Top Hair Removal Service in San Francisco
LaserAway
1878 Union St, San Francisco, CA 94123, United States
I had Thermage full face and neck earlier today. I did do some research and though I had a consultation with a Dermatologist before Covid, I decided price wise to go with LaserAway. The Jury is still out as to whether I will benefit from this very expensive treatment. And, I am still in shock over how painful the procedure was.Lets start at the beginning. First of all, the Staff were all really lovely. The Nurse that gave me my treatment was very kind and as gentle as she could be. The treatment and its process is as mentioned, painful, and very messy. I was not prepared for this at all. I went in with clean hair and clothing (freshly showered) and I had to take another shower when I got home. The cooling gel got everywhere. In my hair and around the collar of my shirt. They do not offer a cloth towel, paper cover or even the type of paper cover a Dentist might use. The treatment itself was so painful that I broke down in tears from the stress at the end of the treatment. It took about two hours and the constant snapping on my skin and going over the same spot multiple times, just wore me down. But, I was mostly upset because they prepare you for results that include skin redness or some sort of reaction from the treatment itself. My skin didnt even look like I had anything done. Although, in a side by side before and after picture, my Nurse pointed out a small area around my jaw line that looked a little better. But, was all this worth 2799?There is a previous review from January where a client had a similar experience. We are both in the exact same age range, I am 62. I will update this review in a month or two to let you know if there is even a small amount of improvement.
LaserAway
355 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94108, United States
If I could give -5 stars I would. This place is a cash cow and cares much more about your money than the services they provide. I would advise that you look literally anywhere else.I had a virtual consultation for CoolSculpting with Austin Bellach, a “treatment specialist” per his email signature. The consultation went very well and I felt very confident in his recommendations. Namely, he recommended I get four applicators for sculpting on my middle abdomen and flanks and that the price would be $4,500 — with the 25% seasonal discount. He recommended that I have two sessions ($4,500 x 2 = $9,000) but I declined and elected to just do one session. He was insistent that I do the second session but I remained steadfast in my decision. The intake portion from there on out went smoothly and next thing you know, I was booked to come in.Fast forwarding a bit, on the day of my appointment, I showed up on time but the front desk person, Natalia, was a little late. I heard laughter from nurses in the back but there was no one up at the front to check me in. Admittedly, I initially didn't pay this much mind as I was excited about the procedure. Natalia arrived and checked me in. Within minutes, a nurse, Susie, comes from the back and takes me to an operating room.Susie was very kind although it was evident that she didn't read the notes Austin allegedly wrote in my chart as she thought the CoolSculpting was solely on my abdomen. I explained that I had discussed with Austin that the procedures were to be done to my abdomen and flanks to which she agreed. Upon an assessment of my body with another nurse whose name I forget, they deemed Austin's recommendations insufficient and said a different type of applicator would need to be used. The catch is that the different applicator is TWICE as much.Natalia came in the room to explain the costs and different options I had — all of the options were devoid of Austin's original plan and more expensive. Keep in mind it was more expensive ($3000 more) than $4500 for ONE session and Austin recommended I have TWO sessions. The nurses said that the virtual consultation doesn't paint the full picture and so that's why I was seeing a $3000 increase in the price of one session. Disappointed and shocked, I initially conceded to get solely my abdomen done for $4500. Upon further thought, I realized what type of scheme LaserAway is running & packed my things and left. They will up the prices in person and hide behind an excuse such as the virtual consultation not painting the full picture. On the way out, Natalia kept asking if I wanted to reschedule or think it over. It became very clear that they receive some sort of commission based on the procedure which made me even more unsettled.In the virtual consultation, I was assured that the price would be $4500 and that I would be taken care of. Austin neglected to mention that the actual price would differ greatly from the virtual consultation price.They said they would need to use different sized applicators on me because of my stature (I'm tall). The intake form captured my height as well as my weight and Austin even commented on my height in the virtual consultation.I sent Austin a text saying I was very upset with this service and marketing scheme. He quickly responded and asked to chat on the phone. He told me he would speak to his regional director to see what could be done. 30 minutes later, he calls again proposing a “middle ground” — namely, they do my entire abdomen (vs the middle abdomen) for $4500 but leave off the flanks. I declined the compromise on principle. I was told I would get my abdomen and flanks done for $4500. That is what I went in for; I didnt want a different procedure.These people will waste your time and try to get you to waste your money. Go literally ANYWHERE else. Shame on LaserAway for such a corrupt business model.
