How the Candela GentleLase works

Dark pigment (melanin) in the hair attracts and absorbs the energy emitted by the laser. The hair is vaporized immediately, and if in its “active” phase, the papilla is destroyed and the follicle will stop making hair permanently.

Hair grows in three phases: the active phase, the mature phase and the dormant phase. In the active phase the part of the papilla, which is the part of the hair follicle that actually generates the hair is present. In the mature phase, the hair has stopped growing and the papilla has disappeared, and the dormant phase is when the follicle is preparing to shed the old hair (exfoliation) and cycle back to the active growth phase. Because of these phases, patients will need 6-8 sessions that are approximately 4-8 weeks apart in order to catch each follicle in the active growth phase if they are to achieve ‘permanent’ hair removal.

With time, typical skin will grow new hair from new follicles that have never been active. This occurs throughout normal life changes, maturation, aging and normal hormonal cycles for both men and women. Therefore, even after a thorough and effective series of laser treatments, occasional long-term maintenance may be required to treat this new growth.

Lasers can help eliminate hair from just about anywhere on the body. Here are
a few of the most popular areas from which to have hair removed.

• Areolas (Nipples)
• Bikini area
• Brazilian Bikini
• Bare Bikini
• Face
• Legs
• Underarms
  

Eye protection during treatment is required.   The area or areas to be treated are then shaved, if this has not already been done at home.  A small handpiece is placed against the skin and a burst of coolant is applied as the laser is activated.  The coolant allows for a no messy, no gel needed treatment.  The handpiece is repositioned and the laser is activated again.  The size or the area treated will determine the number of laser activations, or "pulses", required.  Each pulse is about the size of a quarter.

Is laser hair removal for you?

Although laser hair removal is generally safe, some people make better candidates for the procedure than others.   People who may not make ideal candidates include those being treated for removal of red, blonde or gray hair, those being treated with isotretinoin, those prone to keloid scarring, those with suppressed immune systems, those susceptible to herpes infections in the treatment area and women with polycystic ovaries.
How many sessions are needed?

The number of sessions will vary for each person.   Usually, we recommend between 5-8 visits for best results per area.  Some areas of the body may require fewer sessions.   During your first visit, the laser disables those follicles in the "active" phase of the growth cycle.  Follicles in the "dormant" phase will not be affected.  Since follicles cycle through "active" and "dormant" phases, additional sessions may be desired once the "dormant" follicles become "active".

Is the laser treatment painful?

Everyone's experience is different. Some areas of the body are more sensitive than others.  Patients say that it feels like a rubber band snapping against their skin.   Most patients report that any discomfort experienced is tolerable, and well worth the great results they achieve.  For more sensitive patients, anesthetic cream can be applied prior to the treatment.  I maintain inventory of anesthetic cream for sale.

How long are the laser treatment sessions?

Depending on the area being treated, it can range from 10 minutes to an hour.
How far apart should I space my treatments?
It's usually best to space your visits 4-8 weeks apart as it can take about this long before new growth is observed.
What do I need to do to prep for my laser treatment?
Make sure you have not waxed or tweezed in the area to be treated at least 3-4 weeks prior to your treatment.  It's a good idea to shave the area being treated the day before your appointment.   You must not be tan-by the sun, creams, sprays or a booth before your treatment.
Are there any risks or side effects?

Immediately after the treatment the skin will look pink and slightly swollen, similar to a sunburn.  This usually subsides within an hour or two and the skin returns to normal.  In very few cases, a darkening or lightening of the treated skin may occur.  Burning or blistering of the skin is also possible.  While these adverse laser hair removal reactions are temporary, they can last a few months in extreme cases.

What are the advantages over electrolysis?

With electrolysis, the operator inserts a needle into the hair shaft with the intention of reaching the follicle, then sends a small electrical charge designed to disable the follicle.   The operator then removes that particular hair with a tweezer.   Hair removal is much faster with a laser as the laser is pulsed about once per second across the surface of the skin.  Each "pulse" of laser light disables a large numbers of hair follicles.  Electrolysis operators can only treat those hairs and hair shafts that are straight and they can see and reach.  A laser treats any "active" follicle, even if the hair has not yet reached the surface of the skin.

Things to remember about laser hair removal:

1.  Laser is effective on dark hair only.  Blond, gray, red and peach fuzz hair will not be removed by the laser. For such cases, please consider waxing.
2.  Actively tanning during laser hair removal treatments significantly increases adverse side effects, such as pigmentation, etc.  We do not treat tan skin (including fake tan).
3.  Unless directed otherwise, always shave the day of your appointment.

After Hair Removal Instructions

1)  Expect a little pink/red “puffiness” and small bumps like “goose bumps” (follicular edema) immediately after the treatment.  The area may feel as if it was sun burned.   These symptoms should subside within a few hours.  (2-3 days at most)
2)  Do not pluck, tweeze, (or use Eplilady), wax or use depilatory cream during the course of your laser treatments.  These will reduce the effectiveness of your treatments by removing hairs (and their papillas) in their active growth phase before they can be treated with the laser.   Shaving with an electric shaver or razor blades is OK.
3)  Approximately 1-3 weeks after treatment, treated hair will push its way out of the skin to eventually fall out (Exfoliation).  It may even seem that the hair is growing.  Don’t worry, the hair is “dead” and is simply being pushed “over board” by healthy skin doing some house cleaning.
4)  Gently rubbing your skin with a washcloth during a hot shower will assist this exfoliation process.
5)  Remember to avoid exposing any target areas to the sun during the course of your treatments.   If you must, be sure to use complete sun block with zinc-oxide.

Here at Boca Raton Laser Hair Removal, we have great success.   Time and time again, we have proven to our clients that we are at the top of our industry.  Give us a call or visit our contact us page today to book your free consoltation.  You will be extremely satisfied!