American Laser Skincare review: unprofessional, dangerous, painful and no refund! 609

I was told that the VelaShape treatment was not painful. They even had ads on their walls stating that it was not painful. They guaranteed me that it would smooth my body from bad liposuction. They put me through what was absolutely excruciatingly painful treatments with absolutely no results. I spent over $4, 000. I have the documentation to prove the amount I paid. They did not seem surprised that I got no results even though they promised me I would. They were supposed to take before and after photos as well as photos during the process but they did not take these photos. They had before photos, which they could not find and an after photo. I did not get copies of anything, except my charges.

I have received about 15 painful treatments for full body hair removal and also have a couple of scars to show for it where they burned my skin. Not only have I not seen a removal of hair, I have seen a darkening of some hair in areas like my face and stomach. It truly is awful and they won't even speak to me about it when I tried to call. I was in the Navy and constantly on deployments and after I had received about 7 treatments, then they tell me that I have to follow the timeline exactly which is to wait a certain amount of weeks in between treatments. This was impossible for me because I was out to sea. I drained 7K into this with only more hair to show for it. They told me that the hair darkening was good so the laser could find it better. I guess it's common. Has anyone else had reverse results with this treatment?
Help!
L.T. from California

Bunch of issues with American Laser, Skincare. They could be forced to stop stealing from people. The promise of permanent hair removal is a laugh. Having to shave after three years of treatments is unacceptable. Slightly less hair should be there slogan. Give us a few thousand and a few dozen hairs will no longer be as noticeable.

I have been going to American Laser in Virginia Beach for about two years for laser hair removal, and have seen zero results. Of course they didn't tell me that when they were taking my money. BEWARE! Imagine going there for 2 years, still having hair on my chin and spending quite a bit of money. I would like to share with as many people as possible so that consumers are aware of the service the company provides.

I brought a Laser package for over a thousand dollars for removal of hair on my chin. I only had a few hairs on my chin, however I was told not to pluck the hair and to shave it. I went to treatment every six to eight weeks and didn’t see any results. Each time I notified them that I wasn’t seeing any results and continued to go to treatment since they assured me that it sometimes takes longer for the chin area.

As I was approaching my 5th or 6th treatment and I was still not noticing any hair loss, they told me that they were going to do "double passes" with the laser (meaning that they would go over the treated area twice with the laser). When that didn't work and I still wasn't seeing any hair loss, I was told that I was going to have a “double pass” with the stronger laser. They tried that and still no result.

I spoke to the manager who informed me that my contract was up and I would have to pay $50.00 for the weekly treatments. Two years into it and my hair on my chin is still there. It’s actually worse because I have been shaving and now the hair is all over my chin and not just in the one spot.

The treatments have not been working as purported. They are expensive, and a waste of time and money. ALC has been deceitful and it's clear that their goal is to get your money at the outset and offer no customer service after the fact.

I just want everyone else to know to be aware that American Laser is not the answer. They advertise that hair will be permanently removed. Not true.

The company runs itself on a pyramid scheme and treats its customers with disrespect. Each employee from the nurse up receives a bonus when the customer purchases. It is very much like a used car lot and just like a used car lot the buyer should be wary. The manager and main nurse (at least in this Central Valley office) see no issue with changing client's appointments, and lying to them about it, to only give time for one treatment area when more were scheduled. This is all done to fit in a new client so that treatment can proceed before the new client changes their mind and asks for a refund. Not that you would ever be allowed a refund by this corporation anyway. You may not be able to get rescheduled for months even when the manager or nurse made this schedule change. The manager additionally continually tells other staff to not worry about giving good treatments, as the client (you) will be coming in several times and it won't matter if you are "cheated" on your treatment. The manager and other staff talk about the clients behind their backs in a disrespectful, racist (especially if the client is Middle Eastern/Indian), and rude manner. If you buy from the company, you are locked into a two year contract and once that contract is signed the staff do not feel the need to give exceptional service until the next time you think about buying. If you are getting good treatments, it is more likely that those treatments will be successful. Unfortunately, the manager and staff at many of these clinics do not truly have your greatest intersts at heart. The manager at this clinic will tell you that her clinic is different from the others that are complained of on this site it is not! BUYER BEWARE!

