American Laser Skincare review: unprofessional, dangerous, painful and no refund! 609

DO NOT WAIST YOUR MONEY LIKE I DID at American Laser in Virginia Beach!
After the series of not such good events in my life, I thought I’d treat myself to something extra ordinary! Getting rid of the HAIR FOREVER sounded like just what I needed. Thrown in a “congratulations! You won!” certificate, great sales person who promised results in 6-10 treatments, multiple packages discount, finance plan, no more shaving … I felt I owed this to myself. I was sold (full legs, underarms, Brazilian bikini)! Over $4400.00, 17 treatments, and three years later here I am finding myself still waxing and shaving! What a SCAM! What a LIE! And the manager won’t even return my phone calls! I guess her job, why would she; they got what they needed-$$$

I was just called today because I got a $300 coupon. I made an appointment for a free consultation and turned around to go home after a couple mins of driving on the way to the consultation. I wasn't sure why, I guess I didn't feel like sitting in traffic but something did not feel right about this place. I was skeptical of a big franchise, I then got on here to look at some of my options to discuss with them for my consultation which I had rescheduled and not only found this website but a few others such as yelp and google reviews that all said the same thing. This place is not worth anyones time. I see people who work there try to defend this business but there are just to many complaints and bad experiences to make me think anything else. This place is bad news and I'm glad I went with my gut instinct and turned my car around to go home instead of going to the consultation. A big hint as to how shady this place is how they changed their name...they must know how much hot water they are in otherwise why else would they do that. SCAM

I am interested in joining a lawsuit against this company. i noticed they changed their name though! what a scam this company is. please email me at raligoe@yahoo.com if there is a lawsuit. i will gladly sign a complaint or petition.

I experienced many of the problems that other consumers experienced. I was badly burned by the laser. No one calls back. I can't get a copy of my records to give to the cosmetic surgeon that is trying to repair the damage. I have been told that only corporate can authorize records, and they won't release the photos showing my before. They know my before and after photos say it all. I wasn't burned when I went in for treatment. I experienced the hard sell, inexperienced staff with no medical knowledge, etc. I still have been able to get a response or my records from corporate. I haven't even tried to get a refund. I can see that won't happen based on the other comments. This isn't a safe place to receive treatment. They behave like used car salesmen. Don't risk your skin and health and money with this business.

BEWARE American Laser Centers has changed its name. They go by "American Laser Skincare" now. I just received an email from them. All of the complaints must have forced them to change their name. BEWARE "AMERICAN LASER CENTERS" is now "AMERICAN LASER SKINCARE". Warn everyone you know!

I am yet another victim of this terrible company. I bought a package of the Velesmooth/Shape which is supposed to tighten the skin and reduce cellulite. I went in for the first treatment and was measured at 38 in around. I received 9 treatments that were painful and a couple were just horrifying. I was bruised, burned and pinched by the machine. NOTHING CHANGED. I was told constantly that it takes time and to stick with it. I had made sure to note that I was not having any changes. After the last technician hurt me really badly I decided enough was enough. I called and told the manager what was going on and she said that she could refund what I had not used but nothing else because I signed a "no refund policy". I understand that results are not garunteed because everyone will respond differently but I had NOTHING change. I am still 38 inches. Jamie, the manager, said that I received the treatments and now I have to pay for them. I told her that I was told that it takes time or I would have stopped in the very beginning. This did not matter. I am livid. This is like going to a hair salon and walking out with the same hair color and cut as you walked in, I told her this and she responded with, " well the difference is, that the salon does not make you sign the no refund policy." I am contacting my local news station and I want to join any lawsuit that may be out there. These people will pay for their deception.

I worked for American Laser Center, and had to quit after nine months, because i couldn't sleep at night thinking of all the honest people I scammed out of money and burned with a laser. i was so unqualified (an so are all the other techs after only 3 days training) to be even touching a laser. The government should only allow dermatologists to use lasers. I hope I live to see ALC shut down.

