"The Institute" at UCLA

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
1

After many years of wanting laser hair removal, this past Saturday, I went for a consultation at “The Institute of Laser Medicine” near UCLA.

The prices I was quoted were exorbitant, but I want this so much, that I agreed.

FYI - These were the prices that I was quoted:

Legs -
1550. 1st session
450. 2nd session
450. 3rd session
250. further sessions

Bikini -
750. 1st session (discounted 100. for being the 2nd area treated)
750. 2nd session
750. 3rd session
250. further sessions

Underarm -
450. 1st session (discounted 100. for being the 2nd area treated)
450. 2nd session
450. 3rd session
250. further sessions

When I scheduled my first session, I was asked to show up 15 minutes early to fill out the paperwork. Since I would be driving straight from work, I asked if I could fill out the paperwork in advance, since I didn’t think I would be able to arrive early. I was given approx 5 pages of waiver-like documents to sign.

The first page was 20 lines that I needed to initial each line.
(PARAPHRASING)
I understand that the process may cause ingrown hairs.
I understand that the process may cause discomfort.
I understand that the process may cause permanent scarring.
I understand that the process may cause other potentially serious medical problems.

Basically, they cover practically anything that could potentially occur, except perhaps death. If there is anything they feel is not covered, the last seems like a catchall.

The next form was agreeing that if there was any legal action taken, I would only take it to arbitration, and not to a court with a jury. Then, “official” arbitration forms in multiple were attached for me to sign.

At that point, I began to feel a little uncomfortable and told the receptionist that I wanted to take the forms with me so that I could consult someone that I trust as to whether I should sign them. I was told that I was not allowed to leave with the forms. I asked if I could have them faxed somewhere. I was told no. Then I was told that AFTER I signed the forms, and left the originals at “The Institute”, I would be able to take copies of the forms with me.

I ABSOLUTELY agree that we live in a overly litigious world, and I think the $ wasted on lawsuits because your coffee was served too hot are appalling.

HOWEVER, for “The Institute” (sarcasm intended) to not allow me to take these forms with me is a clear indication that THEY KNOW these are above and beyond standard medical releases.

BY SIGNING THE FORMS, NOT ONLY DO YOU AGREE TO NOT TAKE THEM TO COURT, BUT IF YOU DO TAKE THEM TO ARBITRATION, YOU HAVE ALREADY SIGNED A FORM THAT STATES YOU KNEW THAT THE PROCESS COULD CAUSE ANY MEDICAL PROBLEM INCLUDING “PERMANENT SCARRING” AND ANY “OTHER POTENTIALLY SERIOUS MEDICAL PROBLEM”.

Although I had already put down a 400. deposit on my appointment, I called this morning and instructed them to credit my card back. Hopefully, that will not turn into an issue, as the appointment was scheduled for over 2 weeks from now.

I appreciate your reading.
Thanks ANDREA for the site, I really really appreciate it and will contribute $ to keep it going.

Anybody else have good/bad experiences with “The Institute”?

2

yes, there have been other negative posts about this place. They advertise a lot (which is already a bad sign) and they don’t even use a true hair removal laser, it’s a bad IPL machine. Those prices are absolutely ridiculous as well. You can find other bad experiences by running a search. stay away from this place (by the way, they’re not even affiliated with UCLA, they’re just in the building, so they use it for advertising I believe). And yes, if you haven’t had any treatments, and they refuse to refund the deposit, the credit card should be able to since the service wasn’t performed. that’s the law.

If you look on their website, they don’t mention UCLA anywhere but the address. And in advertising on the radio etc, they use “bla bla bla AT UCLA”. They’re also not an “instutute” in any form, but the name, which is once again used to seem legitimate. They don’t do any research or studies there. Just take your money. <img src=“/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif” alt=“” /> The “laser” technology they use is an IPL machine for which they came up with a fancy name “photolysis” (someone has mentioned the brand and model of the machine before, but I can’t remember. I bet they’re very protective of that information though). It’s something they made up. Here’s the disclaimer in small print from their site:

“The Institute of Laser Medicine is a private medical practice conducted by Institute Research Associates, A Medical Group, Inc. Photolysis HR® and Synthesized Light Technology®, are federally registered trademarks of Institute Research Associates, A Medical Group, Inc., and reproduction or use of these trademarks without written permission is prohibited.”

Andrea has already looked into this place and they “laser” they use and their claims. Here’s the link from this site where she outlines it:

http://www.hairfacts.com/brands/websites/photolysis.html

anyways, if you need los angeles recommendations, please use the search feature and DEFINITELY start by reading the FAQs before you start ANY procedure. I’ve had a great experience with my doctor here in LA. Just to give you an idea, the price for each bikini session is $100-200 depending on how much you want removed, and underarms $50-100 in Los Angeles. Full legs, lower and upper, around $500-600.

www.hairremovalforum.com/faq.cfm

3

Was there any mention that their treatments may not work and leave you just as hairy, if not hairier than before?

Oh, I can only cringe for people that go in believing their hair-free days are just around the corner, just to discover that they were legally robbed because they happily signed on the dotted line to give the thieves permission to keep all their money.

4

I’m usually pretty computer savvy - BUT -

When I do a search for “Los Angeles”, the site only brings up one referral that is from the past few years -
Dr Babapour in Beverly Hills

I’m sure I’m doing something wrong here, because there must be more of these laser centers in LA than anywhere, right?

Help!
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

5

here’s a list of some of the places:

–AesthetiCure (GentleLase Plus)
–Brandeis Medical Center (LigthSheer)
–Advanced Laser Clinic (LigthSheer) - chain
–Laser & Dermatology Center (Lyra nd-YAG)
–Celibre Medical Center (LigthSheer, Sciton: YAG) (some negative experiences and ppl say it’s expensive)
–Epione Beverly Hills
–Dr Babapour BH (GentleLASE)

User ‘tex’ something has mentioned another place that uses LightSheer in BH as well before. You might want to search “California”, “LA” etc as well.

I personally used Dr Babapour and you can read about my experience at the link below. I had a bad experience with Dr Brandeis (no shedding on one treatment); there are many others as well. You can run a search on Candela Corporation website (that makes GentleLASE) for a provider search of practitioners near you.

please read teh FAQs. there are other options on how to find a tech near you on there as well.

www.hairremovalforum.com/faq.cfm

6

I think these prices are outrageous. If you really want laser, scout places in San Diego. It’s a competitive market here. You can get any type of laser treatment for a lot less than that.

Mantaray

7

there are clinics on every corner in los angeles. these prices are not indicative of LA prices.

8

Just want to add another recent recommendation to the LA clinic list:

Dr Hamilton in Woodland Hills (GentleLASE)

9

Please give us an update on how they behaved in regards to the refund of your deposit. Would be useful for other future readers to know.

I hope there’s no further problems.

Regards,
Benji