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How does Candela GentleLASE® hair removal work? The Candela GentleLASE laser is a non-invasive light therapy device specifically designed to eliminate unwanted hair from all parts of the body. The Candela GentleLASE generates a pulse of intense, concentrated light which is directed through a small handpiece when it is applied to the treatment site. This laser energy passes through the skin to the hair follicle, where the energy is absorbed by pigment in the hair and hair follicle, causing selective damage to the hair root without damaging delicate pores and structures of the skin. The laser is pulsed, or "turned on", for only a fraction of a second. The duration of the pulses is carefully calibrated so that laser energy will be absorbed by the hair follicle without transferring excessive heat to the surrounding skin. Some of the hair which was in the treated follicles is ejected during treatment, and the rest is shed over the next 2-3 weeks. The surface of the skin is protected by the Dynamic Cooling Device. This device sprays a short burst of cryogen to the skin to cool and protect the epidermis. The spray is computer calibrated to work with your skin type. This protects the skin while effectively treating the unwanted hair. Unlike "hair-by-hair" treatments with electrolysis, the laser
uses a wide beam which treats many hairs at once. Because the Candela
GentleLASE can treat dozens of hairs with each pulse, it is possible to
treat larger areas such as the back, shoulders, arms, legs and face. The
Candela GentleLASE can be used just about anywhere on the body Even sensitive
areas such as the nipples, upper lip and bikini line can be treated easily.
The laser's design allows us to customize treatment, according to your
hair and skin color, hair texture, and location on the body. What areas of the body can be treated? ALL parts of the body can be treated with the Candela GentleLASE.
In women, the most common areas for treatment are upper lip, chin, bikini
line, arms and legs, and underarms. In men, the most common areas for
treatment are shoulders and back, and the beard area. What are the benefits of laser hair removal compared to alternative treatments?
The Candela GentleLASE is safe for use on pregnant women -
who respond well because their hair is often thicker and darker during
pregnancy. We can treat any area of the body on pregnant women except
the lower abdominal area. We do not believe that there is a danger to
the fetus but we choose not to take any chances at all. What are the advantages over electrolysis? Removing hair by electrolysis is like mowing grass - one blade at a time. With electrolysis, the operator inserts a needle (probe) into the hair follicle and tries to have the tip reach the hair root. The operator then triggers a small electrical charge to damage the hair root. The hair from that follicle is then removed with tweezers. Electrolysis
can be an excellent technique for the removal of ofsmall numbers of hairs,
from areas where it is difficult to use the laser (under the eyebrows,
near the eyes, and in the ears and nose.) We refer patients for electrolysis if we believe the laser cannot be of help, or after we have removed all of the dark hairs that are treatable with the laser. There can be considerable variation in the results between
electrolysis therapists, and the rate of permanent hair loss has been
reported to be from 15 to 50%. Electrolysis is a tedious process and a
difficult undertaking for patients. Even a small area like the face, for
example, in the case of a woman with heavy facial hair, may require electrolysis
for 2 -3 hours per week for 2 years, with further treatments over an undetermined
period of time, for a total treatment time exceeding 200 hours. Hair removal
is much faster with a laser because each "pulse" of laser light disables
a large numbers of hair follicles, and pulses can be delivered as often
as once every second. Electrolysis operators can only treat those hairs
that they can see and which they can reach the follicle through the hair
shaft. The Candela GentleLASE treats all "active" follicles, even if the
hair has not yet reached the surface of the skin, is "ingrown", or if
the hair shaft is not straight. Many people want laser hair removal, but everyone wonders: "How
much does it cost?" Is laser hair removal covered by insurance? Is the cost of laser hair removal a tax deductible medical
expense? What are the risks of laser hair removal? Unlike
plucking, waxing and sugaring, laser hair removal does not run the risk
of making hair grow back thicker, darker or quicker. After laser treatment
hair growth will frequently be delayed, AND when hair does grow back,
it is often lighter, finer and less dense. Is laser hair removal "permanent"? There is NO hair removal method (including laser) which can guarantee "permanent hair removal". The most realistic description of the results after laser treatment is: "long-term hair REDUCTION". This means: "After four to six treatments the total amount of hair is greatly reduced - generally by 70% to 90% - and hair which does grow is often much finer and lighter in color." Most people are very pleased with this degree of improvement, as long as they know that this is what to expect before they have laser hair removal treatment. It is important for you to realize that after having between four and six treatment sessions it is VERY LIKELY that there WILL BE a very substantial reduction in both the amount of hair and also a reduction in the thickness and color of the hair in the treated areas. You should expect that this reduction in hair may last for many years. Because
lasers have been used for hair removal for only the last seven years,
we can't know if the results will continue to be felt in 10 or 20 years.
