One-star experience
One-star experience: contradictory treatment advice, pressure over my deposit and an astonishing management response
I am sharing my experience with AD Amsterdam Huidkliniek in Amsterdam because I believe potential customers deserve to know what can happen when a treatment cannot proceed.
On 10 October 2026, I booked a Deep Cleansing + Deep Hydration + Carbon Laser Peel for 14 October, paying €136.50 in advance toward a €273 treatment.
The clinic subsequently changed my appointment to a first-time consultation with a customized treatment. In WhatsApp correspondence, they explained that my originally selected treatment could still proceed if no contraindications were identified.
I attended the appointment and openly disclosed my skincare use, including recent retinol use.
During the consultation, the therapist initially indicated that the carbon laser peel could proceed. I was directed to the treatment room, only to be informed afterward that management had decided the laser treatment could not be performed.
I want to be absolutely clear: I support refusing a cosmetic procedure when there is a legitimate safety concern. That is not the problem.
The problem was the contradictory advice and what I experienced as rude, defensive and pressuring customer service.
I was repeatedly told that if I refused the alternative facial treatment, I would lose the deposit I had paid.
I felt extremely uncomfortable. Instead of receiving a professional explanation and reasonable options, I felt I was being pressured into accepting a different treatment.
There was also a serious communication issue with the preparation requirements.
My confirmation email contained instructions to avoid certain active skincare ingredients, including retinol, for one week before the appointment. However, the clinic had accepted my booking just four days before the treatment.
In my opinion, a restriction that can prevent a booked procedure should be prominently communicated before a customer commits to payment, particularly when the clinic allows last-minute bookings.
I ultimately left without receiving any treatment.
After I filed a formal complaint, management acknowledged in writing that the initial assessment had been inconsistent. The clinic stated that it had processed a full refund of €136.50 on 15 October. As of 16 October, that credit was not yet visible on my card.
What shocked me further was that management's formal response stated that the clinic would no longer accept any future appointments from me, describing that decision as final.
I had raised concerns about communication, the treatment assessment and the way I was treated. I found this response unnecessarily punitive and deeply disappointing.
To me, customer care is not just about offering treatments. It is also about accountability, clear communication and respectful treatment when something goes wrong.
I cannot comment on the quality of treatments performed by this clinic because I received none. I can comment on my consultation, the contradictory information, the pressure I experienced and management's written response.
Those experiences left me with no confidence in the clinic.
I would not recommend AD Amsterdam Huidkliniek based on my experience. I strongly advise prospective clients to request all preparation requirements, contraindications, treatment conditions and deposit arrangements in writing before making any payment.