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What is Gentlelase and why is it safe?
Our office now offers state of the art Laser Hair Removal using the Calenda
Gentlelase®. The Gentlelase®, a revolutionary long-pulse high
energy alexandrite laser system 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 can disable the hair follicle while
leaving the surrounding skin unchanged. The skin is further protected
by a dynamic cooling process where a cryogen is sprayed onto the skin
cooling the upper layers providing patients increased comfort. This selectivity
helps to protect the skin, while effectively treating unwanted hair.
Other hair removal techniques, such as shaving, plucking,
and waxing provide temporary relief. Plucking and waxing actually cause
the hairs to grow in coarser and thicker. Until now, the only semipermanent
way to remove hair has been with electrolysis, which can be painful and
extremely time consuming. Years of electrolysis treatment have been reported
to yield 50%-70% reduction in hair counts. In some patients five or more
laser treatments at intervals of one month or longer have produced up
to 90% hair loss that has persisted for years.
What areas are treated with this laser?
Gentlelase® safely removes unwanted body hairs without damaging delicate
pores and other skin structures. Facial and bikini areas can be treated
in under ten minutes. Legs and larger areas take longer, for instance
a back may take an hour for treatment as opposed to electrolysis which
would take many hours.
Who is the best candidate?
This procedure is best for people with dark hair on light skin. It is
not effective for blonde hair, gray hair, or white hair, and is less effective
with greater risk of skin discoloration if used on darkly pigmented skin.
It should not be used on skin that is tan.
How do I prepare for the treatments?
It is also important for patients not to pluck, bleach, wax, for the six
weeks prior to treatment, and not shave hairs off four days prior to treatment.
The presence of hair is necessary for the laser to be effective. Avoid
tanning before and after the treatment.
Why should I have the Gentlelase®
treatments?
Laser removal of hair appears to result in long term, i.e., one to two
years delay of regrowth and persistence of hair loss. It is premature
to say whether or not this is truly permanent. In general we expect to
see 50%-80% reduction of hair after a series of three to five monthly
treatments with further maintenance sessions possibly needed in the future.
What does the treatment include?
Depending on the amount of hair treated, the
procedure varies from patient to patient. Generally, the treatment will
include:
Safety eyewear to protect the patient's eyes during the procedure
from the intense laser light. A small handpiece will be used with a probe 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. 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. Be sure to
discuss this with Dr. Binstock in advance of the laser treatment. The procedure can take as little as 10 minutes or up to an hour, depending
on the area treated. All patients can go home immediately following
treatment. The treated area may become pink or red within about 30 minutes of
treatment, this may last from a few hours to several days.
Each treated site will require an average of 3 sessions at four to six
week intervals. Prepayment of 3 sessions, will result in a 10% discount;
as will any additional treatments during the first year.
How many treatments will I need?
Hair grows in cycles. The number of treatments required depends upon your
skin, hair coloring and coarseness of the hair. Everyone will require
at least 2-3 treatments as the process is only effective on hairs during
their growing cycle. Repeated sessions will be necessary to treat these
follicles when they reenter the growth phase.
What are the side effects?
Side effects include some redness and swelling, similar to a sunburn,
blistering may occasionally be seen and more serious side effects are
very rare. People who are dark-skinned or tan may have some loss of pigment.
Tan patients, and those who use artificial tanning creams, should allow
their skin color to lighten before treatment. All patients need to be
careful of the sun after treatment. Other side effects are possible and
will be reviewed with Dr. Binstock at the time of your consultation.
Is this procedure covered by insurance?
Insurance companies do not offer reimbursement for cosmetic procedures.
Please contact our offices in San Francisco at (415)956-8686 or in Mill
Valley at (415)3835475 for further information and to schedule your consultation
to find out what Laser Hair Removal can do for you.
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