In continuation of our investigation into the buildup phenomenon appearing in gamma ray attenuation measurements in laboratory experiments we study the dependence of the buildup factor on the area of the absorber in an effort to reduce the buildup of photons. Detailed measurements are performed for up to two mean free paths of [superscript 60]Co ?-rays through a lead absorber. A semi-empirical model on the attenuation of ?-rays studied in the laboratory, which includes the buildup effect, is developed. Finally, we propose a new procedure for studying laboratory ?-ray attenuation, which takes the buildup phenomenon into consideration.