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

What conditions are treated with 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 structures of the skin. Facial and bikini areas are usually completed in under ten minutes; legs, backs and larger areas can take longer.

What does the treatment include?
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 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 reaction. Most patients experience little discomfort at the treatment site because of the dynamic cooling device. The procedure can take as little as 10 minutes or up to an hour, depending on the area 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.

What precautions 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 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 your practitioner. Together you can decide if your expectations will be met and if this laser treatment is the best option.

How many treatments will I need?
Hair grows in cycles. Hair is only affected by the laser when it is in the growing phase of the hair cycle. Repeat sessions will be necessary to treat these follicles when they re-enter the early growth phase therefore, multiple treatments are required.

Is this procedure covered by insurance?
Most insurance companies do not offer reimbursement for cosmetic procedures. However, consult with your insurance carrier for more information.

What Skin Conditions does the Smoothbeam laser treat?
Smoothbeam helps to renew skin by stimulating the generation of new collagen formation of the skin.

Who is a good candidate for skin renewal laser treatment with Smoothbeam?
You are a good candidate for Smoothbeam treatment if:
•You want to start a "Fitness" program for your skin.
•You are seeking to postpone more aggressive treatment, such as surgery.

How does Smoothbeam work?
Smoothbeam laser treatment is a new, noninvasive way to treat your skin.The laser employs a revolutionary, patented laser process with DCD™ (Dynamic Cooling Device), which targets and heats collagen in the upper dermis while protecting the epidermis.

How long does a Smoothbeam treatment take, and how many treatments will I need?
A typical treatment will take between 10 and 30 minutes. Depending on the degree of aggressiveness you and your doctor decide on, your treatment can be a "lunchtime"procedure, in which you can go right back to work, or more aggressive treatment, in which there will be a brief recuperative period. Consult with your physician about your treatment schedule and interval between subsequent treatments.

What will the procedure itself be like?
You and your doctor will wear safety glasses to protect your eyes during the procedure.The doctor will use a small handpiece with a probe that touches your skin to deliver the laser light.You will feel the light spray of coolant onto your skin just before each laser pulse.

Is there any pain involved in laser treatment with Smoothbeam?
Because the laser's Dynamic Cooling Device is so effective, many patients report the procedure as "mild," with little more than a slight snapping or tingling sensation.

What results can I expect from treatment?
Although results vary, you should discuss your expectations with your doctor.

How long before I see results?<
Several treatments may be required, depending on anatomical location and the extent of desired results.

What precautions should be taken before and after treatment?
Avoid sun exposure for 4-6 weeks before treatment, and again after treatment until your physician allows it. Care should be taken in the first few days following treatments to avoid scrubbing or rinsing the treated area with abrasive skin cleansers.

Are there any side effects to treatment with Smoothbeam?
In general, most procedures have a low risk of side effects. More aggressive treatments might induce some temporary discoloration or reddening of the skin. Some patients might experience pigment changes in skin color. If this occurs, the skin will typically return to normal pigmentation over time.

Is this procedure covered by insurance?
Most insurance companies do not offer reimbursement for cosmetic procedures; however, you should consult your insurance provider for specific information.

How does the Candela Vbeam work?
The Candela Vbeam produces an intense but gentle burst of light that selectively destroys the blood vessels of your spider veins, without damaging the surrounding tissue. After laser treatment the surrounding tissue is left intact.

Are there other ways to treat my vascular lesion?
For leg spider veins, some patients have received Sclerotherapy. This mode of therapy has been very effective in the past but can cause hyperpigmentation or pigment discoloration from 6 weeks to 24 months. Also, this mode of therapy can be painful and uncomfortable postoperatively, requiring specific care. For other types of vascular lesions, such as Port Wine Stain birthmarks, stretch marks, scars, facial spider veins or warts, some patients have tried surgery, electrocautery, cryotherapy (freezing the area) or tattooing. These procedures often result in scarring or may leave an unsatisfactory result. Other lasers such as the Ruby Laser, Argon Laser and CO2 Laser have also been used to treat vascular lesions. These lasers are not as specific to the destruction of the blood vessels in the vascular lesions and have resulted in scarring in many individuals. Because of the chance of scarring, the use of these lasers in infants and young children is not recommended. If you have been treated by other modalities which resulted in scarring or loss of pigment, the lesion may not respond as well with the Candela Laser therapy. The scarring or loss of pigment may become more evident after treatment with the Vbeam.

Are there any reasons that would not make me a candidate for Vbeam therapy?
The Candela Vbeam is not recommended for patients who are darkly pigmented. Because of the increase in skin pigment the laser will be less effective on damaging the blood vessels of the spider veins or other vascular lesion to be treated. The depth of penetration of the Candela Vbeam is limited to vessels about 1.5mm in depth. Therefore, vessels deeper than this may not respond to the therapy. Additionally, blue vessels may not respond as well as red ones.

What should I expect from this laser treatment?
Treatment with the Vbeam may consist of multiple treatments. For facial veins, one treatment may be sufficient for clearance but a second visit is recommended for the best results. These treatments occur on an average of every six to twelve weeks. Each individual situation may vary and it is best to discuss yours with the physician. The type of vascular lesion to be treated will determine the number of treatments needed. The red veins respond better than blue veins and the smaller, matting vessels will respond sooner than the vessels up to 1.5mm in size. Port wine stain lesions have more vessels to be treated and require multiple treatments but the number of treatments is unknown in advance

Are there any adverse effects?
With any laser therapy there is a possibility for adverse effects. The following are adverse effects that may occur with the Candela Vbeam: 1. The treated area may hyperpigment, or appear darker after the bruising/red discoloration heals. Normal skin color usually returns within 6 months after laser therapy. 2. Scarring is a risk with the use of any laser. The Candela Vbeam has had no reported incidence of scarring. If the post treatment skin care instructions are not followed, this can increase the chance of scarring. 3. The treated area may show a slight depression after the laser treatments. This depression usually resolves within a few months.

Will the laser treatment hurt?
The DCD (Dynamic Cooling Device) which is built into the laser system, delivers a short burst or spray of cryogen just prior to the laser pulse being delivered. The DCD has been instrumental in reducing pain associated with treatment, as well as reducing the possibility of blister/scab formation. The feeling of a laser pulse has been described as being snapped by a rubber band or a slight stinging sensation. Following laser treatment, the area may continue to sting slightly or feel warm like a sunburn. A small test area can be performed before the entire area is treated to evaluate your pain tolerance.

How long will the laser treatment last?
The duration of your laser treatment depends on the size of the area you wish to have treated or the time allotted by the physician or nurse performing your treatment. You will need to discuss this with the physician or nurse performing the treatment.