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User Reviews for
American Laser Centers In Chicago :
Posted by
Lauren W. 05/11/2007
I actually had a really bad experience with ALC in
Lincoln Park. I got sucked in after being told that
I had "won" $300 towards a treatment through a
DailyCandy promotion (apparently everyone who enters
wins). After coming in to the office for a
consultation, I paid for a package of Amerismooth
treatments for around $1800. I was told that they
were completely painless and more effective than
endermologie at temporarily reducing the appearance
of cellulite. What could be better?
Well, my first treatment was easily the MOST PAINFUL
thing I've ever experienced in my life (and I'm no
stranger to pain inflicted for beauty's sake --laser
skin treatments, bikini waxes, etc.). The treatment
went on for almost an hour and, at some points, I
needed the technician to stop because I couldn't
take it anymore. No one at ALC ever told me that it
was possible for Amerismooth treatments to be even
slightly painful, let alone excruciatingly painful.
When I asked if I could be refunded for the
remaining treatments, I was told they "don't issue
refunds" and I'd have to get some other treatment
instead, such as additional laser hair removal (I've
already paid to get my underarms done and have zero
interest in doing additional areas). I've been told
that I have to try another session to see if the
pain subsides and that, if I want a refund, they'd
need to "bring corporate into it."
I would NEVER have spent so much money if I'd been
told up front that the treatments would be so
painful. I think an ethical company would warn
patients about the possibility of experiencing
extreme pain during a procedure and would issue a
refund for services not yet incurred, especially
after incorrectly promoting their product. I feel
like ALC has little concern for their patients'
wellbeing and are just trying to get as much money
off of you as possible. PLEASE BEWARE!!
(If you're on the fence about whether or not to use
them, look at the reviews they've gotten on Yelp in
San Francisco and on CitySearch all over the U.S.
Really wish I'd had seen those reviews before
purchasing a package with ALC. Yikes!)
UPDATE: Well, I was never able to get my package
refunded. The employees at ALC reassured me though
that the treatment gets less painful over time so I
ended up trying the treatment again (since I had
nothing left to lose). Although it is still very
painful, I took a bunch of Advil and it was doable.
I really wished I'd been warned up front about the
pain though and feel that the product was really
misrepresented to me during the sales consultation
and in their literature. I have since had two really
nice technicians who expressed regret that the
original salesperson promised that the procedure
would be "completely painless". Apologies go a
surprisingly long way! I plan on going through with
the rest of my treatments since I originally really
wanted them...just couldn't fathom putting myself
through something so painful. If you are going to
use ALC, just be careful to research on your own
what consumers really think about the treatments.
They are really trying to sell you...they aren't
doctors, they're sales people. Just be careful.
Address:
2828 North Clark Street, Suite 401Chicago, IL 60657
Phone:
(866) 632-7181
Website:
www.americanlaser.com
Cross
Street: Diversey Parkway
Directions:
Bus: 76 to Clark/Broadway
Hours:
Mon-Fri 10am-9pm, Sat 10am-6pm
Emelita C. Co, MD In Chicago
Lincoln Park Med Spa of Chicago
