The following information is provided through a link to the Candela Corporation's web page. They manufacture the GentleLASE^TM Alexandrite hair removal laser. The link to the web page is designed to provide you with a basic understanding of the procedure you are researching. The content of the material is general in nature and it is not intended that you rely on it as medical advice related to your individual situation. Robert B. Pollack, M.D. strongly encourages that you consult a qualified plastic surgeon for specific medical planning and advice pursuant to your individual medical situation on any of the cosmetic and reconstructive procedures that are referred to on our Internet web site.

The following information is taken from the Candela Corporation website:

"The GentleLASE effectively removes unwanted body hair. Traditional hair removal techniques such as shaving, plucking and waxing, provide only temporary relief and may actually stimulate hair growth. Electrolysis, while effective, often requires years of ongoing and frequently painful treatments. All of these methods commonly result in scarring, allergic reactions, and ingrown hairs. At Candela, we believe that the technology used in our the GentleLASE hair removal laser may make all other methods of hair removal obsolete. Laser hair removal works by targeting the pigment inside the hair follicle without damaging delicate pores and structures of the skin. Because hair cycles through "growth" and "dormant" phases, and because during the "dormant" phase the follicle has no pigment, at least 2 or 3 treatments will be needed.

What does the treatment involve?
The patient is asked to wear eye protection consisting of an opaque covering or goggles. The area to be treated is then shaved. A small handpiece, or "wand" is placed against the skin and a burst of coolant is applied as the laser is activated. 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.

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 that they can see and which they can reach the follicle through the hair shaft. A laser treats any "active" follicle, even if the hair has not yet reached the surface of the skin, or if the hair shaft is not straight.

How many sessions are needed?
The number of sessions will vary for each individual. During the initial visit, the laser light 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". For this reason, we recommend a series of [at least] three treatments.

Is the laser treatment painful?
While some areas of the body are more sensitive than others, most patients report little or no discomfort. For more sensitive patients, anesthetic creams can be applied prior to the treatment.

Are there any side effects?
Immediately after the treatment the skin will look pink and slightly swollen, similar to a sunburn. This will subside within an hour or two and the skin will return to normal. Occasionally, a patient will have temporary pigment changes, blistering, or scabbing. As with electrolysis, cases of scarring have been reported with laser hair removal, but these are extremely rare. A test spot is the best determinant of how each individual's skin will react. "

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Candela Corporation is an independent organization and is not affiliated with Robert B Pollack, M.D., Inc. For more information regarding the Candela Corporation,  please contact them directly:

Candela Corporation