Hair Removal Methods:
Choosing a Practitioner

Andrea James

General

• Doctors and other practitioners are salespeople, too. Many of them want to recoupi an investment in equipment that cost a lot.
• Anyone can be fooled: Practitioners can fall for marketing hype or can be too busy or lazy to read clinical studies before buying a device.
• What if it doesn't work? No "permanent" method works for every consumer. Can you financially afford to take that risk?

Gathering Information

• Read published clinical data.
• Talk to your doctor, but remember that not all doctors are familiar with hair-removal issues.
• Talk to clients: Ask relatives and friends, keeping in mind it's hard for someone to judge long-term results. Preferably, talk with someone in person who's been done 12 months and is happy. Remember, this is no guarantee of your own results.
• Keep records: Note the date and where it appeared for both print and broadcast. promotions. If you seek a refund later, you may need this information.
• Get some information over the phone
  • Make sure the pracitioner is licensed in your state (if applicable)
  • Brand and model of method used and how long they've used it.
  • Make sure they're not selling a doubtful method like electric tweezers.
  • Name and credentials of person performing treatment.
  • Number of clients treated
  • Set up a consultation and test patch with the practitioner. Ask if both are free.

During the Consultation

• Check out the office appearance. Are office and practitioners clean and professional?
• Get a test patch done
• Be sure that their claims are supported by published clinical data.
• Check on pain-relief options
• Discuss costs. Fees for waxing and laser usually vary with body area. Electrolysis is usually based on time.
• Discuss treatment schedule and office policies
  • How often you'll need to come in
  • How long each treatment will take (subsequent treatments may require less time)
  • How many treatments you will need
  • Office days and hours
  • Policy for missed appointments
• Find out what to expect after treatment:
  • How long until hairs fall out after laser (it often takes a few days).
  • Ask about their recommended post-treatment care.
  • Possible side effects, and their assessment of your skin type.
  • Estimated time between treatments.
• Get everything in writing
  • Any results they claim
  • Prices
  • Their policy if your hair comes back
• Get every question answered. Anyone who avoids answering does not deserve your trust or your money.
• Get more than one consultation if possible.

Signing up

• Do not sign up for treatment at the consultation! First see how your skin responds to the test patch, and take home the info you get to do more research.
• Read and understand anything you sign, and keep a copy
  • Waivers and "informed consent" forms
  • Agreement if you're paying in advance for multiple treatments
  • If possible, pay with check or credit card.
  • If not, get signed and dated receipts for cash payments
  • Make sure your records of time or sessions remaining match the pracitioner's records after each treatment.

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Ms. James is a Chicago-based writer and consumer activist who owns hairfacts.com.