We Tried Laser Hair Removal at SEV Laser Aesthetics, the Ultimate Destination for Premium Aesthetic Services With Accessible Pricing
SEV Laser Aesthetics has over 70+ locations nationwide and offers premium aesthetic services at accessible pricing.
Laser hair removal is something that I need but it’s always been a challenge for me to find a place that’s convenient and affordable. Previously, I was going to a med-spa in Beverly Hills, but the area they were located in was busy and always under construction, which made it stressful to drive there, and the parking in their building was limited (and expensive!)
I eventually stopped going because I was tired of spending an hour each way driving from South Pasadena (where I live) to Beverly Hills for my appointments, which were only 10 to 15 minutes long.
I knew I needed to find a new place for laser hair removal, but life got in the way and I stopped going for a while — until I heard about SEV Laser Aesthetics and discovered that they had over 70+ locations nationwide including in Glendale, which is much closer to me.
SEV was founded by entrepreneur Sevana Petrosian in 2010 (it started in a small hair salon in Glendale) and is a faith-based company that approaches customers with compassion. The phrase “By the Grace of God” is printed on the wall behind the reception desk and when Petrosian launched SEV, she was committed to keeping her prices accessible so that no one would ever be prohibited from receiving treatment. SEV is also a favorite among celebrities and the Kardashian-Jenners were among Petrosian’s first clients.
SEV’s Glendale location is on Pacific Avenue in a cute white building with blue trim and yellow awning, which gave it a fun, resort-like vibe (it reminded me of something I’d see in downtown Montecito or Santa Barbara). There’s parking in the lot behind the building as well as on the street, and there’s a Starbucks directly next door to the aesthetic studio for added convenience in case you want a drink or snack before or after your treatment.
SEV offers an elevated and relaxed setting for receiving a variety of aesthetic services.
Upon walking inside, I was greeted by a friendly receptionist and soothing, neutral-toned walls and furniture, which instantly relaxed me. Unlike other med-spas, which have a very clinical feel to them that is sterile and uncomfortable, SEV features an elevated setting that welcomes guests and makes them feel right at home.
After signing in, I waited less than five minutes for my appointment. There was plenty of comfortable seating and SEV has print-outs of its various services along with transparent pricing so there are no surprises. I came in for laser hair removal specifically on my chin and upper lip, which are the areas that bother me the most, and the cost for a single session to treat those small areas is only $29!
Typically multiple sessions of laser hair removal are required, but a lot of other places try to sell expensive packages and I like how SEV offers the option of single sessions in addition to multiple sessions as well as an 18-month membership that includes monthly laser hair removal treatments and a lifetime of annual touch-ups. It starts at just $15 a month and flexible monthly payment plans are also available.
SEV offers transparent and affordable pricing as well as different membership tiers.
I was greeted by one of the laser hair removal technicians who led me down the neutral-toned hallway to one of the private treatment rooms. I lay down in the comfortable treatment chair and she had me point out the areas I wanted to target with the laser, which she outlined with a treatment-safe marker to ensure that no spots would be missed, then she placed protective goggles on my eyes before starting the treatment. I had also been instructed to shave 24-48 hours before my appointment so that the laser would be able to better reach the hair follicle.
She used the Candela GentleMax Pro, an FDA-cleared device that combines two different lasers (Alexandrite and Nd:YAG) to eliminate hair directly from the source by damaging the hair follicle with a powerful beam of light. It can be done on just about any part of the body and is safe for all skin tones (including olive skin, which is what I have).
The laser felt like a hot snapping sensation on my face (which she said would feel similar to a rubber band) and it was used alongside the Zimmer Cryo 6 cooling system which delivered a continuous stream of cold air to prevent discomfort. The first zap felt a little hot so I told her and she immediately updated the setting to decrease the intensity and everything felt fine from that point on.
It took her less than five minutes to treat my entire chin, upper lip, and area above my neck where I had a few random hairs and that was it — we were all done!
SEV offers the latest in laser technologies that work on all skin tones.
Afterward, she handed me a mirror and pointed out a few tiny black dots on my chin, explaining that those were the dead, treated hair shafts that would work their way out of the follicle over the next few days and she advised me to leave them alone and not to tweeze or remove them.
Aside from the treated areas being a very light shade of pink, which is expected immediately after getting laser hair removal, I looked perfectly normal and could go about my day. She told me that within a few hours, any minor sensitivity or redness would resolve.
She gave me some aloe vera gel to take home along with hydrocortisone cream to help soothe my skin and reduce inflammation, as well as SPF for sun protection. She also gave me a print-out with instructions for post-care, which included avoiding hot showers, heavy workouts and saunas for the first 24 to 72 hours and avoiding sun exposure for 10 days.
When starting out with laser hair removal, it’s recommended to schedule the appointments once every four weeks, which gives skin time to recover while ensuring thorough results within a short amount of time. When I got home, I reapplied the aloe vera gel and hydrocortisone cream, and by the next morning, the redness was gone. Within a few days the dead hair shafts had fallen out and my face felt and looked smooth and hair-free!
I was very happy with the initial results from my treatment and have already noticed less hair growth on my face. I do have a few hairs that are starting to grow back, which is normal and expected, so I know it’s time to schedule my next session. Because it was such a great experience, I also want to treat some other areas including my underarms and bikini line — now that I’ve gone through it once and know the process, I’m ready for round two.
As a faith-based company, love is at the heart of SEV’s values.
Aside from laser hair removal, SEV also offers non-invasive laser facials that use gentle heat to tighten and brighten skin with no downtime, SkinPen microneedling to improve skin texture and reduce scars, as well as cosmetic injections like Botox and dermal fillers, so it’s a great one-stop shop for multiple beauty services.
Visit SEV Laser Aesthetics at one of their 70+ locations in California and in other states. For more information, visit their website and follow them on Instagram: @sevlaseraesthetics
1200 N. Pacific Ave., Ste 104, Glendale, CA 91202; (818) 336-1721
[Photos by Kamala Kirk]
Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk