American Laser Center $300 coupon?

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

Ok, so I was looking for laser hair removal places in my area and noticed that there is an American Laser Center just a couple of miles away from where I live.
I went on their website and signed up to “win $3000 worth of free laser hair removal” (just to see it anything was going to happen); I cannot afford any type of hair removal right now but I’m super desperate to get my underarms treated. Well, today I got a call from them saying that they want to give me a $300 coupon of some sort.
Than I went online and found all these negative comments about their business. I also read their website and basically they make ridiculous claims about how their lasers are so great that they even work on blonde, white, and red hair. I’ve never heard of such a thing.

They offered me a free consultation tomorrow and I said okay… But seriously… $300. I’d be able to get like one treatment right? And than what? I am not willing to pay a single dollar out of pocket right now because I don’t have the money. Is this conslutation/coupon worth my time?

#2

Be very, very careful here before you pull out your credit card.

#3

This is just a tactic they use to get customers. You’re not getting any “deal”. They just make treatments more expensive and give you supposed $300 off. EVERYONE GETS THIS. You didn’t “win” anything. There are dozens of posts on this forum regarding this tactic and this clinic in general. Don’t be one of the unhappy people who came here AFTER the fact. You’ve been on this forum now, so you should know better and be able to avoid this type of scam. It sounds like you can tell that they’re obviously telling you just about anything to sign you up. A bit of advice: when you’re feeling that way in ANYTHING in life, RUN.

Underarms are cheap to do. Treatments are $50-100 per treatment at most clinics, and you only need them once every 2-3 months. So you have plenty of time in between treatments to save up.

#4

Oh, I will not be pulling out any credit cards. I have like $300 on my card and I will not be giving it to them. Like I said, I am definitely not willing to pay anything outrageous right now.
If I can find a place that will do a treatment for $50 than I will do that. By the way, I did find a more reputable place in my area (even closer than ALC)… it’s called Indigo MedSpa, previously known as Sona MedSpa). They have A LOT better information on their website which is much more accurate and they are running a 40% off special on packages. I don’t know if I’d be willing to purchase any package but I thought of going there instead.

Basically they give all the info and state that they use the Cynosure Elite Laser and the Sporano laser (which is much more accurate in description than at the ALC because they don’t even tell you what they use).

I don’t know if I’m allowed to do this, but if anyone is willing to check out their website for me and tell me if the place sounds good I would really appreciate it. The link is: [indigomedspa dot com/treatments/beauty_enhancement_services/laser_hair_removal/]

I apologize if I’m not allowed to post this link (I know that’s how it is on some forums) but I just want someone else to read over the info and figure out based on that if this place is worth checking out. They just sound much better than the other places in my area because they provide honest and accurate information based on what I’ve read about lasers so far.

#5

We don’t mind when real live people, who are confirmed members of our community post a link to something for informational purposes. It is the posters who register at 3:30am and post 12 posts in 6 forums all with the same link that seems awfully fishy with the smell of advertising that we get feisty . :wink:

We don’t even mind it when someone posts a link to their favorite hair removal specialist’s web page along with a testimonial. We just like it better if that link is coming from someone who has been posting on the forums for some time, and therefore has some credibility with us as we can look back on their search, and know that it is not just some one planting a free commercial for themselves.

#6

Sona went out of business I believe. Sounds like the owner of that location turned it into another practice.

Cynosure machine you describe is the Apogee Elite, which is both an alex and a yag, and a good machine. Soprano is a diode and is relatively new. We don’t see a lot of positive feedback because I think most clinics using it are still trying to figure out how to do it right.

Now I have to say I’m not sure you’re approaching this correctly. There are tons of clinics, including Michigan. Where exactly in Michigan are you? Did you read the info at the link below my post on how to find clinics near you? There are several links where you would enter your zip code and find places near you, including those with GentleLASE alex which is a great machine for light skin.

Also, you do not need to buy packages if you don’t want to. Don’t let a sales pitch convince you otherwise. An honest clinic will NOT push a package on you if you don’t want one. They will be confident that you will want to come back to them without being stuck in a contract because of the great job that they do. So that’s what you need to look for.

And once again, all you need for underarms is $50-100 every 2-3 months. You’ll need 6-8 treatments total. So you have 2-3 months in between treatments to save up another $50-100.

I would check out this clinic and ask them what settings they will be using. Then, check out 3-4 OTHER clinics and compare everything. You’ll be able to judge things best after you have met with the person who will be treating you. Don’t judge purely based on the website. That only shows whether they have a good marketing person, not whether they have a good experienced technician performing treatments.

