New in My Practice: Devices

SOLTA'S CLEAR + BRILLIANT PELO™ FOR LASER HAIR REMOVAL

In each edition, Modern Aesthetics® asks top cosmetic physicians about the newest devices they have brought into their practices. This month, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon Leif L. Rogers, MD, FACS talks about the Clear + Brilliant pelo™ for laser hair removal.

WHAT IS THE CLEAR + BRILLANT PELO™?

Solta's Clear + Brilliant pelo is a new diode laser hair removal system. It combines linear scanning technology with a built-in sapphire cooling glass. The laser comprises a very large treatment area (50mm by 15mm) with each pulse, and can use higher fluences in short scan pulses. It's more tunable and less likely to cause burns. Laser hair removal with this diode is quicker than what is typically seen with other devices. For example, I can treat a man's entire back in 20 minutes with the Clear + Brilliant pelo. Some lasers can do this in 40 minutes, but really old lasers require about 90 minutes to treat a male back.

HOW ARE YOU USING THE DEVICE IN YOUR PRACTICE?

This device is exclusively for laser hair removal. I got it a couple of months ago, and it has quickly become our go-to. This is just a better hair removal laser. It's faster, more comfortable, and it is appropriate for different skin types. We can go up to Fitzpatrick VI in color with the Clear + Brilliant pelo. The number of treatments required is highly dependent on specific patient characteristics. Patients who have fair skin with dark coarse hair can achieve almost complete hair removal in four to five sessions. By contrast, individuals who have darker skin and hair color that is similar to their skin may require up to a dozen treatments. Results appear over several weeks and improve with each treatment.

The device pays for itself fairly quickly if you have a large hair removal practice. In California, physician assistants and registered nurses can perform laser hair removal. Other states have different laws regarding device delegation. It is also compact; measuring 30 x 32 x 27 cm (about 12 x 13 x 11 in) with a wheeled cabinet base.

HOW ARE PATIENTS RESPONDING TO TREATMENT WITH THIS DEVICE?

Hair removal is incredibly popular and consistently ranks among the top five non-surgical aesthetic procedures performed each year, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). In fact, hair removal was up 39 percent in 2015, compared to ASAPS' 2014 numbers.

So far, my patients really like this device. My patients are pleased with their results. They like the fact that treatment time is essentially cut in half. The strong cooling effect makes treatment comfortable and minimizes pain. There is no need for numbing creams. Most of my patients describe a pricking feeling during treatment that quickly passes. Skin is left skin feeling soft and refreshed, unlike older hair removal laser treatments that can leave skin feeling both warm and rough.