GentleYAG Patient Consultation & the Management of expectations Laser Hair Removal Veins Skin Tightening/Wrinkle Reduction 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Patient Consult Today’s patient is better educated than ever thanks to the internet. Before any treatment, ALWAYS sit down with the client to explain the entire process. They should know exactly what is expected of them. They should know what to expect as far as outcomes. 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Fitzpatrick Skin Types Skin Type is race dependent and DOES NOT CHANGE. Suntan alters the degree of pigmentation NOT the skin type. 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Fitzpatrick Skin Types Typical Skin Type Definition Skin Reaction on over exposure to UV light 1 Red-blonde Hair Blue-green Eyes Very light Skin Always Burns Never Tans 2 Light to Medium Hair Light to Medium Eyes Light to Medium Skin Usually Burns Seldom Tans 3 Medium Hair Medium to Dark Eyes Medium to Olive Skin Moderate Burns Usually Tans 4 Dark Hair Dark Eyes Dark Olive to Brown Skin Burns Mildly Moderate Browning 5 Dark Hair Dark Eyes Dark Skin Seldom Burns Deep Browning 6 Dark Hair Dark Eyes Very Dark Skin Does Not Burn No Change in Color 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
How does the Laser work? (Hair) 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Patient Consult Laser Hair Removal – Targets the pigment in the hair follicle. Heat is absorbed and destroys the cells lining the hair follicle specifically around the bulb, bulge, and vascular supply. 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Permanent Hair Reduction “long-term stable reduction in the number of hairs re-growing after a treatment regime” The FDA allows us this definition This is the FDA’s definition of “Permanent Hair Reduction.” Electrolysis is the only methodology that can claim “Permanent Hair Removal” although those who wrote the regulations do not differentiate between the two terms. Setting patient expectations is the key, as “Permanent Hair Reduction” or “Removal” does not mean 100% elimination of hair forever. 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
IMPORTANT! Write This Down The GentleYAG will NOT treat white, blonde, or gray hairs! Patients should be informed upfront. 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Bulb / bulge are critical structures responsible for hair re-growth Hair Anatomy Epidermis Sebaceous Gland Bulge Follicle Vascular Supply (matrix) Bulb Still, these lasers are primarily hair removal lasers and should be purchased on the basis of their hair removal capabilities. So how does laser hair removal work? Current research suggests the two critical areas of the hair follicle that need to be destroyed to demonstrate permanent hair reduction are the the bulge area (located 1-1.5 mm deep in the skin) and the bulb/vascular supply area of the hair follicle (located 3-5 mm deep within the skin). Bulb / bulge are critical structures responsible for hair re-growth 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Patient Consult What are the 3 cycles of hair growth? Anagen: Hair is actively growing Catagen: Hair is dormant Telagen: Hair is falling out 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Hair Biology Anagen Catagen Telogen 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Patient Consult When do you re-treat? Within 7 days of when re-growth is observed. Different areas have different percentages of hair in the Anagen phase. Face, Axilla, Bikini are approximately 20-35% Trunk and Extremities have approximately 10-20% 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Hair Growth Information Body Area % Anagen Hair % Telogen Hair Telogen Duration Follicles density/cm2 Depth of follicle Axillae 30% 70% 3 months 65 3.5-4.5 mm Brow and Ears 10-15% 85-90% 50 2-2.5 mm Beard 10 weeks 500 2-4 mm Upper Lip 65% 35% 6 weeks 1-2.5 mm Scalp 80-90% 13% 3-4 months 350 3-5 mm Trunk 10-20% 4 months 70 2-4.5 mm Pubic Area 20-30% Arms 20% 80% 18 weeks 80 Legs & Thighs 6 months 60 2.5-4 mm Breast 3-4.5 mm 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Patient Consult For best results, multiple treatments will be needed. For most areas 4-6 treatments are necessary to achieve desired hair clearance. One may need more or less than 6 treatments depending on hair type, previous methods of hair removal, and skin color. Results will vary from patient to patient and to various degrees of efficacy. 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
F.A.Q. Can cancer survivors be treated? Can children be treated? Yes, but if there is concern get clearance from their treating physician. Can children be treated? Yes, but more treatments maybe required later due to hormonal changes. 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
F.A.Q. Can patients use “sunless” tanning products? With the GentleYAG, YES! Can you treat a man’s head? Yes, but make sure he understands that it is permanent and signs an informed consent. 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
