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 Smoothbeam by Candela is a 1450nm diode laser that is versatile and multifunctional. It is the first FDA approved laser for the treatment of acne. Designed to target the root cause of acne, the Smoothbeam provides a precise heating of the upper dermis, while the dynamic cooling device Candela is famous for, known as non toxic cryogen gas, provides a controlled cooling of the skin. The result when this wavelength of light penetrates the skin is a denaturization of the sebaceous glands to effectively treat acne and sebaceous hyperplasia. In addition this diode laser also has the ability to initiate skin rejuvenation by softening fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes as well as a softening the appearance of acne scars.

Acne is the most common cause for visits to the dermatologist. This skin disorder affects millions of people worldwide. Acne is caused by clogged pores, pimples or cysts. The levels of acne range from mild to severe. Many factors can contribute to this condition such as hormones, stress, genetics, diet and the environment. Acne can be seen not only on the face, but also on the neck, chest, back, shoulders and upper arms. Moderate to severe forms of acne can possibly lead to scarring. Acne is caused by an increased production of the sebum from the oil glands, often as a result of hormonal activity. While there are several topical and systemic treatments available to use, occasionally other forms of treatment are needed to clear the area and gain control of an outbreak. This is where the Smoothbeam by Candela comes in.

The Smoothbeam targets the root cause of the acne by causing a thermal injury below the surface of the skin. The heat then alters the structure of the oil or sebaceous glands thus reducing the overproduction of the acne causing oil. The sebaceous glands are the root cause of acne. The thermal injury also initiates the remodeling of collagen to decrease the appearance of wrinkles and acne scars. As the laser penetrates into the upper layers of the dermis the wavelength of light is absorbed by the water within the deeper skin. The dynamic cooling device, which sprays cryogen onto the skin milliseconds prior to the laser beam hitting the skin, assists in minimizing side effects as it preserves the skin integrity and increase patient comfort.

The Smoothbeam targets and heats the collagen and the oil glands in the dermis, denaturing the oil glands and stimulating collagen growth all while protecting the top layer of skin. An advantage of this laser is its ability to treat any skin type from teenagers to older patients with minimal side effects. Side effects include hyper or hypo pigmentation, redness and in rare instances scarring. Contraindications to receive the Smoothbeam treatment include recent use of the oral medication Accutane and tanned skin.

The procedure is said to feel as if rubber bands are snapping on the skin and usually a topical anesthetic is applied prior to the treatment for added patient comfort. A full face can be treated in approximately 30 minutes. 2-6 treatments are needed at 4-6 week intervals for optimal results. Results are seen gradually, with most claiming to see a response after the second or third treatment.

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.