The Complete Guide to the Best Lasers for Hair Removal
Which laser hair removal equipment is best for you?
Which is the best machine for laser hair removal in Calgary?
When you’re researching laser hair removal in Calgary, you’ve probably noticed that different clinics use different types of lasers and have greatly varying pricing for treatments. But what does this actually mean for your skin and your personal results?
After over 10 years of experience with various laser systems, I’m here to break down everything you need to know about laser hair removal equipment.
Understanding the differences between laser types and brands can help you make informed decisions about where to get treated and what to expect from your results.
Below are the 4 different TYPES of lasers that are typically used for laser hair removal:
ND:Yag
Diode
Alexandrite
IPL
Learning The Main Types of Hair Removal Lasers:
Alexandrite Lasers (755nm wavelength – more shallow depth)
Alexandrite lasers are my personal favorite for clients with light to medium skin tones and fine to light/medium colored hair. This wavelength is highly absorbed by melanin (pigment), making it extremely effective for lighter hair colors that other lasers might miss. It can even remove many colors of blonde hair which other lasers cannot see.
How Alexandrite works: The 755nm wavelength targets melanin efficiently while being gentle enough for sensitive skin. It penetrates to the right depth for most hair follicles without going so deep that it affects surrounding tissue.
Best candidates: Fair to olive skin tones with blonde, brown, or light brown hair. This is the laser that can tackle those stubborn fine hairs that other systems often leave behind.
What I love about Alexandrite: The precision and effectiveness on lighter hair colors. Many clients come to me frustrated that other lasers didn’t work on their fine facial or upper thigh hair or light arm hair. Alexandrite often succeeds where others fail.
Diode Lasers (808-810nm wavelength – medium depth)
Diode lasers fall in the middle range and are often considered the “workhorse” of laser hair removal. They are commonly used and work well on a variety of skin and hair types, though they’re not necessarily the best at anything specific.
How Diode works: The slightly longer wavelength allows for deeper penetration while still targeting melanin effectively. This makes it versatile for different hair and skin combinations.
Best candidates: Light to medium-dark skin with medium to coarse hair. It’s a good all-around choice but it not ideal for very light hair or very dark skin.
Considerations: While versatile, diode lasers often require more sessions than Alexandrite for fine hair or more sessions than Nd:YAG for dark skin.
Nd:YAG Lasers (1064nm wavelength – deepest depth)
Nd:YAG lasers use the longest wavelength, making them by far the safest choice for darker skin tones. The longer wavelength is less absorbed by melanin in the skin, greatly reducing the risk of burns or pigmentation changes.
How Nd:YAG works: The 1064nm wavelength penetrates deeper and is less absorbed by skin melanin, making it safer for dark skin. However, it’s also less absorbed by hair melanin, so it typically works best on dark brown or black hair which has a lot of pigment.
Best candidates: Medium-dark to very dark skin tones with coarse, dark hair. It can be safely used on ANY skin color, but darker skin tones require more cooling to ensure that the laser’s heat doesn’t get absorbed and retained by the skin.
IPL & BBL vs. True Laser Hair Removal: Understanding the Difference
Before diving into laser brands, it’s crucial to understand that IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) or BBL (Broad Band Light) are NOT actually laser technology, despite being marketed as “laser hair removal”.
How IPL differs from laser: IPL uses broad-spectrum light with multiple wavelengths (depths), while true lasers use a single, focused wavelength. Think of IPL like a flashlight – it spreads light in many directions and wavelengths. A laser is more like a focused laser pointer – precise and targeted.
Why IPL is less effective for hair removal: The scattered light energy means less precise targeting of hair follicles. Much of the energy is absorbed by surrounding skin rather than the hair shaft, making treatments less effective and often requiring many more sessions.
IPL limitations: Because the light energy isn’t as well focused, IPL systems typically can’t generate the high power needed for effective hair removal on fine or stubborn hair. They’re also more likely to cause uneven results and may not work at all on fine or light-colored hair.
Popular IPL brands you might encounter: Lumenis M22, Cynosure Icon, Cutera Limelight, and many home-use devices. While these systems may have their place for certain skin treatments such as photo facial skin tone treatments, they’re not optimal for hair removal compared to true laser technology.
If a clinic is offering “laser hair removal” with IPL equipment, it’s worth asking why they’re not using actual laser technology. Typically, the reason for this is cost of the equipment. Actual, medical grade lasers are several times the price as an IPL system. I believe that clinics should choose the best quality laser for their clients, not the cheapest systems that offer the biggest profit margins.
Contact Vs. Non-Contact Laser Systems – Why This Really Matters:
Contact systems like Diode and IPL have crystals which physically touch the client’s skin.
Non-Contact lasers shine a beam of light and the equipment does not actually touch the client’s skin.
This is where many people don’t realize there’s a significant difference in comfort, sanitation and effectiveness.
Contact Cooling Systems
Many older laser systems require the handpiece to make direct contact with your skin, often using a clear gel as a conductor.
Contact systems touch multiple clients throughout the day, in multiple body areas. The machines are often used to complete a Brazilian with anal area and are then used to treat the next client’s face 20 minutes later.
