I recently purchased a full-body, two-year clinical hair removal program with Simplicity about two weeks ago. I was excited because this Plano location uses the Candela Max laser machine.
I am very familiar with laser hair removal treatments, including the Candela series, Soprano ICE, and BBL Hero. I have undergone many treatments over the years and know what works and what does not work for my skin tone. I am very fair-skinned, between a Fitzpatrick skin type I and II.
I was informed that they alternate between the Alexandrite laser and the Nd:YAG laser. I clearly told the technicians that the Nd:YAG laser does not work for me at all. Nd:YAG is typically reserved for darker skin types, while Alexandrite is designed for lighter, fair skin tones like mine. In the past, I had 14 Nd:YAG treatments at another clinic, and every bit of my hair grew back within less than a year. I saw absolutely zero results.
When I chose Simplicity, I assumed they would accommodate my request since I am paying for the treatment. However, I was told they could potentially lose their license if they only used the Alexandrite laser on me. Medically, that does not make sense, but that was their explanation.
I repeated multiple times that Nd:YAG does not work on my skin. After my first session, the staff was also very pushy about selling their products. I understand that businesses need to make money, but the approach felt desperate and uncomfortable.
I then contacted corporate. Natalie, Jenny, Grace, and Valerie at corporate were very kind, professional, and genuinely tried to advocate for me. They did their best to help me receive Alexandrite-only treatments for the remainder of my two-year program. Unfortunately, the doctors and managers ultimately denied the request and insisted they must alternate between Alexandrite and Nd:YAG.
This is extremely disappointing. Alternating lasers may be part of their business model, but for someone with very fair skin like mine, Nd:YAG has already proven ineffective already after 14 treatments with zero results. Being required to use a laser that has previously given me zero results feels like a waste of time and money.
I was told the previous clinic may not have used the correct settings or properly calibrated their machine. Even if that were true, after 14 Nd:YAG treatments, I should have seen at least some reduction. I saw none. Zero.
The bottom line is that I am disappointed Simplicity would not accommodate a very reasonable request to use only the Alexandrite laser on my fair skin, especially after explaining directly my past laser hair removal sessions at other clinics.
If anyone is considering laser hair removal, please do your research. Make sure the laser wavelength being used is appropriate for your skin tone before committing to a long-term contract.
Btw, paying for the long term contract was not the issue. I have no problem paying. but if I am paying out of my wallet for a service, then I expect to get what I want. It is coming out of my wallet, not anyone's elses.
These clinical director doctors who run, own and operate this place are all about their business model of using wrong lasers on customers to make them keep coming back to make more money.
Now I am off to find another laser removal clinic that uses Alex laser on me only. read more