Question
I am looking to have full leg laser hair removal, have fair skin and dark hair on my legs, not overly hairy. I have researched four clinics in the San Francisco Bay Area. Three places (Sona Med Spa, Renu Laser Spa, and Advanced Laser Clinics) all had competitive pricing using a variety of laser brands. But Diablo Regional Laser Center in Walnut Creek (small practice with one RN and off-site Medical Director) quoted $900 per treatment (using Candela YAG), roughly$500 more than the competitors! The RN is very experienced and seems fastidious, smart and conscientious but the price sounds outrageous- any insight?
Advanced Laser Clinics was the only place of the four that recommended treatment timing at 11-16 weeks apart using Lumenis laser. All the others were recommending 4-6 weeks apart. Why the huge difference? Advanced Laser Clinics is nationwide - are they reputable?
Thanks for this forum - so great to get the lowdown at my fingertips!

Answer
I am looking to have full leg laser hair removal, have fair skin and dark hair on my legs, not overly hairy. I have researched four clinics in the San Francisco Bay Area. Three places (Sona Med Spa, Renu Laser Spa, and Advanced Laser Clinics) all had competitive pricing using a variety of laser brands. But Diablo Regional Laser Center in Walnut Creek (small practice with one RN and off-site Medical Director) quoted $900 per treatment (using Candela YAG), roughly$500 more than the competitors! The RN is very experienced and seems fastidious, smart and conscientious but the price sounds outrageous- any insight?
Advanced Laser Clinics was the only place of the four that recommended treatment timing at 11-16 weeks apart using Lumenis laser. All the others were recommending 4-6 weeks apart. Why the huge difference? Advanced Laser Clinics is nationwide - are they reputable?
Thanks for this forum - so great to get the lowdown at my fingertips!

Answer
Ok...well the clinics that quoted you treatments 4-6 wks apart are right. Treatments 11-16 wks apart are ridiculous, not to mention USELESS. How on earth would you catch the hairs in their growth phases if you're waiting 3 months between treatments?! It's all about timing, and sessions at 11-16 wks apart are totally missing the timing.
SOME clinics make more money by scheduling treatments too far apart. You don't kill hairs as fast, which means you need more sessions, which means you pay more money. I wouldn't want to jump to conclusions and assume that nation-wide clinic is out to rip you off, but there ARE lots of stories like this on this board. Sometimes the huge clinics are the worst offenders, because they can afford to try screwing clients. Lots of money to advertise their services means they get a huge client base, which means if they piss you off, they still have 10 more coming in the door after you. Small clinics TEND to be more honest because they can't afford to piss clients off, or they'll be out of business!
The bottom line: Don't go to this stupid clinic that quoted you treatments at 11-16 wks apart. If I were you I'd call them, and if they said the same thing, just say "What? That's absurd, everyone knows you need treatments 4-6 wks apart. Why on earth would you recommend them at 11-16 wks?"
I don't know what to tell you about the small clinic. People can charge whatever they want for LHR. I can't see how it's effective to charge so much at a small clinic, because high prices means no business, means OUT OF BUSINESS. Have you considered asking this small clinic if they'll match all the other quotes you've received? Try that. It's for their benefit...you're offering to give THEM your business.
It doesn't matter who performs the treatment. It could be a doctor/derma, RN or a trained tech. As long as they know what they're doing, you'll receive the same results with the same lasers. Don't be fooled by clinics who tell you their sessions are performed by a DOCTOR. So what? He/She received the same training a technician did, no more, no less. I don't know if the small clinic is trying to justify their higher prices based on the on-site RN or what. Just thought I'd offer that up.
P.S. If you are fair-skinned and dark-haired WHY are you getting quotes for a YAG laser? You should absolutely be getting treatments with an ALEXANDRITE or DIODE laser, which are both designed specifically for fair-skinned, dark-haired ppl. A YAG is for people with darker skin and hair. (Technically a YAG laser will work, but the alex and the diode are more effective on your skin type, and for the price of these treatments I would always go with the best bet. Who wants to pay for more treatments if they don't have to?)

Answer
you need to find a clinic with an alexandrite or a diode laser. GentleYag is a Yag laser and for darker skin types. you should get faster results with an alex or a diode. Advanced Laser vary by location. There is no way to assess them as a whole. Just varies by the knowledge and experience of a specific technician that's treating you and how much she cares about your results. From what I've read, this clinic uses LightSheer diode laser, which is good for your skin type. Personally, I prefer smaller clinics who are more concerned about your results. Experience of the technician will be most important though, and often it doesn't depend on the person credentials, but rather their experience in hair removal in particular. That is why usually someone who used to be an electrologist is a good choice.
Typically, legs require more spaced apart treatments than other areas, but 11-13 weeks is most likely too long. I recommend not to follow anyone's "recommendations" and just go in for your next treatment when a bunch of new hair just comes out. You want to get the hair treated when it's new and most vulnerable for best results. This time varies on an individual basis and depends on the area you get done, so it's best to follow your own schedule. This typically will be spaced 6-8 weeks apart at first and can go up to 10 weeks as you get more treatments.
There was a recommended clinic in San Jose on another forum that seemed to know what they are doing. I can look it up if you're interested in driving out there.
And, yes, most clinics match prices to get your business, so I would try that if you find someone who is reputable, but a bit more expensive. For your skin type, I wouldn't go with the RN just because she uses GentleYag.

Answer
The growth cycle is different for various parts of the body. The face is the only area that should be treated at a minimum of 6 weeks. The 4-6 week interval trend is simply because most laser co. go by what the manufacturer tells you is safe. The reason for 11-16 weeks would have to do with the cycle of growth in that specific area.

Answer
agreed