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.

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.

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.

This article was posted on May 13, 2001.