Once again, read the link below. It has questions you should ask at the consultations, which are free.

#7

I live in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Yes, I did look at the links that you are referring to multiple times and they only provide a few results mostly to plastic surgery centers or the American Laser Center.

The plastic surgery center has a website and states that they use Light Sheer laser hair removal (not sure what that means) and they don’t provide any other useful information.
The other two places do not have a website.
One link me to a place called “Hair Today Gone Tomorrow” which I have heard of before through radio advertisements. (They state on their website that they use a IPL technology.)

I’ve also searched on Yahoo and other search engines which usually come up with the same results… but there is one website that probvides a pretty long list of places in my area so I guess there are a lot of them that I did not know existed.

Thank you for letting me know that I don’t need to get a package. I didn’t know since some places state on their websites that in order to get deals you need to buy packages etc… almost convincing a person that you must get one. If I don’t have to that would be great because if I could just get a couple of treatments to at least reduce underarm hair I would be happy with that.

The reason I am pretty much desperate to get the underarm area treated is because recently I have noticed that it has started spreading on areas where it should not be (down toward the torso). It’s strange and really embarrassing so I want to get rid of it asap. (I know that this can happen from plucking or waxing which I have stopped doing long ago ever since I noticed that it was causing the spreading.)

#8

I think you’ll be disappointed and I only say this based on the stories here and with two of my clients. Not critical mass, but I throw this your way to help with your decision.

#9

Disappointed by what?

#10

Don’t be afraid to call places to find out what machine they’re using. Many don’t list this on their websites. There is nothing wrong with a plastic surgery office if they have a person dedicated to hair removal who does it all day long.

LightSheer is a decent laser for light skin. It’s great in good hands, so it’s important to make sure they know what they’re doing. They definitely have better machines that the ALC chain.

When you say the hair is “spreading”, is this new hair coarse and dense? If it’s not, I wouldn’t touch it yet. Laser can induced more growth when touching areas with relatively sparse hair. Just treat areas with dense coarse hair. Also, how are you? It’s likely simply due to your age. Most people develop more hair between their teens and their mid-20s. It’s not abnormal or due to plucking necessarily.

Did you run a search on the Candela Corporate website using their provider search? If not, do so and search for places with GentleLASE or GentleMax. I’m sure there are plenty of clinics for you to choose from in Grand Rapids. It’s a big enough city. Try entering other zip codes that are also in your city to expand this search.

Don’t forget - do your research and check out 3-4 clinics for free consultations before you settle on anything. I would stay away from large chains. The only national one with good machines is Ideal Image.

Btw, you can use the Advanced Search feature on this forum and read posts from the last 4-5 years from anyone in Michigan (search for Michigan and expand to 4 years under LHR). For example, there is one recommendation, though not sure if that’s too far for you:
https://hairtell.com/forum/c/hairtell-practitioner-locator/michigan

#11

The hair is not as coarse as the rest, but it seems like it is getting there. I am not sure why it’s happening but it seems that it will get there at some point. I am 23, so I’m definitely not still developing.

I did look at the Candela website and did a zip code search. I only get three results. One is a plastic surgery center, the second is a family medical center, and the last is a preventative health care center.
I e-mailed the family medical center but never got a response. I also looked at their website and the information is very outdated (from 2007). The services are performed by one doctor, there is no information about anything else really.

It seems like finding the right place is going to be extremely difficult since I have done research multiple times and I cannot find any client reviews or opinions on laser hair removal places in my area. It would help to get opinions from people.

#12

At 23, you’re STILL developing new hair. This can go into late 20s as I mentioned before.

Once again, really, pick up a phone and call them. Most still don’t have websites and many don’t update them. They may be too busy. Who knows? Call and ask the questions. That’s the fastest way to get your answers.

#13

Well, I did more research and found a website that lists what they call the “top laser physicians” in the country and I did a search that came up with one doctor in my area. (Here’s a link to the place: [hairremovaljournal dot org/html/MIGrandRapids.htm]
Apparently he specializes in laser hair removal and the whole website is dedicated to the procedure. I think that if I were to do this soon I would most likely go to this doctor. I read the hair facts website and it’s advised to go to a doctor. Unfortunately they list approximate pricing between $100-250 per treatment and I don’t think that they offer free consultation since it is a doctor’s office… and I can’t afford that at all right now, especially at possibly $250 per treatment - that’s way out there.

