Frequently asked questions

All Fotona SMOOTH^® treatments are based on a patented mode of Er:YAG laser pulses that are delivered to the vaginal wall mucosa, generating controlled and optimal distribution of heat within the tissue and enabling collagen remodeling and neocollagenesis.

The 2.94 μm wavelength, in conjunction with the patented Fotona SMOOTH^® mode delivery, allows for a highly controlled, safe procedure with no impact to any critical structures, including any penetration or disruption of the mucosal surface. That makes the procedures gentle and safe, without compromising effectiveness.

Local anesthesia is not required, as the treatment is not painful (up to 3 on a 1 to 10 VAS scale). However, some physicians use topical anesthetic cream to completely avoid any discomfort, especially for sensitive patients.

Yes, a standard gynecological examination, including a pap-smear, should be performed prior to receiving the treatment.

Yes, these include some pre-existing conditions and pathologies, which are comprehensively stated in the application manuals. Some contraindications include pregnancy, positive Pap-smear, vaginal infections or injuries and other pathologies.

Although an improvement of symptoms is usually noticed already a few days after the procedure, optimal results start to show from one month to six weeks after the initial treatments, as the effects are due to the formation of new collagen in the treated tissue.

Two to three procedure sessions with 4-6 week intervals are standardly performed and achieve optimal results. However, some patients may require additional treatments.

The results have been shown to be stable up to 18 months post-treatment. After this they start to slowly diminish. A maintenance treatment of one session per year is thus advised after the initial series of sessions to achieve lasting optimal results.

This is a walk in / walk out procedure, although, patients should abstain from lifting heavy objects and undertaking long periods of sustained exercise for a period of up to 14 days.

In order to achieve the best results, it is recommended that patients abstain from sexual intercourse for a period of between one to two weeks.

Yes, we can expect some degree of improvement in most cases, decreasing unwanted leakage and the use of pads, while complete dryness is reached in a much smaller percentage of cases compared to the dryness rates in patients with mild and moderate incontinence.

Yes, we can expect some degree of improvement in most cases, which may postpone the need for a surgical procedure. In many severe cases, surgery is the only option.

This cannot be the case as the treatment results in only a slight shrinkage of existing collagen and stimulates the production of natural collagen, enabling regeneration to the pre-condition state.

Some doctors prescribe the patient a local hormonal gel a few weeks prior to the treatment in severe cases of vaginal atrophy, in order to make the treatment more comfortable. However, many doctors and published studies have reported that there is no special preparation necessary.

Yes, the Fotona Dynamis and Spectro laser systems can be upgraded to perform this treatment – you should contact your local Fotona Gynecology Distributor to inquire about the possible options.

The procedure is simple to learn and doctors can expect to be able to perform the procedure following a 2-day training course.

Generally, treatments are performed by OB/GYN specialists, although in some countries other specialists can also perform the treatment. We recommend that in such cases, the treatments should be done in close collaboration with a patient gynecologist, in order to obtain the required pre-treatment information.

No, although the question of who can perform the treatment depends on the regulations of the country.

All Fotona SMOOTH^® laser procedures in gynecology require only the Er:YAG laser source. The addition of the Nd:YAG laser source increases the array of possible applications.

FotonaSmooth SP™ = Both Er:YAG & Nd:YAG laser sources
FotonaSmooth XS™ = Er:YAG laser sources only

All Fotona SMOOTH^® treatments require either a set of accessories named the G-Set to perform the treatment or the robotic G-Runner handpiece.

In most countries, single-use glass speculums are used. These must be bought from Fotona, as they are designed to fit other required components and to optimally transmit the infrared laser light to the tissue.

An unlimited number of treatments can be performed, provided the laser system is in good working order and serviced regularly as advised.

There have been no serious side effects connected to the procedure reported. Side effects are rare and mild, owning to the non-ablative nature of the procedure, leaving the surface of the tissue intact. Most women will experience mild swelling and discomfort for a couple of days. Many clinical studies have proven the safety of the Fotona SMOOTH® procedures. You can read more about the published clinical trials here.

Fotona holds regular training workshops on Fotona SMOOTH® treatments at the LA&HA Institute in Ljubljana, Slovenia. There are also several other certified LA&HA centers in the world, where you can get acquainted with the system and the treatment. To find out more, click here.

Thousands of users have been working with Fotona SMOOTH^® since 2012.

To find out the pricing and payment options, please contact your local Fotona distributor.

FotonaSmooth (SP or XS) systems offer more than just the non-invasive Fotona SMOOTH^® gynecological treatments. The range of pulse durations and energies make it a versatile laser that can perform many other applications, ranging from scar revision, benign lesion removal, skin tightening, striae treatment, skin resurfacing, etc. The system can be purchased with an additional wavelength, Nd:YAG, which enables a wide spectrum of additional applications. The versatility of possible treatments gives doctors the opportunity for full everyday use of the laser and makes the equipment a highly profitable investment. For more information about the FotonaSmooth system’s configurations, click here.

It is recommended that all Fotona laser systems are serviced at least once a year (note that this is also a legal requirement in many countries). The cost of servicing varies from country to country. Please check with your local distributor for pricing.

To find out the pricing and payment options, please contact your local Fotona distributor.