Datsumo Labo vs Musee Platinum Tokyo
Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post.
I actually never thought that I would be writing a review on Datsumo Labo or Musee Platinum Tokyo. So I never really bother taking any pictures of the place (but no worries about that because you can easily find pictures of the place by Googling around). I know it is kinda late for me to write about this since there were quite a number of blog reviews about this places but I believe some stuff might have changed so I've decided to share my personal opinions on the two services. Hopefully these might help you!
Pricing
I'd say the pricing comparison is a bit of a tricky one. Musee has an unlimited package for underarm + bikini line @$38, which I think that it is a steal! But for signing up packages for a certain number of sessions, Musee is slightly more expensive than Datsumo because of how each area is calculated.
Musee does not have their pricing on their website so if you'd like to know more about their pricing, you will need to head down to their store directly. You can find Datsumo's pricing here.
Generally, I still feel that Datsumo is much more affordable than Musee especially if you would like to cover more areas.
Promotions
Both Datsumo and Musee has different monthly promotions, or so I heard. However, so far, only Datsumo's promotion varies month by month. Every time when I check out Musee's promotion, it seems to always be the same promotion.
Flexibility with package
Updated, 2019 - Both Datsumo and Musee offers flexibility with their package. Flexibility in the sense that the package is based on the number of areas which can be any areas of your liking every session. Back then, Datsumo (or at least for the package I signed up for), only had a fixed package, where the areas are fixed after the first session, but super happy that they have a flexible package in 2019!
If you're signing up for the first time, I don't think that flexibility in the package will be much needed because you need about 12-18 sessions to see results. But if you're renewing a package that was 10 session before, and you're unsure if you need so many sessions, then getting a flexible package will be much better.
Effectiveness
Updated, 2019 - Took me almost 2-3 years to be able to give a proper review for Musee vs Datsumo Labo. Back then, I believe sometime around early / mid-2018, there was an upgrade with the machines that were used by both of the shops. After the upgrade, I felt that the new machine was rather less effective. Because of the consistent spread of light in the upgraded machine, I felt that the results decreased quite drastically as it is less targeted. But due to the same reason, that is also why some people prefer the new machine as its much more painless.Unfortunately, due to having coarse hair, it requires me to go through many sessions of the laser treatment to remove all the hair. I was hoping my session at Musee can be my last few sessions to perfectly remove my hair but it was way far from that. I felt a struggle. At Musee, I wasn't able to request for higher laser intensity. As such, after the machine upgrade, the treatment results were really not up to my expectations.
Therefore I checked with Datsumo whether they accept customer's request for increasing the laser intensity and bought their package after they assure me that they can do so. To see more obvious results, I specially requested for the older machine also because I felt that I like the results of it more even though it is much more painful compared to the new machine.
For Musee, as much as I like them, I felt like it wasn't the best option for me since I did not want to only see results after maybe another 15 sessions (?). Unless I'm paid for my treatment, I don't think its reasonable for me to spend so much on this since I have already done more than 15 sessions (at Datsumo + Musee) in total for my chosen area.
Consistency
The thing about consistency is that because sometimes there might be two people helping you with your treatment, which would cause inconsistency with the results. Either because the other person gave you fewer shots or the intensity of the shots are different. You can actually tell the difference when you're receiving the treatment, especially if the pain level is different. So my take is to just let them know that there's a difference. I regret that I never said anything because I though it was normal, but now after I stop my treatment, I can see significant differences.
Updated, 2019 - That happened at Datsumo back then when two people did my treatment for me. Nowadays, there would only be one person handling your treatment so I don't think there would be an issue. But still, do keep a lookout yourself.
Hygiene
Musee definitely won on hygiene. I've actually read online reviews before even signing up for the treatments and everyone online vouch for Musee's cleanliness.
Pampering
For the price you pay at Musee, you get to be pampered a little. In the sense that, after they finish the treatment at a selected area, they would always apply lotion afterward. However, for Datsumo, there won't be any lotion applied. Generally, I think the lotion doesn't make a big difference to me but still putting it out there for you readers!
Additional costs
Updated, 2019 - Datsumo has a shaving fee of $15 and so does Musee has a $10 "penalty fee" if they need to shave for you. I've read reviews on how Datsumo charges for extra shaving fee even if you shaved, but I've never encountered that since I never bother shaving before I go and leave the shaving to them so that I don't get unexpected charges.
Wait Time on Arrival
I wanted to touch base on this just because sometimes I head to my appointment 30 minutes to an hour before my appointment. On early arrival, Datsumo tends to start your appointment earlier as soon as their staff is free. However, for Musee, you usually need to wait until your appointment time to start your treatment. So in terms of time, Musee is quite inflexible. But so far from my experience, Musee still ends their treatment on time.
Booking Appointments
Previously I did not encounter any challenges when booking appointments at Datsumo Labo nor Musee. That said, unfortunately, I had to experience it quite a few times at Musee. There was once when I needed to book an appointment on rather short notice (less than a week) but they told me that I had to wait for 3 weeks if I don't choose their remaining two slots before that 3 weeks. I won't say that this should be a blocker to go ahead with Musee, but if possible, book in advance if you know that you are available at a particular slot.
Conclusion
Updated, 2019 - I'd go for Datsumo just because they give me much more flexibility in terms of accepting my request on how strong I would like my treatment to be. Back then I would have chosen Musee, but after going through their treatment, I felt that I still didn't like that they don't provide me with such options. Unlike Musee, Datsumo is very generous with the number of shots they give in an area, which means that you'll see much more results at stubborn areas.
If you're really concerned about hygiene, you can shave first before you go. Whether the treatment device is well sanitized, ultimately, it's hard to tell between the two, unless you have insider friends telling you how clean they are. Best is to shower right after you reach home so that assures your cleanliness is at its best!
Do drop me an email if there's anything on your mind that you'd like to know!
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the article belong solely to the author.
