How Alexandrite / Nd:YAG Hair can help with unwanted hair
Unwanted hair varies enormously in colour, thickness and the skin it grows against, which is exactly why more than one laser hair-removal platform is offered rather than a single one-size-fits-all machine.
Quick answer
Alexandrite / Nd:YAG hair removal uses two laser wavelengths, so the one chosen can be matched to your hair colour and skin tone for long-term hair reduction wherever unwanted hair is a concern. It is one of two core laser platforms at Naomi Waite Aesthetics alongside diode, with the right fit confirmed at consultation. Results and session numbers vary.
How Alexandrite / Nd:YAG Hair works on unwanted hair
Having two wavelengths on one platform, Alexandrite at 755 nm and Nd:YAG at 1064 nm, means the wavelength and settings can be matched to your specific hair colour and skin tone rather than using a single fixed approach for everyone. That flexibility is particularly relevant for unwanted hair, since the hair being treated across different areas of the body, and between different people, varies so much in pigment and thickness.
This is why a consultation matters more than the marketing name of the machine: your practitioner will look at your hair and skin before deciding which wavelength, or combination, is appropriate for you, rather than assuming one setting suits every client.
Who Alexandrite / Nd:YAG Hair suits for unwanted hair (and when another option may fit better)
This platform is generally considered for pigmented hair, since the laser works by targeting melanin in the hair itself, and the dual wavelength gives some flexibility across different skin tones. It's a common choice for larger or more visible areas of unwanted hair where a broad, long-term reduction approach is wanted.
It isn't the answer for every type of hair. Very fine, light or non-pigmented hair, such as fair, grey or white hair, doesn't respond to laser in the same way, and electrolysis is usually the better-suited route for that. Diode is another laser platform worth discussing at consultation, and IPL, which is a different, non-laser technology, is a further option some clients consider. Your practitioner will help you weigh these up for your hair and skin.
What a course looks like at Naomi Waite Aesthetics
Because unwanted hair grows in cycles, a course is planned across multiple visits rather than a single session, with your practitioner setting out realistic spacing and reviewing progress with you as you go. The plan is built around the area being treated and your hair and skin characteristics rather than a fixed template.
You'll be talked through what to expect at each visit, and your plan may be adjusted if your hair responds differently than expected, which is a normal part of a hair-reduction course rather than a sign anything has gone wrong.
Alexandrite / Nd:YAG Hair compared with other options for unwanted hair
Alexandrite / Nd:YAG sits alongside diode laser and IPL as options for unwanted hair; the table below sets out the broad differences, and your practitioner will help you choose between them.
Aftercare after Alexandrite / Nd:YAG Hair for unwanted hair
For general unwanted hair, aftercare tends to focus on the treated area's exposure to sun and heat in the days that follow, since skin that's just been treated can be more sensitive to both. Sun protection on treated areas matters for weeks afterward, not just immediately after your appointment, particularly for areas that see regular sun exposure such as the arms, legs or underarms.
Between sessions, you'll be given guidance on hair removal methods to avoid, such as waxing or plucking, since these can interfere with the treatment cycle. Your practitioner will confirm exactly what applies to your skin and the areas you're having treated.
Frequently asked questions
Here are some of the questions we're asked most often about Alexandrite / Nd:YAG hair removal for unwanted hair.
Related guides
See our unwanted hair hub and the diode and IPL pages linked below for the other routes available.
Book a consultation
To find out which laser hair-removal platform suits your hair and skin, book a consultation with Naomi Waite Aesthetics.
Alexandrite / Nd:YAG and diode are both laser platforms for unwanted hair; IPL uses a different, non-laser technology. This sets out the broad distinctions rather than ranking one as universally best.
| Aspect | Alexandrite / Nd:YAG | Diode Laser |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Dual-wavelength laser (755 nm and 1064 nm) | Diode laser platform |
| Wavelength flexibility | Two wavelengths, selected for your hair and skin | Single diode wavelength approach |
| Best suited to | Pigmented hair; wavelength chosen per client | Pigmented hair; suitability confirmed at consultation |
| Not effective on | Non-pigmented hair such as grey, white or very fine vellus hair | Non-pigmented hair such as grey, white or very fine vellus hair |
Frequently asked questions
Alexandrite / Nd:YAG laser targets pigment in the hair to bring about long-term reduction in unwanted hair, and it's one of the core laser platforms used at Naomi Waite Aesthetics. It works best on hair that carries enough pigment for the laser to target, and suitability for your specific hair and skin is confirmed at consultation.
This depends on the area being treated and your individual hair and skin, so we don't quote a fixed number in advance. Your practitioner will set out a realistic course for you at consultation and review it as your hair responds.
The dual wavelength gives some flexibility across different skin tones, but suitability is always confirmed individually rather than assumed from skin tone alone. Book a consultation so your hair, skin and medical history can be properly assessed.
Sensation varies between people and by the area being treated, and your practitioner can talk you through what to expect and any comfort measures used. This is best discussed directly with the clinic rather than generalised here.
Hair grows in cycles, so change becomes apparent gradually over a course of sessions rather than after a single visit, and the pace differs between people. Your practitioner will talk you through what's realistic for your hair during your consultation.
Neither platform is universally better; both are laser technologies that target pigment in the hair, and the right choice depends on your hair, skin and the area being treated. Your practitioner will help you decide between them, or discuss IPL as a further option, at consultation.
Book Your Free Consultation
Tell us your goals. We'll tell you exactly what's possible and build a plan to get you there.