Methodology
How we run the numbers.
Every one of our 23 calculators answers the same question in a different context: once you count everything, does the at-home version actually cost less than the salon? This page explains exactly how we get to those numbers, so you can judge the math for yourself and change any input we got wrong for your situation.
What “cost of ownership” means here
A sticker price is rarely the real price. A $600 styling tool that lasts four years is not really $600, and a $45 salon service you repeat every three weeks is not really $45. We model the total cost of getting a result over time: up-front purchase, consumables and refills, replacement cadence, and - on the salon side - the price per visit, tip, and how often you go. The output is the number that actually leaves your bank account across a year or the life of a device, not the shelf price.
Where the default prices come from
Each calculator ships with editable defaults. Those defaults are illustrative 2026 estimates we assemble from three kinds of sources: current retailer and brand-site listings for products and refills; published salon and clinic menus plus aggregated regional pricing for services; and the manufacturer specs (bottle size, refill life, treatment longevity) that determine cost per use. Prices vary by location, retailer and season, which is precisely why every figure is an input you can overwrite - the default is a starting point, not a claim about what you personally pay. For the non-price claims - how a treatment works, whether it is safe - we cite primary authorities on our sources & data page.
How the math is built
Each calculator is a transparent formula, not a black box. We break every scenario into its cost components, compute annual and lifetime totals for the at-home and salon paths, and then surface three things: the break-even point (how many uses or visits until the cheaper option pulls ahead), the cost per use, and the lifetime savings. Where a treatment is a one-off with lasting results - microblading, a laser course - we amortize the cost across the months it realistically lasts rather than dumping it into a single day.
Break-even, not hype
The honest answer to “is it worth it?” is almost always “it depends on how often you'd use it.” A device that pays for itself in six salon visits is a great deal for someone who goes weekly and a poor one for someone who goes twice a year. So we lead with the break-even at your usage rather than a verdict, and the result updates live as you change the inputs. If an at-home option genuinely doesn't save you money at a realistic usage level, the calculator will show that too.
Cost only - not medical advice
For treatments with a health or safety dimension - chemical peels, microneedling, teeth whitening, microblading - our calculators compare price and nothing else. They are not medical advice and they do not weigh safety, suitability or results. Always consult a licensed professional before any procedure. We deliberately do not use medical schema or make efficacy claims on those pages.
How we keep it honest
The formulas are unit-tested, because these are numbers about money and they should hold up to scrutiny. We make money through affiliate links (including the Amazon Associates Program and Skimlinks) and display advertising, but that revenue never touches the calculation: a product does not earn a better break-even because it pays us a commission. We also never display scraped live retailer prices as if they were current - our figures are clearly marked as illustrative estimates, and the real-time price is always on the retailer's own page.
Corrections
Prices move and we get things wrong sometimes. If a default no longer matches reality, tell us on the contact page and we'll update it. For our full sourcing, independence and corrections standards, see our editorial policy; for who we are and how the site is funded, see About.