So before you book, read through the eight questions that come up the most.
1. Does It Hurt?
Honest answer: it depends on the area.
The upper lip is the most commonly reported uncomfortable spot. The skin is thin, the nerve density is high, and most clients describe it as a quick snap or sting on each pulse. It's over in 5 to 10 minutes, and most people tolerate it without numbing cream. Brazilian and bikini areas are more sensitive than legs or underarms. Arms and legs? Most clients rate those as minimal discomfort.
The device also affects how much you feel. The Alma Soprano ICE uses Super Hair Removal (SHR) mode, firing rapid lower-energy pulses rather than single high-intensity blasts. That method generally produces less per-pulse intensity. The Candela GentleMax Pro uses a built-in Dynamic Cooling Device that sprays cryogen on the skin milliseconds before each pulse, which noticeably reduces the sting.
Pain tolerance varies. What one person calls mild, another calls intense. The technician adjusts settings based on your feedback, and you can ask to pause at any point.
2. How Many Sessions Do I Actually Need?
The standard clinical range is 6 to 8 sessions for most body areas. Some clients see strong reduction closer to session 5. Others need 8 to 10, especially in areas with hormonally-driven hair growth like the chin, upper lip, or bikini line.
Why multiple sessions? Laser targets hair in its active growth phase (anagen). At any given time, only 20 to 30% of follicles in a given area are in anagen. That's why spacing sessions 4 to 6 weeks apart is the protocol — you're catching different follicles in their active phase across the series.
Hormonal factors complicate the count. PCOS, thyroid conditions, and hormonal birth control can all stimulate new hair growth. A client with PCOS may need additional maintenance sessions, even after a full initial series. The team will discuss this during your consultation.
Learn more about what a full series looks like at laser hair removal at Bared Monkey.
3. Can I Shave Before My Appointment?
Yes, and you should. Shave the treatment area 12 to 24 hours before your session. Not the day of (leaves stubble too short for the laser to read accurately), and not three days before (surface hair absorbs laser energy that should be going to the follicle).
Waxing, threading, and plucking are off the table for 4 to 6 weeks before your session. Those methods remove the hair shaft from the follicle entirely. The laser needs that melanin pathway intact to travel down to the root. If the follicle is empty, the laser has nothing to target.
One more thing: skip retinol, AHAs, and any active exfoliants on the treatment area for 48 hours before. Sensitized skin responds more intensely to the laser, which increases discomfort and risk of irritation.
4. What Happens Right After the Session?
Expect mild redness and a sensation similar to a light sunburn for 1 to 4 hours post-treatment. The area may also look slightly raised or show small follicular bumps immediately after. Both are normal inflammatory responses. They settle within a few hours for most people.
Apply a gentle moisturizer and SPF 30 or higher before going back outside. Sun exposure on a freshly treated area raises the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, especially for Fitzpatrick IV to VI skin tones. This isn't optional.
Over the next 1 to 3 weeks, you'll notice treated hairs shedding. It looks like the hair is growing back, but it isn't. The follicle is pushing out the treated shaft. Exfoliating gently in the shower helps speed that process. Don't wax or tweeze it out.
5. Can I Work Out the Same Day?
Skip the gym for 24 hours. Heat, sweat, and friction on a freshly treated area can irritate the skin and, in some cases, lead to folliculitis (inflammation of the hair follicle). That's more likely on areas like the bikini line or underarms where skin-to-clothing contact is constant during exercise.
After 24 hours, most people are back to their regular routine with no issue. If you had a high-energy session on a sensitive area and your skin is still red or bumpy at the 24-hour mark, give it another day.
Cold exposure is fine. Saunas and hot tubs are not — the elevated heat environment can cause the same irritation response as exercise.
6. Is Laser Hair Removal Safe for Dark Skin?
Yes, with the right device. This is where device selection matters more than anything else.
Shorter-wavelength lasers like alexandrite (755nm) target melanin aggressively. On Fitzpatrick I to III skin, that's mostly the melanin in the hair follicle. On Fitzpatrick IV to VI skin, the laser can also target epidermal melanin, which raises the risk of burns, hyperpigmentation, or hypopigmentation if the settings aren't calibrated precisely.
Nd:YAG 1064nm bypasses that risk. The longer wavelength scatters less in the epidermis and reaches the follicle with less interaction with surface melanin. Diode 810nm sits in a safer middle range for medium to deep skin tones. Bared Monkey's device lineup includes both, and the consultation process determines exactly which platform and settings will be used on your skin before your first session.
If a spa can't tell you which specific device they'll use on your Fitzpatrick type, that's a gap worth asking about.
7. How Long Do Results Last?
After a full series of 6 to 8 sessions, most clients experience long-term hair reduction in the treated area. The FDA-approved term is "permanent hair reduction," not "permanent hair removal." The distinction matters. A significant portion of follicles stop producing hair after a full series. Some may remain dormant and reactivate later, particularly with hormonal changes.
Pregnancy, PCOS flare-ups, changes in hormonal birth control, and certain medications can all stimulate dormant follicles. A maintenance session once every 12 to 18 months keeps those in check for most clients.
Laser doesn't work at all on grey, white, or blonde hair. The mechanism requires sufficient melanin in the hair shaft. Without it, the laser has no chromophore to target. If your hair is light, the team will tell you directly rather than take your money for sessions that won't produce results.
8. How Much Does It Cost?
NYC laser pricing ranges widely. A single Brazilian session runs $150 to $400 at most clinics depending on device, location, and whether you're buying per-session or as part of a package. Smaller areas like underarms or upper lip run lower. Full legs can run significantly higher.
Bared Monkey offers per-session pricing and package pricing for clients committing to a full series. Packages bring the per-session cost down and make more financial sense if you're planning to complete a standard 6 to 8 session protocol. There are no mandatory upcharges for numbing cream, cooling gel, or aftercare products added to your receipt at checkout.
The clearest way to get accurate pricing for your specific treatment areas is at your free consultation. The team will go through the full cost of your plan, not just the introductory session, so you know the total before you start.
Ready to stop wondering and start?
Book a free consultation near Penn Station and get your questions answered in person. The team will assess your skin type, go through your treatment areas, and tell you exactly what your series will look like.
