FYI Cosmetics

The Revolutionary Candela GentleMax™ is the next step in hair removal technology. The rising demand for aesthetic procedures has called for a piece of equipment that can effectively and efficiently deliver a wide range of applications. The Candela GentleMax™ does just that. Gone is the need for different pieces of laser equipment for individuals with different skin tones and hair colors. The GentleMax™ combines a 755nm wavelength and a 1065 nm wavelength for effective hair removal for all individuals.
The GentleMax combines the revolutionary technology of the Candela GentleLASE and the Candela GentleYAG; two separate pieces of machinery that, before the introduction of the GentleMax, were at the forefront of the aesthetic laser industry. By combining these two gold standard pieces of equipment into one, clinics and spas around the world can administer safe and effective treatments to all of their clientele.

The Future of Hair Removal is the GentleMax™

The Candela GentleMax™ is not only the future for Laser Hair Removal but it is the future for many other aesthetic laser procedures as well. Clinics can use the 1065nm wavelength of the GentleMax™ for hair removal of patients with darker skin tones, treatment of facial and leg veins and wrinkle reduction and skin tightening procedures. In turn, the 755nm can be used for hair removal of patients with lighter skin tones as well as treatment for wrinkles and pigmented and vascular lesions.

This integrated aesthetic treatment system is the best choice for performing multiple aesthetic treatments. Other companies have tried to combine laser technologies in the past, but none have succeeded like Candela. The GentleMax™ truly is the future of aesthetic laser procedures.

Another laser in the long line of the Candela family of lasers is the SmoothPeel. The SmoothPeel is a 2940nm Erbium: YAG (ER: YAG) laser FDA approved to treat minor skin variations. The erbium laser works to ablate (or remove) the top layer of skin giving results beyond the standard microdermabrasion treatments and faster and more controlled than a chemical peel. When treating for fine lines, photo-damage, wrinkles, solar lentigines and skin rejuvenation the results often reveal younger looking skin, smaller pores, more even complexions and minimal downtime.

SmoothPeel has reported superior ablative capabilities with its ER: YAG which delivers consistent and precise outcomes time after time. Results appear in far fewer sessions than with the standard microdermabrasions. A typical microdermabrasion will peel at a depth of 1-2 microns into the skin. The SmoothPeel laser provides tissue ablation with only very superficial injury into the skin at depths of up to 10 microns. Because this laser has only 2 parameter settings there is less risk of input and operator error. The two different spot sizes available on the laser also permit a more customized treatment which allows for either a mild, skin refreshing type peel or a medium to deep peel which requires up to a week of recovery time.

SmoothPeel provides the results of microdermabrasion and chemical peels, but with more control and less risks. Chemical peels are one of the most frequently performed aesthetic procedures done today. Often the amount and depth of tissue destruction as well as the ideal amount of time the chemical is left on the skin can be difficult to determine. This can lead to a variety of undesirable complications as well as inconsistent results. The benefits of the SmoothPeel are that the results can be reproduced time and again with minimal to no untoward side effects.

A typical treatment is performed on clean very dry skin. Since the ER: YAG is attracted to the water within the skin, it is important for the skin to be dry in the areas to be treated. Topical anesthetic can be applied if the medium to deep peel is to be done. An air cooling device is also used to maximize patient comfort. The skin is then treated with one or two passes of the laser depending on the depth of the peel chosen. The ablated or dead skin is wiped away using iced saline gauze. Immediately afterward the skin will appear like mild sunburn. This fades away over a period of 1-3 days with some residual peeling of the skin during that time. The deeper laser peel will have a 4-7 day recovery time with increased redness and peeling. Optimal results are experienced with 3 sessions at 3-4 week intervals. Each session builds upon itself for progressively better results.

Actual treatment times are quick, and a full face can be treated in approximately 20 minutes. These rapid and effective treatments assist in an increase patient satisfaction ratio. Because the Erbium: YAG laser is more technologically advanced than the standard microdermabrasion and chemical peels it offers a significant advantage over these conventional therapies. First the quicker treatment times allow the patient to come in on their lunch hour and return to work with minimal observable effects. Second, the quicker treatment times are designed to also increase general patient comfort during sessions. Thirdly the SmoothPeel laser has the ability to treat thinner skinned areas such as the neck and chest with minimal difficulties.

