Bella Medspa — Local services in Atlanta

I don't believe most of the positive reviews on here for a minute, and neither should you-- check out their Yelp page, guys, or even at the BBB (they have an F!).

I bought a Groupon (might have been Living Social...) for Bella to get laser hair removal done on my legs. Because I wanted my legs done, I had to pay an additional $75 per visit-- which was clear when I bought the Groupon, and I figured was still a great deal.

I have very pale hair on skin that tans easily. I'd always heard this was an issue with laser hair removal, so I immediately asked the technician if it would be a problem, showing her the very similar hair on my arms to compare. I was completely honest with my skin type, and the technician assured me that while it might take a few more ("up to 8") treatments to get the results I wanted, that it would eventually work. I proceeded with the treatments.

At my next appointment, I had a new technician (with no explanation as to why-- there seems to be a lot of turnover here). I repeated my concerns to her, since I hadn't noticed any change. She, too, told me that eventually, treatment would work, and I continued on. By the fourth appointment, I was getting frustrated, but everyone kept saying they were seeing "great results" and "lots of sparking." I bought a second gift certificate from Half Off Depot to finish up the 8 sessions I anticipated needed. I used some of those on my underarms, where the hair is darker (I still couldn't go without shaving there, but I did see slightly better results than on my legs).

Now, well over ten sessions later (I've legitimately lost count-- I've had at least ten, but possibly as many as fourteen), I still couldn't possibly go without shaving my legs-- if there's been any change at all, it's incredibly minuscule.

I understand that when working with the human body, there are many variables. However, either the original technician didn't KNOW that the laser wouldn't work on my skin type (which is disconcerting), or the subsequent technicians didn't know/want to tell me that the laser wouldn't work on my skin. At some point before I reached six sessions, someone should have told me to stop, that I wasn't getting appropriate results. I would have gladly used the Groupon credit toward other spa services more suited to my skin type and cut my losses. That's why I have to give such a low review to Bella-- not because the procedure didn't work, but because the staff was either not knowledgable, money hungry, or flatly careless.

I am able to go in for complimentary touchups, but as the laser just doesn't appear to work on my skin, there's not much point. I do plan on going back for a few touchups, especially for my underarms, since the hair there is darker and perhaps it will eventually take. I certainly won't pay for any of their services...

I’m appalled by the lack of Customer focus professionalism, and this spa has definitely lost what could have been a long-time customer. Less than a year ago, I paid $500 for a set of gift certificates for two laser facials. I was pregnant at the time, and thought it would be a great thing to do after I had my baby. I did my first treatment in January. They strongly tried to upsell me throughout the treatment for $1000 treatment, but I wanted to try the laser I had purchased. I told them before I left and I had a second gift certificate for another type of facial that no longer appeared on the menu. They told me that they had discontinued that facial, but I could use it for a second treatment using the refresh laser (which was the same price as the discontinued facial), so I went ahead and scheduled right then and there. Today I went back for my second treatment. I paid with the gift certificate that we had already discussed at my last treatment. I get my car and I’m on my way home, and the Spa calls and tells me that the gift certificate, which I Purchased at the auction less than a year ago, is expired. I tell them I’ve had it less than a year and used my other one just a month ago, and wasn’t told that it was expired. Then they tell me that don’t allow the same person to use more a gift certificate for more than one treatment. WHAT?! I point out that I bought a set of TWO laser treatments (why sell as a set if the person can’t use it, lol), and I specifically showed them and discussed using this gift certificate when I was at my last appointment. They said nothing about this rule or it being expired (nothing on the certificate indicated that it was expired). They told me that they had made an exception, and simply not told me. Then they had the audacity to ask me to come BACK and pay them another $150. Are you kidding me!? I paid $500 less than a year ago, and was thrown a bevy of false excuses to make me pay more money. No thanks false advertising. I...

Terrible service by the owner, Alethea. This is like a car wash they rush you through. My wife started there about 2 years ago and her first experience was great. She loved it so much she asked me to get another package when that one finished. This is when the issues began: The specialist that has been treating her left the company so Alethea was the individual who did this. Alethea lied on multiple occasions to get a sale. She said this treatment should do this and when it didn't and my wife asked why on her next visit she responded, "You evidently did not listen to me!" You need many treatments. When my wife responded that was not what she understood she responded "You did not understand correctly." Great customer service. At the beginning they took time for the treatment. One time recently they had my wife walk naked across the hall because they wanted to use another room. When my wife questioned moving room Alethea did not say anything but just go over there. Also recently (the last 3 times) when she got there there early, they did not give her time to get ready. No prep it was just Alethea came in and it really hurt. When my wife mentioned it she said well you just have a low pain threshold. After the visit 2 times ago my wife wrote a letter explaining her concerns and this time when she went back in Alethea read the letter and said our lasers don't work on you anymore. My wife said I wasn't complaining about the lasers, I was talking about the service. My wife talked to the lady at the front desk one her way out who by the way is really nice and she said I would try to get your money back and she apologized.

There are many laser services in Atlanta. I would not recommend anybody using this one unless you have tons of money to waste for every lie Alethea wants to give you. If you don't spend the money she gets short with you even though the reason you are there was you spent money. It is really sad for something to start out so great and end...