Introducing the Candela GentleLase^® Laser…

Lasers have been used for many years for a variety of cosmetic medical 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 Device, where cryogen is sprayed onto the skin, cooling the upper layers and providing patients with increased comfort.

Conditions that can be treated by the GentleLase^®

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 structure of the skin.

What a treatment includes

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 practitioner's 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.

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 can also be requested based on individual preference or tolerances. Be sure to discuss this with your practitioner in advance of the laser treatment. The treated area may become pink or red 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.

Precautions that should be taken before and after treatment

Avoid the sun 4-6 weeks before and after treatment or until your practitioner allows it. You must avoid electrolysis, plucking or waxing hair for 6 weeks prior to treatment. If you have had a history of perioral herpes, prophylactic antiviral therapy may be prescribed. If you have a dark skin type, 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 your practitioner. Together you can decide if your expectations will be met and if this laser treatment is the best option.

Number of treatments needed

Hair grows in cycles. The number of treatments required depends on your skin color and the coarseness of the hair. Everyone will require at least four treatments as the process is only effective on hair during the early growing cycle. Repeat sessions will be necessary to treat these follicles when they reenter the early growth phase. Again, to achieve ideal results 4 or five treatments may be needed conducted four to six weeks apart.

Pulse Dye Laser

What is a Pulse Dye Laser?

Pulse Dye Lasers deliver an intense but gentle burst of light into selectively targeted areas of the skin. The light is absorbed by specific blood vessels or melanin pigmented areas in the dermis depending on the condition being treated. Factors such as the age, color and type of lesions, as well as the location on the body, all determine whether lesions can be removed.

What is the procedure for being treated with a Pulse Dye Laser?

Your practitioner will ensure you are as comfortable as possible; most patients are reclined or lying down depending on the area being treated. Both the patient and the practitioner will be wearing protective eyewear. When treatment begins, the laser will be calibrated and parameters will be set based on the specific condition being treated, each condition and each individual is unique and these settings maximize the results you will see following treatment.

Are there any requirements for treatment– how do I know if I qualify for treatment?

The only requirement is that you have a desire to improve the condition of your skin. Most patients who receive cosmetic laser treatment opt for procedures to correct skin conditions not out of medical necessity, but because they are interested in improving the appearance of their skin without invasive surgery that would cause downtime away from daily activities. From total facial rejuvenation which involves the reduction and removal of red and brown pigmented lesions with a general firming of the skin, to the removal of sun-spot damage, patients should discuss with their practitioner which treatments are right for them.

Does it hurt?

No anesthetics are required, but they may be used. The feeling most patients report is a warming or tingling sensation during treatment. The skin being treated is additionally protected by Candela’s dynamic cooling method, DCD, which delivers a cooling mist on to the skin before the laser pulse is emitted. This cooling mist increases comfort during treatment, as well as protects the skin to minimize side effects like redness.

Is Pulse Dye Laser treatment safe?

Yes. In fact, treatment is so safe that it has been successfully used since the 1980’s for the treatment of port wine stain birthmarks in infants and young children. During treatment, the epidermis is protected by Candela’s exclusive dynamic cooling method, DCD, which sprays a cooling mist onto the targeted area of skin before each laser pulse, maximizing comfort and protecting the skin during treatment.

Are the results of Pulse Dye Laser treatment permanent?

Permanency of results depends on many factors, like the condition being treated, or lifestyle of the patient. For example, if a patient has sun spots removed, and continues to spend time in the sun without adequate skin protection, it is likely that the sun spots will return. Talk with your practitioner about your goals and expectations for treatment.

How soon will I see results of my treatment?

Most patients notice beneficial results right away, and often times feel a firming or tightening of the treated area. The results of laser therapy vary depending on the condition that is being treated and the number of treatments required for clearance.

What are the side effects of treatment?

Some patients experience redness or mild swelling in the treated area immediately following treatment, this usually goes away in a few hours. Occasionally purpura, a laser bruise, may occur. Purpura is transient and usually disappears in three to five days.

Are there any special precautions I need to take before or after treatment?

It is recommended to avoid sun exposure before and throughout treatment to maximize results. A sunblock of SPF 30 or higher should be worn daily during this time. Post treatment care guidelines depend on the condition treated, and should be discussed with you practitioner.

Is Pulse Dye Laser treatment covered by insurance?

Most insurance companies do not offer reimbursement for cosmetic and aesthetic Procedures. Some carriers will, however, cover the treatment of disfiguring birthmarks such as hemangiomas or port wine stains. In addition, the treatment of psoriasis and rosacea may be covered by some insurance companies. Please consult your insurance carrier for more details.

How much does Pulse Dye Laser treatment cost?

Cost depends on the size of the area being treated as well as the condition being treated; talk with your practitioner to learn more about treatment fees.

• Brown Pigmentation
• Facial Veins
• Leg Veins
• Port Wine Stains
• Warts

Fraxel Laser Treatment (At our Bel Air office only)

What is Fraxel Re:Pair™?

Fraxel Re:Pair™ is the newest generation of resurfacing techniques to correct aged and damaged skin without prolonged downtime. Fraxel Re:Pair™ is an ablative CO2 laser system that provides treatment both on the surface and deep in the dermis with a single treatment.

Fraxel Re:Pair™ uses focused light energy to precisely treat thousands of microscopic areas of your skin. The treatment penetrates deep into the skin to remove old, damaged skin cells, stimulates your body's own natural healing process, and replaces the cells with fresh, glowing, healthy skin. Because the technology is so precise and safe, Fraxel Re:Pair™ works not only on the face, but also on delicate skin areas such as the neck, chest and hands.

Is Fraxel Re:Pair™ safe?

With Fraxel Re:Pair™ treatment, you get dramatic results without the risks and complications of surgery or more invasive traditional CO2 laser resurfacing. The Fraxel Re:Pair™ system is the only fractional ablative resurfacing system that is FDA approved for cosmetic use. Fraxel Re:Pair™is approved for treatment of:

• Wrinkles
• Irregular texture
• Sun spots and age spots (pigmented lesions)
• Sun-induced redness (vascular dyschromia)

What should be expected during the treatment?

Fraxel Re:Pair™ is performed in our office with a topical anesthetic cream that is applied before the procedure begins and local anesthetic injections. Oral medications are occasionally given to help you relax during treatment and make the treatment easier for you. There is mild pain associated with the procedure - most patients say they feel heat similar to sunburn.

What should be expected after the treatment?

Immediately following treatment, you will have a moderate degree redness and swelling. Over the next 2-4 days there will be mild crusting, swelling and redness that will limit social and work activities. After about 3- 4 days, you will feel comfortable applying makeup to cover mild redness that gradually fades over about 1 to 2 weeks.

Soon after treatment, the surface of the skin will feel softer, look brighter and show a more even tone. Skin tightening and wrinkle improvement will be observed over the next 2-6 months.

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