ComplaintsforAdvanced Body & Laser Center LLC

• Initial Complaint

  03/03/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I started going to Advanced Body and Laser Center in January of 2021 for laser hair removal. After 18 sessions, every 2-3 weeks, I began to wonder why I was not achieving my desired and promised results. Charity informed me that I was doing everything I needed to be doing as far as keeping up with my appointments and advised me to try an extremely painful electrolysis treatment that she did not properly inform me on. She told me that it would be painless (that I might even take a nap) and that I would leave the appointment smooth and hairless--that was not the case at all. She put a thin layer of lidocaine on and started working not even 2 minutes later. The pain was unbearable and after she was "done" only half the hair was gone. I had 19 appointments and spent $2,130. After doing my own research, and consulting other professionals in the industry, I learned that laser hair removal is not to be done more frequently than every 6 weeks due to the hair's natural growth cycle. Charity was treating the area TWICE as frequently as the standard of treatment for laser hair removal. Not only does this impact the results of the treatment, it can be dangerous and permanently damage the skin. I trusted her to act in my best interest, and unfortunately it feels as though she was just taking my money with no regard for my treatment goals or my health. I truly feel taken advantage of. After expressing my frustration privately, Charity told me she is too busy to read my message and that the electrolysis treatment works very well. She disregarded that fact that she did laser hair removal on me 18 times with minimal results. I am writing this complaint because Charity not only scammed me (a young college student), but she put my health at risk.

  Business response

  03/06/2023

  Thank you for reaching out to me in this matter.  I have responded to ***** regarding this matter and she was not satisfied with the answer.  I will address each of her questions here.  I have pulled a report and it shows that she spent $1900 not over $2100.  She had 18 laser hair removals for Brazilian.  For each client I charge full price which is $100, after 15 session, if the hair is still growing back, I reduce the price by 50% to help the clients out; working to achieve their goals.  I asked her is she knew about Poly cystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and mentioned that she may want to have blood work done.  That causes a problem when trying to remove hair...its a hormone imbalance.  I noticed her skin was breaking out on her face and I asked her about her hormones. She said she was on Mirena IUD which has a side effect of hair growth and skin blemishes.  I explained that Electrolysis might be a better option for her.  Her last appointment with me was for 1 hour and 15 minutes in which I removed 244 hairs (my machine counts the hairs as I remove them).  There were still more that needed to be removed and she only wanted an hour and fifteen minute appointment.  She was also close to her menstrual cycle which makes every women's body more sensitive.  I asked her if she was near her cycle time and she said yes.  As far as the time between the laser appointment, each laser is completely different.  She may have called a place that uses an ND Yag laser which is different than mine.  Rules per machine vary.  Addressing the comment regarding "to busy to read my message" was because she contacted me in the middle of my work day with a text message that was a statement.  She mentioned she wasn't willing to continue with Electrolysis because it was too painful and a long appointment time.  She contacted me again at 6:59pm with an extremely long text in which I replied that I would need to get back to her the next day because I was at my own appointment outside of business hours. The next day I addressed all of her concerns she had over text messages with factual information regarding body sensitivity close to a menstrual cycle along with the Mirerna IUD and unwanted hair growth.  I am not sure what other information I can provide.  I have addressed each of these issues with her and now with you.  She left me a 1 star review which I let stand just so others could read my clients unbiased reviews as I want people to make an informed decision before choosing any place to spend their time and money. Please let me know if I can help you further...  V/r, Charity E******, Owner Advanced Body & Laser Center  

  Customer response

  03/06/2023

  Better Business Bureau: I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below. [To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, we would like to know your view on the matter.]I paid Chairty via ***** (which I'm not sure is legal). I went back into my ***** history and counted the exact amount, which totaled $2100. I understand that the total is a bit higher due to me tipping her. The hairs natural growth cycle is every 6 weeks. Per extensive research, laser hair removal is not effective (with any laser) when done more frequently. Not only is it ineffective, it can be damaging to the skin. Furthermore, I explained to Charity that I have an OBGYN and that I do not have PCOS! I found it ridiculous for her to assume or suggest that I have a medical condition based on her lack of competency. Furthermore, people with PCOS often seek laser hair removal treatment; so, it makes no sense to suggest that could be a reason for the treatment not working.  I have since gone to new business to receive laser hair removal and have seen tremendous results in just two sessions. So I can assure you that it is not due to PCOS (that I do not have). I do have a Mirena IUD that has caused some facial breakouts; however, I had my hormones tested and they were all within normal rage. Additionally, I had not experienced unwanted / excessive hair growth caused by my IUD. This is just another excuse Charity is using to attribute to my lack of results from her treatments. The standard amount of treatments for laser hair removal is 6-12. There should be no reason I received 18 with barely any results. I think it is worth mentioning that I know two other people who went through the same experience with Charity and stopped going due to minimal results and money wasted.I also assume it is common knowledge that lidocaine needs to sit for longer than 60 seconds to work. Charity made multiple comments about how expensive her lidocaine is, which is probably why she put the thinnest layer possible on. I never stated that I only wanted a 1 hour and 15 minute appointment. I went in for a 45 minute appointment, and after 45 minutes I saw only a small patch of hair gone, so I told Charity I would like to continue. She then went to an hour and 15 and decided the treatment was done after that. I find it hard to believe that I would have NO pain if it weren't for me being close to my menstrual cycle. The procedure had me in tears. I contacted Charity within her business hours (because it is a business matter), but she also explained that after she was done working it was outside of her business hours. So, I'm not sure when I was supposed to expect a response. I have attached screenshots of my conversations with Charity. At the very least, I would like half of my money back.  Regards* ******* *****

  Business response

  03/09/2023

  Hello; I am not sure what would you like me to do in this matter.  There are many different lasers in the area that are being offered.  I imagine ***** is undergoing treatment using a YAG laser or Diode Laser. I am using a IPL with Radio Frequency.  I have many satisfied clients.  I am also have a Laser Consent Form signed stating: hair removal varies from person to person and treatments may vary.  It is located on page 3 which I have attached for you to view.  I am very sorry that this treatment didn't work as well as she had liked.  I had hoped to have better results but each person responds differently. I ask every session how the progress is going and she made it seem as though the hair was slowing down.

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