Firing speed
- 5min Underarms
- 15min Full bikini
- 25min Back
Indicative durations taken from the device's data sheet. The operator confirms the actual time after an assessment of the hair density.
Hair removal · Fitzpatrick IV to VI · 1064 nm wavelength
A laser that reads blood, not melanin: this is why Nd:YAG is made for dark skin.
The Nd:YAG laser in the Clarity II targets hemoglobin in the blood vessel at the root of the hair, not the melanin in the follicle or the epidermis. Black, dark and mixed skin tones are therefore no longer exposed to the risk of skin burns: skin color does not absorb the beam. A cryogen spray freezes the epidermis with every pulse.
Photoderma · 4672 Blvd. Saint-Martin Ouest, Laval, Québec H7T 2X9
Optical physics · 1064 nm selectivity
Why doesn't skin color absorb the beam?
Three phenomena combine to leave the epidermis untouched while a targeted pulse reaches the root of the hair.
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01 · Penetration
The 1064 nm wavelength penetrates more deeply into the skin than shorter wavelengths.
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02 · Intensity
At the low intensity set by the operator, it bypasses superficial melanin without heating it.
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03 · Target
The beam finds its chromophore in the hemoglobin of the bulb. The epidermis, even when rich in melanin, remains translucent.
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λ
Wavelength
1064 nm, near-infrared
This wavelength penetrates more deeply into the skin than short beams. The operator sets it at low intensity, enough to reach the bulb without overheating the pigmented superficial tissues.
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Hb
Target chromophore
Hemoglobin, not melanin
The Nd:YAG recognizes hemoglobin (a blood component) more strongly, finding it in the vessel that feeds the follicle. The melanin of the hair and the skin therefore no longer absorbs the bulk of the energy received.
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∘
Treated area
The vessel at the root of the hair
The energy concentrates in the hair bulb through the blood vessel. The vascular structure heats up, coagulates, and the follicle loses the ability to produce a mature hair in the next cycle.
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✕
Burn risk
No skin absorption
People with dark skin are not at risk of burns: the laser is drawn to the blood vessel at the root of the hair (within the bulb) and not to the color of the follicle or the skin. The epidermis remains intact.
Nd:YAG absorption spectrum — illustrative diagram · Clarity II
Comfort during the session · cryogen spray
What do you hear during the session and why does the skin stay cold?
A cryogen spray, a very cold fluid, is released immediately before each laser pulse. It ensures treatment comfort and considerably minimizes inflammation. The noise heard during the session (and on the clinic's video) does not come from the power of the laser: it is the cryogen propelled onto the skin to freeze it before each pulse.
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1
A spray before every pulse. Cooling precedes the pulse. The epidermis is already frozen when the light arrives, which rules out the sensation of sharp surface heat.
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2
Reduced inflammation. The source sheet describes inflammation as "considerably minimized", not eliminated. A local redness and a small follicular edema may persist for a few hours.
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3
The audible noise. Make no mistake: the sound of the session is not related to the power of the laser, but to that of the cryogen propelled on the skin to freeze it before each pulse.
Pace · exact figures from the source sheet
How long, how many sessions?
The Clarity II's firing speed makes it possible to treat whole areas in a few minutes, and about eight sessions are enough to permanently remove unwanted hair. Passes are spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart on the face and 6 to 8 weeks apart on the body, an interval that respects the hair growth cycle.
Full protocol
≈ 8sessions in total
to permanently remove unwanted hair, provided the cadence between passes is respected.
- Face
- 4 to 6 wks between two sessions
- Body
- 6 to 8 wks between two sessions
Other hair removal treatments
What if Nd:YAG alone is not enough for your skin type?
The source sheet points to two other pathways when a single laser does not cover every case: alternating Nd:YAG + Alexandrite in the same device for dark and Asian skin, and electrolysis for hair that light cannot read — white, blond or red. The in-clinic assessment determines the right mix.
01
Same device · complementary wavelength
Alternate with the Alexandrite Laser
To note: alternating between the Nd:YAG and Alexandrite lasers, both present in our Clarity II hair removal device, makes it possible to properly treat dark and Asian skin tones. The two beams target different structures, which increases coverage on these phototypes.
02
Out of spectrum · needle, electric current
Complete with Electrolysis
For the hair that light cannot target — white, blond, red or vellus — electrolysis remains the proven method since 1916. It works through current, hair by hair, without depending on pigment. Often used as a finishing touch after a laser series.
Before your assessment
Frequently asked questions · Nd:YAG Laser
Why is the Nd:YAG laser suitable for dark skin?
Because the optical target changes. The Nd:YAG recognizes hemoglobin in the blood vessel at the root of the hair, not the melanin of the follicle or the skin. The color of the epidermis therefore no longer absorbs the beam's energy, which rules out the risk of skin burns on dark or Black skin.
What is the cryogen spray used during the session?
A very cold fluid is sprayed on the skin immediately before each laser pulse. It cools the epidermis, ensures treatment comfort and considerably limits inflammation. The audible noise during the session comes from this cryogen, not from the power of the laser itself.
How long does a session take depending on the area?
The Clarity II's firing speed enables short passes. The underarms are treated in about 5 minutes, the full bikini in 15 minutes and the back in 25 minutes. These times include the beam pass and the cooling between pulses, with no downtime for the operator.
How many sessions are needed for permanent hair removal?
Count on about eight sessions to permanently remove unwanted hair. The interval between two passes is 4 to 6 weeks on the face and 6 to 8 weeks on the body. This cadence respects the hair growth cycle and lets dormant follicles enter the anagen phase.
Why alternate Nd:YAG and Alexandrite in the same device?
The Clarity II combines both wavelengths. For dark and Asian skin, alternating between Nd:YAG and Alexandrite makes it possible to address both fine hair and darker reliefs. Each wavelength targets a different structure, which improves coverage on these skin types.
Next step · in-clinic assessment
Have your phototype read before committing to a laser series.
Before the first pulse, an in-clinic assessment specifies your phototype, the density and color of the targeted hair, and verifies that Nd:YAG is indeed the right beam for your skin — or whether it should be alternated with Alexandrite, or completed with electrolysis for out-of-spectrum hair. Medicard financing over 6 or 12 months, with no initial fee, applies to the entire course of treatment.
For a complete plan, also consider Alexandrite for dark and Asian skin, and electrolysis for white, blond or red hair.