WHAT CAN I EXPECT DURING TREATMENT?

Treatment will take place in your practitioner’s 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 handpiece. 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 being treated.

DOES IT HURT?

Some patients may feel a slight discomfort with each 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 spray. For some patients, a topical anesthetic may be used prior to treatment. Be sure to discuss this with your practitioner.

HOW MANY TREATMENT SESSIONS WILL I NEED?

The number of sessions depends on the treatment you require and the condition of your skin. Multiple treatments may be required (average 4-6 treatments approximately 4-6 weeks apart) but many factors impact the efficacy of individual laser treatments, including the severity of the condition being treated.

HOW CAN I PREPARE FOR TREATMENT?

Your skin should be thoroughly cleaned and dried, removing any makeup, creams, oils, topical anesthetics or self tanning products before laser treatment. If you have had a history of herpes simplex virus prophylactic antiviral therapy may be prescribed. The intended treatment area should not be exposed to sunlight or tanning booth light for 14 days prior to treatment. Shave the intended treatment area the day before, not the day of the treatment and leave the area you'd like treated completely unshaven when you come in for your free consultation so that the practitioner can fully assess your treatment goals.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT AFTER TREATMENT?

A cool compress or gel pack may be applied for comfort following your treatment. Any redness or swelling should resolve within a few hours. Most people forget they had anything done the very next day. Some people may feel like they have a mild sunburn the next day.

WHAT PRECAUTIONS SHOULD I TAKE AFTER TREATMENT?

After laser hair removal treatment, prevent sun exposure by applying sunblock (SPF 30 or above). In the first few days after treatment, don’t scrub or subject the treated areas to abrasive skin cleansers. You may find that you do not need to shave for a few weeks, but feel free to do so. Do not pluck or otherwise disturb the hair follicle (waxing) between treatments for optimal results.Your practitioner may advise additional precautions.

ARE THERE SIDE EFFECTS?

Your risks are minimal. Side effects may include redness, swelling, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, blistering, and purpura (a laser bruise), in the treated area—these usually do not last more than a few days. Permanent side effects are rare. Be sure to discuss potential side effects with your provider.

ARE THESE TREATMENTS COVERED BY INSURANCE?

Most insurance companies do not offer reimbursement for cosmetic procedures. Consult your insurance carrier for conclusive information.