Hi all, I just signed up and have been lurking the past day or two. I’ve wanted laser hair removal in the bikini area for quite some time now. I’m a skin type 2 with dark, coarser/curly hair. I made the mistake of thinking that since I see advertisements everywhere for ALC they must be reputable and didn’t really do any research before going in for the consultation. Now, after reading horror story after horror story about them, I’m regretting signing up for a package. They did a spot test and apparently that is considered a “treatment” so they can’t refund me. I’m wondering if at this point I should suck it up, go for the treatments, and see what results I get? I know it’s a “package” but when I broke it down, the pricing isn’t too different than what I’d pay at another local reputable laser center per session. The laser they would be using on me is the Amerilase. I’m really wondering what people’s experience with this has been and if it’s worth it to see what kind of results I get or if I should continue fighting it to get my money back? Any experiences/feedback would be sooo much appreciated!
I don’t know if this info helps or not, but after the spot test… I did get the raised up red dots where the hair follicles were. I’ve heard this is supposed to happen if the treatment was successful. Let me know if I was misinformed when I read that!
Swedishbeauty
If you can not opt out of your package, I would continue with the treatments. Your reaction sounds good.
Hello-I don’t know what part of the country you are in but I know several females who have had non-LHR treatments with ALC here on Long Island(LI). You should check with your local BBB to see how many complaints have been logged against ALC. ALC has been around on LI for many years and I don’t think they would have survived if the service they provided was sub par. One complaint that was relied to me is that they have a high turn-over. Seems like there is a revolving door and employees come and go. I don’t think Amerilase is a true laser but an IPL. Hopefully Hair Pro Chris from Romeo and Juliette sees this post and can explain what Amerilase is. This forum has been very educational and the "pros’ have repeatedly said that if you want permanent hair removal you should go with a laser and not IPL.
Thanks for the quick response! I did some research as well as received an email from a former ALC tech and found that the AmeriLight is an IPL and AmeriLase is a Diode. I’m not sure what that means, but they are using the AmeriLase for my treatments. I did get a response that they can give a full refund minus a 10% admin fee now, which is better than what they previously had said. Has anyone had good results from ALC? I guess the cost doesn’t bother me as its similar to what I’d pay elsewhere, the ethics of the business bothers me, but ultimately, if I will see results, I might just stick with it.
I would like to know about your progress with ALC. People either like them or hate them, no in between. Is diode a real laser or is it IPL? Thanks
A diode is a real laser. Have you read the laser faq’s on the laser forum?
OK. Will review that section. Thank you.
That will answer any of your questions. Lagirl did a great job getting that together. I am not in total agreement with her electrolysis information. Electrolysis is not only for small areas with small amounts of hair. This only applies for those electrologists that are stuck in the past using older methods or who see no urgency to get the hair off fast with a better set up that newer equipment and strategies of today’s world offers for modern electrolysis care.
ok, so here’s an update and another question. I cancelled my first treatment session so I still have the option of getting a refund. I noticed the spot test area the hair is still growing as it normally would and the red spots ant away. From what I’ve read the hair is supposed to shed/fall out. Is It a bad sign that it appears to still be growing?
I would wait for one of the professionals on this forum to respond but from my experience after one week the hair is not really growing, even though it appears as such, but being pushed out of the hair follicle, also known as shedding. If you try to remove it with your fingers it may come out. If it does not come out easily it may in a few days.
Did you wait 1.5 to 3weeks for shedding to occur?
Sorry for a bit of a delay. I did start shedding last week and all the hair in the laser-ed test spot is now gone. I’m going to take this as a good sign and re-book and appointment and go through with it… It may not get everything from what I’ve read, but I’m excited to have a good amount of hair gone down there! Bye-bye ingrowns!