A Dermatologist with a Question Re: Which Laser to Purchase for Laser Hair Removal?

Question

My diode laser needs to be replaced. Looking at Cutera laser ($80K) w/ multiple hand pieces including ones w/ 1064 Nd Yag and hand piece for IPL. It is very versatile. I am not in a position to buy multiple lasers. I like the multiple uses this laser gives me including vascular lesion,rosacea and pigmented lesions. There seems to be a current great demand for IPL. My concern is that the Yag will not be effective enough to treat my predominantly Caucasion population.

Anne Marie McNeill, MD, PhD · Answer

I have used Cutera Xeo and the hair removal was very slow (very small handpiece) and not dramatically effective.  The GentleLase is faster and more effective.  But the most effective, least painful and fastest hair removal device I have used is with the Palomar ICON (the Max Rs handpiece).

	The Palomar device is another multiplatform device, it is more expensive than the Cutera multiplatform device, but much much more powerful.

	The other handpieces for IPL (ICON MaxG) are also more powerful and you have greater control over targeting vascular versus pigmentation, as compared with the Cutera device.

	You can also add to it with handpieces for fractionated resurfacing, etc.  I also have a predominantly Caucasian population, so it fits my practice perfectly and the patients are very happy with their treatments (compared to the Xeo).  I have no conflict of interest with these technologies.

Joseph Campanelli, MD · Answer

We started with IPL and Nd/Yag for much the reason you are evaluating it, the multiple handpiece platform seems a cost effective way to cover many bases with one device. Unfortunately, what we found is it becomes a case of jack of all trades, master of none. We ended up replacing our system with a LightSheer Duet which was clearly the best device on the market. We had nothing but complaints with IPL, nothing but praise with Duet.

Richard Ort, MD · Answer

I have used the Lightsheer diode laser for hair removal for many years. This is a workhorse laser which is very reliable. I would consider another Lightsheer, either new or refurbished. If you are considering IPL, I would look closely at BBL from Sciton. It can be used for photofacials and hair removal with the right filters. The BBL has been a great addition to our practice. You need to look at your patient population. If most patients are lighter skin types, then you do not need a long-pulsed Nd:YAG. If you have many darker patients, then the YAG laser would be very useful. I have no conflicts of interest with regard to these technologies.

Hassan Galadari, MD · Answer

Though there are many options for choosing which type of laser you want to use for hair removal, the YAG is a good choice. There are many lasers out there that carry different platforms and many may be used. Our practice carried 2 of Cynosures machines, the Elite which is a combination YAg and ALexandrite machine. The Yag is our workhorse since we most of our patients have pigmented skin, the Alex is great for that occasional Caucasian patient that walks into the door. An IPL system has the highest chances of developing problems, especially if you have patients with higher pigment or white patients who tan a lot.

Shankar Lakshman, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi, we purchased the multi platform Cutera Xeo and have been very pleased. My clients including Caucasian, have been pleased with the hair removal by the ND-Yag so far.

A Dermatologist with a Question Re: Which Laser to Purchase for Laser Hair Removal?

Answers (5)

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