I had a consult with an electrologist in my area that specializes in laser removal. The quoted me $1950 for three main sessions and three clean-up sessions to clear my beard. Is this reasonable? They wanted me to make a $650 payment at the time of each of the three sessions.

Thanks-
-Barb

Look around you could do MUCH MUCH better.

I pay $300 every two months, and I go every month.  It will cost me $1800 for 12 sessions or $1500 for ten (depending on how much it takes). 

$650 a session is far to expensive and it will take more than three sessions.  Look around more, you can do much much better in terms of price from a doctor or licensed tech.  I am not saying you will find something as cheap as $300, but generally do not pay more than $500 per session. 

Ask your support group about this.  They should know about it.  Your therapist might know as well. 

Thanks Amy. Although clueless, I see that I have more homework to do.
-Barb

It really varies by region.

I called many places in my area, and couldn't find anyone below $400/session.

Most WILL bargain though - name your price, and see what happens. It's so profitable for them, they'll often go for it.

Most people say you'll need 6-15 sessions to totally clear your face.

Many will drop the price after x number of sessions.

Some will do free cleanups after x sessions too.

~Kate~

Quote from: Kate on April 19, 2007, 01:49:26 PM
It really varies by region.

I called many places in my area, and couldn't find anyone below $400/session.

Most WILL bargain though - name your price, and see what happens. It's so profitable for them, they'll often go for it.

Most people say you'll need 6-15 sessions to totally clear your face.

Many will drop the price after x number of sessions.

Some will do free cleanups after x sessions too.

~Kate~

$400 was the average around me in print.  But there was somebody who dealt heavily with TS clients and gave a discount to us. 

I advise you to tip your laser tech well. She will remember you fondly, give you good service, and maybe even a deal on the treatments!
Blessings, Tara

Where I live the avrage has been about 500/session and thats on the low side LoL... worst thing, all these places use the older laser types *Shrugs*

by going through a national chain Im paying 2200 for 6 sessions with as many touchups as necicary for the 2 years following the 6th session...  Not a bad price at all I think    and sence they use a newtype laser its actualy causeing all those lovely little blond and red hairs to fall out 

I've paid anywhere from $150 to $200 per session ($200 in florida, $150 in Napa), but the Napa center uses the older laser which stings alot more, Newer lasers are much less painfull.  I just pay per session.  Even at $200 a session that's $600 per hour.  Sessions for the face last maybe 15 minutes at most.  Of course I have a lot of gray ...hum ...er that is blonde hairs that I get electrolysis for.  Laser is faster, but it will take at least 6 sessions to clear all the dark hairs some need up to 9 sessions.  I've had 3 laser sessions and need to go back next week to get the upper lip cleared again, but almost everywhere else is just blonde hair now.

I've had 11 hours of Electrolysis and the middle 1/3 of my chin is just about cleared of gray hair, plus a reduction everywhere else.  I probably have another 30 hours of electrolysis at $65 per hour.  Thats for the blend method, Just fyi..

Beni

Only 15min for the face..... WOW.... my sessions are 45min to an hour each...

Quote from: Beni on April 20, 2007, 11:12:33 PM
I've had 11 hours of Electrolysis and the middle 1/3 of my chin is just about cleared of gray hair, plus a reduction everywhere else.  I probably have another 30 hours of electrolysis at $65 per hour.  Thats for the blend method, Just fyi..

Beni...I was wondering if you get your electro in the n. bay and where..I'm looking for a good operator up here.

Rhonda

As the others have said shop around.  The price you were quoted seems very high to me.  I paid about $1,100 for six sessions and two years of follow-up.  At first I was quoted over $2,000 but negotiated down from there.  I have had seven sessions and they have scheduled me for my eighth, no questions asked, no additional charges.  With the next session my cost works out to about $137 per session and they use the new machines (Aurora).

My face is getting pretty cleared by this time and I think one or two more sessions and I should be done with laser.  Whatever is left (not much) I will consider electro to finish off.

Maya

Hey Rhonda,

I see Judy Porat, She's in berkeley, 3030 Ashby, Same building my therapist is in so it's easy. Shes very good but also pretty busy.  I almost fall asleep on her table during each 2 hour session, which is why I go there.  Judy uses the blend method.  For me electro is just about painless, were laser stings like a son of a gun.

Judys phone number is 510-290-5839.  She is TS friendly and I highly recommend her!

On laser, I think my first session was maybe 30 minutes, but 1/2 of that was talking, but last time it was very quick.  Of course, they just do a continueous run of zaps, except for the upper lip that really hurts.  Ive got to go back for my upper lip too, this next week. Of course only 1/2 of my face hair was black,  so if your younger and have more, it could take longer.