I have been screwed by American Lasers.. I signed up for bikini and underarms, back in Aug 2004. Paid cash up front, payment plans seemed expensive. I was promised hair removal after 6 treatments, they continues treatments for another 2 years til the contract expired. About 15 treatments. My bikini line has hair, the same amount as before the treatments, the inner bikini was a lil more successful, about 70% of a one inch line... Under arms are 60 to 70% hair growing. The removed about 30 to 40% of the hair, and I am completely upset. Over a year of calls and no call back. I emailed the corparte office and finally got a call back. Told me to grow the hair inder my arms for two weeks and come back in, to see for themselves if i had such bad results. I did, and they took one picture of each underarm. Three weeks later, the office manager, a 24 year old female, told me she had permission to give me three free treatments.. Like that will do anything... SCAM SCAM SCAM..

If I knew what i know now, I would have banked the money for waxing.. I have no idea how there are so many offices in so many states, with such horrible feedback from customers..

I have been totally ripped off by American Laser Centers. I purchased by lip, underarms and extrended bikini and never had more than 1/2 hair reduction in more than 2 years. I was told with a package that i would have my 6-8 sessions and then i would have a 2 year guarentee if any unwanted hair came back. When my 2 year guarentee was up and i still had more than 1/2 my hair, they told me if i purchase my legs, they would treat my other areas until they were complete and i was 100% satisfied. I spent another $2, 400 on my full legs and they did extend my treatments for a couple months on the other areas, but then all of a sudden had new staff one visit who said Cooperate would not allow any more treatments and i was outside of my service contract. I explained my arrangment and that upon purchase of my legs, i was guarenteed addtional treatments on the other areas until i was satisfied. They got out my contract and said thtat they did not see this written anywhere in the signed contract, although it did have this note in my file. I told them it was a verbal agreement and they said Cooperate does not horor verbal agreements and they were really sorry for any confusion. I then spent the next 2 1/2 years getting my legs done, every 10-12 weeks, although other laser centers were saying the growth cycle is much shorter and you need to have treatments about every 5 weeks to have maximun results. Towards the end of my 2 year guarentee i had one more appoint scheduled and they called my and said that Cooperate would not allow my last treatment becasue it was before the 10 week time peroid i need to wait before another treatments. They then gave me a number to call, which i call continually and it says there is one person in cue before me over and over and eventually puts me thru to voicemail. No one ever returns the calls. I have been being scammed for years from this place. PLEASE HELP anyone.. can they really get away with this? It is fraud to tell someone one thing, to get them to purchase and then not honor that. The old bait and switch or something.. isnt it illegal? Are they protected somehow? I dont get how they could be SO shady and still be in business, not to mention i still have tone of hair in all my treated areas. I literally need to start all over after spending thousands of dollars!?

I have been going to ALC for over two years. I have had laser hair removal treatments on my legs in Chicago, Nashville, and St. Louis locations. I recently moved to Tampa and have tried to make an appointment for weeks now in that location with no success due to poor customer service and no one answering the phones. The other locations were better, but still bad customer service and understaffed with no one answering phones. I was burned once in the Chicago location, and the consistency of painful experiences has varied. I am light skin with dark hair and have noticed a 1/4 reduction in hair over the past two years. It is definitely not worth the money, I won a $900 credit online toward my package and ended up paying over 1, 000 dollars more through Chase Health Advance. I want to add that my first few experiences were very pleasant and friendly and not painful. I am fed up with the fact that I have been doing treatments for so long with hardly any results when I was promised a total hair reduction by this time. I guess I am not getting another treatment anyways since no one is answering the phones in the Carolwood/Tampa location. I called customer service ALC to complain about this location and they did not even apologize or seem to care that I was having issues.

I made an appointment on Friday for Saturday. During my initial call, the office manager quoted me $1275 per Laser Tightening treatment, and had an additional promotion. She claimed she'd combine my mom's tratments to get her "discount" for a total of 14 treatments for $3000. When I got there, I saw the clinician who quoted me $1475 per treatment, and with the promotion would be $4000 for 3 treatments. WHAT A BARGAIN! When I mentioned the price that I was quoted only 10 hours before, she said that price was with my mom's discount, but since she decided not to go, the price went up. Well, mom must be special. I'm not a mathmetician, but can easily figure that $1333 per treatment is a far cry from $214 per treatment. The clinician had to speak with her office manager much like buying a car. Left a horrendous impression of being taken advantage of. If they want to sell PACKAGES, they really ought to take a math class first. Really glad I was able to leave without signing to give up my first born.