F.A.Q. What areas of the body can you treat? All areas are treatable with the exception of inside the orbital rim. Can treatments be done over implants? Yes. 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
F.A.Q. Can treatments be performed over orthopedic hardware? Yes, however some patients may notice more discomfort in those areas. Pacemakers and other cardiac implants? Patients with pacemakers may have treatment once cleared by their physician. Treatments are not typically performed directly over implant. 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
F.A.Q. What about braces or other dental work? Yes. Frequently gauze is placed between the cheek and gum for those patients who experience a “tingling” sensation on their teeth. 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
F.A.Q. Can treatment be done over injectibles? Probably not a good idea to treat directly over the injectible. Patients can have laser treatment and injections done...But, in different areas. This slide is to prompt discussion. 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Contraindications Accutane Sun exposure Most physicians recommend that patients should cease usage for at least 6 months. However, many physicians are treating while patient is on medication provided the primary chromophore is NOT water. Sun exposure Recent tanning is an absolute contraindication. Skin with underlying redness is more susceptible to pigmentary changes. AVOID the Sun for at least 1 week prior to a treatment and 1 week after. The chances of pigment changes and other “minor” skin irritations are high. 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Contraindications Pregnancy Pregnant practitioners should check with their physician DO NOT TREAT Expecting mothers Liability reasons Hormones are “out of whack” 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Contraindications What about Tattoos? Tattoos and permanent make-up should be avoided. While the wavelength can sometime be used for the removal of tattoos, the GentleYAG has the WRONG pulse duration to safely and effectively remove tattoos. Areas with permanent make-up should be covered or avoided. 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Patient Consult During consultation explain and obtain an INFORMED CONSENT Document, Document, Document. Remember to chart the treatment procedure i.e. (Energy, Pulse Duration, Spot size, DCD) 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Patient Consult Photo-Document It is important to take pictures of the area to be treated. Patients will sometimes forget what they looked like at the starting point. Having before and after photos will allow you to market to potential clients using your own photographs. 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
GentleYAG Treatment Protocol For Hair Removal Pre-Treatment - Shave hair 24 hours prior to treatment. - If history of cold sores, an antiviral can be prescribed. Post Treatment Aloe vera (with Solarcaine and menthol) gel may be applied. - Sunblock of spf 30 if treated area is exposed to the sun. 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Treatment Protocol NO Plucking – 6 weeks prior or after NO Waxing – 6 weeks prior or after NO Tweezing – 6 weeks prior or after Patients can only shave. 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Treatment Protocol 3 Things to ALWAYS remember while treating “FLUSH” “PERPENDICULAR” NO MORE THAN 30% OVERLAP Say it with me…..”FLUSH, PERPENDICULAR, NO MORE THAN 30% OVERLAP” 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Complications There are risks and complications that can occur from laser treatment. Use of conservative DCD settings are important. Complications are rare! Blister Heat rash Bruising Scarring Infection Hyperpigmentation Hypopigmentation Swelling Welting 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
DCD -Cryogen spray milliseconds before laser pulse The real difference between lasers is in their ability to protect the skin from “collateral epidermal damage.” GentleLASE’s unique, integrated and patented Dynamic Cooling Device (DCD) selectively cools the epidermis during low and high fluence laser treatments. DCD delivers a short, pre-determined and re-producible burst of non-toxic cryogen spray onto the top of the patient’s skin milliseconds before the laser pulse, independent of operator technique or involvement. This evaporative coolant protects the epidermis without cooling the underlying targeted hair follicle or leg vein, providing maximum protection of the patient’s skin while ensuring maximum thermal energy is delivered to the targeted structure. Furthermore, DCD eliminate the need for cooling gels used with most other laser systems, allowing for increased visibility as well as faster treatment times. All of these DCD advantages further contribute to overall operator ease-of-use. -Cryogen spray milliseconds before laser pulse -Cools / protects epidermis from thermal damage -Protects darker skin types -Good visibility / does not slow treatment -No messy gels 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Dynamic