SEV Laser
2180 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94114, United States
Besides having a former complaint that I shared with your instagram team, which didnt get resolved, I had a major issue with my treatment today.1) I check with my nurse to check my laser intensity for the last two treatments and I figure out that I had reached level 16 but the last treatment I got the intensity was level 12. I always have different nurses so theres no way the one who decreased my treatment could even tell there was something different with my skin that day.2) I ask my nurse today if she can set the intensity for 18 this time since thatd be my normal course. She says no. Just a No. When I asked her why she says Im comfortable with 16. It isnt about the nurses comfort level, its about mine and if theres a risk then the proper way of communicating to a customer would be lets start with 16 and see how it goes, or any other way to talk to a customer.3) I tell her Im surprised that every time I come each person says some contradicting information and it has been really hard to get one thing straight from their team, and again she rudely responds well, Im correcting your information now, with no apology or anything.4) We start the treatment and then she says you can do a better job with shaving your upper legs so I will not do it this time. Very odd although I shaved both at the same time, but whatever at time point I just wanted to leave.5) I asked her to go over my knees since there was no no hair and she says ok.6) I leave after the treatment is done, and then I find her coming outside after me to tell the front office person to charge me an extra $30 for my knees. Ive ALWAYS got my full leg every time I was there, Ive never been told that knees are a separate charge if Im doing just half my leg. And, she never cared to share that piece of info when I asked her to cover my knees with the laser.7) I tell the front office person all of the above and all she says is ok, I wont charge it now but I have to check with my manager if its okay. She doesnt even get back to me with a timeline of when shell let me know the verdict.Honestly, every time I go there theres an issue. Its very odd for such a business to have me as a customer feeling anxious before I go. With the amount of money I pay and the fact its a treatment they should make sure their customers are relaxed during the treatment and not stressed.Ive referred a total of 4 new customers to sev laser. I will most definitely share this experience with them and with anyone who asks me about laser my experience and recommendation. Im very disappointed in the kind of treatment I received that Id happily go to any other place and pay more but be treated with respect.
LaserAway
410 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114, United States
UNPROFESSIONAL Front desk!!SF, CASTRO location has the worst front desk service I've ever experienced at any LaserAway! For example, when I was on the way out after my treatment I went to the front desk/receptionist to schedule my next appointment. However, one of the lady's who scheduleds appointments, don't know her name so I will describe her…. Mid 20's, 5 feet tall, light skin, Latina, with light brown hair….. was too busy talking about getting plastic surgery done all over her body from a place in México with other people, while I'm standing there trying to schedule my appointment then starts complaining to one of the nurses about her lip fillers hurting her because she's sitting there eating an apple in front of the clients at the front desk, she even told me hold on so she can take a couple bites of her food, while I'm standing there still waiting, I kept asking her if she could finish up but kept telling me yeah yeah yeah then would get distracted taking to the nurse again! The nurse looked very uncomfortable as she was ignoring me “The client” then finally scheduled a me. Fast forward to my appointment I get there today and she tells me I'm late…. Like what how? I got here 10 minutes prior to my appointment she starts saying that she forgot to tell me blah blah blah. The reason being is because she was too busy talking about her own personal life with the nurse for HELLA long that she wasn't able to fulfill her job duties correctly. Now I'm stuck with no appointment after I just drove all the way from the EastBay. To make matters worse she wouldn't allow me to speak to a manager or give me her name so that I can give the information to corporate. Instead she came out from behind her desk area upset that I called corporate and continuously tried getting real close in my personal space, threatening me that I will no longer receive services. She was very aggressive calling people on her cell phone telling them things about me as she was standing real close to me yelling for me to leave the clinic. I told her I wasn't going to engage and that I would just take up with LaserAway so that they can find a resolution because she was completely irate and extremely UNPROFESSIONAL she made LaserAway look real bad. Than when talking to corporate they told me my account is on a temporary hold meaning I have no access to my services which I already paid thousands of dollars in advance. Like what? I get completely verbally assaulted and treated extremely unprofessional but my account is on hold? And I was on the phone with corporate the whole time which they were able to hear how crazy this lady sounded. The cherry on top is they have EVERYTHING on camera! So at this point they need to just give me my money back or fix this immediately!! Lastly, there are more bad reviews about the same front desk people at the SF, CASTRO location on here so that most definitely is a RED FLAG!!
Berman Skin Institute Medical & Cosmetic Dermat...
