Laser Hair Removal reviews and complaints

Manager of facility was more concerned in sale and finances than client satisfaction. Due to Stephanie Sharp's negligent act of not allowing a simple drawing, as was given by another employee for self explanatory areas, the bikini area turned to be a mess (looked like hairless cat), but now a tiny soul patch where I did not want hair. May sound like vanity, but it is that this 50 yr old woman is now left feeling neutered & ridiculous. After $2, 500 in bikini area, and a total of 7K, this person would not recommend this business. Hair is now returning in all areas treated, and one area (lip) was determined should not have been sold at all during conversation with Stephanie. She is rude, just out for a sale & should not be in a managerial position. Of course, perhaps that is what IDEAL IMAGE is looking for $$$$, hard sale, and no looking back. Would not be worth the extra cash to go after company, as Stephanie obviously knew when speaking.

As stated in the office in Fort Myers & to Stephanie Sharp on phone, "One should not leave with the feeling of, and I paid them to do this to me!"

The one area I did not expect to have hair (underarm area, pictured) looks as though it will be totally filling in again too. TOTAL WASTE of time, money & a mental/emotional roller-coaster that I will have to live with the rest of my life. DISAPPOINTED is an understatement. Cry every time in a changing room, or telling someone about experience with "business". Hair where not wanted & no hair where wanted. Not even an apology by company, or manager responsible. So much for service industry. Enough said!

BUYER BEWARE!
Ideal Image is a complete scam. Their
advertising is false, misleading and illegal.
Their consultants work on commission and will mislead you, misrepresent
their services, and outright lie, just to get you to sign their contract. They charge nearly ten thousand dollars, (morethan 800 dollars per treatment) not caring if their services work for you or
not.

“Not having to shave” is the first of many lies you will be told. I was
told “You’re going to love not having to shave.” Only if it were true! I
completed all nine required treatments of laser hair removal. (Full legs and
Brazilian) I still have a significant amount of dark hair and need to shave
every day. I see no difference in the
amount of hair I have on my legs and bikini area. All of their advertisements say “no more
shaving, no more waxing, no more stubble, be hair free.” These advertisements are intentionally
misleading, and outright lies.

I was misled into signing their agreement. I was told because I have light skin and dark
hair I was an ideal candidate for laser hair removal and would have fantastic
results. They never assessed my actual
hair (after all treatments were completed, I learned they should have). I was told by my consultant J**, how jealous
all her friends were when she went on a cruise, because she never had to
shave. I was repeatedly told I would
love not shaving. Not once prior to signing the contract, and starting
treatment, was I told I would ever need to shave again. I was convinced I would be “shave free, ” as
their advertisements promised. Not until
my third treatment, did they start saying, “You know you may still need to
occasionally shave”. WHAT? The lies continued. I was told, “You will only need to shave once
a month” and “You will only have like 12 hairs left”. The lies just piled on. As treatment progressed, I expressed more and
more concern.

The contract is only to protect them from lawsuit. The only reason they
make you sign it is because they know they are intentionally misleading
you. The contract states “laser hair
removal doesn’t remove blonde, grey or white hair”. But they had just finished telling me how I
had dark hair, and I would be a perfect candidate. They take away your right to full legal
representation in a court of law. They protect themselves against class action.
Why? Because they know they are ripping you off.

Two months after my final treatment I wrote to J** to tell her I was
very unhappy with the results and wanted a refund. I let my hair grow out for 6 days and went in
for an assessment. I was told the
remaining dark hair was untreatable because it was actually “ash” colored. More lies!
The nurses said the state nurse would contact me in 7-10 days. The state nurse never contacted me yet wrote
in my file she did. Another lie! After a month of no correspondence, I let my
hair grow out for 2 weeks. The dark hair
was very obvious. I wrote again to ask for a 2
nd assessment. No response!
They just ignored me. They had their money, they simply didn’t care.

I contacted the owners of two independent local salons for 2nd
opinions. They were both in shock at how
much dark hair remained after 9 treatments.
They informed me the industry standard is 5-6 treatments. One owner is also an electrolysis. She was able to remove several hairs and
examine their roots. The roots were
definitely dark, which means they are treatable. This is evidentiary proof that Ideal Image’s
assessment is just another lie.

As of the date of this post, I have written to the corporate office to
ask for a refund based on the evidence provided by the two independent salon
owners. I am waiting for their response.
I’m not holding my breath. I hope you
can learn from my mistake, and save yourself the financial loss, grief, and
aggravation I have endured.

