Laser Hair Removal Types of Clinics to Avoid
While Laser Hair Removal has only been in existence for 10 years, significant technological advancements have made it one of the safest and most effective treatments for hair removal currently available to consumers. Over 1 million individuals underwent laser treatments last year alone, and this number will only continue to climb. With this staggering popularity growth comes the opening of more and more laser clinics throughout the country. Individuals are now finding that they no longer have to travel for treatments because clinics can now be found close to home.
The fast paced growth rate of this industry is positive for consumers because now they have more choices, but it can be negative at the same time. Individuals looking to make money in this industry are often opening clinics that do not follow all the rules and regulations of the treatment. What does this mean for consumers? They are cheated out of money, they do not see hair removal results and, worst case scenario, they are harmed by the laser treatment. In order to ensure that you undergo safe, effective hair removal treatments, here are some things you’ll want to avoid.
Improper Certification: The first and most important thing you’ll want to look for before undergoing treatment is certification. In order to perform laser treatments, individuals need to be laser certified. When purchasing a laser, laser manufactures require buyers to undergo a three or four hour training course, however, this is simply not enough. Certified laser technicians should have trained at an accredited laser training facility. A 30 or 40 hour training course is what technicians need in order to learn and experience every aspect of the laser treatment. If the technicians at a clinic you’re considering aren’t certified, it is recommended that you look elsewhere.
Unlawful Performance of Treatments: When researching Laser Hair Removal, an important aspect to consider is the laws pertaining to your particular state. State law dictates who can perform the laser procedure in each individual state; each state is different. In some states only physicians, PA’s or RN’s can perform the procedure, in other states only medical estheticians can administer treatments, and in others, anyone properly certified as a laser technician can fire a laser. Knowing who can perform the procedure in your specific state will help you to avoid those clinics that are not abiding by the law.
Promise of a Guarantee: When talking about Laser Hair Removal, more and more clinics offer a guarantee. ‘Guarantee’ is a very slippery word. According to the FDA, laser hair removal is specifically approved for permanent hair reduction, not permanent hair removal. The FDA states that laser treatments can remove up to 95% of hair in any treatment area, but the hair that does grow back will be finer, thinner and much less noticeable. It is imperative to know that no clinic can say with absolute certainty that you will see 100% hair removal results in a specific treatment area.
Many clinics today offer incentives such as a guarantee on their treatments; while you don’t necessarily have to avoid these clinics, its best to do research before committing to their treatments. Find out the types of lasers they use, how long their company has been in business and what their overall success rate is. Oftentimes those using IPL lasers or older true laser machines for hair removal will offer a guarantee because they know that these lasers are less effective, therefore they will require more treatments. Giving you a guarantee will ensure that you can continue treatment until you are satisfied with your results, but this won’t always mean 100% hair removal. Finding a guarantee is always helpful because it may reduce your overall cost of treatment (oftentimes clinics without a guarantee will charge for touch-up treatments), but it is important to remain realistic about your treatment results.
Feedback: One of the greatest ways to find out if a clinic is reputable is through feedback. Start clinic research by finding out their overall success rate as well as how long they’ve been in business. If you find a clinic that seems to be good, do further research to find out if this clinic is truly top notch. Internet resources can help you to find positive and negative feedback, and contacting the Better Business Bureau will help to discover if the business has any complaints. Finding clinics that have longevity and a record of success are more likely to give you safe, effective treatments that will get you the results you want.
Continual advancements in laser treatments are making Laser Hair Removal safer and more effective than ever before. However, such significant advancements have not reached every operating laser clinic; many are still using outdated equipment that simply doesn’t get optimal results. With sub-par equipment and untrained personnel, there is always a chance that you could have a bad experience by choosing the wrong clinic. Laser is a pricy treatment and more often than not, interested individuals will simply settle for the lowest price. While some may get lucky with this approach, the majority will not. By choosing a reputable, reliable clinic you can feel confident that you will get the hair removal results you are looking for.
Tags: laser hair removal | lazer hair removal | lazer hair removal | hair removal
July 9th, 2008 at 7:59 am
This is a good article. You should choose only the licensed, professional clinics to work on laser removal to ensure safety and effective results.
July 18th, 2008 at 12:57 am
Laser hair removal is becoming more and more popular nowadays that’s why there are more clinics opening. These are excellent tips in searching for the right clinic.
August 5th, 2008 at 5:59 am
While laser hair removal technology has been around for decades, it is only in the last couple of years that laser hair removal has become popular, howvere you are right these types of thigs should definitely be avoided!
Cheers,
Bailey