Stronger disinfectant cleaners like Cavicide or Lysol cannot be used on the crystals because they will harm the glass and equipment, so only alcohol is used to disinfect these equipment parts. Even with proper sanitation, there’s always an inherent cross-contamination risk.
Limitations of contact systems:
- The gel prevents effective air-cooling during treatments (the air would dry the gel too quickly)
- You can’t use ice packs or cooling rollers effectively with gel on your skin (the gel would get displaced)
- Without this extra cooling, heat builds up more easily, making treatment less comfortable
- The gel can feel messy and uncomfortable
- Cooling is limited to the extremely brief moment between laser pulses
Non-Contact Beam Systems (My Preference!)
Modern beam laser systems like the Quanta EVO that I use deliver laser energy without requiring skin contact. They are simply a beam of light being shone into the skin. No touching required!
Advantages of non-contact beam laser systems:
- Powerful air cooling can be used throughout treatment
- Ice packs and cooling rollers can be applied immediately before and after each treated area
- No messy gels required
- MUCH more hygienic since there’s no cross-contamination between clients
- Better heat dissipation leads to more comfortable treatments
- Allows for much more precise energy delivery
Why I Chose the Quanta EVO Laser System with both ND:Yag and Alexandrite Lasers
After working with various laser systems over the past decade, I’ve chosen the Quanta EVO for several important reasons that directly benefit my clients.
Quick facts about Quanta Lasers:
- Quanta has deep scientific roots that date back to 1985.
- Developed the first laser Ruby 694 nm and Nd:YAG 532 & 1064 nm in the world for the treatment of tattoo removal and benign pigmented lesions
- Boast more than 30,000 installed lasers in 150 countries
- The standard lasers are tested and qualified for operating under all conditions, even on airplanes. Their equipment can handle the most demanding environments.
- The laser systems are entirely manufactured in Italy: from Research & Development to production, the entire process takes place in the company’s headquarters. No foreign components are used in their equipment.
- Beyond aesthetics, Quanta has achieved recognition in art conservation, having restored masterpieces including Porta della Carta at Palazzo Ducale, in Venice
- Quanta is celebrating 40 years of innovation in laser technology
- Medical-Grade, High-Power Performance
The Quanta EVO is a true medical-grade laser system, not a beauty salon device. Its researched, developed and manufactured in Italy and is at the top tier of medical level laser devices. This means it can deliver the high energy levels necessary for effective hair removal while maintaining safety standards required in medical settings.
- Gentle AND Powerful
This machine can be customized for every single different scenario, keeping every treatment safe, effective and comfortable. It can be adjusted to be gentle while treat dark skin with incredibly thick, dense hair, or use its incredible power to dissolve the most fine, light colored hair that other lasers couldn’t even dream of.
- Dual Wavelength Capability
The EVO system offers both Alexandrite (755nm) and Nd:YAG (1064nm) wavelengths, which means I can customize your treatment to your exact skin and hair type. For my clients with light hair and fair skin, I use the Alexandrite. For those with darker skin tones, I switch to the Nd:YAG wavelength.
- Superior Cooling Technology
This is where the EVO really shines. The non-contact beam delivery allows me to use powerful air cooling throughout your entire treatment. I can also apply ice packs and ice rollers between pulses to keep you comfortable and safe.
Compare this to gel-based contact systems where cooling is minimal and the gel prevents effective heat management. The difference in comfort is dramatic and noticed by all my clients.
- Beam Delivery Precision
The EVO’s beam delivery system allows for precise energy distribution across the treatment area. There are no hot spots or uneven energy delivery that can occur with contact systems.
- Speed and Efficiency
The combination of high power and large spot sizes means treatments are faster. A full leg treatment that might take 90 minutes with other systems can often be completed in 60 minutes with the EVO.
What this means for your results
Understanding laser technology helps you ask the right questions when choosing a clinic:
Ask about the specific laser type: Make sure it’s appropriate for your skin and hair combination. Don’t let a clinic talk you into treatment with a laser that’s not ideal for your needs.
Inquire about cooling systems: If comfort is important to you, ask whether they use contact or non-contact systems and what cooling methods are available.
Understand power levels: Medical-grade systems typically provide better results than beauty-grade devices, though they should only be operated by properly trained professionals.
If you are unsure, ask for a small test spot with the laser, or start with a small area to ensure that the treatment is manageable for pain and that the treated hair sheds out within 2-3 weeks after the treatment.
Questions to Ask Before Your Treatment:
When evaluating laser hair removal providers, consider asking:
- What type of laser system do you use, and why is it appropriate for my skin and hair type?
- How do you keep clients comfortable and safe during treatment?
- Can you show me reviews from clients with similar skin and hair to mine?
- How many sessions do you typically recommend for my type of hair removal?
- What’s your experience level with this specific laser system?
Remember, the most expensive system isn’t necessarily the best for you, but the cheapest option often uses outdated or less effective technology. The key is finding the right balance of effectiveness, safety, and comfort for your specific situation.
At Elysian Laser Aesthetics, I’ve chosen the Quanta EVO because it allows me to provide the most comfortable, effective treatments possible while customizing the approach for each client’s unique needs. The combination of medical-grade power, dual wavelengths, and superior cooling technology means you get better results with greater comfort.
Ready to experience the difference that advanced laser technology can make? Let’s discuss which approach would work best for your hair removal goals.