Laser Facts

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Advanced Laser of Long Island
118 Glen Cove Road
Roslyn Heights, New York 11577
P / 516-299-5500

True Facts to Consider … Before You Buy

Laser hair removal is a medical procedure and should be performed under a physician’s training and supervision.

Whether you are considering a procedure with us at Advanced Laser of Long Island, or any other center, we ask that you educate yourself by reviewing the information below before you sign up for treatment. Most importantly remember: don’t let price be your ultimate deciding factor. Remember the adage “you get what you pay for." Below is the information you need to be sure that you will receive quality care at a fair price.

Laser Hair Removal – The Facts
Is the facility physician owned?
Who is the medical director?
Is their medical license posted in the office?
Is the medical director onsite and available to you if needed?
Is there a physician available 24/7 if needed?
What percent of their business is laser hair removal?
Are there multiple types of lasers available for different skin types?
If one laser doesn’t work for you do they have others that can be used?
How long have they been in business?
How many procedures have been performed? How many clients have been treated?
Do they use numbing agents available if needed?
Do they use medical grade post laser gels and exfoliants?
Do they offer financing?
Do they have multiple locations?
Do they have a state of the art office that is meticulously clean?
Is the office staffed by courteous and friendly professionals?
Are they competitively priced?

Laser Hair Removal – The Facts

Though commonly referred to as laser hair removal, this is actually a misnomer. The correct terminology should be laser hair reduction. The FDA approval of the use of lasers is not for permanent hair removal but rather permanent hair reduction. Patients being treated should expect that they can obtain results of about 80-90% reduction in the amount of hair. Some clients do better than others even when receiving the same treatment.

Various factors that include, sex, age, hair color, illnesses, medications, hormonal changes and race can all effect the outcome of therapies. In general, the lighter the skin and the darker the hair, the better the results. Darker skin types and those of Asian decent are more difficult to treat often with somewhat less results and higher incidence of adverse reactions. Another generality is that the lighter and thinner the hair the less chance of full client satisfaction. Blonde, silver, gray, white and red hair are the most difficult to treat and often should not be treated. Be sure to go over your expectations of your treatment with a consultant before you buy.

The average person requires about 5-6 treatments. That is why it is usually better for you to purchase a discounted package rather than paying for one procedure at a time. The hair on the body grows at different rates in different areas. Due to this fact your treatments should be spaced from 6-8 weeks apart to 8-10 weeks apart depending on what area is being treated.

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Is the facility physician owned?

Remember that this is a true medical procedure that requires significant training to be performed correctly. Many entrepreneurial people and companies believe that there is an easy and fast way to make money with this procedure. To that end these people have opened offices, centers, spas, storefronts, etc. to perform the service. They hire a “medical director” in order to be compliant with manufacturer’s, and state’s regulatory policies. The medical director need not have any experience in laser, hair, hair removal or skin. In fact you can have a psychiatrist serving as the medical director. Does that yield confidence? Even scarier is the fact that many medical directors are taking their position as an easy income source. They may not come into the office at all; they may live and/or practice in another city or state. These are the people that are supposed to respond to your medical questions, concerns and the supervision and training of the staff let alone respond to any adverse reactions or unexpected results (which can happen).

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Who is the medical director?

It is your right to know who the medical director, responsible for your care, is. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about them. What kind of physician are they? How long have they been doing laser therapies? Is this their primary practice if not where is it?

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Is their medical license posted in the office?

Verify that the state license of the physician is available to be seen in the office. Check that the registration date is recent and it has not expired.

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Is the medical director onsite and available to you if needed?

Any facility providing laser hair removal with a medical grade laser is considered to be a medical office and is required to have a physician that can make themselves available to attend to you and your concerns or complaints. The physician should be able to see you and/or communicate with you in a reasonable period of time.

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Is there a physician available 24/7 if needed?

Side effects, unexpected reactions and adverse reaction may occur with any medical procedure including laser hair removal. Although most of these occur while in the office many including burns, rashes, pain and bruising may occur at some time after your procedure. Be sure that there is a physician or other health care professional that will respond to your concerns, if necessary, day or night…24/7.

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What percent of their business is laser hair removal?

When you do something everyday all day long you tend to become an expert at it. To be a leader in laser hair removal you must be performing the procedure as a mainstay of your business. If someone is not performing the procedure on a regular basis, if they rent a laser intermittently, if they bring in outside staff to perform the service they may not be performing the procedure enough to meet your expectations.

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Are there multiple types of lasers available for different skin types?