1 Daniel Burnham Ct #350c, San Francisco, CA 94109, United States
The Berman Skin Institute San Francisco Office is getting one star because Yelp doesnt allow 0 stars. The Berman Skin Institute has given me the worst possible experience Ive ever had. On my first visit, I came in for a general check-up, and the entire time the doctor just tried to sell me on botox and laser hair removal and then forced me into scheduling my next check-up in the new year. A few months later I went back to Berman Skin Institute for an alternate health reason, but went to a new doctor, hoping they would be better. This new doctor was equally awful. She didnt give me any helpful information, didnt listen to the explanations/information I gave, and made me repeat the problem I was having multiple times. Eventually, I was told there was nothing they could do to help me at that time, and was sent home. I returned after my issue got worse and, eventually, they agreed to do a skin biopsy. I was told the results of my biopsy would come in 10-14 days however, after 14 days, I had heard nothing of my results. After 14 days I began calling them to see if I could get any updates, but all I got was that they would look into it, and never got a callback. On my 4th call, I was finally able to get my results, in which no helpful information was disclosed. However, I was told that since the issue had gone away (in the two months it took for this process to come to a close) everything was fine. To close this out, I have received a bill from the pathology lab they sent the biopsy to, which is normal, however, they sent it under the wrong insurance, insurance I havent had in half a year. I called Berman Skin Institute to correct this, and their billing department told me that they dont know how this mistake happened because they had noted my change in insurance and it must have been something I did for them to charge the wrong one. To correct their error, I had to call the lab to get my insurance sorted out. Please, no one go here. This is a horribly run office with doctors that are just looking to make money and dont care about their patients.
Shahin Javaheri, MD - Plastic Surgeon San Franc...
2100 Webster St #502, San Francisco, CA 94115, United States
This might be my longest review, so be prepared to read for a bit. You may thank me in the end.So you usually go to a doctor for help. Sometimes you need a special doctor who has a particular skill.When you go to this doctor looking for help, & explain your horrific journey that brought you to him, and he listens, & seems to genuinely care, it gives you hope. Because nothing is worse than needing help & having a terrible time getting it.The help that you need is *not* considered cosmetic in your particular situation, & you know for a fact that your insurance will, in fact, cover the cost of the procedure.This doctor is in your plan & (allegedly) accepts your insurance. All thats needed is a prior authorization.You found it a bit odd that this doctor was suggesting alternative procedures to fix this issue, which he admitted to knowing they would NOT be covered by insurance. Even though you were VERY clear you only wanted to go through your insurance. Yet he persisted.Not just one alternative, but several. When youre firm about *only* going through insurance, he assures you it isnt a problem & that if necessary, he can acquire the specific items needed to complete the procedure.In fact, this doctor personally knows the doctor who previously did this procedure on you, & called his assistant (in front of you) for help regarding which billing codes to use.Youre told that an expedited prior authorization would be submitted & to expect to hear back from his office very soon.You leave this doctors office with the ability to exhale. Youve had a terrible & long journey, but youve finally found someone who cares. Someone who will fix your problem. Youre happy. No, youre elated.But when you get a call from this doctors office not 3 hours later, telling you your insurance wont pay for the procedure, youre confused.You ask how the insurance company was able to make a decision on a prior authorization so quickly. Within hours. Late in the day, no less.Youre told that your insurance company considers the procedure as cosmetic & they wont pay for it.When you ask if they actually contacted your insurance company, they then tell the truth & say thats what our billing department said.You ask if they could proceed with the prior authorization & youre told theyd call you right back.And so when you get home, you call your insurance company in tears to ask them if, in fact, they consider this procedure as cosmetic.They confirm that it is NOT considered cosmetic, & the doctor most likely just didnt want to do the procedure for the insurance amount that hed be paid.But you give this doctor the benefit of the doubt, & wait for a call back. Ten days, to be exact. And you never hear from his office. The insurance company confirms that no prior authorization was ever submitted.The hope. The relief. Its all gone.I have *never* felt the need to write a poor review for a doctor. Someone who has taken the Hippocratic Oath in which it states, I will use treatment to help the sick according to my ability and judgment, but never with a view to injury and wrong-doing.This doctor is different. I grappled with leaving a poor review, but it is the truth, & I believe it should be told.I left a review on a different site, & was called, texted, & emailed to the point it was harassment. They wanted me to remove my truth.At the appointment, I was advised that I needn't pay my copay, as it was “only considered a consultation.” Yet SIX MONTHS later, they bill my insurance anyway & subsequently send me a bill for my copay.And should you choose to see this doctor, you should take this review into consideration.On the surface he is caring, he is helpful, & he is kind.But in the end, he cares more about lining his pockets than helping his patients.
Serenity MedSpa
126 Post St 2nd floor, San Francisco, CA 94108, United States
I used to do my tattoos removed treatment here with jame, i loved his job done he said my tattoos can fade away around after 3-4 time treatment, but after 1st time treatments for 1and 1/2 legs he moved to LA and there is a new lady continue my treatment but I'm so disappointed with the results after the 1st treatment with her, it's just little fade and I don't see much difference, it's not fair with what I paid (600$) 1time/leg treatment, ( same prices with jame ) it's hurt the same, 2 nd time I come back to continue my treatment with her and I told her “I don't see much difference, can u go deeper or something” and I told her how is jame did before, she said “that is how they do, it's will fade after 2 months, you can't see the results now “ and i might need about 8-10 treatment for my tattoo .... so the just hold my unjustly and let she done for the 2nd and paid another 600$ And that's it I'm done with your !They just want you to come back for more treatment so they can make more money meanwhile they can do it a few time treatment, it's hurt the same every treatment, more treatment more money for them and waisted your time !
