American Laser Centers ripoff dangerous medical procedures false efficacy claims unethical credit practices Rockville Maryland

I became a client of American Laser Centers after visiting their booth at a wedding trade show. I was contacted after the show because I won $300 off laser hair removal. My complaints against the organization are numerous, so Ill bullet point the highlights. By the way, my complaints pertain to the Rockville, MD location, but many of the same problems could be experienced at other lcoations across the U.S.

1.They give you a very hard sell. The consultant asks you to list everything you would like for them to do from hair removal to microdermabrasion to spider vein removal before quoting a price. They want you to commit to a litany of services before pricing them out. Pricing is not published anywhere and is routinely discounted. Depending on the week, underarm hair removal may be $700 or $1500.

2.They use credit unethically. I applied for credit through a GE MoneyBank credit card that American Laser promotes. If you dont pay off your complete balance within a interest-free grace period, the interest rates are outrageous. Though I was not eligible for credit in the full amount of my treatment, the consultant oked me signing the agreement obligating me to pay the full amount. A few months later, I elected to pay cash for the remaining amount of my balance. However, American Laser had already applied for a credit increase on my behalf without asking my permission. This request for credit is now on my credit report and GE MoneyBank will not help me remove it.

3. They diminish the medical risks and pain while engaging in unsafe medical practices The description of the discomfort experienced during treatment far underestimated what I and many others have actually felt. However, I had to commit to the full course of treatment with a non-refundable payment before having my first treatment and finding out how it would feel for me. No ethical medical spa would force you to continue with a painful procedure against your will or lose your money. The nurses working at the facility had varying levels of experience, and many did not fully understand the medications I was taking or my allergies.

4. Their marketing literature is full of lies and half-truths They claim that an MD supervises their sites, which is not true; no doctor has been available for consultation or oversight when Ive been at American Laser. They claim that laser treatment is safe and effective for all skin and hair types this is also not true according to every other credible source I have consulted. (Darker skin tones and lighter hair colors are not the best candidates. In the best case, it will take more treatments to get results that may not be as good as an ideal candidates. In the worst situations, darker skinned people may experience burns and scarring.) American Laser also guarantees complete hair removal. Again, this is in direct conflict with the known facts about laser hair removal actually hair reduction that may or may not be permanent. What I find most offensive, however, is that American Laser claims that you must use their post-laser lotion in order to heal after your treatment. They make you buy a bottle at your consultation and include application in after-care instructions. There is nothing special about this lotion; its just perfumed lotion. In fact, I turned out to be allergic to it.

5. They over-prescribe Emla cream American Laser aggressively treated me. I experienced burns and made exclamations of pain during the procedure, but I was told that the machine had to be set to an outrageously painful level to be effective. (Not true! Though discomfort is to be expected, extreme pain is a very bad sign) In order to achieve this level of aggressive treatment, the nurses very enthusiastically prescribe Emla cream (a topical numbing cream available only by prescription). However, Emla is counter-indicated for large-scale application as may be experienced when treating both legs in one session. Such application increases the risk of serious allergic reaction or a cardiac event.

6.American Laser overbooks and understaffs
It seems clear that part of the reason for the low cost is the staffing. At least a half dozen times they called me to cancel appointments. Yet, in order to make an appointment I would have to call up to three months in advance.

7.The results aren't as great as they advertise
After nearly two full years of treatment, I definitely see a reduction of hair, but nowhere near complete removal. It's an improvement that I may have been willing to pay for, but I wish I had known better what to expect. I also happen to be an ideal candidate relatively fair skin and very dark hair.

Christina
Washington, District of Columbia
U.S.A.