How Does The Laser Work?
The laser light is a specific wavelength of
light that passes through the surface of the skin and is absorbed by
the growth bulb of the hair. This damages the
growing hair but not the surrounding tissue. Therefore, the growing hair
is destroyed and will not grow again.
GentleLASE Alexandrite Laser by Candela
The lightest and most powerful laser available for permanent hair reduction. After testing many of the laser units currently available, our office along with the Rocky Mountain Laser Clinic, has found that Alexandrite laser is the only truly effective laser technology. The Dynamic Cooling Device (DCD) makes Candela's GentleLASE™ the leader among Alexandrite lasers.
Proof of efficacy of the DCD
This chart shows the skin temperature vs. time profile of a typical laser pulse after a burst of cryogen cooling. Notice the immediate cool-down of the skin after reaching a maximum temperature of less than 80°C.
This chart shows the skin temperature vs. time profile of the same laser without use of the Dynamic Cooling Device. Notice the maximum skin temperature reaches a maximum of 120°C (50% hotter than with the DCD) and the skin recovery period is significantly longer.
Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent?
Laser methodologies have now been proven by the Food and Drug Administration to offer permanent hair reduction. This means that the number of hairs will be reduced but ALL hair is not permanently removed. Some areas are more effectively treated and some colors of hair are more responsive to laser treatment.
Which body areas can be treated by laser hair removal?
The GentleLASE procedure has been used successfully to treat thousands of patients, permanently reducing unwanted hair on large areas such as legs, arms, back, and chest. Sensitive areas such as the eyebrow, upper lip, ears and even bikini lines can be easily and effectively treated by GentleLase.
How many laser hair removal treatments are required?
All patients will require a series of multiple treatments. This is because the first treatment only eliminates the active hair follicles. Everyone has hair that is in an inactive or "sleeping" state. These hairs will generally start growing after the initial active hair is eliminated. Approximately 3 to 5 weeks after the initial treatment, additional treatments are required to eliminate the remaining hair shafts. Depending upon hair type and genetic factors, some patients may require several additional treatments beyond these initial treatments. Almost all patients, even those with extremely persistent hair growth, will achieve permanent hair reduction after four or five treatments.
Is laser hair removal treatment painful?
In one pulse, the GentleLase laser removes all the hair on a patch of skin the size of a Quarter. The pulse, lasting only millionths of a second, is less painful than plucking a single hair.
As an additional design benefit, the GentleLase system combines a pulse of cooling spray that dissipates the small level of heat generated by the laser. This makes GentleLase the most effective and most pleasant technique available for hair removal.
You will see and feel the real benefits to the GentleLase technique after the treatment. Unlike tweezers, chemicals or needles, no irritation occurs after the treatment. The skin is left smooth and silky with minimal side effects.
Risks, side effects and possible complications of laser hair removal treatment.
The possibility exists that some side effects or complications can occur, including:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Itching, during treatment
- Pain, tingling, or feeling of numbness (cold spray)
- Crusting/scab formation (on ingrown hairs)
- Bruising (rare)
- Purpura (purple coloring of the skin) on tanned areas
- Temporary pigment change (hypo-pigmentation or hyper-pigmentation)
Side effects occur
infrequently and, as a rule, generally are temporary.
