Cynosure Smartpil II: The Next-Generation in Combination Therapy

Practitioners worldwide need a device that is effective for all the most popular treatments. The Cynosure Smartpil II combines the proven effectiveness of Altus' long-pulse Nd:YAG laser technology with the next generation in pulsed light treatments. With one system, practitioners can offer permanent hair reduction on all skin types, a complete range of vascular treatments and the next-generation in non-ablative combination skin therapy. This one investment offers a choice of light sources with full parameter control to deliver safe, effective and predictable results.


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1. 
   
2. How does Cynosure Smartpil II™ laser hair removal work?
3. How does the Cynosure Smartpil II™ differ from older laser systems?

1. How does Cynosure Smartpil II™ laser hair removal work?

The Cynosure Smartpil II™ laser is a non-invasive light therapy device specifically designed to eliminate undesired hair from all parts of the body. The Cynosure Smartpil II™ laser generates a pulse of intense, concentrated light which is directed through a small, cooled hand piece which is gently applied to the treatment site.

This laser energy passes through the skin to the hair follicle, where the energy is absorbed by pigment in the hair and hair follicle, causing selective damage to the hair root without damaging delicate pores and structures of the skin. The laser is pulsed, or "turned on", for only a fraction of a second. The duration of the pulses is carefully determined so that laser energy will be absorbed by the hair follicle without transferring excessive heat to the surrounding skin.

Some of the hair which was in the treated follicles is wiped off immediately after treatment, and the rest is shed over the next 2-3 weeks. The hair roots which have been destroyed are reabsorbed by the body.

The surface of the skin is protected by cooling gel pads applied immediately before and after treatment, and by a gold plated cooling head which glides over the skin (Cynosure Smartpil II) half a second before the laser beam. This selectivity helps to protect the skin, while effectively treating the unwanted hair.

Unlike "hair-by-hair" treatments like electrolysis, the laser uses a wide beam which treats many hairs at once. Because the Cynosure Smartpil II™ laser can treat dozens of hairs with each pulse, it is possible to treat larger areas such as the back, shoulders, arms, legs and face. The Cynosure Smartpil II™ laser can be used just about anywhere on the body, and usually requires no anesthesia or other treatment. Even sensitive areas such as the nipples, upper lip and bikini line can be treated easily and with minimal discomfort.

The system's unique design allows us to customize treatment, according to your hair and skin color, hair texture, and location on the body.

Cynosure Smartpil II™ laser treatment is a safe, fast, gentle and effective method for hair removal. In just a few treatment sessions using the gentle power of lasers, you can greatly improve the appearance of skin which is disfigured by unwanted hair.

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2. How does the Cynosure Smartpil II™ differ from older laser systems?

Other laser and intense pulsed light systems include:

• Intense pulsed light - these systems are flash lamps producing a spectrum of light energy rather than laser light. Intense pulsed light systems tend to stun rather than kill hair follicles, so that there is often an unacceptable amount of hair regrowth, even after many "intense pulsed light" treatments.
• First generation Ruby 694 nanometer (Epilaser, Epitouch, Chromos)
• Second generation Alexandrite 755 nanometer (Epitouch ALEX, Photogenica LIPR, GentleLASE)
• Third generation Diode 800-810 nanometer (LightSheer, Apex)
  These relatively short wavelength lasers can produce good results in some circumstances, but because they produce light which has a shorter wavelength, their laser energy both scatters more in the skin, and is mostly absorbed in the top few millimeters of the skin, above many of the hair roots. This means that sometimes not enough energy reaches the hair roots, where it is needed. These short wavelength, lower power systems are effective in some cases, but in other cases may only stun rather than destroy many of the hair roots and therefore sometimes cause temporary rather than permanent hair reduction. Short wavelength lasers can be difficult or impossible to safely use on people with dark, tanned or black skin. The cooling system in 800 nm lasers usually relies on a sapphire window, which is only 1/10 as efficient as the gold plated copper cooling head in the Cynosure. Because the sapphire window of the 800 nm lasers has to be pressed on the skin while the laser is triggered, there is a risk that stray hairs will be burned into the skin. By comparison, there is no contact between the laser aperture and the skin when the Cynosure Smartpil II™ laser beam is applied to your skin.
  
  By contrast, the Fourth Generation Cynosure Smartpil II™ laser uses the longest available, deeper penetrating 1064 nanometer wavelength. Cynosure Smartpil II™ reaches even the deepest hair roots, which can be 4-6 mm below the skin surface in some cases.
  
  The long 1064 nanometer wavelength of the Cynosure Smartpil II™ makes it possible to safely and effectively treat all people -- even those with tanned, very dark or black skin. Like all lasers, the Cynosure works more efficiently on light colored skin -- so to minimize the number of treatments you need, try not to have a fresh suntan when you come in for treatment.
  
  
  Cynosure Smartpil II also allows the operator to adjust the duration of the pulse of laser energy to best suit the thickness of the hair shafts on different parts of your body. Some older laser systems lack this degree of fine control.
  
  The cooling head on the Cynosure laser provides an extra margin of safety and comfort, allows the operator a clear view of the area to be treated, and does not require pressure on your skin.
  
  

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