What Is the Cynosure Elite+ Laser System?
The Cynosure Elite+ is an advanced, FDA-cleared dual-wavelength laser platform manufactured by Cynosure, a division of Hologic and one of the most respected names in medical aesthetics technology worldwide. The Elite+ combines two of the most clinically proven wavelengths for laser hair removal the 755nm alexandrite laser and the 1064nm Nd:YAG laser in a single, integrated platform. This dual-wavelength capability is what distinguishes the Cynosure Elite+ from the vast majority of laser hair removal systems on the market, most of which offer only a single wavelength and are therefore limited in the range of skin types and hair types they can safely and effectively treat. At Laser and Me in Midtown Manhattan, we selected the Cynosure Elite+ as our primary laser hair removal platform after extensively evaluating every major system available because it offers the most versatile, safe, and effective treatment capability of any laser on the market. The Elite+ allows our experienced nurse practitioners to treat every patient who walks through our door from the fairest Fitzpatrick type I skin to the deepest Fitzpatrick type VI skin with a single device, delivering superior, consistent results that have made it the preferred laser of leading dermatologists and medical spas around the world.
To appreciate why the Cynosure Elite+ dual-wavelength system is superior to single-wavelength alternatives, it helps to understand how each wavelength works and why both are necessary to treat NYC's diverse population effectively. The 755nm alexandrite laser is widely recognized as the gold standard wavelength for laser hair removal on lighter skin tones, specifically Fitzpatrick skin types I through III. The alexandrite wavelength has a very high affinity for melanin, the pigment that gives hair its color, which means it is extremely efficient at transferring laser energy to the hair follicle. This high melanin absorption translates to rapid, effective treatment with excellent permanent hair reduction results. The alexandrite wavelength also features the fastest repetition rates and largest spot sizes of any hair removal laser wavelength, which means treatment sessions are faster, an important consideration for patients treating large body areas like the legs, back, or chest. However, the alexandrite laser's high melanin affinity becomes a liability when treating darker skin tones, because the laser energy can be absorbed by the melanin in the epidermis as well as the hair follicle, potentially causing burns and pigmentation changes. This is where the 1064nm Nd:YAG wavelength becomes essential. The Nd:YAG laser has a significantly lower melanin absorption coefficient, which means it can safely bypass the melanin-rich epidermis of darker-skinned patients and deliver its energy directly to the hair follicle in the deeper dermis. The Nd:YAG is the only wavelength universally recommended by dermatologists for laser hair removal on Fitzpatrick skin types IV through VI. While it may require slightly more sessions to achieve optimal results compared to the alexandrite on light skin, the Nd:YAG delivers equally impressive long-term permanent hair reduction on dark skin with an excellent safety profile. Having both wavelengths in a single platform means our providers at Laser and Me can select the optimal wavelength for each individual patient, and even switch between wavelengths during a single treatment session if treating areas with different skin tones or different hair characteristics.
While the dual-wavelength capability of the Cynosure Elite+ is its most recognized feature, the integration with the Skintel melanin reader is arguably what makes this system truly exceptional for patient safety and treatment optimization. Skintel is the only FDA-cleared melanin reader designed for use with laser treatments, and it represents a fundamental shift from subjective, visual-based skin assessment to objective, data-driven treatment parameter selection. Here is how Skintel works at Laser and Me. Before every treatment session, regardless of the patient's skin type, our provider places the small Skintel sensor directly on the skin at the planned treatment site. In seconds, Skintel takes a precise spectrophotometric measurement of the melanin density in your epidermis. This is not a rough visual estimate or a Fitzpatrick scale classification. It is an exact, quantitative measurement of how much melanin is present in your skin at that specific location on that specific day. This measurement is then used to determine the maximum safe fluence, or energy level, for your treatment. The Skintel reading accounts for all the variables that visual skin typing cannot capture, including your current level of tan or sun exposure, natural melanin variations across different body areas, hormonal changes that can affect pigmentation, the effects of medications on skin sensitivity, and seasonal variations in your baseline skin tone. For darker-skinned patients, Skintel is particularly valuable because the range between an effective treatment fluence and a potentially harmful one is narrower. Skintel ensures that the treatment is performed at the highest safe energy level to maximize hair follicle destruction while staying well within the safety margin for your skin. For lighter-skinned patients, Skintel helps optimize treatment by confirming that higher energy settings can be used safely, which accelerates results and reduces the total number of sessions needed. At Laser and Me, we consider Skintel an integral, non-negotiable part of every laser hair removal treatment we perform, and we believe it is one of the most important reasons our patients achieve consistently excellent results with an outstanding safety record.
The Cynosure Elite+ is engineered for clinical performance at the highest level, and its technical specifications reflect Cynosure's decades of experience in medical laser development. The alexandrite wavelength features spot sizes up to 18mm in diameter, allowing rapid coverage of large treatment areas. It operates at fluences up to 100 joules per square centimeter and offers pulse durations from 0.5 to 300 milliseconds, giving providers precise control over energy delivery. The Nd:YAG wavelength features an even larger spot size of up to 24mm, one of the largest in the industry, which enables fast treatment of large body areas like the back and legs while maintaining uniform energy distribution across the entire spot. The Nd:YAG operates at fluences up to 300 joules per square centimeter with the same wide range of pulse durations. The system's integrated SmartCool cooling technology is another critical feature that enhances both patient comfort and safety. SmartCool delivers a precisely controlled stream of chilled air directly to the skin surface before, during, and after each laser pulse. This continuous cooling keeps the epidermis at a comfortable temperature while the laser energy heats the deeper hair follicles, dramatically reducing treatment discomfort and minimizing the risk of thermal injury to the skin surface. Most of our patients at Laser and Me describe the sensation during treatment as a warm snap or mild pinch, and many require no numbing cream at all thanks to the effectiveness of SmartCool. The Cynosure Elite+ also features an intuitive touchscreen interface that displays Skintel melanin readings and recommended treatment parameters, streamlining the treatment process and reducing the potential for human error in parameter selection. The system is manufactured under rigorous quality control standards and carries both FDA clearance in the United States and CE marking in Europe.