However, we do know that stable, long-term hair reduction commonly lasts
for at least two years, and some patients who had their last treatment
six or seven years ago are still enjoying a high degree of hair reduction. Should I expect to be "hair free" in the treated area after
the series of treatments? It has been suggested that a 6 month follow-up may be sufficient to assess final outcome after the final laser hair removal session, because once regrowth had stabilized (usually within 6 months), there is usually little or no change in hair counts at 6,12, and 24 months. Certain
medications, hormonal changes, and other factors may stimulate dormant
hairs to become active resulting in new hair growth.
How much hair will grow back, and how fast will it grow back? After the first treatment, hair regrowth may resume within a few weeks or it may be anywhere from 2-4 months before any true hair growth is observed, as previously dormant hair follicles become active, and hair follicles which were stunned but not killed recover and start to produce hair shafts again. Some people find that there is not much extra hair reduction after the second treatment, then they notice a substantial further reduction after the third or more commonly the fourth treatment. After four to six treatments there may be little or no regrowth for many years. In other cases you may wish to have additional treatment after a period of time. Hairs that regrow after laser treatment generally are finer and lighter in color, and so are much less of a cosmetic problem. Reductions in coarseness and color can occur independently of each other. New
terminal hair appearing in androgen-sensitive sites (face, axillae and
genital area) after successful laser epilation could result from androgen-stimulated
conversion of previously dormant vellus hairs, which are not affected
by the laser as long as they remain dormant and unpigmented. Why are at least 3-6 treatment sessions usually needed? The other group of hair follicles which could produce dark terminal hair in the future are the fine vellus "peach fuzz" follicles which have no pigment and so are not affected by laser treatment. If some of these fine little "peach fuzz" follicles mature into terminal hair follicles, they can be treated with laser at that time. There is NO treatment which will kill 100% of the hair follicles, 100% of the time. Laser hair removal is not an exact science because there are so many variables. Your laser technician can discuss "averages" and give you an estimate of the number of treatments based on past experience. At any one time, 50 to 85% of your hair follicles are in the active (anagen) phase but only 1/4 to 1/3 of your hairs have enough of the pigment in their ROOTS to absorb the laser beam which destroys the hair root. So, about 1/4 to 1/3 (25% to 33%) of your hair roots are good targets for the laser beam, and can be damaged or destroyed in a single laser session. Because 1/4 to 1/3 of the actively growing pigmented hair roots are damaged or destroyed in any one session, almost all people will want a minimum of three to four treatments to reach a satisfactory degree of hair reduction, and many people will wish to have more than four treatments, most commonly 5 to 8 treatments; and in some cases another session in six to twelve months to eliminate any terminal hairs which have developed when vellus hair follicles mature into terminal hair follicles. The number of treatments depends on:
There
is no safety limit on the number of treatments a person can have. People
who have been partially treated with other types of hair removing laser
might in some cases need less than 3 laser treatments to reach a satisfactory
degree of long-term hair reduction. Previous laser treatment or electrolysis? No problem!
