I last went through commercial laser hair removal from 2002 to 2004 using a Lightsheer XL diode on a 12 mm spot size, gradually ramping from 28 to 46 fluence over the course of 6-8 treatments on a skin type of III with dark brown hair. This gave me great permanent results.
Recently I dove back into LHR, and at first tried the old location I had visited (an Advanced Laser Clinics). I discovered they were long gone, having merged with American Laser Clinics.
So I decided to call and visit clinics around the region such as:
American Laser Clinics (uses re-branded Syneron IPL/RF aka AmeriLight)
http://www.americanlaser.com/location.aspx
Aura (uses “various diode models”)
http://auralaser.com/medspa-locations/
Avanti (website says YAG, but locations use Syneron eMax)
http://www.avanticenters.com/
Calidora (uses GentleLASE)
http://www.calidora.com/skincare-clinics/
PURE (uses Palomar StarLux)
http://purelaser.com/laserhairremovallocations.html
Pricing (for extended male buttocks as an example) ranged from:
$325 - $400 each in single treatments
$260 - $275 each in a package of 3
$166 - $186 each in a package of 5 or 6
Sadly no one in the region is using Lightsheer anymore, and so based on my consultations and the feedbcak here, I pursued Calidora using the GentleLASE.
Calidora surprised me by employing actual doctors to perform the laser, doing a detailed medical evaluation, offering bottled water, and showing no sign of being sales-driven. For instance, rather than re-branding and marking up “post laser” cosmetics they offer name-brand products.
Treatment began with 20 minutes of GentleLASE skin tests to determine my ideal fluence. Skin reaction and hair ejection/burning observations were balanced to arrive at a fluence of 28 on a 15mm spot.
The doctor was incredibly professional. Areas were precisely divided up with white pencil, cold towels were used before, during and after treatment, hydrocortisone was used to reduce swelling and redness, and the fluence tuned for skin tone in each area. I felt like a patient rather than a customer, and there was a sense of genuine concern for my skin.
My only disappointment was the lack of a guarantee. Instead, they offer 40% off single-treatment pricing for touchups/maintenance if a package of 3 or more are purchased.
Hope this helps anyone else looking for a laser practitioner. Remember to call around and be suspicious if a clinic won’t quote pricing over the phone.