What happens during a stop-smoking laser session: steps and aftercare
A stop-smoking laser session lasts between 30 and 60 minutes and has three parts: a review of your smoking profile, stimulation of specific points on the ears and nose with a soft low-intensity laser, then advice for the days that follow. According to the French National Committee Against Smoking (Comité national contre le tabagisme, CNCT), the method usually relies on a single session of about one hour [1]. At Reset Laser, a session costs €190. This guide walks you through each step of the appointment, what you may feel, the results reported and the limits worth knowing before you book.
Key takeaways
- Duration: 30 to 60 minutes on average for a full session, assessment included [1].
- Principle: a soft low-intensity laser, with no needles and no substances, inspired by auricular reflexology.
- Sensation: most people feel no pain at all, sometimes just a slight warmth on the stimulated points.
- One appointment is planned, and some centres offer a free follow-up session in the event of a relapse.
- Results: centres report high success rates for stopping smoking, but clinical studies remain limited to date.
Understanding the stop-smoking laser method
The stop-smoking laser is a cold-light stimulation method that works on specific points of the body to ease the urge to smoke and the cravings that come with nicotine withdrawal. It draws on the principle of laser auricular reflexology and aims to sharply reduce the urge to smoke from the very first session.
What principle is the method based on?
The stimulation targets reflex points on the outer ear, along with a few points on the nose, following the principles of auricular reflexology. The stated aim is to reduce cravings and ease withdrawal during the first hours and days after you stop.
This approach presents itself as a gentle alternative to nicotine replacement products. It does not replace medical follow-up or behavioural support when these are recommended.
The soft laser and the points stimulated
The soft laser is a low-power laser with no thermal effect. The practitioner applies it for a few seconds to each point. The session involves no needles, no injections and nothing to swallow.
How a session works, step by step
The appointment follows three main stages: preparation and assessment, soft laser stimulation, then a debrief with advice.
Before the appointment: preparation and motivation
You can take stock of how much you smoke, your reasons for quitting and your previous attempts. Write down how many cigarettes you smoke a day, when you have your first cigarette in the morning, the situations you find hardest and how motivated you feel.
Arriving at the centre: the initial assessment
When you arrive, the personalised assessment takes 10 to 15 minutes. The practitioner looks at your level of dependence, your motivation and your history. They explain how the stimulation works, which points they will activate and what you might feel.
This step shapes everything that follows: someone who smokes 5 cigarettes a day and someone who smokes a pack do not have the same profile, and the approach recommended will differ.
During the appointment: laser stimulation
The stimulation lasts 20 to 40 minutes depending on your profile. You sit or lie down, relaxed. The practitioner applies the laser to around a dozen points:
- Ear points linked to dependence and nicotine.
- Points on the nose, activated to support the production of endorphins.
The vast majority of people feel no pain. You may notice a slight warmth or a very gentle tingling, with nothing painful or unpleasant.
After the session: advice and support
The final debrief lasts 5 to 10 minutes. The practitioner gives you practical tips to get your first 48 hours off to a good start: avoid high-risk situations, change up your breaks, manage coffee and nights out, and stay on track from your very first smoke-free day. You are usually given a support number so you can ask questions in the days that follow.
What you may feel during and after the session
The vast majority of people describe this moment as relaxing and free of pain. How you feel afterwards then varies with your profile and level of dependence.
During the appointment: a very gentle warmth on the points, sometimes a slight tingling, and often a state of relaxation similar to a long break. Your eyes are protected by suitable glasses.
Straight afterwards: some people describe an immediate easing of the urge to smoke. Others still have cravings in the first few days, which is normal: the method eases withdrawal without removing it entirely.
In the following days: cravings (sudden, intense urges) can arise, especially 48 to 72 hours after nicotine withdrawal begins. You can fall back on the tips given at the end of the appointment: breathing, drinking water, a short walk, keeping your hands busy.
Stop-smoking laser results: what we know
Some centres publish success rates based on their own internal data; these figures are not based on independent studies, and Reset Laser does not publish any. They come from observations made in centres, not from independent randomised clinical trials [2]. Public studies on the subject are rare and need to be read with caution.
What the studies say
Scientific evaluation of the method remains limited to date. Few clinical studies are available and their protocols vary widely. This does not mean the method does not work, but that no large-scale study has yet confirmed the results reported, unlike nicotine replacement therapy or varenicline, which have been the subject of robust studies.
Why results vary
Three factors strongly influence the results observed:
- How motivated the smoker is at the time of the session.
- Their level of nicotine dependence (measured by the Fagerström test or an equivalent).
- Their surroundings (friends and family who smoke, work stress, social occasions).
A highly motivated person with low dependence and good support is statistically more likely to stop smoking for good than the reverse, whatever method they choose.
