CoolGlide® Laser Hair Removal

As the name implies, the CoolGlide handpiece cools and soothes as it glides along your skin. When the pulse of light is delivered, some patients experience a mild pinching or stinging sensation. No local anesthesia or pain medication is typically required, however some patients may prefer to use a topical anesthetic when sensitive areas are treated.

Most areas require 3-6 treatments, but the number of CoolGlide treatments you may require for optimal long-term benefits depends on various factors such as your hair’s thickness, the area treated, and your hair’s growth cycle. Interestingly, not all hairs are actively growing at the same time, but actually go through three distinct phases: growth, regression, and resting. CoolGlide systems work by disabling the hair that is principally in the active growth phase at the time of treatment. Since other hairs will enter this active growth phase at different times, additional treatments may be necessary to disable all of the hair follicles in a given area.

Immediately following your CoolGlide treatment, the area may appear a bit red and swollen. Three to seven days after treatment you may experience what seems to be re growth of hair. Actually, most of these hairs are being shed as a result of your treatment, and are not regrowing. Between treatments you should not wax or pluck your hair, but it is permissible to shave.

Following the treatment, you can return to your normal activities right away. However, since some redness may occur, you may want to plan your work or social engagements accordingly. The use of sunscreen is recommended on any treated areas exposed to the sun. As always, it is a good idea to limit your sun exposure.

The Cool Glide IPL system is designed to work with your specific skin type, therefore, side effects are minimal and rare. Slight reddening and local swelling of the skin, similar to sunburn may occur in some patients. These effects typically last for several hours or less. In rare instances, blistering may occur.

Shaving, waxing, and depilatory creams are all temporary methods that must be repeated on a frequent basis. CoolGlide lasers offer permanent hair reduction for lasting results.

Electrolysis is a tedious, invasive, and painful process that involves inserting a needle into each individual hair follicle and delivering an electrical charge to them one at a time. Electrolysis often requires years of treatments at regular intervals. By delivering light energy to hundreds of hair follicles at a time, CoolGlide IPL effectively treats an area in just seconds that would take hours with electrolysis.

Using the latest technology in laser hair removal, CoolGlide IPL can rapidly treat large areas without the limitations of older technologies. The CoolGlide system’s longer wavelength allows it to be used safely and effectively on patients with light or dark skin as well as tanned skin. Unlike other systems, CoolGlide IPL can treat the fine hair on a woman’s upper lip just as easily and effectively as the coarse hair on a man’s back. The cooled hand piece increases patient comfort and minimizes the adverse skin reaction commonly seen with other laser systems.