Do not get any laser hair removal from this place! I can honestly say without a doubt, that the 3year almost 4 experience with this place, has been the worst experience of my 40yr old life! Financially and personally! Extremely unprofessional and it has never worked! Please take this complaint seriously! I don't want anyone else to have to suffer the way that I have!

I bought a hair removal package from American Laser Center for $8000 with extended warranty. Service will be ending for me soon and I have not seen any results - at all. No lightening of hair, no elimination or sparseness. I have been going regularly for 2 years now and since my 2 years is almost up some of the technicians are telling me I will need to purchase more to continue treatment and some technicians are telling me I might have a testosterone problem or my settings are not high enough. A few of the technicians have been downright nasty, telling me that my pore size is decreasing, and that means, that the treatments are working... Some of technicians have also spoken to me about the ethical dilemma they find themselves in working for this company.While other technicians seem to revel in the power and manipulation they can impose on others.

Please don not go to American Laser center the packages do not work and as a customer you will be treated as just another number in the end when service rendered does not live up to ALC definitions.

I went to the local office in Phoenix for a "Free" Consultation. I told the manager that I had done my research and that the YAG Laser is good for Asian Skin Type. They confirmed that they have the YAG Laser and would use that on me. Then I asked for the number of years of experience their staff had, and they said over one year.

I felt comfortable and signed up for the permanent hair removal treatments.

Then during my first appointment, they did not use the YAG Laser for hair removal Treatment, So I got suspicious.

For the next appointment, I went prepared with a mini video and audio recorder and got it down on Tape that they would use the YAG for my second treatment. Infact the lady who did my second treatment, during my treatment said that they are using the Diode YAG laser. There is no such thing as a Diode YAG laser. After the laser treatment, I saw the machine and took some pics, and it was an IPL Laser.

Well, I have proof and am prepared to take this to court.

I want to appeal to any one who has similar experience to email me at [protected]@yahoo.com. We need to show these people that this is America, where Business Ethics and Morals cannot be violated to benefit the pockets of a few already rich cats.

Thanks.

I haven't started my treatments yet, but in reading my contract information closer...I was deceived. It's my own fault, but if you have to be so on gaurd for scams, the business should be avoided all together. First of all, the consultant didn't examine the hair in places I elected to have treatment. Had she, she would have noted that I wanted a lot of peach fuzz removed...the contract specifically says that peach fuzz doesn't respond to laser hair treatment. Secondly, the consultant went on and on, acting like I was getting a STEAL for what I was paying ($7, 000 for 4 full body treatments). I mean really, she deserves an oscar: "O' s#!*, I could get fired for giving this discount!" Supposedly the regular price for the package is $12, 000. On all of the boards I've visited NO ONE paid more than $7, 000 for FIVE full body treatments! Lastly, the contract just isn't in the buyer's favor. There are too many things that you are likely to be dissatisfied with and there's no resolution for you but to forfeit your money...ALL OF IT! I should have read the contract, you might say. Well before you read the full contract, they place the financial contract on top for you to sign the NO REFUND policy, and that also comes after you've given your payment information. After that, you get the bad info. DON'T BE A FOOL LIKE I WAS! Even they're own contract says it doesn't work, but the consultant will tell you "you will be hairless the rest of your life!"

To Gary Graves,
This letter is in reference to a complaint I have filed against American Laser Centers. I have attached a letter I sent to ALC in August of 2008 which gives a detailed account of my 3 year ordeal with ALC. I began my formal letter writing to ALC in August 2008. Prior to this I was in direct contact with Dana Ehrman at the Buckhead clinic.
My main point of contact with ALC has been Dana Ehrman at the Buckhead office # [protected]. After about a year of treatments at the Johnson Ferry clinic, I was transferred to the Buckhead clinic to begin treatment on a newer more effective machine. After over a year of treatment intervals of every 5 weeks, I expressed my concerns to her in mid 2007 and was told by her that she was in contact with corporate trying to find a resolution. Corporate has never once contacted me and I have never once had a consultation with a real doctor. I have only been able to talk with the technicians at the clinic, all of which have different opinions and ideas as to the effectiveness of laser hair removal.
The lack of concern or commitment of ALC to follow through with any part of what was a unique case where treatment was totally ineffective has been extremely frustrating. All along I was told to be patient while time was running out on my 2 year guarantee. Now time has run out on my guarantee and ALC is telling me that because of this, I am not eligible for a refund.
Also, please be aware that I have requested copies of treatment times and dates on several occasions and have yet to get these records. With at least 50 treatments logged in their system, I feel that these records would show my commitment and willingness to follow their guidelines and recommendations.
If your office is unable to undertake this complaint, could you please help me obtain these treatment records so I may be able to better prepare for a civil lawsuit in small claims court.