As a former employee (hate to admit it). This is company is so shady! My goal every month I had to hit was 30, 000 dollars. If you don't hit your goal you get yelled at and alienated. It's the worst company to work for. I only survived 8 months! I always felt so horrible and guilty for scamming people. I wanted to work there for a year tops but couldn't pull it off. The other girls who work there are trashy and have no education! One girl has been there for 7 years. They are all holding on for dear life because they have nothing to fall back on. Sanya my manager is such a dumb ###. And my regional manager roxanne didn't even have a college education! You work your ### off to make everyone else above you rich and you get the bottom of the barrel. Not to mention 10hr days with only a 15 min lunch!

I was just thinking of the Edina, Minnesota American Laser experience I had a couple years ago and what a nightmare it was! After three treatments to decrease my need to shave my face (male), I returned for a fourth session. It was all suppose to be covered. What they did was switch the gal who was to work on me. This new gal fried my chin and neck REALLY badly and put WAY too much pressure and intensity onto my chin and face. A week later, I was still explaining to everyone what had happened and why I appeared so damaged! NEVER TO THERE! The worst part about it was when I was leaving, the gals in the office all had this look on their faces like, "He won't be back for again!" As I had purchased the Life Time Guarantee as part of the package, I am convinced that intentionally frying my face was their strategy to see to it that I would not return. Nasty experience and I still have some damage, two years later!
If you need more information or have questions or if there is a lawsuit, email me at: SteveJJ80@Yahoo.com

I am begging you NOT to go to American laser center. They do not give you all of the information. They misinform and even lie about the financing. Also the credit card company medchoice is impossible to deal with and do not honor what the American laser center promises. And the services don't even work. This is the worst mistake I've ever made. Please do not go to this company. American laser center and medchoice are awful companies and should be closed.

i would like to be part in that legal action. you can contact me on my email tillmansang@yahoo.com I'm very pissed, if you can see my head you'll understand why.

The company teaches future managers how to rip off customers, and has managers encourage them to start treatment first day of sale because after first treatment the contract says no refund. They have filed bankruptcy, restructured and changed hands to prevent a class action lawsuit brought on by employees for harassment and mistreatment of employees. Got themselves out of the lawsuit sneaky ###. Shannon the trainer was the one who taught the rip off techniques, I'm sure trained by Rich Morgan.

Their laser hair removal simply does not work. Their advertisements and personnel bluntly lies to you in order to get you to sign up for other procedures which just as well do not lead to any positive results. The more people they "recruit", the more they get in commissions.

Rude, unhelpful, unprofessional environment.

Other fraudulent activity and falsification are going to be investigated soon.

No matter what it takes or how long it takes, the justice will be brought to these scammers.

I have been going to American Laser Center in Bountiful Utah for about a year and a half for my laser hair removal and other treatments. The minute I bought my LARGE package from them, they started treating me horribly. They are rude, lie to you to get you to spend money, and there is no customer service. The ONLY reason I have not tried to contact their corporate office to complain is because I have still had more time on my hair removal treatments and I am terrified that they will burn me. They are snotty girls with little class. They quote you something and the minute they get your money in their hands they let you know it will ACTUALLY be something else. I have too many storied to mention, am VERY frusterated, and just feel like I need to walk away from the rest of my hair removal treatments and the other money they have of mine for a treatment I was unable to get.. with no refund and call it a day. Tired of the abuse and feel like there is no one who will care if I call to complain. I feel even more strongly about that after reading all of these numberous horror stories all over the internet. I REALLY SHOULD HAVE LOOKED INTO THIS FURTHER BEFORE SPENDING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS THERE AND REFERRING MY MOM TO DO THE SAME! Is there anyone out there with any answers? help

Hi Rebecca. We are so sorry to hear you were not completely satisfied with your experience. We strive to ensure that every client has a positive experience with American Laser and would love to talk to you further to get a few details and see how we can help. If you could please send us an email at customerservice@americanlaser.com that includes your contact information and a link to your original comment, our customer service department will reach out to you promptly. Thanks!

I don't have time to type in all the problems I have had with this horrible company, but let me just tell you up front, it has been a real NIGHTMARE! Thanks for speaking out, because this company is awful and doesn't care about anything but how much money they can scam you out of.

I would never recommend American Laser for anything. I received service in the Fresno office with no results.
I purchase a Zerona and Microdermibrasion and did not have results. This is a bunch of crap for the services promised.
I financed over $4, 700 with belief that I would be toned and look better. This is a scam with false promises. I would advise not obtaining any service from American Laser

American Laser is a scam. I purchased two packages. One is the Zerona (toning) and the other was Microdermabrasion. Neither one worked, even after they offered me double services. This is a money making business. If you are considering any services, don't sign anything.

These people are the devil but they certainly have hot former employees...