I was usually in and out within 20-30 minutes, with the actual zapping take no more than 10 minutes for the entire face (thank goddess, as my "it's just pain... it's just pain..." mantra only works so long, lol). Now that we're down to only the chin/mouth area (couple stubborn stragglers), it's all of about 3 minutes...

~Kate~

Quote from: Beni on April 22, 2007, 11:08:58 AM
I see Judy Porat, She's in berkeley, 3030 Ashby, Same building my therapist is in so it's easy. Shes very good but also pretty busy.  I almost fall asleep on her table during each 2 hour session, which is why I go there.  Judy uses the blend method.  For me electro is just about painless, were laser stings like a son of a gun.

Judys phone number is 510-290-5839.  She is TS friendly and I highly recommend her!

Thanks Beni! I'm getting a complete clearing in June to kick start the process and looking for a good local person to continue on with after that.

Rhonda

So there's a medspa at the mall here, they have a laser club membership thing.

$200 sign up and $100 per month for a 12 month membership. Sign up this month and they waive $100 off the sign up fee.

You're entitled to one treatment a month for that membership, additional large area laser treatments are $45. Without membership they're $200-400 depending on the area each treatment. There's a bunch of other stuff you can do as well, dermabrasion, peels, etc.

I believe the laser they use is a Solis IPL. According to the lady I spoke with they use licensed <whatever the heck they're called for laser operation>, and they're paid some of the highest wages in the country for their work. And because of the spa's rates they have a high volume of clients and a tremendous amount of experience. She didn't hide that I'd probably need at least 6 treatments, maybe up to 10 for my beard.

The idea of dropping $200 a month to get face and two other areas lasered off is pretty dreamy. their website is www.bbmedspa.com

i'm really excited about the idea of starting hair removal this summer. The rates seem almost in the "way too cheap" range, which is the only thing that has me a little concerned, but then look at something like Propecia - nearly every guy would be willing to drop $15 a month for it, but at $65, a lot fewer men are willing to do it and I can't imagine they profit more that way. seems like the spa has the right idea about making it affordable, assuming they aren't full of it.

A big thanks to all who responded; I appreciate your insight and experience. After careful (for me, anyway) consideration, I've decided to go with electrolysis. I have a majority of gray/white hair that would have to be done by electro anyway. I also like being able to pay as I go, by the hour.

Thanks again-
-Barb

I'm going to a medspa. I got a package deal for $2488, 12 treatments.*

*They figure this as 6 for the face and 6 for the anterior neck (i.e. throat)--but done simultaneously, so only six visits in all. Spaced about 2 months apart, figure on a year to complete.

This works out to ostensibly $207.33 for each of 12 sessions, but de facto it's $414.67 for each of 6 visits. The list price was way higher, what I did was I shopped around, and found another place at only $200 per session. I got back to the medspa with the cheaper prices, and they cut me a deal, 40% off, as you can see it's competitive. What I did not mention is that the machine at the cheaper place is not suitable for my face, so I would not have gone there anyway. The cheaper place (with the older machine) told me when I went for a test that they would not do my face. The medspa has the Light Sheer machine I was looking for.

I took out a loan from Capital One which is 12 months 0% interest. Today the first bill just came. I got yelled at--that's what you call a "hidden cost."

Edit-- In fairness to her, she came to me the next day and apologized for yelling at me. We love each other very much and never stay upset with one another for long.

I ended up paying $1050 for full face (didn't need all of it, but it was a just in case type thing),  and they had a special going where I got another equal cost area free.  So I ended up getting full face and neck for the around 1000 dollars.  The payment is up front for 6 treatments 4 weeks apart. they told me after the third week they check progress and change the spacing of treatments if they find you need to.

Sessions last about 15-20 minutes and everyone was super nice to me. I'm not sure if the place I go to is local or a chain type thing.

My laser session goes by fast too. About 10 minutes is all it takes and that's with her doing my entire face from ear to ear, under chin to upper lip.

It was a little slower at the beginning with me squirming (bad) and having to pause to let the pain settle, but now after seven sessions, she can go clear fairly quickly with maybe a pause or two from me when she does the upper lip. It still stings a bit up there.

I'm in Tampa/St. Pete, Florida region and I'm paying $225 per session.

Oh yes, i'm a 30-something asian male with thick black hair that's thick and extra strong. yay.

They give me this tube that blows really cold air to help during the sessions. I'm supposed to follow the technician around to help the other areas not hurt, but it doesnt really so I just leave it by my upper lip so it is numb by the time they get to it.