San Francisco Institute of Esthetics and Cosmet...
1067 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States
This is a review of SFIEC as a student in regards to their education program:Ive been wanting to get into cosmetology for as long as I can remember. Now its been 7 years since I graduated from f high school and Ive finally taken the plunge. I looked around at a few other schools that offered cosmetology programs, but I never had that aha! moment until I set foot in SFIEC. The energy that I received from everyone at the school was nothing but warm, welcoming and playful.Some points before I get side tracked and start gushing about how ridiculously in love with this school I am:* The teachers- or learning leaders as they like to call them- are amazing. Hands down I dont think Ive ever had this thorough of instruction before. And whats even better is that they really cater to everyones learning needs. I definitely am not a slow learner, but I learn better with different analogies, and a lot of visual and tactile references and they are always more than willing to offer it.*The administrative staff: This has probably been the only time that Ive actually really enjoyed interacting with the administrative staff of a school before. Id been to a community college and fashion design school prior to SFIEC and it seemed like EVERYONE there was so unfriendly and unhelpful which in turn made it increasingly confusing to try to figure out what to do or who to talk to for help. At SFIEC all the people that Ive interacted with have been nothing but friendly, helpful and excited when Ive come to them with questions.Colleen (the administrative director) is AMAZING. Shes the one that made me so sure that I was making the right choice. Her confidence and enthusiasm about the school is genuine and contagious.Yuto (the financial aid leader) is a FAFSA wizard, and probably the happiest person Ive ever seen working in a financial department of a school.And Deedee (the dean) is probably one of the most inspirational people Ive met. Her drive and belief in her staff and students is really uplifting.ANYWAYS, hopefully at this point its obvious why Im so head over heels for this school. If youre thinking of going into cosmetology I would definitely DEFINITELY recommend SFIEC :D
Urban Allure Medical Spa
230 California St suite 603, San Francisco, CA 94111, United States
I have been seeing Erin for over 12 years. It started with a 40th birthday gift to myself to have laser hair removal (full bikini). I go back about once a year for maintenance. In the interim we went on to do some IPL treatments on my face that have ALWAYS made such a difference in my complexion. By far, Erin is the most knowledgeable and gentle person/practitioner Ive been to as a patient. Besides feeling like an old friend shes always soothing to my anxiety with her very calm demeanor. I have major anxiety about various things and she has always just let me be me and helped with giving me options, knowledge and full preparation for what to expect. I highly recommend this Spa for their expertise and great customer service. Also, Amanda, who has always helped me schedule with Erin and helped with skin care products is awesome. Very knowledgeable, as well, and ALWAYS so very nice. Great find 12 years ago! Hope you find it too!
Chez Sylva Clinical Aesthetics and Electrolysis
2676 Ocean Ave, San Francisco, CA 94132, United States
If you are like me, you have tried several estheticians across the Bay Area. If you are also like me, you havent been able to find one that works for you because they are either stuck up and rude, talk down to you while up selling you on products and services you dont need or give you unrealistic expectations, charge you an arm and leg and push for continued services that arent working and in some cases makes your skin worse.AND THEN I FOUND THE MOST AMAZING ESTHETICIAN..Sylva :)She is honestly the most kind, sweet and sincere person you can ever have the pleasure of meeting. You can tell that she cares just as much as you do to see you to your skin care goals!In your consultation, she listens to your concerns about your skin and takes the time to understand what treatments you have tried, what treatments you are currently using and any medications you are taking that might have affect your skin. She gives you a thorough explanation of services and treatments that can gradually lead to better, healthier and clearer skin. She provides you reasonable prices up front. And then she works her MAGIC!I started seeing Sylva for my whiskers (ingrown hairs around cheeks and jawline) and ladystache (upper lip hair) that was becoming unsightly and causing me some insecurity. I was constantly using heavy makeup to cover up the ingrown hair bumps, scarring and the shadow on my upper lip from constant shaving and plucking that lead to skin damage and hyperpigmentation.Sylva came to the rescue and recommended electrolysis for permanent hair removal. She was honest that it would feel like a pinch, but could not only rid me of hair growth permanently but it would also clear up the ingrown hair bumps and scarring and clear up the shadow on my upper lip.After 8 treatments my skin looks AWESOME! I no longer cover my face with thick makeup and feel happy letting my bright skin shine with simply a tinted SPF moisturizer!It feels good to FINALLY be in the care of experienced hands and to be treated with care, kindness and concern.It feels good to have an esthetician that takes the utmost pride in their work and celebrates your beauty achievements along with you!Thank you Sylva! :)