I'm updating an older review to add a star because of a new, positive experience with Layla. As my older review that follows below will explain, I switched from Layla to another facial electrologist some time ago. However, I returned to Layla on a surgeon's referral for specialized electrolysis on a different part of my body from my original Layla's experience.
A few days ago, I was returning to town from a business trip, by car, for a 5 pm appointment. As I reached home at four, I received a call from Layla asking if I was on time. Only then did I discover that, at the time change, all the appointments in my phone's calendar had bumped back one hour. Then, to make matters worse, I found that my building manager had broken the lock to my apartment during my absence. Not only was I late, but I couldn't get to my anesthetic cream in my apartment without waiting for a locksmith. Layla provided new cream and an oral painkiller. She stayed late to give me the same amount of treatment time, and did not charge any extra for starting my treatment fully an hour after my scheduled time. She made my day. That is my new experience at Layla's that led me to raise my old review from three stars to four.
---- Now, for what I wrote in my original review: ----
This is a mother-daughter electrolysis practice on the west side just north of Ralphs and Trader Joes, on Barrington. The office is on the second story of a four story office complex. Plush sofas, Persian rugs, and Buddha knickknacks give the office a cosy feel. There is free 2 and 4 hour street parking in the blocks west of Barrington. Layla's offers two-technician sessions as well as marathon sessions.
I have tried four different electrology practices and Layla's was among the top two. I had a total of about 15 hours of treatment before going elsewhere. Both Layla and Jeanette treated me. I have very sensitive, pale, vascular skin, and was noticing lasting skin discoloration and pitting three months after those 15 hours.
Layla and Jeanette use 100% flash thermolysis. After each treatment, my skin remained pretty ugly for nearly four days. After roughly 12 hours of swelling, I experienced scabbing and redness that lasted nearly 7 days. Usually, there were several whiteheads, as well. I was having my face treated, and it was not pleasant to walk around for a week with these after effects each time. At the time, I thought this was normal for electrolysis. I thought it indicated successful treatment, when really it was over-treatment. When I noticed pitting and discoloration that did not fade, I researched electrolysis more and tried another electrologist that I now prefer.
On my first visit, Layla sold me some topical anesthetic that was quite strong. That may be a plus for you, if you need pain control. With Layla and Jeanette, I preferred to use it. It was about $45. You must apply this cream an hour before your visit which also can be awkward, as it is white, and you need to wear plastic wrap over it until and during your treatment.
I preferred Layla to Jeanette. To me, Jeanette was more painful and often asked me to twist about or lay on my side in a way that made an uncomfortable treatment more uncomfortable. Also, they both offered me some new product or service during every session, suggesting new lip gloss, moisturizers, laser treatments, or permanent makeup services. That might be great for some people, but I found it too much like door to door peddling: a bit annoying.
There are some people who swear by Layla's and absolutely adore Layla and Jeanette. I know that some of their clientèle even spend time with Layla socially. I understand that completely. They are friendly people. I just didn't react well to their electrolysis. I have since had many more hours of treatment with another electrologist who uses a blend machine. My face looks nearly normal two hours after the treatment, there is no scabbing, and I'm pleased with the progress. Also, it is far, far, far less painful, for me, at least. I recommend trying multiple electrologists before committing to longer treatment sessions with any single one. Simply experiencing multiple technicians taught me a great deal not just about the process, but about my own skin. You don't want any lasting damage beyond hair removal. Blend treatment was far more desirable and effective, for me. read more