Respectfully,

Brandon Webb
P.O. Box 88762
Atlanta, Ga 30356
[protected]

This is a retraction, with apologies, regarding statements I made, accusing Michelle. I went to United Laser Clinics as a stress relief after two very bad years. My memory clearly suffers for them.
It was a different ULC employee who e-mailed me misinformation and unrealistic alternatives regarding continuation of treatment, followed by a lack of response when I requested specifics.
I was confused by the accusations of other complainers who thought Michelle was the owner of ULC. The Better Business Bureau has a different name for the owner.
I strongly suggest you look there. www.indianapolis.bbb.org
I need to know why Michelle is being accused by these other individuals.
Please advise, as this is very important.
[protected]@sbcglobal.net

I bought a package of eight (8) laser hair removal for my face. I received my first treatment @ 40 exchange. I called to schedule my second, I was told they were going to relocate and I would have to use there midtown location. Agreed, I had no choice scheduled my second one at 1775 Broadway. When I called to scheduled the next one, I got the run around, the story that they were going to merge with another company, and that I will be contacted in the next two (2) weeks. A month went by, when I called they had gone out of bussiness. They closed down and took everybody's money. So unfair. Now, my treatment is incomplete, will have to go to another center and get more money...

HAVE YOU OR YOUR LOVED ONE BEEN BURNT BY LIGHTSHEER OR OTHER LASER MACHINE. YOU MAY BE ABLE TO GET COMPENSATION FOR YOUR PAIN AND SUFFERING.

[protected]@laserskinburns.com

BELOW IS MY STORY, Don't let them get you!

Hair Removal.

Hello my name is Mandy I am a model and actress. A couple of years ago I would never have dreamed of having laser hair removal. I am not particularly hairy, but about 4 years ago a friend of mine had been having IPL treatments in the UK. I was surprised at how silky her skin felt and how smooth it was and I thought “wow, I would love to have skin like that”. My skin itself was smooth and is very soft, and I normally shave my legs once every month, but the thought of never having to shave and having silky smooth skin was very tempting. I thought of it and decided I will try the treatment some day. I researched several sites and found information on lasers; I also found sites claiming to perform the procedure on darker skin types. I did not think much of it until when in 2005; I landed in the USA from London. I was in California and there were dozens of adverts for laser hair removal in the local newspapers. Eventually I went online and found one that seemed very reputable. I called and told them about my concerns being darker skinned and the fact that I know not all lasers can be used on darker skin types. They assured me they had a machine that would do just fine. I booked an appointment and straight away they took a deposit (half the cost of the procedure) from me on the phone. If I had known what was to come I should have thought twice.

The Treatment.

It was mid afternoon on the 21st September 2005; I drove to the particular laser clinic on Santa Monica Boulevard. My first impression when I got there was one of it being very professional establishment. After all they had half my money for the procedure already. I was told to sit in the reception and wait. After about 20mins waiting time a doctor came out and took me in an office asked me some questions about my health and then said he can perform the procedure. I asked him about a patch test which he claimed was not necessary. What did I know...? I proceeded to go into a separate room with an aesthetician. The aesthetician told me to strip waist down and put a cool gel on my legs. She then started to use the machine called LightSheer to perform the procedure. She said it would be like an elastic band hitting my skin. The first time the tip touched my skin I screamed. She continued and said that this was normal. I screamed all through the treatment. She gave me large ice bags to cool the skin as she went along with the laser probe, but it was terribly painful. In the end I had to stop her after a leg and a half and said I could not bear the pain any more. She decided I come back to do the other half leg. I got up and put on my clothes and went to the reception to pay. At the reception my legs started to tremble and I lost balance (it was only later I was told this was a response from my body being in shock from the laser burns). I was taken into the doctors’ office where I was given more ice packs to put on my legs and lay there for an hour. I was then allowed to go home. I was given Ice packs to take home. I still remember my legs burning up as I drove home in the car. My legs felt like they were going to catch fire. When I got home there were blisters right along my legs. My cleaning lady saw them and helped me get in bed. I collapsed and woke up the next morning.

