This is rather long~ I’m verbose when I’m upset.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have a great experience when I went in for my first laser treatment (full brazilian and full legs).
This was at a very nice med-spa in Texas that specializes in all kinds of laser treatments. I read good reviews.
When I went in the treatment room, I noticed that the machine said Alma Soprano XL. When I went in for my consultation the previous week, I was told that I would be treated with an alexandrite (the Candela GentleLase) because it would yield the best results with my fair skin + black hair. I voiced my concern to the laser tech, and she told me that the Alma was an alexandrite laser. She said, and I quote, “This is an alexandrite.”
I asked her the difference between the Candela and the Alma, and she said, “You’re really drilling me, aren’t you?” She told me that they were just by two different manufacturers.
When I got home that night, I did some research and discovered that the Alma is a diode, not an alexandrite. Like I said, I was told at the consultation that I would be treated with an alexandrite. The laser tech told me a lie. 
The treatment itself went well, as far as I know. It hurt like cigarette burns in the problem areas, which I didn’t mind because I was expecting it. It hurt far worse than waxing, but it was tolerable (I didn’t cry but I sure wanted to curse!) I did not experience any redness, soreness or anything afterwards.
She also forgot to treat an entire area I paid for. It was the… “butt crack” area, and I honestly didn’t say anything because I was scared. Is that my fault for not mentioning it, or hers for not bothering to do it from the get go?
When she finished, she told me to wipe off the barrier gel with a makeup-remover wipe and then told me put a post-laser lotion on my legs. She left the room and I read through the ingredients on the bottle-- it was just your common everyday lotion with almond oil, nothing special. I put it on anyway.
When she came back, she asked if I had put on the lotion and I said yes, then she said she would give me some samples. She gave me some packets and said, “This is the exact same thing as the lotion.” She had given me packets of hydrocortisone cream. The “post laser lotion” did not have any steroids in it. That was an unnecessary second lie!
Since my appointment wasn’t until 6:30 at night, I think she may have used the Alma because the method is quicker. It isn’t point-and-fire, it’s more like rub-around-while-firing constantly. Maybe she wanted to go home early (she did sound like she had a cold). I do not believe that this is good business practice! I am shelling out a lot of money for these treatments! I was told at the consultation that it would be the Candela, therefore I expected (and would prefer) the Candela!
On top of that, the laser tech lied to me twice, first about the laser itself and then about the lotion! The lotion thing wasn’t that big of a deal, but it was a lie nonetheless!
I called the following morning and spoke to a different person. I told her my experience, and she apologized and told me she would make a note for me to have my further treatments with the Candela. She said to call back if I don’t see any hair fallout within the next week or two.
Although there were no problems with the actual treatment itself, I did not like that the laser tech lied to me twice and couldn’t answer my questions correctly.
I don’t know what to tell the manager now. It’s been a week, so obviously I haven’t experience shedding yet. Should I demand one further Candela treatment to make up for it, or what?
Is it rude to request someone else treat me next time? I’m afraid if my complaints got back to the tech who treated me, she’d set the laser on super mode and burn holes through my skin!