I have been going to ALC here in St. Louis, Mo. I have had 1 hair removal treatment and 1 microderm, so far. I am pleased with the results. I know that these things take time and skill. I have enjoyed my treatment and received a great package to address my problem areas. I have not been burned or had any discomfort. I went to the Vein and Skin Center about six years ago and it was a nightmare and costed me more money. So far, my ALC experience has been good. I have no complaints. I find them friendly and very professional. I would like to see some up dates on previous complaints. Most of which have been from 2007. Maybe i have come upon the new and improved ALC. I will know for certain as time progress what the verdict is, but so far so good. Will keep you posted.

I have been going to ALC in Texas for years and have not had any problems. I bid on underarm hair removal at a silent auction and won. They accepted the certificate and I did not pay for anything. Even when I have cancelled with less than 24 hours, they do not charge me the $75.00. The office is very professionally and I will keep going.

OMG!..I Wonder why, just until now that I am in the same situation, I am finding all these complains...about this company Ive been paying over 2 years...I had 3 areas treated...with ok results, not great, just ok, but I thought it would get better with time...So I recently hired a 4th area...which I had just received 1 treatment for...All of these have been financed by Chase Health Advance. I agree with many of the complains..they barely ask for a signature over fax...misinformed..o cntract...and if credit is authorized..OFF YOU GO...That didnt bother me..until I a few weeks ago..where I found I am moving abroad...So obviously..will not be getting ANY treatment...which again..I repeat I have only had 1 session done. Well...I am terrified after 7 days of trying to get on touvh with the manager of my clinic here in SD, and after the 10 daily calls..the resent emails...I got today lucky and finally talked to her...having the result of a horrible and rude email..where NO intention of Refunding or even considering my situation was shown...Supposedly she was writting an email to corporate..since she was not able and was not willing either to consider any option...but to pay me debt (my balance is over 1, 000 dlls...have payed 500 already...and for a single laser session...really! I am just pissed of!) The worst thing is that I am afraid that my credit will be affected by all this nonsense...but really...I will be in another country..paying for over a year for a service that I didnt receive and WONT be able to receiive? THAT IS NONSENSE..I refuse to belive they can get away with this!
I will join whatever plaintiff.protest, anything..really...if someone knows how to proceed to try to get an arrangement with CORPORATE>..or whatever...just please let me know...any guideline and tips will help now.

I can't find any clear way to join the lawsuit everyone is talking about on this web page. Please advise!

SCAM ...BEWARE of this place there lasers are ineffective and dont work read everything thats being said about them online..join the facbook..almerican laser is a fradulent company and alcscam@gmail.com find them on facebook

if there is a class action against them I will gladly join, email me at filmicisland@yahoo.com

The company is a scam, their sales pitch is all lies. Take your business elsewhere. They want to make promises and sell you treatments and creams but they cant deliver what they promise and in the end they leave you hanging. They have ZERO customer service, unless youre willing to pay for more treatments, then youll get a smile from them.

Thats proabaly also why the BBB denies all claims about ALC. I was kinda shocked to see they had an A rating being all you read on the internet are negative comments. When you go on American Laser Centers wikipedia there are 627 complaints to date so it doeesnt even make sense that they have an A rating...If you check twitter theres a group called "Have you been ripped off by American Laser Centers" with over 14, 000 followers as well as on facebook "American Lasers is a fradulent company" it will come back to them!

Have you seen all of the BBB news? I know for a fact that American Laser is a paying member... I bet that's why they went from an F rating and then the next time I checked they're mysteriously an A. There is no way that company is an A.