Cooling Pictorially, the laser energy is delivered to the targeted structure through the patient’s epidermis, where any heat being generated from the absorption of that laser energy by competing epidermal melanin is cooled and effectively neutralized by DCD cryogen spray. This importance of skin cooling cannot be overstated, as laser energy is constant The consistency and constancy of your epidermal cooling must match the consistency and constancy of the energy being delivered. Insufficient cooling will result in epidermal damage (burns, hyper & hypo pigmentation) while TOO MUCH skin cooling will actually result in the targeted hair follicle or blood vessel being cooled, therefore reducing treatment efficacy, as is often the case with “contact cooling”. -Short spray of cryogen onto skin milliseconds before laser pulse -Rapid, efficient cooling of epidermal layers only -Does not cool subsurface targeted structures -Does not impede visibility or treatment speed 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Laser Hair Reduction Operative Checklist: Laser in “ready” mode and calibrated to correct energy with proper hand piece “Squeaky Clean” Skin Safety goggles or glasses on clinician and patient No flammable substances in operating area - Written post-operative instructions given to the patient 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
GentleYAG for the treatment of Leg Veins and Facial Telangiectasia 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Telangectasias or “Spider Veins” Sclerotherapy is the GOLD STANDARD GentleYAG can clean up what Sclerotherapy does not Veins < 3mm in size are treatable 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Special considerations Vitamin E, Aspirin, Ibuprofen or other Blood thinners may increase the likelyhood of bruising. Avoid for several days if possible, if not, should do test spots Diabetic patients should have clearance from their primary physicians Younger “healthy” diabetics should be okay. Older or more ill diabetics may have neuropathy which may inhibit their true tolerance to the treatment. Should a complication arise from the treatment with someone who has diabetic neuropathy, this may lead to delays in treatment of the complication. 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Pre-Treatment Squeaky clean skin! No tanned skin! No Topical anesthetics Measure vessel size Tanned skin and high fluences DO NOT MIX……..may scab/blister/hypopigment. 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Clinical Endpoints Vessel disappears and then comes back (vasospasm) Vessel shrinks in size (vasoconstriction) Vessel contents darken Vessel looks like a cat’s scratch (Wheal and flare) NO OVERLAPPING! 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Post treatment Apply pressure to treated area after a few pulses May apply aloe vera gel with Solarcaine and menthol Encourage sun block 30+ spf Avoid activities that cause vasodilatation or increase blood pressure for 3-5 days Inform the vessel area will gradual fade over several weeks. 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
GentleYAG for Photorejuvenation Skin Tightening/Wrinkle Reduction/Scarring 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Photorejuvenation Consult Inform patient that collagen remodeling is a slow process and that they can continue to see improvement up to 6 months after their final treatment Inform patient that they will need 4-6 treatments one month apart 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Special Considerations Please refer to Clinical Bulletin #8 created by Dr. Mark Taylor for treatment photos, parameters and technique. 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Pre-Treatment Photo-Document Face/Neck should be squeaky clean Shave any facial hair Facial hair may be reduced. Male patients should be informed. No recently tanned skin May use topical anesthetics 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Test Spots When skin reaction is a concern, always perform a test spot at a couple of different lower fluences in an inconspicuous site. Untoward skin responses may be noticed within a day or two. 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Post-Treatment Mild erythema is clinical endpoint May apply aloe vera gel with Solarcaine and menthol. Apply and instruct on daily use of spf 30 Inform patient fine lines may appear more enhanced for a few days and their face may feel tight and dry Encourage extra moisturizer 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Photorejuvenation 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Stretch Marks 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Stretch Marks 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Photorejuvenation 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Leg Veins 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Maintenance Refer to section 6 of the operator’s manual User verification tests Policy for the cleaning of distance gauges and lenses. 0920-23-0214 Revision 01
Thank You 0920-23-0214 Revision 01