Recommendations

Erica does fast, relatively painless laser hair removal in her convenient Union Square location.

Strengths

• Erica does fast, relatively painless laser hair removal in her convenient Union Square location. She also does dermabrasion, but in all fairness, we haven’t yet sampled her skills with that yet.
• She makes you feel comfortable dropping trou straight away with her yenta spirit, sun-bright red hair, and her sweet little dog that greets you upon entry to her house-come-office. You get the treatments, and never need to wax or shave again! Mazel tov!
• The laser Erica uses is safe for all skin - from the palest of Snow Whites to girls who are tan (like me) to the dark and lovely amongst us. Many laser specialists can’t treat people of color because of their laser. Erica has the most up to date laser that can treat all skin tones, which is rare.
• She has great availability in terms of appointments; there is rarely a long wait.
• Erica efficiently explains each and every step clearly to you in your consultation.

Shortcomings

• Erica works out of her home (which has a built in salon-like room that you receive treatments in), so you don’t get the luxury of being in a spa, but you do get the privacy of nobody seeing you come in and out bright red – bonus if you are a celebrity and don’t want people knowing about those wayward hairs.
• You’ll need about six treatments every six weeks to see results and you can’t wax in the meantime (shaving only) which can be awkward (depending on where you are getting your laser treatment.)

Insider tips

• Book a plan with Erica so all your sessions are clearly mapped out to see the results of your procedures.
• Take an ibuprofin (or Xanax if you have one, hell - go for a Margarita if you can!) before the treatment to avoid certain spots that hurt more than others. A little numbness never really hurt anyone, did it?
• Ask Erica about the cream you can put on before treatment to desensitize your skin. It’s had some controversial press lately, but she’ll tell you all about that.
• Bring your friends over for a "laser party" and get serious deals – plus chocolate and wine.

Anecdotes

• I sometimes don’t realize Erica has me naked and is zapping me with a laser because she is so much fun to chit chat with. She’s a fun spirit, a total character, and the perfect person to get your mind off the fact that you are indeed being hit with pulses of burning laser beams.
• To be honest, I haven’t completed my cycle of laser yet, but I did see great results almost immediately. I have full intentions of completing my treatments. Scouts honor.

Perfect for

• Anyone with excess hair anywhere who wants it gone for good without the pain and long term costs of waxing, and the temporary fix of shaving. Erica has clients of all genders and persuasions – there is no hair she hasn’t seen. Don’t be shy.
• Send in your boyfriend to get rid of his back hair - the "40 Year Old Virgin" look is really not hot, and you can get your underarms done for fun when he’s done.

Credentials

• Erica started as an electrologist and was trained and certified at NY Institute of Electrolysis in 1998. She then worked at Body Beautiful Spa for six years. In 1999 she became a certified laser specialist. She received her certification at the Rocky Mountain Laser College in Denver Colorado, at that time the only institute in the U.S able to offer a State Certification in laser hair removal.
• She worked for Dr. Lewicky at Lasrhaus.
• Erica is proficient with a number of different lasers including the Lite-Sheer Diode, Radiancy Skinstation, Altus Coolglide, Syneron Aurora, and Epi-Light - however she now works exclusively with the Palomar SLP1000.
• Erica additionally runs the laser department at Nickel spa, a men’s only spa in Chelsea.