CoolGlide Hair Removal

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is it permanent?
Treatment results may vary among patients. The CoolGlide is cleared by the FDA for Permanent Hair Reduction.  The FDA defines permanent hair reduction as the long term, stable reduction in the number hairs re-growing after a treatment regime.

How does the CoolGlide laser treatment compare with other hair removal methods?
Shaving, waxing and depilatory creams provide temporary results.  These treatments must be repeated frequently. Electrolysis is tedious, invasive and often painful. It involves inserting a needle into each hair follicle and delivering an electrical charge to destroy them one at a time.  Electrolysis often also requires years of treatments at regular intervals.  The CoolGlide treatment delivers non-invasive laser light energy to hundreds of hair follicles at one time.  In just a few minutes the CoolGlide can effectively treat an area that would take over an hour with electrolysis.

How does a laser work?
Energy from a power source is pumped into the “lasing medium” – a substance that produces light particles when energized.  A laser produces an intense and concentrated beam of light.  This beam of light brings energy to the area of treatment through a delivery device such as a handpiece.

How does the CoolGlide hair removal laser work?
The CoolGlide generates intense, long-pulse Nd:YAG light through a handpiece, which effectively disables unwanted pigmented hair follicles, impairing their growth. The laser’s chilled handpiece is placed gently on the skin and glides along as pulses of light are delivered from the laser. When the light penetrates the skin, it selectively damages the root of unwanted hair. Although some hair will be damaged at the time of treatment, many hairs will continue to fall out over the next two weeks after teatment.

What are the CoolGlide laser treatments like?
The CoolGlide handpiece, as the name implies, cools and soothes the skin as it glides along the treatment area. When the pulse light is delivered, some patients experience a mild stinging or pinching sensation. No local anesthesia or pain medication is usually required. Some patients prefer a topical anesthetic when sensitive areas are treated. Because the CoolGlide incorporates a large spot size and a high rate of energy delivery, treatments are extremely fast and effective.

Are there any side effects?
Short-term side effects include slight reddening of the skin or local swelling. These effects typically are transient. Side effects that can occur are caused by absorption of the laser energy to the skin above the hair target. Increased or decreased skin pigmentation can result from burning of the skin. Although these pigment changes are not felt to be permanent, they can take many months to resolve. Rare side effects include blistering, scarring and permanent skin discoloration. Although this method of hair removal is exciting and reliable, failures do occur. Clinical results vary in different skin types and hair colors. The results are not guaranteed.