Candela GentleMax Pro treatment
Soft, tight skin and an even complexion might seem like a thing of the past, especially for those of us who spend extended amounts of time outdoors, enjoying our region’s natural beauty. But here at Coastal Dermatology, we can erase the evidence of your time in the sun—the age spots, freckles, pigmented lesions, spider veins, and unwanted hair—with one of the most state-of-the-art lasers available, the Candela GentleMax Pro.
What is GentleMax Laser Treatment?
The Candela GentleMax Pro combines two laser platforms: Alexandrite for light skin tones and ND-YAG for darker skin tones. Both lasers are approved by the FDA. The dual wavelengths allow us to effectively and safely treat a variety of conditions and more skin types than ever before. The Candela GentleMax Pro is most often used for removing unwanted hair on the arms, lips, legs, cheeks, underarms and back. It also treats brown spots, hyperpigmentation, blue facial veins, venous lakes, uneven pigmentation, rosacea, vascular lesions, and pigmented lesions. The high-quality laser works by emitting a beam of light that penetrates deep into the targeted area of skin tissue and emits a controlled amount of therapeutic heat.
What Can I Expect During an Appointment?
Like many of our other cosmetic procedures, your Candela GentleMax treatment will take place in our office by one of our board-certified doctors. During your appointment, your skin will be cleaned and you will be given protective eyewear. The laser first emits a pulse of cooling spray to protect the skin and then a pulse of laser light. The cooling spray greatly minimizes discomfort from the laser pulse, but patients can request that a topical anesthetic be applied 30 minutes prior to treatment. The procedure should take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour, depending on the area and condition being treated.
Are There Any Side Effects?
Side effects from a Candela GentleMax treatment are minimal, due to the laser’s patented Dynamic Cooling Device (DCD) technology, which not only protects the outer layers of your skin with a cooling burst of cryogen, but also leads to increased patient comfort for the duration of the procedure. The Candela GentleMax also has a larger spot size, longer wavelength, and higher energy usage than other lasers, ensuring a faster treatment and less epidermal damage. Patients are free to return to their normal activities immediately. Some might still experience some redness and swelling, but this will go away within a few days. To minimize these or other minor side effects that could occur immediately following treatment, patients should avoid going in the sun or using abrasive cleansers.
What are the Long-Term Results?
Results of a Candela GentleMax treatment are permanent, although some procedures, like laser hair removal, require anywhere from four to 10 sessions to achieve these long-term results, because hair grows in cycles. Directly after a hair removal session, patients might notice hair growth in the treated area as the hair grows out and sheds, but this should stop within two to three weeks.
Is GentleMax Laser Right for Me?
Candela GentleMax is very effective in treating a variety of conditions, so if you’re curious about what results you could see, we suggest starting with a free consultation. At Coastal Dermatology & Surgery Center, we are here to talk to you about any questions you might have regarding the procedure and to review your medical history to ensure you’re an ideal candidate. Contact our office today if you’re ready to take the next steps in treating your unwanted hair or other skin and vein issues.