Laser Hair Removal - Palomar Icon, YAG or Candela?

A wide variety of medical lasers and light systems are used to remove unwanted hair, however most lasers are not effective for all skin types and hair colors. The Elos laser hair removal system is designed for permanent hair reduction by combining both optical and radiofrequency energy to deliver satisfying, longer lasting results with less discomfort than previous laser systems. All skin and all hair colors including gray and blonde hair are effectively treated. Faces, backs, arms, legs, faces, and bikini lines can be treated including those individuals with darkly pigmented skin. Treatments are administered every 4 weeks and generally 3 to 5 treatments are sufficient.

I tell my patients that a bad result is not worth a cheap price.  Always choose a cosmetic procedure based on the Physicians skill, knowledge, quality of care, quality of equipment and experience.  Always see a physician who is Board Certified by American Board of Medical Specialties in an accepted aesthetic field.

With regards to your choice of lasers, both Alexandrite and Nd:Yag lasers are excellent options, and Candela makes an excellent line of each (GentleLase Alexandrite, GentleYag Nd:Yag, and GentleMax combines the two.)  The Candela lasers are considered top of the line and have dynamic cryogen cooling that increases their safety-- for this reason, as well as the highly qualified physicians that use them, you may find treatments are slightly more expensive.

The Palomar units are not lasers, but IPL's.  In general, I think of IPL's as "jack of all trades, master of none" and the results with hair removal are general inferior to laser with a higher risk profile, especially in darker skin types.