GentleYAG FAQ Patient Information
How does the laser treatment work?
The laser creates a beam of high-intensity light that penetrates deep into skin
tissue where it delivers a controlled amount of targeted therapeutic heat. Candela's
patented Dynamic Cooling Device™ (DCD™) technology protects the upper layers of your
skin with a cooling burst of cryogen. Together, the long-pulse laser and DCD cooling
offer optimal treatment with minimal side effects.
What can I expect during treatment?
Treatment will take place in our office. You will wear safety eyewear to protect your
eyes from the laser light. Your practitioner will guide the laser to the treatment
areas with a small handheld probe. Each laser pulse may be preceded and followed by a
short pulse of cooling spray. A treatment could take as little as a few minutes to as
long as an hour, depending on the area and condition being treated.
Does it hurt?
Some patients may feel a slight discomfort with the laser pulse, sometimes described
as the snapping of a rubber band on the skin. This discomfort resolves in several seconds
and is minimized by Candela's DCD cooling. For some patients, a topical anesthetic may be
used prior to treatment. Be sure to discuss this with us.
How many treatment sessions will I need?
The number of sessions depends on the treatment you require and the condition of your skin.
For hair removal, multiple treatments are required, as the process is only effective when
the hair follicle is in its active growth phase. Other conditions may clear in as few as one
treatment, but many factors impact the efficacy of individual laser treatments, including the
severity of the condition being treated.
How do I prepare for treatment?
Patients scheduled for hair removal should avoid plucking, electrolysis or hair waxing for
six weeks prior to treatment. If you have had a history of perioral herpes and are scheduled
for facial hair treatment, prophylactic antiviral therapy may be prescribed. Also, any hair
should be completely removed by shaving, and your skin should be thoroughly cleaned and dried,
removing any makeup, creams, oils, or topical anesthetics on its surface before laser treatment.
What can I expect after treatment?
A cool compress or gel pack may be applied for comfort following your treatment. Patients
should avoid sun exposure before and after treatment, by applying sunblock (SPF 30 or above)
prior to going outdoors.
Are there side effects?
Your risks are minimal. Side effects may include purpura (a laser bruise), redness, blistering,
hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, and swelling in the treated area—these usually do not last
more than a few days. Permanent side effects, such as hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation or
scarring, are rare.
What precautions should I take after treatment?
After laser treatment, prevent sun exposure by applying sunblock (SPF 30 or above). In the first
few days after treatment, don't scrub or rinse the treated areas with abrasive skin cleansers.
We may advise additional precautions.
Are these treatments covered by insurance?
Most insurance companies do not offer reimbursement for cosmetic procedures. Some carriers will,
however, cover the treatment of disfiguring birthmarks such as hemangiomas. Consult your insurance
carrier for conclusive information.
Why does my practitioner use the Candela GentleYAG laser?
It uniquely provides laser hair removal for everyone. Whether you are fair skinned, dark skinned
or tanned, the GentleYAG can eliminate the need for shaving, plucking or waxing. The GentleYAG can
also be used for a variety of medical and cosmetic procedures including treatment of leg and facial
veins, as well as fine lines and wrinkles. The GentleYAG system, a revolutionary long-pulse
high-energy Nd:YAG laser, incorporates Candela's DCD cooling where cryogen is sprayed onto the skin
cooling the upper layers and providing patients with increased comfort. GentleYAG selectivity helps
to protect the skin, while effectively treating the unwanted hair, vascular lesions, and wrinkles.
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