Hi,

I am going through the same issue. I not only was burned during my first treatment. I was diagnosed with Cancer a few weeks after (not blaming them for that). I requested a refund and it's been 10 months and nothing. I've sent doctor's notes, called hundreds of times and nothing. Feel free to email me at beatjnky@mac.com to join any lawsuit.

i paid 4120$ in 5/24/2010, i get ONE treatment ;they closed in Beaverton, i want my manny back, if somebody can help me, e-mail nicoleta.cambur@yahoo.com

Wish i had seen all the complaints before i signed up with them. Now im in the process of fighting for a refund and probably wont get it. They are misleading. Everyone wins that $300 off that's their way of getting you in the door. They have a huge turnover of employees who are unprofessional. I never saw any type of results in fact the area (upper lip) got significantly worse b/c i had to keep shaving it before my appointment an area i had never touched before. I was looking to get rid of the "peach-fuzz" they tried blaming it on hormornes! they are insane and i hope they go out of business they have a terrible work ethic and with all the complaints they have i'm shocked they are still open. I encourage you to go to an ALC clinic and speak to anyone in the waiting area if there even is anyone and ask them how their results are coming along..guarantee there wont be any success stories

Help me how can I sued american laser hair removal? please help me email me sweetgirlhoney@tmail.com and I need law for sue that company trick me and liar.

Thank you,
Ani,

I've been going to ALC for almost 5 years with minimal results and a ton of money invested. They have an extremely unprofessional staff that always try to upsale you for more treatments when what you're getting currently isn't even working. I have had severe issues with them trying to charge me 75 dollars for a no show when I called several times and left several messages with no reply. Now I repeatedly get calls from them that they're rescehduling my appointments. It's getting old really quick. I agree that the staff isn't very consistent or knowledgeable. Once I was told by a staff member that I don't need appointment reminders because I'm an adult and should be responsible enough to remember. If I hadn't spent so much money I would've quit the run around years ago.

I have my information dating from this week with Rhonda-- to Candace- to Sandy- to Lisa, to April to Renee-- all managers in the Charlotte office.
I have contracts information from all of them and their guarantees and extensions.
I have posted all you comments on all my social media and legitimate scam website.
I will report this to the BBB and to the federal governoring board that regulates treatments given under these conditions. I have noted your substandard and inconsistent treatment. I have asked for a refund. I was recently told that my treatment was up in 2009-- and apparently none of your managers know how to read information or keep a chart.
You have tried double passes and stronger lasers, only to burn me more and leave me with more scars.
I have written asking for my charts, I have taken photos and shown April and Renee that there have been no results with my treatment. The hair is still there in just as much consistently. I have continued to shave on a regular basis. I followed all protocol.
Renee admitted that I was not a good candidate for hair and skin type. She admitted that she would not have sold me the program.
I want my money returned in full with interest for the hours and miles driven that I have endured for no results. I have tolerated your scam talk and you documented lines your staff has given me to force me to continue bogus treatments that were known not to work for me- to satisfy my contract.
Your guarantee on the contract has held not water at any point.

American Laser Centers should be closed down. Anyone interested in joining a class action lawsuit please feel free to email me at lex2006rico@yahoo.com They are without a doubt the most unprofessional and sleazy laser company on the market. They lie, they steal your money, and they NEVER give refunds and also never get results. PLEASE heed my warning! I was stupid and naïve to have gone there and lost 3, 000 dollars---I also have gotten no reply. If you would like to protest send them a certified letter to:

Att Kevin Pieruch/Legal Department
American Laser Centers
2455 Hollwood Court
Farmington MI 48335

Feel free to say you will be joining Alexis' class action law suit!

Kevin is the vice president!American Laser Centers should be closed down. Anyone interested in joining a class action lawsuit please feel free to email me at lex2006rico@yahoo.com They are without a doubt the most unprofessional and sleazy laser company on the market. They lie, they steal your money, and they NEVER give refunds and also never get results. PLEASE heed my warning! I was stupid and naïve to have gone there and lost 3, 000 dollars---I also have gotten no reply. If you would like to protest send them a certified letter to:

Att Kevin Pieruch/Legal Department
American Laser Centers
2455 Hollwood Court
Farmington MI 48335

Feel free to say you will be joining Alexis' class action law suit!

Kevin is the vice president!

Poor poor Rich Morgan... Looks like its back to Velveeta cheese for you! Hahahahahahahahaha YOU SUCK!

Hello my name is Katherine, I signed for 7 treatment of microdermabration last year and it dosen't work at all. The treatment used to be for 8 minute each time, I believe because the laidy dosen't have enogh experience, so I lost my time and money :(

I had the hairs on my dick shaft and ball sack removed. It hurt like hell but it was well worth it, my 3 inch dick now looks to be at least 4 inches. With all the swelling from the infections it looks much thicker to. I just hope the pus stops oozing pretty soon.

