American Laser Centers is the name of a laser hair removal "chain." They buy out smaller laser hair removal offices (usually ones that were legitimate and had a following). I started out at Advanced Laser Clinics in Manhattan. The people there were professional, and I was starting to see results from my first few hair removal treatments.
After my third or fourth treatment, the name changed, the management changed, and so did the laser technicians. After a few treatments with the new ownership, I started to see hair REgrowth. They were undoing the treatment that had been working. When I told the technicians and the manager, at EVERY visit, they made excuses about the laser settings, and how fluctuating hormones were the problem.
Every time, they would insult me with comments like, "Your skin is uneven, you should buy the microderm abrasion, " "You have a lot of hair in this or that area, you should add another hair removal package." I would always respond that the current treatments weren't working, so why would I buy more?!?! They would give one of the following answers: "I'll turn the laser up higher, I'll do a double pass, I'll schedule your appointments closer together."
When I saw that a new American Laser Center "opened" (read: bought) in Staten Island, I decided to transfer there, and try my luck with them. They seemed much nicer here, and claimed that had a new, stronger laser that worked better than the others. On my first visit with them, the manager isolated me from my mother, who was also receiving treatments that were not working at the previous location. The manager, Stephanie Knagra, talked up the new, stronger laser, and promised that I would see results. She offered me exclusive discounts, and said she would just "price" some things for me.
I told her I had to think about it, but she said that she couldn't guarantee holding the price, and she was giving me thousands of dollars off the regular price. She said I could pay them in a payment plan with no interest. She did NOT say that this meant opening up a credit card. The next thing I knew, she had opened a credit card in my name and charged the treatments to it. Afew months later, Stephanie was gone from this location. The technician turnover also leaves my head spinning. Seems like even the workers are realizing what they are doing, and either feeling guilty about it, or just can't stand the angry clients.
So far, no treatment has been successful, and between both locations, they have taken over $6,000 from me. The new, stronger laser was just a ploy to get my money. As far as results go, there are some patches where the hair is thinner, but there are also areas where the hair is thicker than it was before I received any treatments. One technician actually admitted that the thinner hair would eventually return to its normal thickness with continued shaving - they require you to shave the area before treatment. When you arrive at the office, they take pictures of your treated areas to "monitor your progress." The area is shaved, so it looks like they are doing a great job... And since you can't see any hair there, the technician treating you cannot know where the main problems are, and what the hair thickness is.
Before shaving for my last appointment, I took my own photos of the hair growth to show to the technician. I brought my camera into the treatment room, and said, "This is what it looked like before I shaved." She glanced at the camera, and said, "Yeah, I know how it grows." She had never treated me before. I said, "Can you look to see where the problems are." She said, "It's ok, I will get everything." She was very rude and not looking to help, or even pretend to care. I believe she was the new manager of the office, as she was not wearing scrubs like the other technician, and she was talking down to her during all of their interactions.
That was my last treatment with them. I am considering not going to my next appointment, but I don't know if this will help or harm any legal case that might result. I plan on doing more research and seeking legal advice. I hope any prospective clients do some research before giving money to this ripoff company - because you will be giving it away with nothing in return.
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