Althea Medspa

THIS LOCATION HAS CLOSED.
The other location is still open:
Althea Medspa
46 400 Benedict Drive, Suite 211
Sterling, VA 20 175
571−420−2936

I am amazed at the poor business practice exercised by Mira the owner of both the DC & Sterling offices. Apparently she didn’t research the DC regulations associated with opening a laser hair removal business in Washington, DC. In her notification email to all of the DC clients affected by the recent closure she states that she was unaware of the differences between the business laws imposed on laser spa in DC versus VA. Now, I have a hard time believing that since everyone knows you must research the laws of each state/​region before opening a new business in that region. That is only common sense! You can’t assume the same VA laws apply to DC! I am among the many unsatisfied clients left with partial hair removal treatments because of her negligence! I am requesting a refund for unused laser hair treatements today!

I am going to have to revise my review for Althea Medspa. My fourth of six Groupon laser treatments I purchased was scheduled for tomorrow. However, I received an automated email that my appointment was canceled because they «are having some technical issues here in DC and are unsure of how long before they will be resolved.» Apparently customers can make an appointment for their Sterling offices, but Sterling is quite from DC and difficult to get to. I would not have bought the Groupon if they did not have a DC office. It seems like a bait-​and-​switch to me.

Just finished my groupon deal for this place. The location is very convenient for me, but I will not be back. Since it’s a new establishment, I would think they would want to improve customer satisfaction and have return clients. My groupon was for 3 treatments of a «small area» that includes bikini. The first time I went a lady who I think is the owner was doing the treatment, and made me use two sessions for an area that required minimal treatment.
I was doing bikini and needed just a touch-​up, so I was extremely disappointed, but just wanted to get out of the place. I have never had that issue in the other 3 places I’ve done laser — doing a tiny bit of hair was fine, and especially made no sense this time, as I literally had 3 – 4 stray hairs left (no joke)!
I also thought a bit about writing this, but I will — the owner, while doing the treatment, was talking about her clients, and asked me about how many laser treatments I’ve done in the past. Upon hearing my answer, she actually said out loud that «wow, you must be a hairy girl, I tell that to all my clients that they are hairy girls». Here, she giggled happily. Somehow, that felt absolutely revolting.
I was happy that today’s treatment was done by someone else and will never be back.

5 stars for the friendliness of staff, the location, and the design/​décor. However, I’m giving this place 2 stars because I had a very disappointing experience this week. I purchased a groupon for laser hair removal (I’m African American)…and one of the FAQs during the Groupon deal was «do your lasers work for African Americans?». Whoever answered the question gave the generic «They should work but come in for a consultation» type of response. I’ve had laser hair removal treatments done before so I bought the Groupon anyway. Only to get there and the technician stated that due to my skin type, she would suggest that I go to a Dermatologist to get bleaching cream which would lighten my skin in contrast to the hairs (they use a light sheer laser as I learned) or buy their own bleaching cream for $ 69. Errr, I think not. That was just too much headache for a simple laser procedure. She apologized and said that they expect to get a YAG laser soon, and she could offer me recommendations for other spas that would cater to my skin type.
To say that I was disappointed was an understatement, especially after going out of my way + undergoing some serious metro delays on the Blue line just to get to the spa.
I left and instantly called Groupon to request a refund of my precious $ 179. I doubt I’ll be taking advantage of any more groupons from a place that seems to be so limited.
So ummm yeah, my Althea experience was quite disappointing.
The end.

Virtually painless laser experience (my first one!) — no numbing cream was necessary. Friendly staff. Convenient location near a metro stop. Reasonable prices. Good hours (i.e., open weekends). Pretty much everything I was looking for in a place to get my underarms laser treated.