FILE A COMPLAINT TO FTC + STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL + BBB

American Laser Center is a complete scam. Just got done building a dedicated website to expose them (hopefully I can get it ranked in top 3 in google when someone types in "American Laser Center". http://www.american-laser-center-scam.com/

They suck. Just because they are "approved" by the FDA doesn't mean squat. The vela shape doesn't do a damn thing. And it hurts like crazy. And the laser hair removal hasn't worked in over a year. I have a few small areas where there doesn't seem to be regrowth, but other than that, still shaving! And it hurts! if you want the results that Vela Shape offers, you'd be better off taking the $3000 and having the minimally invasive lipo surgery instead.

I paid for lip and chin hair laser removal. I kept all my appointments and went when they told me to come back. I was seeing results but then they closed the doors in the Rockford, Il. area. The company expected me to drive an hour and half from my home to another clinic. I have made several phone calls to the company and have been told that a manger will be getting back to me. After 3 weeks and 4 phone calls, I have yet to hear back from the company's manger. The closing of the office came as a complete surprise. On my Friday appointment, I was told that Saturday (the very next day), the office will be shutting down. After reading these posts, I will be contacting Lisa Madigan and another close friend, who is an Illinois senator, and let them know of these deceptive practice this company does. Also, the BBB will be getting a phone call from me as well. BTW, I am back to waxing and shaving the areas because the hair grew back. Oprah Winfrey will be getting e-mails to because she had this company on her show. Only if she knew what a big scam this company really was.

I want to join the class action lawsuit as well. I pain well over $3000 for 2 1/2 years treatment, got burned several times, was forced into buying products I didn't want and I now have more hair than I started with...I will do whatever it takes to shut this company down and get my problem taken care of!

Rich Morgan is a giant child who tries to get ahead in life by screwing others any which way he can. Not only has he used sex as a tool to influence his staff (cheating on his wife numerous times), he also uses his weak tactic of intimidation of job loss at every turn. At first he would use his large fake breasted Jew slave Gail to enforce his poor rhetoric though when she got to "needy" she was fired as well ( maybe the sex just wasn't that good anymore between them or those poor fake titties started to droop a little). Or he just needed Roxanne as his new sperm receptacle. i hear she's advancing quickly. Back to Gail...does anyone have her address at her stunning West Bloomfield home? I also hear she's trying to start up her own business these days. Isn't amazing that all the while Gail was trying to rub up on Riches [censor] she was tossed aside and treated the exact same way that she treated so many of her employees over the years. [censor] Gail's nasty [censor] old titties. [censor] Rich's poor attempt at trying to be a tough guy high roller. And [censor] ALC.

THANK GOD THEY FINALLY GOT RID OF THAT C------ GAYLE WHOLMAN. WHAT A POOR EXCUSE FOR A HUMAN BEING THAT WOMAN IS!SHE TAUGHT ROXANNE EVERYTHING SHE KNOWS.THEY WILL BOTH BURN IN HELL TOGETHER

Using a quote from another poster on this board "ALC is the mouth of hell and Richard Morgan is satan". I think that sums it up pretty good. The company is a joke, the owner is a huge jerk that is sleeping with the Vice president of the company Chelsea Klinke. BTW he is married to a former clinic manager. He has slept with numerous clinic managers when he "visits" there clinics and still continues to do so. None of the services work becuase they do not train there technicians properly. Thank god they did one thing right and got rid of the Regional manager Gayle Wholman but unfortunately they replaced her with someone more cold and calculating Roxanne Kowelewski. I cannot wait for this company to close its doors. Oh BTW ALC changing the name of your crappy company doesn't change anything!

Hi All,

I also feel cheated by American laser treatment center. I registered for a free consultation and they lured with their discounts and all ...I was so stupid to sign the package and got a laser spot check done on the same day. Note: the spot check was not even done on the area requested for laser. Due to some family emergency I had to live US for good ..thats when I requested them for a full refund since the treatment did not start as such..it was only the spot check that they had performed. When I called them they said that the treatment already started and even the spot check is considered as a treatment. They say that they would not refund the 700 dollars that I already paid and would waive off the remaining amount which I dint pay ...

