Complaint Review: American Laser Center

I decided that I did not want to look like me Grandmother at the ripe age of 35. I went to ALC to find the answer to my facial hair dilemma. The salesgirl was kind and convinced me of how easy it would be to have the unwanted hair on my face removed forever. She even advised me that once my hair removal was complete, they would be available for "touch ups" for two years.

Well color me humiliated. I noticed after about 12, yes 12, treatments that there really was no difference in the amount of hair on my face. I asked the technician I had that week, and she advised me that sometimes it can take as many as 30 treatments to even impact facial hair like mine.

Wait, 30 treatments, 6 weeks apart, after I had already had 12..seemed like a strage statement to me. I mean the lady who sold me the package advised that I would be hair free in only 18-24 months. If you divide that by the six weeks, I should have already been done. The next treatment, I asked the technician again why she thought I hadn't seen any real progress....she advised that with my hair type and complexion, it would just take additional time.

I found out in my many, many times at the ofice, that there were actually patients there who had approximately 10 more appointments than I had and hadn't had any reduction in facial hair. I decided that I shouldn't fret as I had purchased a "guaranteed satisfaction" package. I mean I could come as often as was required until satisfaction was achieved and then have touch ups for up to two years following that time. Right?

In September or 2007, I was arriving for what seemed to be my 100th appointment, in fact, it was probably somewhere closer to 25. Before my treatment began, the manger at the time, Kathleen(?), came in to the room to advise me that I was out of the guarantee period and that this would be my last appointment unless I wished to pay additonal fees. When I advised her that there must be a mistake as I had paid for the "guarantee package", she quickly advised me that the salesgirl's information had been "overstated". I advised her that I would like a copy of my entire record at that time and that I would just search for hair removal elsewhere as they had enough of my money for zero results.

You can imagine my shock, when I received a phone call on 11-19-07 that my appointment on the 29th was at 5:30 pm. I couldn't believe it. I arrived and had my treatment. At that time, the techinician advised me that I could not be rescheduled as I was out of the guarantee period. I asked her at that time for a copy of my record, since I hadn't recieved it yet. She left the room and returned with a blank piece of paper stating that the request needed to be in writing. I wrote out a request at that time and was advised that I should have it shortly.

In January of 2008, I had recieved a copy of my records. I contacted the office and spoke to the manager. I cannot remember if she even gave me her name, but she stated that she came to the office in December, and would order my records as it didn't look like it had been ordered at that time.

Well, here it is March/April 2008, no records, no more appointments and yes, still hair on my face. I feel completely ripped off and without a leg to stand on. I will NEVER recommend facial hair removal to anyone I know. I do not believe that there has been enough long-term studying to know if any laser hair removal is "permanent". Please beware. This company gets its money up front and then sweeps you treatment under the rug. They have no respect for their clients and the salespeople might as well be selling magic beans. Please take the paperwork home and read it thoroughly before signing ANYTHING. The salepeople will tell you what you want to hear, get you to sign your life away and then retreat into the night.

Thank you for reading and beware ALC. They want your money. they DO NOT care about your satifaction.
ALC Victim

Alc victim
Indianapolis, Indiana
U.S.A.