The GentleMax laser from Candela combines the best of both worlds, the gold standard GentleLase alexandrite laser for hair removal and the multipurpose GentleYAG laser in one convenient package. The two lasers in one package allow for smoother transitions between treatment types as well as conserve space for the practitioner. Candela continues to use the dynamic cooling device as a means of skin coolant and protection during treatments and with the Gentle Max this is no exception. This two in one laser can provide treatment for hair removal on all skin types, facial and leg veins, pseudo follicular barbae (beard bumps), pigmented lesions, age or sun spots, freckles, vascular lesions, wrinkle reduction and skin tightening.

The Alexandrite laser portion of the GentleMax is a 755 nm wavelength of light that is excellent for hair removal, as well as some vascular treatments and pigmentation spots. While it does have the ability to treat all skin types, it is best slated for the lighter skin colors known as the Fitzpatrick’s I- IV. The vascular lesions such as hemangiomas, venous lakes and blue facial veins can also be effectively eliminated as well as the reduction of some facial wrinkles. Typical hair removal treatments initiate the use of the dynamic cooling device or DCD to cool and protect the skin during the session. The rapid evaporative cooling also assists in maximizing comfort as well the providing epidermal protection which aides in faster recovery.

The YAG laser portion of the GentleMax utilizes the 1064nm wavelength of light. YAG wavelengths are excellent and safe for their ability to provide permanent hair reduction on tanned or very dark skin, as well as effectively eliminate spider veins, reduce wrinkles and tighten skin. With its use of long pulse high energy laser light technology, the beam of light that is emitted passes through the skin where it is absorbed by the targets without risk or damage to the surrounding skin. The GentleYAG provides superior non invasive non ablative methods to reduce wrinkles and tighten the skin on the face, neck and larger areas of the body. Laser facials with the YAG treat superficially to reduce wrinkles virtually painlessly with almost immediate results. YAG skin tightening treats the deeper dermis causing a thermal reaction to stimulate collagen beneath the surface of the skin causing skin to be firmer and tighter. Results can be seen in 4 to 6 weeks with 4 treatments needed to achieve optimal results.

The GentleMax provides several spot sizes to be able to customize the many cosmetic procedures this system can provide. A major benefit with the use of the Candela lasers is that it provides for the largest treatment spot size in industry. In regards to laser hair removal for example the 18 mm spot size can treat a man’s back in 30 minutes, as opposed to smaller spot sizes that can take an hour or more to treat. The varieties of treatment target sizes are available to maximize the effectiveness of each pulse for both the alexandrite and YAG lasers. The flexible pulse duration and adjustable epidermal cooling technology also allow for maximum patient safety and comfort. With the highly innovated computer controls and touch screen, deciding on treatment parameters are made easy when the proper treatment and skin types are put in the system. Not only is the GentleMax easy to use, but it will also provide consistent and reproducible results time and again.

The Alex TriVantage laser by Candela is the fastest and most powerful laser to date for tattoo and pigmentation removal. This technologically advanced laser combines the uniqueness of a Q switched laser with laser pump laser technology giving it the ability to be able to treat a variety of colors for both tattoos as well as pigmented spots. The Q switched Alexandrite laser utilizes a 755nm wavelength of light to successfully treat the blue, black and green inks of tattoos. In addition The Alex TriVantage also incorporates a 1064 nm and a 532nm that are pumped with flash lamps, creating the Laser pump laser effect and thereby giving it the name TriVantage.

The original AlexLAZR by Candela was considered the industry standard for removing green, blue and black inks. Unfortunately there was insufficient absorption at this wavelength for the removal of other colors, specifically for red tattoos. With the development of the laser pump laser, the 532nm wavelength has to ability to effectively remove these reds along with brown inks. Additionally the 1064nm, the 3rd added wavelength to the AlexTriVantage has the ability to enhance tattoo removal on darker skin types especially when treating the blue and black inks.