The Dr. Had told me to come back 2 days later for the other half of the leg. When I got there I showed him my blisters and he told me “this is normal and will disappear after 6 weeks”. They asked to do the other half leg and like a fool I let them. This time the Doctor changed the settings but I was in pain again. I left the place with an Ice bag on my legs all over again and blisters.

Pain and Suffering.

I stayed at home for 6 days till my blisters burst, I could not wear tight jeans or any tight clothing. It was during this time a friend advised I take pictures and sue the doctor. I had never sued anyone in my life so did not know where to start. I called several lawyers and eventually found one who decided to take the case. The first thing he did when I arrived at his office, he made a video recording of my legs. It looked horrible on live video. He also took photos.

In the meantime my legs were totally disfigured. I cannot wear shorts or skirts and I have severe discoloration it all seemed like it was all going downhill. I went to see a plastic surgeon who said there was nothing he could do, but if I waited for my legs to heal he could try and treat the scaring. I decided to see a therapist as I became very anxious, nervous and totally paranoid about my legs.

Coping.

During my visits to the therapist we discussed everything about my life and how it relates to my legs. As a model, I could not work anymore, my agent was appalled at the site of my legs and they just could not get me bookings with legs like that. I had come to LA to try and start an acting career which now also seemed like it had to come to a standstill. I packed my bags and headed back to London and as I could not get any acting work with the state my legs were in. Everyone was horrified when I got back at the site of my legs. They were all very shocked that such a thing could happen from a simple hair removal procedure. I also went to see a couple of hair removal places in the UK and in the USA who told me they would never dream of using a Lightsheer machine on my skin type.

The Law Suit.

I decided that no matter what I must seek compensation in this case and that no matter what I must win. My lawyer in the USA started to get the case together and I researched more and more on the internet. We started filling in 2005 and slowly things started to take shape. First I had to attend a deposition and state what happened, then my lawyers had to get the aestheticians deposition and the doctors’ deposition. There were two separate aestheticians and each had performed the hair removal procedure. They both had to be deposed. I was also asked by the defendants to provide all work receipts for the last 6 years. The defendants’ lawyers wanted everything on me. I managed to get letters from clients, old accounts, job contracts and much more to use in my case. By this time a year had gone past and when we finally got our first court date we were asked to go to mediation first. The plaintiffs refused to settle or offer any money at all at the mediation. Our court date was also moved by the plaintiff as they claimed they needed more time.

My attorneys in the mean time were working hard on my case and found an expert witness who was a laser specialist. She said the burns were very bad and that the doctor was most likely incompetent with the machine. However as fate would have it she dropped out of the case due to other problems with her personal life. It was at this time my lawyer found Dr .B who was a highly respected expert in the laser field. He finally confirmed to my lawyers what we had suspected all along. That the wave length of this particular machine is not suitable for darker skin types IV –VI on the Fitzpatrick scale. The question is why was Lumenis advertising LightSheer as “good for all skin types”? I finally put two and two together and realized that this was the exact reason a lot of aestheticians did not use the machine on darker skin types as they were scared it may burn them. In 2008 we were heading for court in May.

Settlement.

With the new evidence however and the expert witness the plaintiffs were scared. They called us in for another mediation to try to come to a conclusion on the matter. My attorneys were definitely ready for court. Especially with our new expert witness who did not come cheap. Our Mediation was set for May2nd, which was just 4 days before the May 5th court date. We were very sure we will win our case in court with all the new circumstantial evidence we had. On May 2nd we went to mediation where the plaintiffs ended up settling the law suit to the tune of $425, 000. I was happy, I won. But I knew even though the doctor was at fault, the company that manufactures the machine is also at fault. I have taken it upon myself to go after them. If we join in a class action we can all take them together? If your life has been ruined by lasers you deserve compensation...

I have been a customer of American laser Centers for 3 years. They told me my hair would be gone in 6 treatments. After all this time and paying 3700 dollars I still have 50% hair left and they are NOW asking for 8800 MORE dollars to continue my treatments. I asked the manager Hailey to atleast let my microderms continue because I have scars which the LASER caused (the manager Tiffany (the only nice manager at ALC, but who doesn't work there anymore) let me get them because of the severity of my scarring. She said my microderms "cost the company too much". This company sucks. Don't waste your time or your money. I recommend you go look for a more reputable laser hair removal firm. They are the Devil and I have had such a bad experience that I am going to spend everyday of my life leaving a bad message about the company somewhere online. Atleast I can do that right? Youtube, complaint boards, websites, forums, AND word of mouth. Here I come!