I am still in the process of negotiation for getting my refund since the treatment did not start full fledge. Also I told them that I am ready to pay the amount for spot check but still they are like its in the contract that they wont return my money.

I too have been disgusted by this companies values and ethics. I have over $10, 000 invested in this endeavor. Their continued false claims of the results which will be seen is unethical and at the end of the day unsubstantiated and they are FULLY aware of the issue. I have contacted corporate and have also contacted lawyers as I have been provide false information in which the company fired the manager who provided it and indicated that at times this happens and unfortunately since I didn't have it in writing, there is nothing they can do. This manager also showed me her private parts as I paid to have laser hair removal on my bikini area and continued to make her aware that I was seeing zero results. Her efforts was to reinforce to me I suppose that I would see results as she had. ? Then I after the office continued to provide varying treatment timeframes, conflicting bits of information about what I should see as results (which began from the sales person who was fired of 30% reduction per treatment--completely untrue) I asked again for a refund. I was hung up on twice by the office manager, who also refused to allow me to keep my appointments since I was asking for refund and refused to provide me with her bosses contact information as well as didn't send me the promised paperwork to obtain a refund. Since that time, I have contacted corporate and been promised follow up phone calls with no follow up. This business practice is corrupt. Accountability at a higher level. It is simple corrupt practice. It isn't about patients. I would ask those who are not stating facts and opinion only to begin stating the facts. The facts tell the story as clearly as needed and should make those executives at this company take a good look in the mirror and make the choice to do the ethical thing or walk away and pay the price in years to come. One reaps what they sow and I hope they choose to sow good seeds and all will come back in the end. The fact is this. The Better Business Bureau has 522 complains in the last 18 months. Corporate's standard verbatim on this is that in any cosmetic industry this type of feedback is standard. Really? Ladies and Gentleman--this isn't surgery...this is LASER HAIR REMOVAL. It is that simple. It is either removed or it isn't. THAT SIMPLE. If you can't remove it, don't make claims on a website and give individuals the perception and expectation that in 6 treatments it is likely that all hair will be gone. If you can't guarantee it, don't. For those individuals who support the company and if the company indeed is ethical and believes in their products and services the solutions is as simple as this. GUARANTEE EVERY INDIVIDUAL ON THIS SITE WHO HAS PAID THE MONEY A FULL REFUND OR FULL HAIR REMOVAL WIHIN A SPECIFIED TIME PERIOD. That is what every one of us paid for, as long as this is what every one of us get, the posts stop. That easy, that simple. I challenge American Laser to guarantee someone something. The alternative is what you've got on your hands and its not going to go away. Its a class action law suit and I can tell you that if folks are intelligent about this, you will gather your facts, you will post FACTS on this site, you will report those FACTS to the authorities. No hear say, not opinions, not emotions, not anything but FACTS. This will ensure that those who are allowing this type of corrupt behavior will be held accountable to either make the situation right or face the criminal and civil investigations deserved. They do this in many other industries, there is no reason it can't be done in this one if the facts are raised to the authorities. LET THE FACTS BE HEARD.

I had the exact same issue. FOUR hours after purchasing my very large package I called and said I didn't want the procedure because I was uncomfortable with the terrible reviews I read online after signing the papers along with having blonde hair. My husband was less than thrilled to say the least. They told me once I signed I was locked into the contract. I called Care Credit and they said only American Laser could issue the refund. Needless to say I have not used Care Credit since that day. I went ahead a month later and started treatments after several regional managers became involved and denied any type of refund. I was more than dissatisfied. I was told upon signing my contract that due to my blonde hair they would need to double-pass each visit. After my first, they said their new policy no longer allowed double-passing but my guarantee period would be enough to eliminate the hair fully. After my 6th appointment a disgruntled nurse told me their systems don't work and I'll still need to shave regularly and then proceeded to pull up her pant leg and show me her leg hair - which looked normal after having a full series of treatments! Once my guarantee period kicked in they were suddenly "booked" and in a two year period could only fit me in a couple times due to "office merging". My guarantee is now expired and they followed up with a phone call letting me know their schedule has cleared up with hiring some new staff and I can come in for my appointments at a discounted hourly rate - WOW. Really? This is legal business practice? Amazing.