Children can be treated, for example if they have a congenital nevus or other problem with excessive hair, but the children must be old enough (for example, 12 years old) to understand and cooperate with treatment. We frequently treat young, preteen girls who have develolped dark hair on the upper lips. Laser hair removal is not just for "cosmetic" problems. Patients with excess hair because of medications (i.e., organ transplant patients who are taking cyclosporine) can benefit from laser hair removal; as can patients who have problems with ingrown hair and folliculitis under prosthetic devices. Many
people at some time before laser hair removal have fears and doubts. A
common concern is that they are being vain. Most patients who have laser
hair removal are no more vain than anyone else. What does distinguish
them is a desire to get the most out of life. Looking after our appearance
is not a fault. After all would you leave your house with broken gutters
or peeling paint? Why do less for your body? You should feel proud of
yourself for having the courage to want to change something that you find
unacceptable. Normal, reasonable people who have realistic expectations
tend to be excellent candidates for laser hair removal treatments. Which hair colors respond best to treatment? Questions to ask yourself when considering laser hair reduction:
What are Hirsutism and Hypertrichosis? Hypertrichosis is excessive growth of hair in non-androgen
dependent parts of the body (i.e.. Areas other than the face, neck, chest
and medial thighs). What is Unwanted Female Facial Hair? How can I get the best value from each
treatment? 1.
Avoid waxing / sugaring / plucking / EpiLady and electrolysis 2.
Tanning should be avoided! If
you avoid tanning and stop using artificial "tanning" creams for six weeks
before treatment, you will get the maximum possible benefit from each
treatment session. People with very darker skin need extra sessions to
reach their desired degree of long-term hair reduction. 3.
Shaving or clipping the hair? 4.
Bleaching? 5.
Timing: What is a "test area", and why is it performed? Moles, freckles and tattoos in the area to be treated? What will happen on the treatment day? After all of your last minute questions have been answered and paperwork handled, the areas you wish to have treated will be cleansed. Everyone in the treatment room must wear protective goggles when the laser is turned on. The Candela GentleLASE is a high powered laser system, and can cause eye injury if proper eye wear is not worn. The length of the procedure itself can range from a few minutes for the upper lip to an hour or more (for example, a man's chest and back). If
you decide before coming in that you would like to have additional areas
treated, please call ahead so that we can schedule enough time to accommodate
your needs. Does it hurt? While some areas of the body like the upper lip and pubic hair area are more sensitive than others, many patients report little or no discomfort. Your technician is well-trained in discomfort techniques and will prepare your treatment accordingly. If you are scheduled to have topical anesthetic applied, ample time will be allowed. People who have had waxing, sugaring, and/or electrolysis (or treatment with other lasers) usually report that Candela GentleLASE causes less discomfort, and sometimes there is almost no discomfort. The Candela GentleLASE features the Dynamic Cooling Device (DCD). This device sprays a short burst of cryogen to the skin a split second prior to pulsing. This coolant protects the skin and makes the treatment more comfortable for you. The cooling spray can be adjusted to suit your skin type and hair type and is computer calibrated for carefully controlled delivery. We
use a topical anesthetic gel in very sensitive areas or by those who think
they have a very low pain threshold. A decision to use topical is determined
at your initial consultation visit. At the time of your consult, you will
be advised which topical creams you should use post treatment. Some
people find it helpful to take two or three plain Tylenol and/or Advil
a couple of hours before coming in for treatment. Some women find that
they are more sensitive during their menstrual cycles, however, this would
not preclude treatment. What will happen after treatment? Why does the hair sometimes look like it's "growing" for
1-3 weeks after laser treatment? It is normal that some hairs in the treated area may not fall out within 2-3 weeks. These will treated in the next session. These
hairs which are being shed will come out on their own. It is best not
to shave the treated area. If the skin is irritated, use only soft wash
clothes and mild soap and moisturizing creams. You may use exfoliating
gloves in the treated area but it is not really necessary. Are there any restrictions on my activity after treatment? Shaving really is the BEST temporary way to remove unwanted hair before and between laser treatments. Shaving leaves the hair SHAFT in the hair follicle, so the hair shaft can be a target for laser energy, heat up and KILL the hair follicle. |