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Medi-Invest

Indication

Hair removal

Laser hair removal relies on light absorbed by the melanin in the hair. 755 nm (alexandrite) is mainly used on lighter skin types and 1064 nm (Nd:YAG) on darker ones. Both the Clarity II and the Elite iQ combine the two wavelengths in one system. More than 160 Clarity II systems are installed in the Benelux.

Clarity II laser hair removal device with Alexandrite and Nd:YAG laser technology for hair removal, skin quality improvement and vascular treatments, with touchscreen and medical treatment arm on a mobile unit.
Cynosure Lutronic

Clarity II

Hair removalVascular lesionsPigmentation+2

How laser hair removal works

Laser hair removal is based on selective photothermolysis: melanin in the hair follicle absorbs the laser light, and the follicle heats up and is damaged, giving long-term hair reduction. Grey, white and very light hair contains little melanin to target, so treatment is less effective. Results on red hair are also less predictable.

The epidermis contains melanin too and absorbs part of the energy. That is why the skin is cooled during treatment, and for the same reason efficacy and safety depend strongly on the wavelength and the patient's skin tone.

Which wavelength for which skin type

In light to medium skin types (Fitzpatrick I–IV), the alexandrite laser (755 nm) gives effective, long-term hair reduction. Melanin absorbs this wavelength well, which makes treatment effective but calls for caution in darker skin types.

The Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm) penetrates deeper and is absorbed less by epidermal melanin. In darker skin types (Fitzpatrick IV–VI), the risk of side effects such as hyperpigmentation is therefore lower than with 755 nm. Skin type IV is a grey area in which both wavelengths are used. For finer hair, 755 nm is usually more effective.

Dual-wavelength systems such as the Clarity II and the Elite iQ combine both wavelengths in one platform, so you can treat light and dark skin types without switching systems, a real advantage if you see a wide range of skin types.

Which device to choose

With more than 160 systems installed in the Benelux, the Clarity II is the hair removal device our customers choose most often. They particularly value its hair removal results and its second wavelength, which lets you treat vascular lesions, for example, with the same device. It is also easy to work with day to day: large areas such as the legs and back are quick to treat.

If your focus is hair removal in lighter skin types, the ZYE ALX is a single-wavelength alternative (755 nm). The platform uses fibre-optic handpieces and can later be extended with Etherea MX handpieces such as the IPL SQ, LongPulse, ProDeep and DualMode. The ZYE YAG (1064 nm) was developed mainly for vascular lesions, but is also used for hair removal in darker skin types.

We help you choose based on your patients and the volume you expect. After installation, we provide clinical training, treatment protocols and technical support. You can buy a device outright or lease it.

Technologies for this indication

  • Alexandrite (755 nm)

    The main application of alexandrite, with millisecond pulses. Melanin absorbs 755 nm more strongly than 1064 nm, so finer hair with less pigment still takes up heat [1]. A review article describes alexandrite as safe in skin types I to IV; in darker skin, the risk of pigmentary changes increases [2][3].

  • Nd:YAG (1064 nm)

    With long pulses, in milliseconds, Nd:YAG is the usual hair removal laser for dark skin (Fitzpatrick IV to VI), because the epidermis absorbs little 1064 nm light [4][5]. Skin type IV is a borderline area where alexandrite (755 nm) is also used. In fine, thin hair, 1064 nm generates less heat than 755 nm [6].

Devices for this indication

Clarity II laser hair removal device with Alexandrite and Nd:YAG laser technology for hair removal, skin quality improvement and vascular treatments, with touchscreen and medical treatment arm on a mobile unit.
Cynosure Lutronic

Clarity II

Hair removalVascular lesionsPigmentation+2
ZYE 755 nm Alexandrite laser platform for hair removal, pigment treatments, vascular treatments and skin quality improvement, with touchscreen and interchangeable treatment handpieces on a mobile trolley unit.
Vydence Medical

ZYE – 755 nm Alexandrite laser platform

Hair removalPigmentationMelasma+4
ZYE Nd:YAG 1064 nm laser platform for vascular treatments, skin quality improvement and medical aesthetic applications, with advanced laser technology on a mobile trolley unit.
Vydence Medical

ZYE – 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser platform

Vascular lesionsHair removalSkin tightening+6
Cynosure Lutronic Elite iQ laser platform
Cynosure Lutronic

Elite iQ

Hair removalPigmentationVascular lesions+2

Handpieces for this indication

IPL-SQ treatment handpiece with interchangeable filters for skin quality improvement, pigmentation treatments, hair removal and vascular treatments.
Vydence Medical

IPL SQ

Hair removalPigmentationVascular lesions+4
LongPulse laser handpiece with Nd:YAG technology for vascular treatments, pigmentation treatment and skin quality improvement.
Vydence Medical

LongPulse

Hair removalVascular lesionsSkin rejuvenation

Which device suits your practice?

Schedule a consultation and we will help you make the right choice.

Book a consultation

References

  1. Jacques SL. Optical properties of biological tissues: a review. Phys Med Biol. 2013;58(11):R37–R61. doi:10.1088/0031-9155/58/11/R37
  2. Husain Z, Alster TS. The role of lasers and intense pulsed light technology in dermatology. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2016;9:29–40. doi:10.2147/CCID.S69106
  3. Harnchoowong S, Vachiramon V, Jurairattanaporn N. Cosmetic considerations in dark-skinned patients. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2024;17:259–277. doi:10.2147/CCID.S450081
  4. Harnchoowong S, Vachiramon V, Jurairattanaporn N. Cosmetic considerations in dark-skinned patients. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2024;17:259–277. doi:10.2147/CCID.S450081
  5. Gan SD, Graber EM. Laser hair removal: a review. Dermatol Surg. 2013;39(6):823–838. doi:10.1111/dsu.12116
  6. Jacques SL. Melanosome absorption coefficient. Oregon Medical Laser Center. https://omlc.org/spectra/melanin/mua.htmlSource of the melanin curve in the absorption chart.

Looking for a treatment yourself?

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