The company has a 20% restocking fee for all returns even if order wrong, plus you have to pay for return postage

Hi,
I paid for several treatments and I had to stop because I was pregnant and then we moved out of the country, now they are ignoring me in regards to what's owed to me. I would like the phone number or any other information in order to get my money back. Thanks!

I signed up for Vela, Zerona, and E-matrix treatments for a total of $4400.00 in January of 2013. I wanted to get rid of wrinkles under my eyes, shrink my arms and legs and tighten them afterwards. I had asked the clinic manager before I signed the contract - "What happens if this doesn't work, or I am unhappy with the results?, Are you going to leave me high and dry?"" She assured me that ALS would NEVER leave a customer unhappy they would keep going until I was happy..

First off, the clinic manager, Katie Kennedy was wonderful. I had even wrote a letter to their regional headquarters in Edina, MN that if it was not for Katie and her crew, I would have gone elsewhere as there were so many competitors everywhere around the Woodbury location. Her customer was next to none. I finished the treatments to shrink my arms and legs - I was not happy - they looked worse than when I started. We tried a few more treatments - still NOTHING! Katie suggested that I give my body a break, come back in a few months and we would start over as I was SO unhappy. I called back about four months later as instructed, and was shocked when I wass told that they had let Katie go. The new manager "Rebecca" told me that they let her go because (I quote) "she was giving the farm away". She was extremely rude, and I told Rebecca, I was unhappy with the results, was promised more treatments, and I expected them to honor their verbal guarantee. First off, what kind of management talks about their employees to a total stranger that way? Rebecca told me she would have to go back to the books, and figure things out. She said she would all me back the next day - it never happened. I called her office two more times with the same results - none. I then called the regional headquarters and lodged a complaint with them, I was told that I would be called back in three business days (a promise from the customer service rep) and again, no one ever called me back.

I was made promises that they would not keep. Spending $4400.00 to see no results (and in the case of my arms and legs), I have to cover them when I go out in public, as they are covered with such "severe hail damage" that I am too embarrassed to go outside unless I am covered up. I made an appointment with a competitor about a month ago. I want to start over with the E-Matrix (for the winkles under my eyes).and the surgeon was stunned- he said he could not see where anything had been done. His price is half of what they charge - with a written guarantee! I am convinced ALS's Estheticians are not properly trained, as a matter of fact, I had two new employees in the room with me being trained (at different times) by new employees! That is how fast they go through people . They do not bother to tell you about the extreme pain the E-Matrix (laser treatments for your face are) - they do not have qualified staff on hand to be able to administer sedatives or pain medication. DO NOT GO TO AMERICAN LASER SKINCARE- RUN! Do not get be a fool like me - I am twice as bad as before I went in to get my problem "fixed"

Do not ever deal with this company. They use deceptive marketing strategies such as telling you that you won a gift certificate for $300 - $500 for services. This is a trap.

Not only are they liars, they are dangerous and unlicensed people doing procedures they have not received proper training to do.

Warning ! Stay away!

I have filed my complaint with the bbb and i urge all that have knowledge of this to do so as well.

Pkg. purchased in Chandler, AZ. while on vacation. Transferring to Calif. was nightmare. Have to travel to 2 locations, far apart, for treatments because not all treatments are available at all locations. It took 2 wks to make appt. and many phone calls trying to get records transferred (and I was told I was responsible for that). Because I have to go between 2 locations I am responsible for having records transferred to alternate location after each procedure. Office and clerical employees were significantly less desireable than Chandler location. I purchased pkg on May 13, 2008 and found out afterward about promotion for CareCredit to match amount spent with services equaling half of that amount. I was told I had to call original place of purchase to see if I qualify and was told the promotion was only during the last week in May, and that locations are only told of promotions on a last minute basis. In addition, trying to contact someone at corporate level is IMPOSSIBLE! Even contacting individual locations is next to impossible because all phone #'s listed and e-mail is directed through a central office. I spent a lot of money and certainly expected decent customer service.

For such a large company this one is a joke!

Hello Nereida,

I represent American Laser Centers and would like to apologize for your recent experience.

I am posting on these boards to help raise awareness of our newly expanded customer service department. We are working hard to make all of our customers satisfied.

I encourage you to either call our customer service hotline at [protected] or email us at customerservice@alcpartner.com.

I do hope this is helpful.

