gentlelase for hair removal
GentleLASE® by Candela provides fast, safe and effective laser hair removal for patients of all skin types. In addition to hair removal, it can also treat razor bumps, known as pseudofolliculitis barbae, and ingrown hairs. The advanced alexandrite laser system precisely targets areas of hair growth and delivers narrow-wavelength light to the hair follicles, while the surrounding tissue remains untouched.
The advanced GentleLASE system can be used to treat any area of the body, but is most commonly used on the upper lip, chin, bikini line, arms, legs and underarms for women, and on the shoulders, back and beard area for men. GentleLASE is not only an excellent solution for laser hair removal; it is also highly effective in the reduction of vascular lesions (including sun damage, age spots, freckles, melasma and seborrheic keratoses), pigmented lesions (including hemangiomas and facial and leg veins) and wrinkles. Its versatility, safety and effectiveness make it one of the most popular lasers used today.
Ideal Candidates for GentleLASE
The ideal patient for the GentleLASE procedure is someone with noticeable hair growth who is unhappy with the appearance of the hair and is seeking a long-term, simple solution. Sometimes a patient will experience an increase in hair growth that may be caused by a number of different reasons, including puberty, pregnancy, menopause, heredity, medication or disease.
Other patients with normal hair growth, who are tired of constantly shaving, waxing or plucking their unwanted hair will benefit from this procedure as well. The GentleLASE procedure is usually most effective on patients with dark hair and light skin, although most patients are able to achieve successful results.
GentleLASE Procedure
During the GentleLASE procedure, the nurse or medical assistant moves the laser across the targeted area with a handheld device that treats the area with intense laser pulses. Hair follicles in the growth state are disabled. The length of the procedure can range from just a few minutes up to an hour, depending on the size of the treated area.
Although the hair follicles are heated and destroyed, the surface of the skin remains intact and relatively painless during the GentleLASE procedure. The patented Dynamic Cooling DeviceTM (DCD) keeps the skin comfortably cool during and after treatment, soothing and protecting as the laser energy heats the hair follicles to reduce hair growth. Most patients only experience a tingling or snapping sensation like a rubber band. There is no bleeding during this procedure since the laser energy penetrates only the hair follicles deep within the skin.
Since the laser can only disable hair follicles that are in the active growth cycle and not those that are dormant, patients will need four to six treatment sessions in order to treat all of the follicles in the targeted area. Each session can treat approximately one-quarter to one-third of the follicles in the targeted area. Once treated, hair may fall out immediately or will shed within one to three weeks after treatment.
Recovery and Results of GentleLASE
After the GentleLASE procedure, patients may experience redness and swelling in the treated area for about an hour, although these symptoms may last for up to two days. While you will be able to return to work and other regular activities as soon as you desire.
Patients may notice their hair shedding over the next two days to one week, but should avoid shaving the treated area to avoid irritation.
While there is no permanent solution currently available for hair removal, the GentleLASE system offers long-term hair reduction of up to 70 to 90 percent, meaning that hair growth is much finer and lighter in color after four to six treatment sessions. Most patients are satisfied with the results of this procedure and no longer have to worry about constantly shaving or waxing their treated area.