Which Type of Laser is Best For Laser Hair Removal? (2024)

Statistics show that 75% of female clients want to find a long-term solution to hair removal. This means that it is time for you to introduce laser hair removal services to your aesthetic clinic. The type of laser treatment you end up using on your clients requires a lot of thought – does it cater to all skin types and hair types?

It is important when choosing a laser that it will be the most effective on your client demographic. Here are the four different types of laser hair removal technologies and how they work:

Traditional lasers use a “mineral” as the key component in producing a single wavelength of light (nm).

Alexandrite Laser Hair Removal 755nm

(Alexandrite crystal)

One of the most common types of laser hair removal is the Alexandrite. This laser type is ideal for individuals with light skin tones and often criticised for being unable to treat deeper-lying hair and darker skin tones and may increase the risk of pigment changes.

In comparison to other types of lasers, it is said to hurt slightly less. However, part of the reason it hurts less is that the wavelength of the laser is shorter, which means it doesn’t penetrate as deeply.

Ruby Laser 695 nm

(Ruby Crystal)

This laser hair removal method was among the first to be created. As a result, it is becoming outdated as it tends to be much slower than other modern methods. It is not as effective on darker skin and coarser hair but is somewhat better for finer hair and light skin. However, the positive side of Ruby Lasers is that it has been around long enough for there to be a tonne of research and knowledge about its effectiveness and side effects.

Nd: YAG 1064nm

(Yttrium, Aluminium & Garnet)

This is a heavy-duty laser and is most effective on thicker and coarser hair. It is also the best type for individuals who have darker skin as it has a low melanin absorption but conversely is less effective for individuals with lighter skin and finer hair. Of any type of laser treatment, Nd: YAG treatments have the longest wavelength, which means they tend to be much more uncomfortable than other types. However, it is likely to reach the deepest level of the hair’s root and kill it permanently after several sessions.

Diode Laser 755, 808/810, & 1064nm

(Semiconductor technology)

Diode laser is the newest in hair removal technology for hair removal. Using the latest in “Electronic” technology rather than the traditional “Mineral” component to generate the laser energy. This allows for a very stable production of light and intergrade with contact skin cooling to promote pain-free delivery. The larger spot size and rapid SHR delivery has also reduced treatment times by up to 80% compared with the older technologies.

This type of laser is a very versatile method as the semi-conductor technology allows for different wavelengths to be emitted offering a choice to operators in choosing the right wavelengths for their client demographic.

The best in its-class products, such as the SMARTDiode and SMARTDiode PRO offer options of wavelengths including single or adaptive triple wavelength technology with optimum power output, which is effective for all skin types and delivers great results.