We often are asked this very question….Is laser hair removal a scam? Unfortunately for many, it can be!
With so many beauty and laser clinics out there flooding the industry, not only with cheap knock offs, and home care devices being advertised all over TV, exactly how do you know what to choose and who you can trust? This article will clear up some of the confusion out there and hopefully give you some valuable knowledge to be able to make the right choice next time you are thinking about having laser hair removal done on yourself or recommending it to a friend or family member.
“What do I look for? How do I know if I’m getting the real deal?”
There are very few devices on the market that can call themselves true, medical grade lasers. Many times, unscrupulous clinic owners disguise their devices and call them lasers when in fact they are not; There are so many different types of laser hair removal devices available which all use different technology. If you are shopping around for laser hair removal, we recommend you insist on the gold standard system which is called the “Gentlelase” made by Syneron Candela. This technology has been around for over 20 years and is still the best device on the market which produces permanent and impressive results if used with correct settings.
“I’ve had treatments on the Gentlelase system however I am not happy with the results!”
Trust me; we hear you!
There is a dirty little secret in the industry that we like to call “Under Treating”. This is basically where companies will refuse to treat your hair removal session with any real intensity or “turning up the heat” so to speak. The reason for this is two fold. In some cases particularly with inexperienced operators, this approach can be the safer option as there is less risk for complications and burning the client. However, by not treating on the maximum possible energy settings, you are not achieving the required heat to penetrate and destroy the hair follicle. This means more treatments are required more frequently for you to stay hair free. If you are coming back to have laser hair removal treatments every 4 weeks for the body as an example, then you are being under treated plain and simple! A destroyed hair follicle should take between 8-10 weeks to re-appear after successful laser hair removal treatment….not 4!
Do your homework and do your research. It’s not worth the risk!
If you are reading this, then we probably don’t need to remind you to always do your homework and research which provider you will choose for your laser hair removal treatments. Inexperienced operators although don’t mean any harm are unfortunately placed in a position where they are using highly complex and powerful devices which have the ability to burn you and cause other complications due to inexperience.
If you are in doubt of your therapist, ask them if they are certified and accredited to operate the device. Usually we recommend that the therapist has 2 types of certifications and these are:
- A current Laser Safety Officer certification – This course is designed to explain the safety risks and potential hazards of operating lasers and medical aesthetic equipment. It also focuses on laser theory and safe operation of laser devices
- Manufacturer Certification – Usually the manufacturer of the equipment will provide their own in-house certification and training to ensure that the therapists are fully competent with operating the device. This in depth training can mean all the different particular for therapists who may be new to the Industry
What about home care devices? Are they safe?
Home care devices which are very popular on late night television infomercials offer little to no safety or effectiveness. The main reason for this is that sophisticated lasers are very expensive pieces of equipment to produce and if you are paying significantly less than the market average, you know you are getting a lemon.
Another thing to consider is that these home care devices are not calibrated or serviced frequently. You could have more energy or less energy than expected being delivered to your skin and you would not even know.
Take Home Message?
At the end of the day, there are many many choices out there these days to have your laser hair removal treatments performed. Many will use cost as the main deciding factor, some will choose convenience, and others will choose an experienced and reputable company with a tried and tested track record of excellence. Working with the skin has its risks and benefits so you should always choose the most experienced operator possible to give you the safest and best results.
Laser Hair Removal is not a scam, however always do your research and do not settle for anything but the best treatment outcomes and safety in mind. For a no obligation FREE consultation, please contact us to see what we can do for you.
