THE CUTERA COOLGLIDE LASER HAIR REMOVAL PROCESS
While most lasers on the market will meet most client's needs, certain instances require the specific niche of Cutera CoolGlide, an FDA-cleared YAG laser used for hair removal and permanent hair reduction. The Cutera Coolglide is best known for:
Treatment of ALL skin types, including brown, dark, and tanned skin
Treatment of pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB)
Provides pre-cooling to skin BEFORE laser pulse, providing minimal to no discomfort and little to no side effects post treatment
No downtime so you can expect to return to normal activities after your treatment without limitations
Permanent hair reduction. Once the laser treats the active hair follicles, they will no longer be able to grow hair
FAQs
Can the laser damage my skin?
The purpose of the Coolglide laser treatment is to selectively treat the hair follicle without causing thermal damage to the surrounding tissue.
How does the laser permanently reduce hair growth?
Laser light is absorbed by melanin, which is the target (chromophore) in hair reduction. The light is converted to heat, and heat damages the bulge and bulb of the hair follicle, disabling the hair structure.
Does laser hair removal work on all hair colors?
While laser settings can be adapted for different hair colors, laser hair removal is most effective on dark, coarse hair and is less effective on fine, light hair. During a pre-treatment consultation, a technician will determine if the treatment will work for you.
Why do I need multiple sessions? Will I need sessions to maintain my laser hair reduction?
Hair has three growing cycles that are present everywhere at the same time:
Anagen - when hair is in the active growing phase and most effective for laser hair removal
Catagen - transition phase of hair growth that lasts about 3-4 weeks; about 3% of hair in a location is in this phase.
Telogen - resting phase when hair falls out to prepare for new hair growth
The CoolGlide system treats hair in the active growth phase and, because the hair cycle has different phases of hair growth simultaneously, multiple sessions are required to treat all of the hair in their active hair growth phase. As a result, you will need 4-10 sessions to effectively address and treat hair follicles as they move into their active growth phase. The rule of thumb is that clients expect 10% permanent hair reduction after every treatment. Some areas (course hair, plentiful hair growth, medical conditions like PCOS, etc) may need 1-4 maintenance sessions annually to keep the area hairless forever.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Client considerations including but not limited to are below:
Current medications (both routine and occasional use):
Accutane - Clients CANNOT be treated if Accutane is taken in the last 6 months
Gold Therapy - may cause blue-gray discoloration after the treatment
Photosensitizing drugs (Tetracyclines, etc) - causes increased sensitivity to light exposure. Treatment parameters must be adjusted and a patch test must be done at least 48 hours before to assess clinical response. It is the responsibility of the client to inform the practitioner to medication/supplement changes prior to every visit.
PRE-CARE INSTRUCTIONS
4 weeks before your laser hair removal treatment begins, we highly recommended to adhere to the following pre-care instructions. Not doing so will increase your risk of complications or have your appointment rescheduled and accrue cancellation charges.
Area must be shaved 24 hours prior to your appointment.
The closer the shave the better. If it is your first time, leave a small patch of hair so that your specialist can exam it. (Your Laser Artist will shave it down before beginning the treatment!)
Bikini services, don’t shave the part where you want to keep the hair.
No makeup/lotion/deodorant on the day of your appointment (on treatment area).
Stay out of direct sunlight for at least 3 days prior to your appointment (& 3 days after)
Do not use self-tanner or spray tan products for at least 2 weeks before your treatment to avoid potential injury
Avoid drinking more than 2 alcoholic beverages 24 hours before your treatment
Avoid waxing/threading/tweezing in the area for at least 4 weeks. Shaving is ok!
important notes: (1) laser services cannot be performed on ladies who are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive. (2) bikini laser services will not be performed on menstruating clients.
POST-CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Redness & Bumps are normal.
Immediately after your treatment, redness & bumps at the treatment area are common; these may last up to 2 hours or longer. It is normal for the treated area to feel like a sunburn for a few hours. You should use a cold compress if the sensitivity continues. If there is any crusting, apply an antibiotic cream. Darker pigmented skin may have more discomfort than lighter skin & may persist longer.Cleanse the area treated gently.
The treated area may be washed gently with a mild soap. Skin should be patted dry & not rubbed during the first 48 hours.No makeup & lotion/moisturizer/deodorant for the first 24 hours.
Keep the treated area clean & dry, if further redness or irritation persists, skip your makeup & moisturizer, & deodorant (for underarms) until the irritation has subsided.Dead hairs will begin to shed 5-30 days after your treatment.
Stubble, representing dead hair being shed from the hair follicle, will appear within 5-30 days from the treatment date. that is normal & they will fall out quickly.Exfoliate to speed up hair shedding.
Anywhere from 5-30 days after the treatment, shedding of the hair may occur & this may appear as new hair growth. It is not new hair growth, but the dead hair pushing its way out of the follicle. You can help the hair come out by washing with a washcloth or a Shobha® Exfoliating Cloth (sold at LH) & shaving.Avoid the sun.
Avoid sun exposure to reduce the chance of dark or light spots for 2 months. Use sunscreen (spf 25 or higher) at all times throughout the treatment period & for 1-2 months following.Do not pick/scratch/wax/thread/tweeze the area.
Avoid picking or scratching the treated skin. do not use any other hair removal methods or products, other than shaving, on the treated area during the course of your laser treatments, as it will prevent you from achieving the best results.Hair growth varies.
On average, most will experience a level of hairless happiness after 6-9 sessions which will result in not even checking for stubble.
Small
Treatment Areas:
Upper and/or lower lip
Sideburns
Chin
Cheeks
Goatee
Eyebrow Center
Navel
Hands/Fingers
Feet/Toes
Medium
Treatment Areas:
Underarms
Bikini Line
Front/back of neck
Full beard (male)
Full Face (female)
Happy trail
Large
Treatment Areas:
Partial arms
Partial legs
Shoulders
Butt cheeks
Chest
Abdomen
Partial Back
Brazillian Bikini