A Benefit of using the Alex TriVantage is its unique pulse duration. This laser provides a slightly longer pulse duration than the other Q switch lasers. The longer pulse duration proves it is gentler on the skin, creating less side effects of divots under the skin of the tattoo ink or pigmented lesions. Another benefit with the AlexTriVantage laser is its limited disposables. The treatments do not require cryogen as with some of their other products and spot size skin guards are reusable, keeping ancillary costs low.

Because pigments from tattoos are sometimes deep within the skin, it will often take several treatments before a tattoo can be removed completely. The type of ink, length of time the tattoo has been in the skin and the wavelength of light used will determine how effectively the removal will be. Tattoo removal works by targeting the ink with pulses of highly concentrated laser light. The wavelength of light breaks up the ink, initiating the immune response from the body to then absorb the ink. Typical side effects and possible complications that can occur from laser tattoo removal can include scarring or changes in skin texture, temporary discoloration or redness around the treatment site, scabbing, blisters and possible infection. Additional side effects could include temporary lightening or darkening of the skin at the site of the tattoo.

Frequently treatments require a topical numbing medication to be applied prior to treatment along with a cooling method during the actual procedure to increase client comfort. Many clients report sessions feel like a hot snapping on their skin. The size of the tattoo and type of ink used may assist in determining the number of sessions that will be required. The number of treatments typically will range from 4-15 at 8 week intervals.

The GentleLASE Alexandrite laser by Candela is the gold standard for permanent hair reduction. While it has the ability to be used on all skin pigments, it reveals its best and safest work on the lighter skin colors. Combined with Candela’s patented dynamic cooling device, treatments are faster and more comfortable than ever before. Not only does this laser prove to be fast and effective for patients for hair reduction it will also successfully treat pigmented lesions such as sun spots, age spots, freckles, café-au-lait spots and melasma. In addition this 755nm wavelength laser can also assist in eliminating vascular lesions such as hemangiomas, venous lakes and blue facial veins as well as decrease wrinkles.

Candela lasers are the only lasers in the industry that have the benefit of the dynamic cooling device or DCD. The DCD sprays cryogen on to the skin milliseconds before the beam of light hits the skin. The rapid evaporative cooling ability of cryogen will maximize comfort and protect the epidermis as well as permit a quick recovery. Treatment disposables are decreased as the need for cooling gel and some costly topical anesthesia are eliminated by the use of the DCD.

The GentleLASE provides several spot sizes to be able to customize the laser hair removal treatment for efficiently. A typical hair removal treatment requires hair to be clipped or shaved down to the skin level. No lotions or gels should be on the area to be treated. Several treatment spot sizes are available to maximize the effectiveness of each pulse of the alexandrite laser. The laser targets the color within the hair follicle to destroy it as it leaves the surrounding delicate pores and structures of the skin intact. Because hair cycles through growth and dormant phases, the hair needs to be targeted in a growth cycle, when the pigment is at its darkest. Therefore a minimum of 3 treatments are needed to achieve desired results.

A major benefit of the Candela laser is that it provides the largest spot size in the laser industry for hair removal that can deliver fluences up to 100 joules/cm2. The spot sizes can target from 12-25 or more hairs in one laser pulse. The 18mm spot size for example can treat a full back in thirty minutes. The flexible pulse durations and adjustable epidermal cooling technology allow for maximum patient safety and comfort. In addition integrated computer controls within the unit assure consistent, reproducible results time after time. Because of the versatility of the GentleLase darker pigments can also be treated with extended pulse durations to increase skin tolerance.

Pigmentation issues can also be effectively treated with the GentleLase. Hyper-pigmented patches caused by the sun and do not have possible malignant potential can successfully be destroyed with often only one treatment. The brown or pigmented lesion can be found on the face, hands neck chest and sometimes legs. Generally treatments for these spots and areas are considered cosmetic in nature. The long pulse of the Alexandrite GentleLase makes for a fast safe and effective treatment. Typical treatments will cause the treated area to become red for a few hours to a few days, with minimal to no side effects after healing.