Thank you,

-Allen
customerservice@alcpartner.com
www.americanlaser.com

Ran a credit charge of $1, 800.00 dollars for four treatments, said someone would contact me to set an appointment for the treatments and they would be from another office because Modesto did not offer Vela Shape. I called again to say that I had not heard from anyone, Christy said she would have someone get back to me again, still have not heard from anyone. This company if a scam and I am telling anyone who thinks this may sound good, I hardly doubt it, they have my money, but I have not service, I will be reporting them and taking them to court if I do not get a full refund.

This company offers expensive treatments and makes you wait hours for your appointment. I had to wait for about one and a half hour for my first appointment. Then, I had to wait one hour during my second appointment... After that, I had to wait half an hour for my third appointment. And, for the first time, I wasn't able to arrive to my appointment on time (10:00am) and they told me they couldn't attend me because I was more than 15 minutes late (18 minutes). They told me that it was a rule for the company to cancel appointments of clients who were 15 or more minutes late (which was new for me because they NEVER mentioned that when I agreed to receive treatment). Now, I ask only one question... They made me wait during all my previous appointments for more than half an hour and I always arrived on time. What would have happen if I would have arrived earlier that day? I would have had to wait anyway the same amount of time I had to wait previously in my other appointments... My appointment was canceled that day and I had to leave with a bitter taste in my soul because I know that I would have had to wait until half an hour later for getting my treatment (thirty minutes after ten, 10:30am) and I got to the place at 10:18am.

I own a large laser hair removal and skin rejuvenation center in Burlington, MA. I have also been a medical device general manager for over 30 years for large and small companies. We studied the various technologies and you are correct the best altertnative for hair removal remains the Alexandrite for light skinned poeople and the YAG for darker skinned people. Although viewed as older techn9ologies these actually still remain the best alternatives for hair removal. Also they provide the least patient discomfort. Ligth based IPL or AFT technologies simply do not work as effectively.

Hello Alley,

I represent American Laser Centers and would like to apologize for your recent experience.

Please contact our customer service hotline at [protected] or email us at customerservice@alcpartner.com. We are happy to assist.

I do hope this is helpful.

Thank you,

-Allen
customerservice@alcpartner.com
www.americanlaser.com

Im in for the lawsuit. Ive been dealing with these people for over 2 months now and I still haven't received my refund.
People: DO NOT GO TO ALC. Its is a guaranteed nightmare. And I have called and emailed the guy that posts here (Allen) and he has not answered me.

I totally disagree with these comments, American Laser Centers has been wonderful to me and my whole family. Everywhere you go there is going to be complaints, AlC is the LARGEST AND SAFEST laser clinic in the NATION. i WOULD STOP LISTING TO COMPLAINTS AND GO CHECK IT OUT FOR YOUR SELVES.

I pay for Full Body Laser Hair removal treatment. I experience skin irritation and burns after the very first treatment, and immediately sought medical help with other physicians. I also stopped all further treatments and request refund of the fees I had paid. The clinic has not respond to my request and it has already been a year. The treatment itself was so painful, but they kept me saying that I was doing great.

They hardly respond a call and they are rude, so pls girls be careful!

American Laser made an unauthorized charged my account with Care Credit. I never signed a contract nor did I receive any of the treatments. When I made contact with the manager Melissa at this particular location she said there would be no problem that she will contact the corporate office and have my account refunded, this was of course only after I told her that this was a fraudulent act upon American Laser because they have no documentation with my signature authorizing them to charge me for any service.
Well it is now four months and I am still making payments to the Care Credit account but Care Credit is now looking into the matter for me and I am hoping to get all of my money back.

I have made several attempts to contact Melissa again but I have not received any phone calls back. I will definately not do anymore business with American Laser Centers.

When I orginally got a hair removal package at this company it was great.

THEN the company changed ownership and became American Lasers. American Lasers did not provide costumers will high quality service or machines.

The machine they currently use is a light laser that can be used for facial rejuvenation as well as hair removal. Sounds great...but really isn't. The machine burns and wasn't ultimately created for hair removal. The employees they have are poorly trained and always leaving. Everytime I go their is someone new...they have a high turnover...so it's hard to get someone good to operate the machines.

Laser informations sites say..Pulsed Light Devices are not lasers, but are “laser equivalents” in the sense that they use the same concept of selective photothermolysis to accomplish hair removal. IPL devices are more difficult to use than lasers and require a very skilled and experiences technician to operate!

So, don't go to this company. GO somewhere that has a special laser designed for hair removal. The best laser that was used on me did NOT get super hot, caused the hair to fall out immediately or within the next day, caused a gross but satisfying smell of burnt hair (letting you know it was working), and yes hurt (like a good waxing hurt)...but worked amazingly!

