Question
Hi,
I've been interested in having laser hair removal done for quite some time now. I just now have money saved and have started going to some consultations. I've been to two of them. I went to one of the Advanced Laser Clinics in my area and was quoted $1400 for 5 treatments to the underarms, lower legs and brazilian bikini areas. I thought this was a really good price. They even offer 5 additional treatments to all areas within the following year for $600 as part of a guarantee. They said I would get treatments every7-10 weeks and that the first treatment would permanetnly reduce my hair by about 20%. I'm not sure which laser they use...after reading the forums I will be asking. Then yesterday I went to another facility in Rowland Heights and they quoted me $3400 for four treatmetns and said the treatments would be every 2-4 weeks. About two years ago a friend of mine went to the Rowland Heights facility and they charged her $1700 for the same areas. Plus 2-4 weeks doesn't seem like enough time. So now I don't now...is the first place a scam? or is the second place totally overcharging me? Has anyone ever lasered these areas? Any advice? Price?
Thanks.

Answer
Hi,
I've been interested in having laser hair removal done for quite some time now. I just now have money saved and have started going to some consultations. I've been to two of them. I went to one of the Advanced Laser Clinics in my area and was quoted $1400 for 5 treatments to the underarms, lower legs and brazilian bikini areas. I thought this was a really good price. They even offer 5 additional treatments to all areas within the following year for $600 as part of a guarantee. They said I would get treatments every7-10 weeks and that the first treatment would permanetnly reduce my hair by about 20%. I'm not sure which laser they use...after reading the forums I will be asking. Then yesterday I went to another facility in Rowland Heights and they quoted me $3400 for four treatmetns and said the treatments would be every 2-4 weeks. About two years ago a friend of mine went to the Rowland Heights facility and they charged her $1700 for the same areas. Plus 2-4 weeks doesn't seem like enough time. So now I don't now...is the first place a scam? or is the second place totally overcharging me? Has anyone ever lasered these areas? Any advice? Price?
Thanks.

Answer
treatments for most people are 6-10 weeks apart. 2-4 is not correct, so I would say they probably don't know what they are doing or just want more money out of you. if treatments go correctly, you wouldn't have any hair to treat at 2 weeks. It takes 2-3 weeks for the hair to shed after each treatment and then you should have a considerable hairfree period before you need another treatment.
I am in LA and there are literally hundreds of clinics here. You should have no problem finding one that's reputable with a good laser for your skin and hair type and a very experienced technician.
Costs vary, but in general, underarms are $75-150 and brazilian $150-250 per treatment. I pay $100 for underarms and $100 for regular bikini (around a thong).
I think you mentioned that you have dark skin, so you need a Yag laser.
Advanced Laser is a chain clinic, but there are also many private clinics and doctors who do this. Best thing to do is to have a few consultations like you are doing and choose on the experience of the technician. That will matter most.
Laser works best on dark coarse hair, so bikini and underarms usually get the best results. Good luck.

Answer
Thanks...the laser they use is the light sheer diode...will that one work? and how do you know so much? I see your postings all over this forum...just wondering. I decided to schedule it with the Advanced Laser Clinic...is it too soon? should I go to another consultation? It's just that I'm excited...well they told me to shave before going...do i shave everything for the brazilian? even the butt area? I should probably call tehm back and ask...shave one day prior?
by the way...thank you so much for your help.

Answer
this is the type of procedure where you should do a lot of research before you commit. if you read through the forums, there are many postings from those that got "excited" (because the promises they give you during the sales presentations make it sound like it's the next best thing since sliced bread and works for everyone and will get rid of everything you want gone, etc etc...basically, setting unrealistic expectations) and spent a lot of money without any considerable results, and some even worse, with skin burns or worse situation than they started with. I don't want to scare you, but I would recommend not to jump into the first thing you see, although it could be tempting. Especially with places like Advanced Laser, they are great sales people.
LightSheer is NOT the best laser for you if you read through these forums and do some research to understand how laser works. You mentioned you have brown skin. Diode lasers like LightSheer work by targeting the dark pigment, so it works best on light skin and dark hair -- i.e. targeting the hair, not the skin. If you have darker skin, the energy will be going to your skin, rather than to killing the hair, which can cause ugly long-lasting burns. And if the settings are set too low to prevent that, you won't see any shedding, i.e. you would be wasting your money.
Find someone who uses a Yag laser rather than a diode if you can. There are plenty of options here. In addition, there are many clinics where you don't need to pay up front, so if it doesn't work for you, you can leave without losing much money. Laser doesn't work on everyone -- another thing you should realize before going into this.
I am a consumer as well and have done a lot of research. So just helping people out who are new to this. There are several people who do this on this and other forums. You can check out the hairtell and kitty's consumer beware forums for more information as well as you do your research. Just helping people avoid negative experiences here Good luck.

Answer
oh and yes, before any laser treatment, you need to shave the area that you want treated.