"I am very impressed with the results (from laser hair removal). Even after the first treatment, there was a huge difference. I save time everyday that would be spent waxing or shaving. Laser hair removal also saves money in the long run. Now I don't have to deal with razor burn or ingrown hairs since the hair does not grow back!" –Deborah

"Invest in Yourself! This is a wise investment for yourself or a loved one. I've had my face, underarms, and bikini area done and the results are incredible. Rose takes the time to inspect her clients hair and skin regions to ensure their safety. No more nicks, in-grown hairs, razor burn, or just plain hair! This is for men and women. Imagine no more last minute shaves or skin irritation." – Lori

I wish I had done this a long time ago! I used to be so self-concious in a bathing suit and always had a towel wrapped around my waist to cover razor burn and ingrown hairs. Now I don't have to think twice about putting a suit on. I look great and can be spontaneous Get this done! It's so much better than spending money on lotions, waxes, cover-ups, make-up, etc., all temporary solutions. - Liz

Laser Hair Removal Testimonials using Candela GentleLASE
Interview with Dr. Jeffrey Dover, MD, FRCPC, former Associate Chairman of the Department of Dermatology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, former Associate Professor of Dermatology at Harvard Medical School, currently Director of SkinCare Physicians of Chestnut Hill, by Wavelength Magazine.

Q: What makes GentleLASE different than the other lasers you have used?
A: It’s a relatively fast, pain-free laser and because of the Dynamic Cooling Device, which comes with the GentleLASE, we’re able to cool and protect the skin – so that we get great results without damaging the non-hairy skin

Q: How does GentleLASE hair removal (lasers) differ from other types of hair removal – particularly electrolysis?
A: The GentleLASE has a very big spot so it is able to clear bunches of hairs in one single pulse. It hurts less and is much faster than electrolysis. And usually, with an average of three to six treatments, we’re able to reduce hair in an area in months as opposed to years.

Q: You mentioned the Dynamic Cooling Device. Could you elaborate on this?
A: The Dynamic Cooling Device, very simply, delivers a little spurt or spray of a coolant just before the pulse of the laser, which briefly freezes the upper layers of skin. It protects the overlying epidermis so that patients experience only a bit of redness or maybe a bit of puffiness, but very little, if any, crusting. And, the skin looks pretty normal within a day of treatment.

Q: Does the cooling device affect the amount of laser energy you can direct into the hair follicle?
A: Yes, with dynamic cooling, we can protect the overlying epidermis and use very high energies, which go through and damage just the hair follicle, so we have a perfect happy medium – great results and happy patients.

Q: How much energy do you need to damage the hair follicle?
A: We’re not exactly sure … It may be as much as 30 joules per cm square, but it could be lower than that. There are some studies that are now underway to determine optimal treatment ranges. It’s safe to say, though, that the lowest amount of energy necessary to remove hair is still enough to damage the overlying skin … That’s why we like dynamic cooling.

Q: How is dynamic cooling different than other cooling treatments that you have employed over the years?
A: When I first saw the DCD, which is now a couple of years ago, I was enamored with just how elegant it is. It’s clean, it’s tidy, it’s self-contained, and it’s controlled by a computer, so that the laser and the cooling device are always in sync.

Q: Could you tell me about the cryogen that’s used in conjunction with the cooling device?
A: The cryogen used is not nearly as cold as liquid nitrogen. As a result, we are able to cool the skin for just a short period of time … There’s no permanent cooling or permanent damage to the skin.

Q: How does dynamic cooling help to treat a patient faster?
A: Dynamic cooling allows us to provide treatments that are less painful. That enables us to treat with high energies and big spots, and move quickly without having to stop every couple of minutes to comfort the patient. So the patient has a faster, more efficient treatment … They are in and out quickly, but still get great results.

Q: What about the use of gels for cooling?
A: Gels are messy and it’s hard to know how cold they are or how much protection they afford, so it’s difficult to get reproducible cooling … With dynamic cooling, we get the same result time and time again.

Q: Is a larger spot size important?
A: Yes, the bigger the spot size, up to about 15mm, the more forward the penetration of light. In other words, the more laser light that reaches the hair follicle. It’s also much quicker if we use a bigger spot … We can do larger areas faster.

Q: How long would you say it takes to treat the average back?
A: Treatment of a back is a time consuming procedure, but with a big spot such as the GentleLASE’s 15mm, we are able to treat an entire back, on a fair seized man, in less than an hour.

Q: But, why is speed so important?
A: The truth is speed isn’t important when you are talking about treating an upper lip or a chin or even an axilla. However, when you start treating legs, front and back, or an entire back or an entire chest, speed is of the essence. Eight hours of sitting over a back, sweltering, is not effective treatment. Patients won’t tolerate it, not will physicians or nurses. So speed is of the essence when treating large areas.

Q: Generally speaking, how would you characterize patient satisfaction?
A: Patients, are, on the whole, extremely pleased with the GentleLASE.

Q: How many of your patients have tried other forms of hair removal?
A: Many of them tried other forms of hair removal, such as electrolysis or waxing, before seeing us to try laser hair removal … And, I would say that virtually every single patient we have treated, who has had any of those treatments, is much happier with GentleLASE hair removal.

Q: What do you tell patients to expect from laser hair removal?
A: What we like to tell our patients is that we can produce a substantial reduction in hair growth within three to six treatments with the GentleLASE … We re-assess patients after three treatments and determine whether or not they need more based on their results. Some patients have three treatments and are thrilled with the reduction in hair growth, stop, and then come back to see us six months later. Others go on to have another series of treatments – then we re-assess.

Q: What can patients expect in terms of side effects?
A: One hundred percent of our patients have been able to go back to work within one day of treatment. All patients get redness; some get swelling … The redness and swelling are almost always gone within 24 hours.

Q: How long have you had the GentleLASE?
A: We have had the GentleLASE for six months now and have been very pleased with it.

Q: What should a practitioner look at prior to deciding whether to invest in a laser for hair removal?
A: In deciding how to justify the costs – up-front costs and running costs – for laser hair removal you simply have to look at your own practice and ask: “Is it interesting? Will it be fun? Does it add value to my practice or to my patients?” If it does, do it – if it doesn’t, don’t. It’s very simple.