I just got an e-mail from the Indigo MedSpa place saying how they are “running great specials in May” and straight up gave me their prices. Supposedly the regular price for a package for underarm hair removal is $868.40, while the “50% May special” comes out to $434.25; she specifically mentioned a package, which automatically changed my mind. This place is probably not worth my money.

When I get a paying job and can afford to I will go see the doctor I mentioned or one of the plastic surgery centers, but I am definitely not interested in those spas anymore.

#14

“Hair Removal Journal” is a site that physicians pay to be listed. The doctor you linked to does not specialize in laser hair removal. Doing a search for his phone #, look at all the other procedures he’s listed under:

[Colin Herd MD 616-773-2450]

He’s a family practitioner.

He also does:

Rejuvenation of Sun-Damaged Skin
Laser Hair Removal
Non-Ablative Laser Treatments
Tattoo Removal
Treatment of Acne and Acne Scarring
Light-based Treatments for Rosacea
Reduction of Stretch Marks
Removal of Age Spots, Freckles and other Brown Spots
Botox Injections
Restylane and other Fillers
Chemical Peels and Microdermabrasion
Body Contouring

If you want someone who truly specializes in hair removal:

scmhr.org

#15

Sorry, what I meant to say is that he is listed on the website as a doctor who specializes with lasers… not specically hair removal since I did notice that he does a whole list of other things. But that is just one of the places that I am willing to consider over a spa. I’d rather go to a doctor. There are a lot of plastic surgery centers in the area that I will look at as well when I can afford to.

Thanks for posting the other link. I found the link to the Gentle Touch place a while ago but wasn’t sure if they only did electrolysis… but now I see that they do laser as well which is great. I emailed them for a bit more information so hopefully they will send something back soon.

#16

We do NOT recommend to only go to a doctor. In fact, most of the time doctors are not the best because they don’t have the time or desire to specialize in hair removal. They just buy the laser and do treatments on the side along with other services they offer. That’s not what you really want. You want someone who does hair removal all day long.

Also, MOST places offer free consultation. In fact, I’ve never heard of a clinic that either didn’t offer it for free altogether or applied it towards the cost of treatments (and the former is the case 90%+ of the time anyway).

Once again, you need to call each place you’re considering and find out the details about this. Just because they don’t list per treatment price or consultation information on their website, doesn’t mean that they don’t have it or don’t do it. You need to speak to a live person for details like this. Information on websites is there to sell you the service. If they’d rather sell packages to make money up front, they’re not going to say that they will also do per treatment price. But it doesn’t mean that they don’t.

Also, prices are often negotiable. That’s another reason to not pick a clinic based on their website, but actually go to 3-4 different consultations and compare everything. If you love a clinic, but their prices are slightly higher than down the street, bring it up and show a quote and see if they can work with you.

#17

That is why I’m considering this Gentle Touch place. It is a mother/daughter team who do laser/electrolysis and other skin related services (permanent makeup and whatnot). That is probably one of the better places to consider.
They don’t provide much information that’s why I e-mailed them for more information about what they do. If I don’t get a response soon than I guess I will call them and ask specific details about their services.

I know that I am not interested in getting a package so it’s good that prices can be negotiable… even a couple of treatments would be more beneficial to me. I will have to call and ask for a consultation and their opinion since they would know better than I do about the way it works and how much would have to be done to see a significant reduction.

Now that I’ve done a million different searches I have found so many different options and places to go. There are a lot of dermatology offices in my area that offer laser hair removal so I should probably look into a couple of those as well. Ugh… too much information to consider but it has to be done because I don’t want to throw my money away.

#18

Choice gave good advice as well!

If you want someone who truly specializes in hair removal:

scmhr.org

#19

Yes, that is a great site. I am seriously considering this Gentle Touch place… I just have to get feedback from them to see what kind of machine they use and whatnot since laser and electrolysis is what they do mostly (aside from permanent makeup and facial treatments). Plus they say that they can do a combination treatment of laser and electrolysis which would work great since I have a few stray areas with like one or two hairs and I’ve read that laser isn’t supposed to be used on single or a few hairs… that way I can get those treated with electrolysis.

Thanks for all the extremely helpful information.

#20

There is a recommendation on the Cosmetic Enhancements forum for a place in Big Rapids: Lisia’s laser Hair Removal and Electrolysis

See this thread: [cosmeticenhancementsforum dot com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4106]