A warning to all- this bad clinic is called out

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

Hello fellow laser hair removal clients,
In the past two years I received four treatments at the hands of Advanced Laser and Electrolysis located in Greensboro, North Carolina. They promised me good results with a gentle yag laser, however they never told me that the gentle yag was the incorrect machine for my skin tone. Because of their eagerness to sell their service and my naivety about which laser machine to choose my family and I endured a 3,200 dollar loss. Firstly, I urge you all to never go to this establishment because the financial damage to did to me- I doubt I’ll ever receive a refund from them- I am infuriated by the sale announcements they send to me monthly. As customers in this volatile industry we must make absolutely sure that we do our research about laser hair removal and that we become aware of the many indifferent and unsympathetic practices in existence. We are customers in his world, not patients. The procedure is highly unregulated- especially in North Carolina, USA. Each interested customer will have to be properly informed and shrewd in order to avoid scoundrels in this every man for him/herself arena. My wish for a self-esteem revitalizing procedure has painfully gone from psychological to practical as I also recall the many other stories on this forum by exploited patients. We should all be critical of businesses who seem fraudulent, and a new conversation of greater regulation and protection ought to be discussed more seriously. The people need guarantees upheld by law, and I am sorry to everyone who has been taken advantage of-- this is a matter that ought to improve our lives without the high risk of financial destruction.

Peter J. Kostin

#2

Peter, do you feel comfortable telling your story? What area(s) were treated? hair and skin color? hair structure? levels used? how many treatments? or anything else?

Dee

#3

Hi Peter:

I read all your postings from the past. Unfortunately, you were warned that GentleYag and Cutera Yag, although good lasers, may not be the best for your skin tone and that an Alexandrite or Diode Laser may do a better job in permanent hair reduction on your legs.

I am sorry to see that the Clinic did not switch you to a more powerful laser for your needs.

Perhaps now you may need 2-3 strong treatments with an Alexandrite laser to achieve your results.

#4

Hello Chris:
I had heard that the laser was bad for my skin color, but I had also been told my la girl to stay with this clinic if they seemed reputable. Because of that advice and from positive pressure from the clinic I stayed and got treated with a gentle yag because in fact the clinic did seem reputable. You are right that I was warned, but the warning I received was unclear. I find it interesting that you chose to redistribute the responsibility back onto the customer. The fact is that customers are bombarded with information and pressure about laser and considering the combination of machines, practitioners ability, hair and skin types, it is not always easy for a non-professional to make a wise choice. Customers need more protection in this industry. There are slews of customers who have come forth on this forum and described the scoundrels in detail. Considering the number of unethical practices, something is wrong in this business. Customers deserve a warranty for their investment, outlined by a contract, that would guarantee a refund if the reasonable results were not issued.

#5

I’ve just read ALL your post. They are very inconsistent. In June you said you switched to Dana Combopiano (GentleLASE) in Raleigh? Where are you going? Greensboro or Raleigh?

What LAGirl actually said…

"An alexandrite laser like GentleLASE is best for light skin. GentleYAG is good on very coarse hair, but it will have trouble once the hair gets finer. That’s probably why she wants to switch you. However, the best treatments for finer hair will be with GentleLASE, even better than with LightSheer.

If you’re only looking for a reduction and not almost complete removal, you can probably stay with this clinic if you have checked out several others and this one seems the most reputable. Both of those lasers will work fine on your coarse hair and will reduce the density, at the right settings. It may even benefit you if you want the finer hair to remain. You’ll probably need 4-5 treatments."

She did not tell you to stay with this clinic. You were given good advice and you chose not to listen. Over and over you were told an alexandrite would be better for your skin type.

Do you have before and after pictures of your legs?

#6

Choice,
you seem to be arguing with someone else. Everything you said was right, but you didn’t participate in my conversation. I stayed with a clinic because they seemed reputable, when in reality I was given a handful of treatments which yielded no results. The fact that the clinic continued to treat me even without results is unsettling. At one point during my time with them I complained that treatments weren’t working, the technician then told me that maybe I’ll need a few extra, eight to ten treatments, rather than six to eight. Their awareness of the poor results is evident , I am concerned with their ethics. Do you support profit driven practitioners. My argument is that responsibility should not lie entirely with the customer, also that satisfaction and success of treatments should drive this procedure, not profits. Would you disagree.
I don’t hope to discredit anybody on this website, because it has helped me. But I do hope to raise questions- I am sorry that more clients wouldn’t respond.

#7

Peter:

I agree with some of your points. I am sure that customers find this Forum invaluable as it helps them ( Hopefully ) doing their due diligence regarding treatment options, etc. I also agree that Clinics need to be more open to working with customers, particularly when they are not happy or have not good results from their treatments.

What were are trying to do in New York is to have a group of practinioners that share the same values, education, experience
and certification provide laser hair removal. Unfortunately, not all facilities follow the same rules and particularly with Litetouch Laser closing their doors recently, alot of paid up customers have been stranded.

#8

The laser hair removal industry is very tricky. There are too many unreputable individuals/companies providing so called treatment. In my search to find a male technician to perform a male brazilian I have come across several shady operations/characters in the NYC/Long Island area. Two weeks ago I had one introductory treatment for $99.00 and now the follow up treatments are $299.00. The initial treatment lasted less than 10 minutes and the doctor was not exactly gentle. $299.00 seems way overpriced for the service provided. This forum has shown me that folks are paying between $100 and 199.00 per session. Prior to that, I also went to one place where the guy looked scary and then could not get his machine to work. Ran out of there like a bat out of hell. Most recently, I was researching an establishent that claimed membership in several professional electrolysis and laser entities and yet I could not find their names listed. One clained to be an RN yet NYS never heard of him. I am beginning to doubt that I can find anyone honest in this industry. Can anyone make an honest recommedation for an establishment in the NYC/LI area?

#9

After my post about bad clinics and requesting help in finding an honest establishment, I am pleased to report that Chris (Romeo and Juliette) came to my rescue and provided me with some invaluable information, assistance and advice. I must thank him publically for helping a stranger who really was some what scared, lost and uninformed when it came to LHR. Through this forum, with the amount of knowledge and expertise that the “Hair Pros” and “Major Contributors” provide, I have become rather educated in a very short period of time. It is refreshing to know that there are some in the LHR industry who are striving to make an honest, professional and respectable business out of LHR.

Thank you all!

#10

Amen Stormy.