How many sessions, what price and what support
Most centres generally offer one session. At Reset Laser, a session costs €190. A second session may be included in the event of a relapse, depending on the centre’s terms.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Length of a session | 30 to 60 minutes [1] |
| Usual number | 1 main session |
| Price | €190 per session |
| Reimbursement by French national health insurance (Sécurité sociale) | No |
| Top-up health insurance (mutuelles, in France) | Sometimes partial, depending on the policy |
| Support included | Varies from centre to centre |
Before booking, check the exact terms: how long phone support lasts, the conditions for a possible second session and any commitment the centre offers.
The Reset Laser commitment
At Reset Laser, a stop-smoking laser session of about one hour is planned. Our commitment: a session of about one hour and 12 months of support, with a free new session if you relapse within the following year. Articles published about the method are reviewed by doctors. Our network has a Google rating of 4.9/5, which reflects customer satisfaction, not a result. Book an appointment at a stop-smoking centre to review your profile.
Who is this method for?
The stop-smoking laser method is particularly suited to motivated smokers who want to stop completely and straight away, without nicotine replacement or medication. It works just as well for someone who smokes a few cigarettes as for a pack-a-day smoker, with an assessment tailored to each.
Precautions and limits: the method does not replace medical follow-up if you have other health conditions (cardiovascular disease, pregnancy, significant anxiety disorders). Ask your doctor for advice if your health situation calls for it. The method can be combined with behavioural support or follow-up with a smoking-cessation specialist.
Stop-smoking laser or another method: which to choose?
Choosing between laser, nicotine replacement, behavioural support or e-cigarettes depends on your profile and motivation. The table below gives an overview:
| Method | Principle | Level of evidence | Indicative cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stop-smoking laser | Cold-light stimulation | Clinical evaluation still limited, positive feedback from centres [2] | €190 per session |
| Nicotine replacement products | Gradual supply of nicotine | Strong, validated | €30 to €80 per month |
| Varenicline | Prescription medicine | Strong, reimbursed in France | On prescription |
| Behavioural support | Follow-up with a smoking-cessation specialist | Strong | Varies |
To dig deeper into the overall strategy, read our guide how to quit smoking, which compares approaches by profile. You can also compare laser and hypnosis to refine your choice.
In summary
A stop-smoking laser session lasts 30 to 60 minutes, relies on gentle stimulation of specific points that most people do not find painful, and costs €190 per session.
It suits motivated smokers looking for a gentle method, with no needles and no nicotine replacement. Scientific evaluation remains limited to date, but the success rates observed in centres are reported as high.
If you are still unsure, the next step is to review your smoking profile during a personalised assessment at a centre, or to discover our laser method to quit smoking and see whether this approach suits your profile.
Sources
- [1] Comité national contre le tabagisme (CNCT), Le laser aide-t-il à arrêter de fumer ? (Does laser help you quit smoking?) cnct.fr (accessed in 2026)
- [2] Tabac Info Service, Méthode au laser : niveau de validation scientifique. (Laser method: level of scientific validation.) tabac-info-service.fr (accessed in 2026)
Take action with Reset Laser
Quitting smoking is a journey that takes preparation and support. If you are still unsure, the next step is to talk to your doctor or find out what happens during a stop-smoking laser session to see whether this approach suits your smoking profile. At Reset Laser, a session of about one hour is planned, with 12 months of support: a free new session if you relapse within the year.
FAQ: the stop-smoking laser session
According to the CNCT, a full session lasts 30 to 60 minutes on average, assessment included [1]. Allow about 10–15 minutes for the assessment, 20–40 minutes of laser stimulation and 5–10 minutes for the debrief.
The session is designed to help you stop from the appointment onwards. Lighting up again straight afterwards undermines what you are aiming for. If the urge is too strong, contact the centre for support and advice.
The method involves one session of about one hour, followed by 12 months of support. Some centres include a second session in the event of a relapse. Check the exact terms of the programme offered before booking.
The rates reported by centres range from 70 to 90%, based on internal data. Scientific evaluation remains limited [2]. Results depend heavily on your motivation and level of dependence.
Most people feel no pain, and no notable adverse effects have been reported in healthy adults. You may feel a slight warmth on the stimulated points. No substance is injected or swallowed. If you have any doubts related to your health, ask your doctor for advice (see the precautions and contraindications above). To beat an occasional craving in the days that follow, you can fall back on the tips given at the end of the appointment.
A session costs €190. In France, the national health insurance (Sécurité sociale) does not reimburse this method. Some French top-up health insurers (mutuelles) offer partial reimbursement, depending on your policy.
Check the practitioner’s training, the support offered after the session, whether there is a commitment or a possible second session, and how transparent the centre is about the success rates it communicates.
Why choose RESET Laser Institute
The best way to quit smoking
Trained practitioners
Our practitioners are trained to support you every step of the way.
Satisfaction
An average rating of 4.9/5 on Google across the whole network.
Non-invasive
Non-invasive, with no needles or medication: our method is open to most people.
Gentle
A gentle approach, with no needles or medication, designed to support your decision to quit.
Personalised support
Because everyone is different, we offer you personalised support.
Free session if you relapse (12 months)
For 12 months, a free support session is offered if you relapse.
Our clients recommend Reset Laser Institute
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