Touch up intervals? (treatments 4+)

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

I’m about to purchase a package of 3 treatments for extended bikini and underarms. After these treatments are finished, I’m told that the cost of successive spot treatments will decrease, so I can’t plan on how much money I’m going to spend, especially since I don’t know ultimately how many additional spot/touch up treatments I will need.

So here is my question. If the time comes when I need treatment 4 and 5, etc, how long can I wait to get those (i.e. if I don’t have money at the 8 week interval)? Will this disrupt or impede the process, will I be able to get as good of results long term, etc?

Thanks in advance!

#2

It is going to depend on when the hair begins to come in again. It may take 10-12 weeks after your 3rd or 4th treatment. I am sure your provider is willing to work with you, the economy is in the gutter with no end in sight. LHR is not first priority for most people right now. With that in mind, its best not to get involved with a long term contract arrangement.

#3

Thanks for the help. 12 weeks sounds better than 8, at least. And you’re exactly right, the economy is not exactly booming and I would imagine LHR places are seeing some dips in business. I thought about trying to haggle for that very reason, but the lady didn’t seem to be negotiable, so I didn’t try.

#4

Waiting a bit longer can help because the hair gets more coarse with time after it first shows, and laser targets the most coarse hair best. You can definitely wait up to 12 weeks on these areas. You’ll likely have to anyway after 2 treatments or so.

Overall, you’ll likely need 6-8 treatments. I only needed 6.

#5

I hope it’s only 6 for me too. :smiley:

Especially since she’s charging me $1150 for a package of 3 treatments on the brazillian bikini (extends into the rear end side also.) That’s like way over the average that was posted in the FAQs…$383 per treatment.

#6

That’s definitely expensive. Did you compare to other clinics in the area?

Also, I would make sure to get the price of following treatments in writing, so they don’t change their mind later.

#7

Well, Ideal Image wanted 3500 for “Extended Bikini” and Underarms. Their whole lifetime warranty thing included of course. Can’t seem to find anyone else within 100 miles that uses a GentleLASE. :frowning: There are some medspas about 3 hours away from me that use them, but they also do a bunch of other cosmetic stuff, which I was warned to stay away from (by Ideal Image.)

So I’m feeling frustrated now. I don’t think I’ll go ahead with my treatment on Tuesday, since I’ve realized how grossly overpriced she is on that area. Maybe I’ll try to negotiate her down. Not that I have much negotiating power since she’s my only local option. Sigh!

#8

Why don’t you go to the other clinics and get some lower quotes? Then you can come back to both of these places and bargain. Many people have done that and posted about it here. There is even one person who had Ideal Image drop the price. They’re in need of business right now and it’s not going to get any better.

Tip: YOU know that GentleLASE is best, but they won’t necessarily try to discredit other clinics and their prices based on that. You can simply say that this clinic is offering me this price, but I like you better.

#9

That is excellent advice. I am going to do just that. I’ve been feeling stuck based on the fact I thought they’d come back with “Yeah but they’ve got an inferior laser.” But, like you’re saying, I could just say, “That’s why I’d rather come to you.” Good ideas! Now I have something to work with. And the worst they can say is no.

#10

Try to find some clinics with an Apogee alexandrite laser. It’s a good option anyway.

#11

Is it pretty comparable to the GentleLASE? I mean if I found something cheaper, and this place doesn’t lower their price, then you’re saying it would be a good option to just go with the cheaper Apogee treatments?

#12

It’s a good alexandrite laser in good hands. I definitely wouldn’t dismiss it if you find someone knowledgeable using it.

#13

Update: Asked for a discount, she somewhat rudely told me that “she couldn’t help me with that.” SO. Now just out of principal of not wanting to give someone who has absolutely no sense of good customer service my money - and a lot of money at that - I’m trying to find somewhere else. Sigh…

#14

That’s too bad. Did you tell her the prices that others are quoting for the same thing? At those prices, I wouldn’t be surprised if they would be going out of business in the near future anyway given the economy right now.

Let us know how your progress of finding someone with an Apogee alex turns out.

#15

Will do. There are two or three places that are pretty close to me that have it, according to the Cynosure provider search. I will definitely be looking into it. Should I try just one area first, if I decide to go with Apogee, so that I’m confident about the results before getting too invested? Or will I probably be able to tell from asking the initial questions (from the sticky list) whether or not they’re qualified/skilled?

#16

We ALWAYS recommend to start with only one area, like bikini or underarms, that is relatively cheap and see how the results are before making any big committments to one clinic. So yes.

#17

Okay, that makes sense. I just hate the thought of having to essentially pay twice for the bikini, if I have it done once and then Brazilian later. But it’s better than losing all that money if things go wrong, I guess.

#18

You can start with a brazilian right away if you want. Just start with one area. Underarms is another area you can consider if you’re going to treat it anyway.

You won’t have to pay twice. You’ll just have to pay more for a larger bikini area later.

#19

So for price comparison, this is what I’ve come up with.

There is a place 30 minutes away from me that uses the Apogee, charges 240 per/tx for Brazilian. No package deals. Reccomends 4 - 6 intervals but is fine with me waiting 8 or longer. They say they usually see people pretty much done in 2 - 3 treatments, but reccomend 3-6.

Okay, next. A place that uses GentleLASE but is 3 hours away from me. Cost of gas over course of 7 treatments would add about $300 to cost. Really liked the lady, she charges 700 for a package of 3 Brazilian, so about $230 per treatment, and touch ups after that are only $50 a piece.

Touching base with the place near me again, they are $380 per treatment, BUT discounted after that. Her “worst case” 4th treatment price is $230. And she says it goes down from there with subsequent treatments.

At this point, it’s difficult for me to even compare prices, as I’m leaning heavily towards wanting GentleLASE, as it seems from what i’ve read that it’s the best, but I don’t know how many treatments I’ll need … Driving time of 6 hours roundtrip offsets the savings I might get at one place, but then the rudeness of the lady near me has me put off about going there.

Any thoughts…?

#20

I would get one treatment at the places 30 mins away with Apogee if they sound like they’re going to use good settings. You can judge by one treatment if you should stick with them. If you get good shedding, you’re good to go. And the fact that you don’t have to pre-pay makes it an easy choice in my opinion to at least give them a try. I don’t think GentleLASE is worth it unless the Apogee place is incompetent.