Alexandrite laser hair removal in Lancaster
For many people the aim is simple: less time spent shaving and fewer ingrown hairs. Alexandrite / Nd:YAG laser is one of the clinic's core hair-removal technologies, and this page explains how it works, who it may suit and what it cannot do.
Quick answer
Alexandrite / Nd:YAG laser hair removal uses a dual-wavelength, long-pulsed laser to target the pigment in hair and heat the follicle. At Naomi Waite Aesthetics in Lancaster it is offered for long-term reduction of unwanted pigmented hair and, where suitable, ingrown hairs, with the wavelength chosen for your skin and hair.
What is Alexandrite / Nd:YAG laser hair removal?
It is a long-pulsed laser hair-removal platform with two wavelengths: Alexandrite at 755 nm and Nd:YAG at 1064 nm. The two wavelengths have different optical characteristics, which gives your practitioner a choice depending on your skin and hair.
It is not the same as the Q-switched 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser used for tattoo removal. Both carry the Nd:YAG name, but the hair-removal system is long-pulsed and designed for a different purpose.
How Alexandrite / Nd:YAG laser works
Laser energy is absorbed by melanin, the pigment in the hair, and converted into heat. That heat damages the follicle, which is the target of the treatment.
Because the laser relies on pigment in the hair, it is a treatment for pigmented hair only. It does not treat white or grey hair. The wavelength and settings are selected by your practitioner according to your hair and skin characteristics.
The aim is long-term hair reduction. It is not guaranteed permanent removal.
What Alexandrite / Nd:YAG laser can help with
This laser is used within the clinic's hair-removal pathway for the concerns below.
- Unwanted hair: long-term reduction of pigmented hair
- Ingrown hairs: reducing the hair growth behind them, where suitable
Is Alexandrite / Nd:YAG laser right for me?
Laser hair removal depends on there being pigment in the hair for the laser to target. Your hair colour, your skin and the area you want treated all affect which wavelength is chosen and whether treatment is suitable.
If your hair is white or grey, laser is not the right route. Electrolysis may be discussed instead, as it can treat non-pigmented and residual hairs that laser cannot effectively target. Your practitioner may also compare this system with diode laser or IPL hair removal for you.
What happens during treatment
Your first step is a consultation, where your skin and hair are assessed, your medical history is reviewed and the right wavelength is chosen. You will be told how to prepare the area before your appointment.
During treatment the laser is passed over the area in pulses, using settings selected for you. Your practitioner explains aftercare before you leave.
Downtime and aftercare
How your skin reacts afterwards varies from person to person, so we do not quote a fixed downtime. Your practitioner will explain what to expect for the area being treated.
Aftercare is built around a few simple principles:
- Follow the aftercare advice you are given
- Protect treated skin from the sun
- Avoid picking, scratching or rubbing the area
- Contact the clinic if you notice anything unexpected
Hair-removal Nd:YAG versus tattoo-removal Nd:YAG
The most common confusion is between this long-pulsed hair-removal system and the Q-switched Nd:YAG laser used for tattoos. The table shows how they differ. Diode laser is a separate platform that also sits in the hair-removal pathway, and your practitioner will explain which suits you.
Results
Results vary from person to person. Laser hair removal offers long-term hair reduction, not guaranteed permanent removal, and it does not treat white or grey hair.
Where we show before and after photographs, they are of real clients, not stock or manufacturer images.
Alexandrite laser hair removal prices in Lancaster
The cost depends on the area being treated and the plan agreed at your consultation. Current prices are on our prices page, and your practitioner will confirm your plan cost before you book.
Alexandrite / Nd:YAG laser: frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions people ask most before starting laser hair removal. If yours is not here, bring it to your consultation.
Related treatments and guides
These pages cover the clinic's other hair-removal options and the concerns they treat.
- Diode laser hair removal
- IPL hair removal
- Electrolysis
- Unwanted hair
- Ingrown hairs
Long-pulsed Alexandrite / Nd:YAG compared with Q-switched Nd:YAG
| Feature | Alexandrite / Nd:YAG (hair removal) | Q-switched Nd:YAG (tattoo and pigment) |
|---|---|---|
| Pulse type | Long-pulsed | Q-switched nanosecond pulses |
| Wavelengths | 755 nm (Alexandrite) and 1064 nm (Nd:YAG) | 532 nm and 1064 nm |
| What it targets | Melanin in pigmented hair | Tattoo ink and pigment |
| Used for | Long-term reduction of pigmented hair | Tattoo, PMU and selected pigment removal |
Frequently asked questions
It is a long-pulsed laser hair-removal system with two wavelengths, Alexandrite 755 nm and Nd:YAG 1064 nm. The laser is absorbed by the pigment in hair and turned into heat that damages the follicle. At Naomi Waite Aesthetics in Lancaster it is used for long-term reduction of unwanted pigmented hair.
Sensation varies with the area, your hair and your own comfort levels. Your practitioner will explain what treatment is likely to feel like for you and how comfort is managed. If you are worried, mention it at your consultation.
There is no fixed number. Laser hair removal is planned as a course rather than a single session, because hair grows in cycles and not every hair is at the right stage at the same time. Your practitioner will recommend a plan based on your hair, skin and the area treated.
How your skin reacts varies from person to person, so we do not quote a fixed downtime. Your practitioner will explain what to expect for the area treated and give you aftercare to follow, including protecting the skin from the sun. Tanned skin increases the risk of side effects such as burns and pigment changes, so your practitioner will advise you on sun exposure around your course.
Laser hair removal does not treat white or grey hair, because there is no pigment for the laser to target; electrolysis may be discussed instead. Suitability also depends on your skin, your medical history and your medications. Your practitioner will review all of this at consultation before recommending treatment.
The price depends on the area being treated and the course agreed with your practitioner. Current prices are listed on our prices page, and your plan cost is confirmed at your consultation in Lancaster. Because treatment is planned as a course, ask your practitioner to talk you through the cost of the full plan.
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