Walnut Creek, OB & Gyn  

Laser Hair Removal

Service no longer available

Imagine having smooth, hair free skin without shaving, waxing, plucking, or bleaching your unwanted hair. The secret is Laser Hair Removal by Candela.  Treatments are comfortable and treat hair follicles in a fraction of the time of other methods, using only the gentle power of laser light.

In the past few years, scientific research has resulted in exciting new advances in the removal of unwanted hair using the power of efficient laser technology. We offer state-of-the-art hair removal using proprietary treatment protocols that are the envy of the industry.

What is the Gentle Yag Candela laser and why is it a safe treatment?

Lasers have been used for many years for a variety of medical cosmetic procedures including treatment of facial and leg veins, age spots and rejuvenating the skin on the face. The Gentle Yag System passes through the skin to the hair follicle where it is absorbed. The laser energy is transformed into heat, which destroys the hair follicle leaving the surrounding skin unaffected.

The skin is further protected during treatment by a Dynamic Cooling Device, TM where cryogen is sprayed onto the skin cooling the upper layers and providing patients with increased comfort.

What precautions should be taken before and after treatment?

Avoid the sun 4-6 weeks before and after treatment or until your practitioner allows it. You must avoid electrolysis, plucking or waxing hair for 4-6 weeks prior to treatment. If you have had a history of peri-oral herpes, prophylactic antiviral therapy will be prescribed. If you have a dark skin type, a bleaching cream may be started 4-6 weeks before treatment to optimize results.

Why are at least 3-6 treatment sessions usually needed?

The number of treatments depends on:

• the desired degree of hair reduction (as the amount of hair declines, some people become very enthusiastic and want even LESS hair than they had originally planned on).
• hair color (people with naturally light colored hair need more treatments)
• ethnic and genetic background (people with dark skin sometimes need more treatments).
• hormonal status
• area being treated
• hair density
• age
• weight (obesity can increase hair growth)

Additional "touchup" treatments on small troublesome areas are treated at reduced rates. There is no safety limit on the number of treatments a person can have. People who have been partially treated with other types of hair removing laser might in some cases need less than 3 laser treatments to reach a satisfactory degree of long-term hair reduction.

Before and After Images