Beard Laser Hair Removal for Men: Pricing, Reviews, and Aftercare
If you're bothered by the shadow that returns by afternoon even after your morning shave, or by the bluish stubble marks left behind, laser hair removal for facial hair may be worth considering. This article covers how beard laser removal works, its pricing, and how to care for your skin before and after treatment.
Three-Sentence Summary
Beard laser hair removal can achieve roughly 80% permanent reduction, working on the principle that hair gradually thins with each session until it eventually stops growing back.
The devices most commonly used for men's beard removal today are GentleMax Pro Plus, Apogee Plus, and Clarity, with GentleMax Pro Plus generally preferred for thick, dense beards.
Based on real user reviews, hair typically starts thinning around day 7, begins shedding around day 10, and visible results are usually felt by weeks 2–3.
Table of Contents
Is Permanent Beard Removal Possible? Recommended Sessions and Intervals
How Do GentleMax Pro Plus, Apogee Plus, and Clarity Differ?
Approximate Pricing for 1, 5, and 10 Sessions
Effectiveness, Pain, and Side Effects from Real Reviews
Shaving and Aftercare Before and After Treatment
This image includes an AI-generated projection of expected results.
1. Is Permanent Beard Removal Possible? Recommended Sessions and Intervals
Permanent Reduction Effect of Beard Laser Removal
Laser hair removal is often called "permanent," but it's more accurately described as semi-permanent. The treatment destroys hair follicles with heat to stop growth for a period, but regrowth is still possible over time. Rather than complete disappearance, the result is better understood as hair becoming so thin and light it's barely visible to the eye.
For this reason, it's generally described as achieving "about 80% permanent reduction," and the FDA defines this outcome as "permanent hair reduction."
Recommended Number of Sessions and Intervals
For thick, deep-rooted areas like the beard, 8–12 sessions at 3–5 week intervals are typical, and 20 or more sessions may be needed for particularly dense growth.
To maximize the semi-permanent reduction effect, it's important to keep a consistent treatment interval and follow through with the full course.
2. How Do GentleMax Pro Plus, Apogee Plus, and Clarity Differ?
Various devices are used for laser hair removal, but the three most commonly used for men's beard removal are GentleMax Pro Plus, Apogee Plus, and Clarity II.
GentleMax Pro Plus uses dual laser wavelengths (755nm and 1064nm), allowing treatment tailored to hair thickness—from fine vellus hair to coarse, thick beard hair. Its gas cooling system also makes pain relatively mild. However, as the newest device on the market (released in 2023 after an 11-year renewal), it tends to be priced higher.
Apogee Plus has weaker cooling than GentleMax Pro Plus, so it can feel more painful, but it's more affordable. It uses a single 755nm wavelength, and some reviews note reduced effectiveness for thick beards or large treatment areas.
Clarity can be seen as a middle ground between the two. Like GentleMax Pro Plus, it uses dual laser wavelengths and a gas cooling system, but at a slightly lower price point.
3. Approximate Pricing for 1, 5, and 10 Sessions
Beard laser removal pricing varies by treatment area and device. Use the figures below as a general reference only.
Device | 1 Session | 5 Sessions |
|---|---|---|
Apogee Plus | Philtrum, chin | Philtrum, chin |
GentleMax Pro Plus | Philtrum, chin | Philtrum, chin |
Clarity | Philtrum, chin | Philtrum, chin |
Area definitions for beard treatment are as follows:
"Full lower face" typically covers the area below the eyes, including the philtrum, chin, jawline, sideburns, cheeks, and upper neck.
Specific definitions may vary slightly by clinic and package.
4. Effectiveness, Pain, and Side Effects from Real Reviews
Pain levels vary significantly by individual
After dealing with stubborn beard shadow, I had 7 sessions with Apogee Plus, but it grew back so I started over. Even with numbing cream, the pain was fairly noticeable.
I was treated with Clarity II and didn't need numbing cream at all—the cooling gas kept the pain manageable.
I wasn't satisfied with Apogee Plus results, so I switched to GentleMax Pro Plus. The gas cooling made a clear difference—much less painful.
I was treated with Apogee Plus. Since my beard is on the thinner side, I barely felt any pain.
Around day 3, you may notice folliculitis or find shaving more difficult
Around day 3, small pimple-like bumps resembling folliculitis appeared. The hair kept growing but felt softer, so my electric razor couldn't cut it as cleanly.
I did get folliculitis, but it cleared up within 3 days after applying ointment. Shaving was a bit inconvenient for over a week after treatment, though.
Hair typically starts thinning around day 7
About a week after my first session, the beard started coming in like fine peach fuzz, and by week 2 I was clearly shaving less often.
Starting from day 7 after my first session, the beard visibly thinned.
Hair typically starts shedding around day 10
After 10 sessions of Apogee Plus without much effect, I switched to Clarity. I'm now on day 10, and the hair is shedding and clearly growing back less.
I didn't notice much change through the first week, but the beard started shedding around day 10.
I struggled with folliculitis on day 3, but by day 10 the hair started shedding, and by week 3 the beard was noticeably reduced.
Noticeable results tend to appear from weeks 2–3 onward, and the effect builds with more sessions
I felt a bigger difference after just 1 session of Clarity than after 10 sessions of Apogee Plus. The hair kept shedding a little each day after treatment, and now, at 3 weeks in, I barely see any shadow even right after shaving.
I had 5 sessions with Apogee Plus and started noticing a real effect from session 3. Now I only need to shave once every two weeks.
After session 5, about 70% of my overall beard stopped growing back. The amount of hair clearly decreases with more sessions.
5. Shaving and Aftercare Before and After Treatment
Q. Do I need to shave before laser hair removal?
Yes, it's best to shave the day before or on the morning of your appointment, since longer hair increases the risk of burns. That said, avoid waxing or depilatory creams that remove hair down to the root, as this can remove the follicle the laser is targeting and reduce treatment effectiveness.
Q. When can I shave after treatment?
It's best to avoid shaving for at least 3 days. Right after treatment, the follicles are swollen, so shaving during this period can easily cause irritation or folliculitis.
Q. Can I pluck stubborn hairs that are hard to shave?
Plucking hair after treatment isn't recommended, as it can trigger folliculitis. Since laser removal requires repeated sessions to work, shaving rather than plucking is better for the effectiveness of your next treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What does beard laser removal cost at Naya Clinic?
We use the Clarity II device at Naya Clinic. For the philtrum and chin area, 5 sessions cost 249,000 KRW, and for the full lower face, 5 sessions cost 390,000 KRW.
Q. How often should I get beard laser removal treatments?
For the best semi-permanent reduction effect, we recommend 8–12 sessions at 3–5 week intervals.
Q. How should I handle shaving before and after treatment?
Shave the day before or the morning of your appointment, and avoid shaving for at least 3 days afterward.
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