GentleLASE® Hair Removal

Unwanted hair is a common problem. Women frequently experience this condition on the face, especially the upper lip or eyebrow area, in the bikini area, under the arms or on the legs. Men often want to eliminate the hair on their back or chest.

Up to now, removing unwanted body and facial hair has been messy, temporary, expensive, and/or sometimes painful. Shaving, waxing, plucking, and depilatory creams are temporary solutions that are usually inconvenient and irritating. Electrolysis is useful for smaller areas but is sometimes painful and time consuming.

The GentleLASE® laser has revolutionized the treatment of unwanted hair. Now there is a gentle, effective and convenient solution for hair removal. 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 less than ten minutes; legs, backs and larger areas can take longer.

Q What is the Candela GentleLASE® laser and why is it a safe treatment?

A 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 DeviceTM where cryogen is sprayed onto the skin cooling the upper layers and providing patients with increased comfort.

Q What conditions are treated with the GentleLASE®?

A 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 around ten minutes; legs, backs and larger areas can take longer.

The GentleLase® is also very effective in the treatment of blue leg and facial veins, hemangiomas, melasma, café au lait spots and freckles.

Q What does the treatment include?

A 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 doctor and patient's eyes from the laser light during the procedure. A small handpiece 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. A test area will be done prior to the entire treatment. Your full treatment may be done on the same day or up to two weeks later, depending on the skin’s reaction. 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. This cream is applied one hour before the procedure, and can minimize treatment discomfort. Most patients treating smaller areas of skin do not require the anesthetic cream. Be sure to discuss this with Dr. Ali in advance of the laser treatment.

The treated area may become pink, red, or swollen within 30 minutes of treatment; this may last from a few hours to several days and is relieved with the application of ice or cooling gels. Patients can go about their normal activities immediately following treatment. It can take up to 2 weeks after each session for the treated hairs to fall out and up to 2 months for a new cycle of hair growth to commence.

Q What precautions should be taken before and after treatment?

A Avoid the sun 4-6 weeks before and after treatment or until Dr. Ali allows it. A sunblock of 30 or higher should be applied when going outdoors. We carry an excellent one called Replenishing Sunblock SPF-36. For successful treatment, the root of the hairs must be present under the skin during laser treatment. For this reason, we advise not to pluck, wax or use cream depilatories between treatments. Shaving or clipping the hair between treatments is the best approach. 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. You should discuss your desired results and the improvements you expect to achieve with Dr. Ali. Together you can decide if your expectations will be met and if this laser treatment is the best option.

Q What are the potential side effects?

A Side effects may include purpura (a laser bruise), redness, blistering, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation and swelling in the treated area. These usually do not last more than a few days.

Q How many treatments will I need?

A Hair grows in cycles. The number of treatments required depends upon your skin color and coarseness of the hair as the process is only effective on hair during the early growing cycle. . Most people require approximately 5 to 7 treatment sessions to produce long lasting hair removal in a given area. Treatment sessions are usually performed at two month intervals, depending on the area of skin being treated. Repeat sessions will be necessary to treat these follicles when they re-enter the early growth phase.

Q Is this procedure covered by insurance?

A Most insurance companies do not offer reimbursement for cosmetic procedures. Some carriers will, however, cover the treatment of disfiguring birthmarks such as hemangiomas. Consult with your insurance carrier for more information.

Q Does treatment with the GentleLASE® improve “razor burn?”

A Clinical studies have demonstrated that laser hair removal is the best approach for razor bumps, ingrown hairs or what is medically termed "pseudofolliculitis". This condition is caused by cut hairs, following shaving or waxing, which curl and grow into the skin causing inflammation. When this condition is present for long periods of time, it can result in scarring and skin discoloration. By destroying the ingrown hair under the skin, the pimples and bumps disappear. The skin discoloration and skin texture can dramatically improve as well from these treatments.