The hot lasers dont work well. The last treatment I had with this company used the hot laser too high and BURNT ME. I knew that the hurting sensation was BAD and not good pain machines cause when they work properly and killing the roots. Instead it felt like SOMEONE lit a match against my skin...the next day, I got a BLISTER...and it's scabbed over now. It seems way deeper than I imagined. I am crossing my fingers hoping I wont get a scar.

Be Careful. Do your research on the type of machine your laser place is using. Not all machines are created equal. Many companies will get a crappy machine to safe $$.

Hey people:

I'm one of many clients that was treated in the ALC VA location and was burn very badly and was lied to that the manager and Tech knew what they were doing and was very well trained. But that not at the case. The owner are brother and sister who hires people to do the treatment but no way trained these people and could careless what happens to their client's health. Just as along that they have yousign their contract and get you to enroll in their in house credit company, you will never be able to cancel or even get them to undo any damaged/harm that they did to you. They have an in house family lawyer who is more than ready at any time to write up threaten letters to you and scare you off.

If anyone wants to get any treatment with ALC in VA and MD do not even think of doing business with these people. They are far from being honerable and do not give a ratz ### about you, your health or even your life. Stay away from ALC!

ALC I hope you burn in hell and all your family and those that work for you shame on you for all the lies!

ALC in VA and MD you're nothing but a sham. You hurt people for money and lie to them on record and to their face.

Peaple stay away from ALC, they only want your money. They don't train their people or even office manager. They fire their employees as well as lose good people because of the owner's greed. They even have a in house brother lawyer who's more than happy to write anyone threaten letters to scare people off for evenm thinking og suing them.

But what ever you may think people, there hundred and thousand of people that have been hurt and burn from ALC. Its time to shut them down and make them accountable for their actions.

Shame on you ALC and your employees for all the lies and harm that you have cause people. Sooner or later the lies will end and it will catch up on you!

STAY AWAY FROM ALC! STAY AWAY FROM ALC! STAY AWAY FROM ALC!

it is fradulent company. they know they cannot deliver that is why they make you pay upfront. they should be closed down

they are thieves.. thwy shold be closed down. they know they cannot deliver that is why they charge you upfront. i am very disappointed in thier services.

I purchased a package for $3000 hair removal. It's been over 3 years, no results. I have been transferred from one clinic to another and promised results because they just got the "new and improved" laser. I sent pictures, filed complaints with local and "corporate" offices. All unsuccessfully. If anyone knows how to get my refund back please contact me: olga.getsina@gmail.com. I can't believe that this company is still around and that no one has been able to get their money back!

American Laser Centers speak highly of having the "most comprehensive guarantee in the industry". However it is very misleading. It is not a "money-back" guarantee.
After 5 years and $1000.00 worth of treatment, with minimal to no results, and several occasions where I have expressed the lack of effectiveness of the treatments to the clinic manager, corporate has informed me that there never was a guarantee of receiving any type of refund. Having called customer service, they told me that they intended their "comprehensive guarantee" to mean that they guarantee servicing the client for 6 treatments and up to 2 years after the 6th treatment, regardless if the initial treatment package was effective in the first place. Which for me never was or has been even with the 2-year follow-up.
They explained that their guarantee does not imply guaranteeing any results or treatment effectiveness as that can vary from person to person, even if no permanent hair loss occurs.
For those with no, minimal or patchy hair loss results, a maintenance package of $100/treatment is the only option, (with no guarantee of success, but only a guarantee of service that the treatment will be given.)
If you choose to use ALC just be sure to understand that they don't really guarantee their results. And there is no recourse if treatment fails. They will attribute ineffectiveness to many factors and will talk about changing laser settings or the new technology/lasers they just received and how that will certainly make the difference with the next round of treatments.

All true, no laser center guarantees the results. However, all the new laser technology seems like BS!

American Laser centers are a scam. I paid over 2, 200 dollars to get hair removed off my face. I signed a contract that states if there is any hair after your last treatment feel free to come free of charge. This is crap. they do not even return your phone call. How proffesional is that. Will definitely not recommend this company to anyone and feel for those who are still getting screwed. Crystal Medina is the manger at the American Laser Center in Mesa, Arizona and she will not call back . Now all I do is see her as a sweet talker. Just remember you all what comes around goes around. I hope this company goes under big time, because they are not honest and sincere and they do not fulfill what they say they will do. I will probably join the class action suit that Alexis started and even probably take them to court. All I want is for them to finish their job that they had started. My face is a mess and it is because of them.