Physicians use a scale of categorizing each patient’s skin. This is called the Fitzpatrick scale. Based on a number of factors you are rated on this scale from
I – V. In general light skin with dark hair is the best candidate for laser and generally dark skin, Indian or Asian decent are difficult to treat and have higher frequency of adverse reactions. The treating center must use the Fitzpatrick scale and other information to determine which type of laser to use and what settings to use. Not any one laser works for all patients. Although there are some lasers that can be adjusted or modified for different skin and hair types they are generally not as efficient as a specific laser for each need. Check to see the various types available.

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If one laser doesn’t work for you do they have others that can be used?

In many cases, despite the best considerations of the staff, a certain laser may not work as effectively on some patients others. Often, by switching to a different type of laser (different wavelength) may provide the answer. Therefore a laser center with various technologies available to you is preferable.

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How long have they been in business?

Many opportunistic individuals attempt to open laser hair centers in an attempt to reap quick financial benefits. This generally starts off by offering very low prices to get their business started. Maintaining a professional office setting, purchasing and maintaining high quality equipment and hiring high quality staff costs a lot of money and cannot be supported for any length of time by discounted pricing. These businesses tend to go out of business within the first two years of operation. What happens to unused services, warranties, etc once they have closed? Consider choosing an established business that has been operating for at least 3-5 years. These businesses are likely to be around to service you over the long term.

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How many procedures have been performed? How many clients have been treated?

Though these are very difficult numbers to get, see what the staff says, you may be surprised. They may say, “well, we just opened”, or something else that tips you to the fact that they have not done enough to be proficient in their treatment techniques.

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Do they use numbing agents available if needed?

Despite what anyone tells you, despite what technology is used there is always some discomfort associated with laser hair removal done at correct, effective settings. Many centers may sell over the counter topical anesthetic agents however in many cases these may not be of sufficient strength to control discomfort. A properly run medical hair removal center will be able to supply product, information and /or prescriptions to enable you to use the proper topical anesthetic for the laser discomfort.

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Do they use medical grade post laser gels and exfoliants?

Performing the laser procedure is one part of the process. Basically the treatment causes thermal (heat) injury to the skin. The skin should be treated immediately post procedure and at home with high quality “medical grade” skin care products. These products are generally not available in retail stores and should be available at your chosen laser center.

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Do they offer financing?

Most quality laser centers have associated themselves with finance companies that offer immediate approval of loans. Though not all laser procedures are expensive enough to require financing you may want or need to consider the use of these programs to ease the financial burden. Be sure to ask about NO or low interest plans that are usually available.

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Do they have multiple locations?

This is more a question for your convenience than quality. Multiple locations may make a center more convenient for you especially if there is one office near work another near your home. However consider this, many offices that have multiple locations have limited hours at each location rather than having full time hours at all offices. Many times the staff may move from office to office. So multiple locations may seem a benefit but check to see if it interferes with appointment availability at the office you plan on using.

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Do they have a state of the art office that is meticulously clean?

Would you go to your doctor for a physical exam if it was messy, cluttered and dirty? We doubt it. The environment reflects the professionalism of the owners and staff. Remember laser therapy is a medical procedure and should be performed in an immaculately clean, well maintained office. In many cases you will have to remove clothing to be treated. Be sure treatment tables are cleaned properly after each use, new protective paper is placed on the table, the staff wears new gloves while treating you and that you are offered some form of disposable drape or gown for modesty.

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Is the office staffed by friendly professionals?

This is an elective procedure and should be a pleasant, enjoyable, safe experience. The entire office staff should be professional. All technicians should have licensing from the state, certificates of training and be uniformed, clean and presentable. All staff members should be friendly and attentive to you and your needs. An office manager should always be available to address any unanswered questions or concerns that may arise.

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Are they competitively priced?

When choosing a surgeon would you price shop for the cheapest one?
Probably not. This is a medical procedure and price, though important, should be one of the last comparisons and least important that you should make. Having reviewed the above you have the information necessary to make a valid choice of whom you can trust to perform your procedure. Narrow down your choices based on the above considering competence as the primary factor.

Competitive pricing does not mean low prices. Competitive pricing means that the pricing is in line with other like offices providing like services. You can’t compare the quality, care, ethics and integrity of a physician operated center to an entrepreneurial strip mall operation. Likewise you can’t compare the price either; you get what you pay for! Narrow your search, then find competitive pricing, not the highest or the lowest price but a fair price.

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At Advanced Laser, We Do It Right

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