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GentleLase
Imagine having smooth, hair free skin without shaving, waxing, plucking, or bleaching
your unwanted hair. Using the latest Candela laser technology known as the GentleLase
lasing process, we now offer safe, fast, effective treatments for both men
and women.
Unlike other treatments,
the GentleLase process is easy—requiring no creams or gels, no pre-treatment
waxing, and no needles. In fact, laser hair removal is a medical breakthrough.
Treatments are comfortable, treating hair follicles in a fraction of the time
of other methods, using only the gentle power of laser light.
What is the
Candela GentleLase laser and why is it a safe treatment?
Lasers have been used for many years for a variety of medical cosmetic
procedures including treatment of facial and leg veins, age spots and rejuvenating
the skin on the face. The GentleLase System, a revolutionary long-pulse high
energy alexandrite laser emits a gentle beam of light that passes through the
skin to the hair follicle where it is absorbed. The laser energy is transformed
into heat, which destroys the hair follicle leaving the surrounding skin unaffected.
The skin is further
protected during treatment by a Dynamic Cooling Devicetmwhere cryogen
is sprayed onto the skin cooling the upper layers and providing patients with
increased comfort. The GentleLase selectivity helps to protect the skin, while
effectively
treating the unwanted hair.
Traditional hair
removal techniques, such as shaving, plucking, waxing and depilatory creams
provide only temporary relief. Until now, the only recognized way to remove
hair permanently has been by electrolysis - which can be tedious, time-consuming
and uncomfortable. The GentleLase System safely removes unwanted body hair without
damaging the delicate pores and structures of the skin. Facial and bikini areas
are usually completed in under ten minutes; legs, backs and larger areas can
take longer.
 What
does the treatment include?
Depending on the
amount of hair treated, the procedure varies from patient to patient.
Generally, the treatment will include:
:: Wearing
safety eyewear to protect the practitioner and patient's eyes from the laser
light during the procedure.
:: A small hand
piece will be used that touches the skin to deliver the laser
light. A light spray of coolant onto the skin will be felt just before each
laser pulse. Most patients experience little discomfort at the treatment site
because of the dynamic cooling
device.
:: The degree
of discomfort varies with each person, depending on his/her pain threshold.
Topical anesthesia may also be requested based on individual preferences or
tolerances.
What precautions
should be taken before and after treatment?
Avoid the sun 4-6
weeks before and after treatment or until your practitioner allows it. You must
avoid electrolysis, plucking or waxing hair for 6 weeks prior to treatment.
If you have had a history of peri-oral herpes, prophylactic antiviral therapy
may be prescribed. If you have a dark skin type, a bleaching cream may be started
4-6 weeks before treatment to optimize results.
How many treatments
will I need?
Hair grows in cycles.
The number of treatments required depends upon your skin color and coarseness
of the hair. Laser hair removal requires multiple treatments.
Although one laser
session can produce long-term hair removal, as a rule multiple treatment sessions
are necessary to obtain optimal results. In large part this is due to the fact
that laser hair removal is most effective for hair which is in the anagen phase.
Anagen is the growth phase of hair. Since hair grows in cycles, not all of the
hairs are in anagen at any given time. Additional sessions are necessary to
catch all of the hairs when they are in anagen.
What will I
look for after treatment?
Within several minutes
of the treatment, the treated area will be come slightly red and puffy. This reaction
subsides, and within a few hours the area returns to normal. Since the laser does
not burn or cut the skin in any way, no bandages are necessary, and you can return
to your normal activities immediately.
Recommended post-operative
care includes:
:: avoiding sun
exposure or tanning
:: applying ice
for discomfort
:: applying topical
antibiotic cream or ointment.
Are there any
side effects?
Patients will experience
some discoloration or reddening of the skin around the treatment site. Some patients
may experience hypo- (reduced pigment) or hyperpigmentation (increased pigment)
response or increase of pigment color. The skin will typically return to normal
pigmentation over time.
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