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C O M M E R C I A L F E AT U R E

CYNOSURE

Evolution

of the Elite

From laser hair removal’s humble
beginings to Cynosure’s Elite iQ

revolution

aser has been used for hair removal from as far back this device, clinicians had the ability to choose treatment
as the 1960s, albeit fairly unsuccessfully due to the with a single wavelength or a combination (in a sequential
lack of long-term or “permanent” results achievable mode). Combining synergistic wavelengths in the Multiplex
at the time. Laser therapy was revolutionised modality allows for a safer treatment profile with lower
Lin the 1980s by Rox Anderson and John Parrish, total fluence. In addition to this, the Elite MPX had an
postulating the theory of selective photothermolysis – the integrated cold air system, making it more compact and
use of a specific wavelength to achieve the destruction additionally, an IPL handpiece for aesthetic treatments.
of a target molecule and minimszing thermal damage to Thereafter, a new Elite and Apogee with larger spot
surrounding tissue. Perfecting the pulse duration and sizes – up to 18mm in diameter – started to be used in 2012,
intensity of laser energy, Dr Rox Anderson and Dr Melanin under the names of Elite+ and Apogee+. And then, years
Grossman laid the foundation of modern hair removal as later in 2014, Cynosure increased the spot sizes offering
we know it today, with their group out of the Wellmann larger diameters like 20, 22 and 24mm, allowing deeper
Laboratory of Photomedicine at Harvard Medical School. penetration of energy into the tissue. This, together with a
They presented work in early 1997 at the American Society higher repetition rate, were key advantages for optimising
for Laser Medicine and Surgery on the use of the Ruby treatments, and the Elite+ achieved industry recognition
695nm laser for permanent hair removal. for its efficacy and treatment flexibility when it was
This early work with the ruby laser, which had its shortlisted for device of the year at last year’s Aesthetic
limitations, then to the adoption of the alexandrite laser, Awards.
with its slightly longer 755nm wavelength, more efficient The most recent advancement in 2020 is the Elite iQ,
for targeting the stem cells and causing miniaturisation of which represents a real revolution in the hair removal
the terminal hair follicles. Neither of these wavelengths, market, since this new device incorporates the Skintel, the
however, are still the optimal choice for darker skin types industry’s only Melanin Reader, which can give an accurate
because of their absorption characteristics into melanin. measurement of the skin melanin content to better guide
The neodynium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet, or treatment test spot settings and identify skin colouration
Nd:YAG, is demonstrated to be safer for the higher melanin changes throughout the course of a patients treatments.
content found in the higher Fitzpatrick Skin types as its The Skintel has been an invaluable resource on other hair
invisible infra-red light, at 1064nm, has a lower absorption removal lasers in the Cynosure portfolio for over 15 years,
into melanin that bypasses the surface colour of the skin. providing clinic reassurance for the selection of safe and
The alexandrite 755nm and the Nd:YAG 1064nm have effective treatment parameters for each individual patient
become the industry standards for hair reduction, each skin.
of them optimised for treatment for a different patient The Elite iQ, builds on the legacy of our gold standard Elite
population. laser family, now is faster, more efficacious, and smarter
The first alexandrite laser model that Cynosure designed since it has a higher maximum energy for both Alexandrite
was the Apogee 6200 about 20 years ago. It only carried (+19%) and Nd:YAG (+43%) laser so we can treat patients
the 755nm wavelength. In 2003, the Nd:YAG laser was faster and more effectively and safely.
added and the device was renamed Elite and included both The Elite iQ is cleared for hair reduction in all Fitzpatrick
wavelengths. Skin Types, I-VI, and includes the treatment of tanned skin
The inclusion of the two wavelengths in the Elite provides allowing the patients hair removal journey to continue
optimal hair removal across all Fitzpatrick skin types from during the summer months. It is also cleared for pseudo
I to VI. folliculitis barbae, and the treatment of vascular lesions,
Some years later, in 2009, proprietary technology that benign pigmented lesions and wrinkles, offering a
sequentially combines wavelengths to combine clinical comprehensive range of clinic treatment options from the
effects was launched by Cynosure with the Elite MPX. With one device. AM

Aesthetic Medicine • June 2020 17