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LightSheer Vs. GentleLASE - What's the Difference?

  • 7 years ago

Lightsheer and GentleLASE are two brand names of laser hair removal treatments - I get that.  What I don't get is the difference between two.  How do I know which one is better?

Doctor Answers 5

May 4th, 2010

GentleLase and Lightsheer- Both excellent hair removal options

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The GentleLase and Lighsheer are both very effective, and popular, hair removal lasers. 

The GentleLase (755nm long-pulsed Alexandrite laser) is a very effective laser for hair removal in lighter skin types.  It has excellent pick up by melanin (skin and hair pigment), making it great for hair removal in lighter skin types, but not a good option for colored skin.

The Lightsheer (810nm long-pulsed Diode laser) is not absorbed by melanin as well as the Alexandrite.  This may make it less effective for thinner or lighter brown hairs, but allows some darker skin types to be treated.  I still would not treat African American skin with this laser--- for dark brown or black skin I prefer the long-pulsed Nd:Yag lasers such as the GentleYag.

So-- for lighter skin types, especially if you have thinner or lighter pigmented hairs, the GentleLase is a better option.  If you are darker skin toned, such a darker Italian skin, Middle-Eastern, Hispanic etc-- the Lightsheer (or the GentleYag) would be a better choice.  For dark brown and black skin, stick with the GentleYag.

Jeffrey C. Poole, MD


Metairie Dermatologic Surgeon
4.3 out of 5 stars 6 reviews

February 24th, 2017

GentleLase versus Lightsheer for Laser Hair Removal

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I prefer the GentleLase laser over the Lightsheer laser.  I have amazing results with patients with type I and II skin type (light skin and dark hair).  It is painless, safe, and effective and I have been using it for years.  I do not treat darker skinned patients with this laser.  I use the Candela GentleYag for skin types III or darker (African American or Indian).  Please consult an expert in laser hair removal based both on your skin type and texture of your skin for the best cosmetic results.  Best, Dr. Green

Learn more: http://www.michelegreenmd.com/laser-hair-removal

Michele S. Green, MD

Michele S. Green, MD
New York Dermatologist
5.0 out of 5 stars 87 reviews

October 27th, 2009

Lightsheer v GentleLase

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These are laser brand names. Each of these lasers represents a completely different laser subtype. The Lightsheer is a diode laser and the GentleLASE is an alexandrite laser. I have used these extensively and these two lasers function at very different wavelengths. Therefore one of these lasers will penetrate deeper in the skin, treat melanin, the pigmented part of your hair follicle, differently and get different results. In addition, depending on your skin type certain lasers are safer than others. It is important that your physician understand what laser wavelength they are using with rather than what brand name they are using because settings will be different for every single type of laser.

Shawn Allen, MD
Boulder Dermatologist

May 19th, 2015

Both Work Well

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Both the LightSheer and GentleLASE lasers work beautifully for laser hair removal. The GentleLASE uses 755 nanometer wavelengths and the LightSheer uses about 808 to 810 nanometer wavelengths.

The LightSheer, or diode laser, works a little bit deeper within the tissue. However, the additional 50 nanometers of frequency does not equate additional effectiveness in hair removal. The LightSheer also has a larger spot size; practitioners can finish their sessions faster and offer less pain for patients. (Neither of these lasers are particularly painful, especially when a topical anesthetic is applied to the treatment site prior to beginning therapy.)

I see a great efficacy with three sessions of either laser for slowing down hair growth in treated areas. The bottom line - I would pick whichever laser is more cost-effective at your dermatologist.
Bobby Buka, MD

Bobby Buka, MD
New York Dermatologist
5.0 out of 5 stars 7 reviews

November 16th, 2009

Lightsheer vs. GentleLase

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If you are a light skin type (Caucasian), either of these lasers are appropriate for you. The GentleLase is an Alexandrite laser and the Lightsheer is a Diode laser. Although they are slightly different types of light (755nm for Alex and 810 for Diode) they are both very effective for light skinned laser hair removal. The GentleLase may be marginally more painful because it is air cooled rather than contact cooled (Lightsheer).

Ultimately, the total cost and result may boil down to which practitioner is more experienced in this situation as the number of treatments required should be similar.

Harold J. Kaplan, MD

Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.4 out of 5 stars 7 reviews

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.