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GentleLASE™
Hair Removal System
What
is the Candela GentleLASE™ 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
smoothing fine lines on the face. The GentleLASE™, a revolutionary
long-pulse high-energy Alexandrite laser system, emits a beam of light
that passes through the skin, to the hair follicle, where it is absorbed.
The laser energy is transformed into heat, which disables the follicle,
leaving the surrounding skin unchanged.
Your skin is
protected from heat injury by the Dynamic Cooling Device, which places a
burst of cryogen spray onto the skin before and after the laser pulse.
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The patented Dynamic Cooling Device (DCD) is
unique to Candela lasers. No other hair removal laser has it. Without the
protection it gives to your skin, skin temperature would rise to 120
degrees C. A puff of cryogen spray before the laser pulse prevents skin
temperature from rising above 80 degrees C. The skin is immediately cooled
down again by a second puff of cryogen spray milliseconds after the laser
pulse.
Not only does this
protect you against thermal injury, it makes the treatment much more
comfortable. When large areas such as the back and legs are being treated
you will appreciate the difference between the GentleLase and other hair
removal lasers.
What
conditions are treated with the laser?
Traditional hair removal techniques, such as shaving, plucking and waxing,
provide only temporary relief. Until now, the only semi-permanent way to
remove hair has been by electrolysis, which can be painful, time consuming
and is limited to small cosmetic areas. Scarring, allergic reactions and
ingrown hairs are common side effects of all those hair removal methods.
The GentleLASE™ 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 and larger areas can take longer.
Why
should I have GentleLASE™ treatment?
This is a procedure to remove unwanted hair. The best results have been
achieved on darker, finer hair but other factors may influence the
treatment process, and are generally best evaluated and discussed in
person. The GentleLASE™ process offers safe and effective treatment.
What
does the treatment include?
A complimentary test session for patients with darker skin to determine
optimal laser settings.
Safety eyewear to protect
your eyes during the procedure from the intense laser light.
A small handpiece will be
used with a probe 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. Be sure to discuss this with us in
advance of the laser treatment.
The procedure can take as
little as 10 minutes or up to an hour, depending on the area treated. All
patients can go home immediately following treatment.
The treated area may
become pink or red within about 30 minutes of treatment; this may last
from a few hours to several days.
What
precautions should be taken before and after treatment?
Avoid the sun 4-6 weeks before and after treatment. If you wish to have
a treatment immediately after your consultation, you must not be tanned.
You MUST avoid
bleaching, plucking, or waxing hair for 6 weeks prior to treatment. If
you have done so, a treatment can be given, but may be less effective
since hair removal works best on hair follicles in the growth stage.
If you have had a
history of perioral herpes, prophylactic antiviral therapy may be
prescribed.
If you are tan or have
a darker skin type, a bleaching cream may be started 4-6 weeks before
treatment. Patients with darker skin types can be treated. However, a
free test treatment may be done first to determine the optimal laser
settings. The full laser treatment will be carried out on another day.
You should discuss your
desired results and the improvements you expect to achieve. Together you
and the physician can decide if your expectations will be met and if
this laser treatment is the best option.
How
many treatments will I need?
Hair grows in cycles. The number of treatments required depends upon
your skin, hair coloring and coarseness of the hair. Everyone will
require at least 2-3 treatments, as the process is only effective on
hairs during their growing cycle. Repeated sessions will be necessary to
treat these follicles when they re-enter the growth phase. Three to five
treatments is the commonest treatment program.
Is
this procedure covered by insurance?
Most insurance companies do not offer reimbursement for cosmetic
procedures; however, consult your insurance carrier for more information.
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