What Makes the Cynosure Elite+ Superior to Other Laser Systems?
The laser hair removal market is crowded with devices from numerous manufacturers, and it can be confusing for patients to understand why the choice of laser matters. Here is an honest comparison of the Cynosure Elite+ against other commonly used laser hair removal systems in NYC. Single-wavelength diode lasers operating at 810nm are the most common laser hair removal devices in New York City. They offer good performance on light to medium skin tones but cannot safely treat darker skin types. They also lack the Skintel melanin reader integration that the Elite+ offers. Multi-wavelength diode platforms that combine 755nm, 810nm, and 1064nm wavelengths in a single handpiece, such as the popular Soprano devices, offer versatility but deliver all three wavelengths simultaneously rather than allowing the provider to select the optimal single wavelength. This blended approach compromises the precision advantage of wavelength-specific treatment. Intense pulsed light (IPL) devices are not true lasers at all. They emit a broad spectrum of light wavelengths, which makes them less precise and less effective than true laser systems. IPL devices are commonly used at lower-cost clinics and require significantly more treatment sessions to achieve comparable results. The Gentlemax Pro by Candela is the Cynosure Elite+'s closest competitor, also offering dual-wavelength alexandrite and Nd:YAG capability. It is an excellent system, but the Cynosure Elite+ differentiates itself with its Skintel melanin reader integration, which the Gentlemax Pro does not offer, and its wider range of spot sizes and pulse duration settings. At Laser and Me, we chose the Cynosure Elite+ after hands-on evaluation of all these systems because it offers the most comprehensive combination of safety, efficacy, versatility, speed, and precision available in a single platform.
The Cynosure Elite+ is effective for permanent hair reduction on virtually any area of the body where unwanted hair grows. At Laser and Me in NYC, the most commonly treated areas and approximate session times include the upper lip at 5 to 10 minutes per session, the full face including cheeks, chin, sideburns, and upper lip at 15 to 20 minutes, the underarms at 10 to 15 minutes, the standard bikini line at 10 to 15 minutes, the full Brazilian area at 15 to 25 minutes, the half legs at 25 to 35 minutes, the full legs at 45 to 60 minutes, the full back at 30 to 45 minutes, the full chest at 20 to 30 minutes, the full arms at 20 to 30 minutes, and the neck at 10 to 15 minutes. Most patients achieve 80 to 95 percent permanent hair reduction after completing a series of 6 to 8 treatment sessions spaced 4 to 8 weeks apart, depending on the body area and individual factors. The hair growth cycle plays a crucial role in determining the number of sessions needed. The laser is only effective on hair follicles in the active growth phase, known as anagen, during which the hair shaft is connected to the follicle and contains the melanin that absorbs the laser energy. At any given time, only 20 to 30 percent of your hair follicles are in the anagen phase, which is why multiple sessions are required to treat all follicles as they cycle through this active phase. After completing the full treatment course, any remaining hair typically grows back finer, lighter, and sparser. Many patients also experience significant improvement in related concerns like ingrown hairs, razor bumps, and the darkening or irritation associated with chronic shaving or waxing.
The Cynosure Elite+ has earned consistently high ratings and positive reviews from both patients and providers worldwide. In clinical studies, the Elite+ has demonstrated permanent hair reduction rates exceeding 90 percent across all skin types when treatment protocols are followed correctly. Patient satisfaction surveys consistently show high approval ratings for both the results achieved and the comfort level during treatment. At Laser and Me, our own patient reviews reflect this excellence. Patients frequently comment on how comfortable the treatments are compared to their expectations or compared to experiences at other clinics using different laser systems. Dark-skinned patients who were previously told they were not candidates for laser hair removal, or who suffered adverse effects at other clinics, are consistently impressed by the safety and effectiveness of the Nd:YAG treatments at our clinic. Patients treating large body areas appreciate the speed of treatment made possible by the Elite+'s large spot sizes. And many of our patients mention the thorough, personalized approach we take with Skintel measurements and customized treatment parameters as a key differentiator from their experiences elsewhere. We encourage prospective patients to read our reviews and to ask about the Cynosure Elite+ during their complimentary consultation at Laser and Me.
Experience the gold standard in laser hair removal technology at Laser and Me in Midtown Manhattan. Whether you have light skin, dark skin, or anything in between, the Cynosure Elite+ combined with Skintel precision dosimetry and our expert nurse practitioner providers delivers safe, comfortable, and effective permanent hair reduction for every patient. We offer complimentary consultations where you can see the Cynosure Elite+ up close, experience a Skintel melanin reading firsthand, and receive a personalized treatment plan with transparent pricing. Our convenient Midtown Manhattan location is easily accessible from all parts of NYC, and we offer flexible scheduling including early morning and evening appointments to accommodate your busy lifestyle. Contact Laser and Me today to schedule your complimentary consultation and discover why the Cynosure Elite+ is trusted by leading dermatologists and aesthetic providers worldwide, and why more New Yorkers are choosing Laser and Me for their laser hair removal needs.