How does the Laser Treatment Work?

The GentleYag laser creates a beam of high intensity light that penetrates deeply into the skin where it causes a deep heating of tissues and contraction of the skin. The laser beam is preceded by a short burst of cooling cryogen spray which protects the outer skin and makes the treatment comfortable.


Does it hurt?

Due to the burst of cooling cryogen spray that precedes the pulse of the laser, the treatment is comfortable. For those who feel any discomfort, topical anesthetic can be utilized.


How many treatments will I need?

A treatment regimen usually consists of three to four monthly treatments. The exact protocol will be determined after a careful evaluation of your skin. The treatment takes approximately twenty to thirty minutes to perform.


What can I expect after treatment and are there any side effects?

The skin may be mildly swollen and have a pink color for a few hours after treatment. Makeup can be applied immediately. As with any laser treatment, sun tanning should be avoided before and after the treatment. No downtime is expected after the treatment.
Side effects are rare, but include dark spots and light spots, which usually resolve.


Can the GentleYag treatment be performed in combination with other procedures?

Yes. Treatments such as the Vbeam laser which is used to treat redness on the face, IPL which treats sun spots on the skin, microdermabrasion and Erbium Laser Peel are often performed in combination with the GentleYag


What about the use of fillers?

Fillers such as Restylane, Juvederm, Sculptra and Radiesse are very useful adjunctive treatments when the cause of the sagging skin is loss of volume underneath the skin’s surface. Procedures which fill the below-surface void nicely complement the lasers which tighten the overlying skin to achieve a result that is quite dramatic.


More Information

GentleYag Laser Skin Tightening Video Clip

Journal article on GentleYag skin tightening