LASER HAIR REMOVAL · TECHNOLOGY

Laser Hair Removal Technologies: Diode, Alexandrite, Nd:YAG and IPL Compared — Istanbul

Q: Which laser is right for my skin type?

It depends on your skin tone and hair. The alexandrite 755 nm suits light to olive skin and finer hair; the diode 810 nm (Alma Soprano Ice) suits most skin types; the Nd:YAG 1064 nm is the safer choice for darker skin and deeper follicles. Our physicians confirm the choice after assessing you.

Q: Does Soprano Ice laser hurt?

The Soprano Ice is designed to be comfortable . Its in-motion technique heats the follicles gradually as the handpiece glides over the skin, while cooling protects the surface. You may feel warmth or mild prickling, more on dense hair and sensitive areas. Settings are adjusted to your comfort.

Q: Is IPL the same as laser hair removal?

No. IPL (intense pulsed light) is not a laser. A laser emits one precise wavelength chosen to target melanin, while IPL emits a broad band of filtered light, so its energy is less targeted. For hair removal, our physicians use lasers: diode, alexandrite or Nd:YAG, selected for your skin and hair.

Q: Which laser is used for dark skin?

For darker skin (Fitzpatrick V–VI), the Nd:YAG 1064 nm is usually the first choice: its longer wavelength passes the pigment in the skin surface and reaches deeper follicles, which lowers the risk of burns and pigment changes. The diode 810 nm can also suit some darker skin types. A recent tan always means postponing.

Q: Does laser work on blonde, red, grey or white hair?

Laser needs pigment in the hair to absorb its light, so it has little or no effect on white, grey, red or very light blonde hair, whichever device is used. If your hair is light, our physicians will tell you honestly at the consultation whether laser is worthwhile for you.

Q: Does the laser type change how many sessions I need?

The number of sessions depends mainly on the hair growth cycle rather than the device: only hairs in the active growth phase (anagen) respond. Most body areas need 6–8 sessions , 6–8 weeks apart; the face often needs 8–10 or more, 4–6 weeks apart. See face laser hair removal.

Q: Is laser hair removal permanent?

Laser gives permanent hair reduction : a long-term reduction in the number of hairs that grow back, with the remaining hairs finer and lighter. It does not remove every hair for ever. Occasional maintenance sessions, for example once or twice a year, are common, especially on the face. More answers in our laser hair removal FAQ.

Q: Can I have laser hair removal if I have a tan?

Not straight away. A recent tan or sunburn increases the risk of burns and pigment changes, so the session is postponed. Avoid sun tanning and self-tan for 2–4 weeks before each session, and use SPF 50 on exposed areas for about 2 weeks afterwards.

Not every laser suits every skin. Laser hair removal works by heating the pigment in the hair, so the right technology depends on your skin tone and hair colour. In Nişantaşı, our physicians work with three lasers: the diode 810 nm (Alma Soprano Ice), the alexandrite 755 nm (Cynosure, Candela) and the Nd:YAG 1064 nm (Cynosure). This page explains how they differ, why IPL is not a laser, and how we choose the right one for your skin, hair and treatment area.

Last updated: October 2026

At a Glance

Diode 810 nm

Alma Soprano Ice · most skin types

Alexandrite 755 nm

Cynosure, Candela · light to olive skin · finer hair

Nd:YAG 1064 nm

Cynosure · darker skin · deeper follicles

Sessions

Body 6–8 · face 8–10 or more

Result

Permanent hair reduction

How Laser Hair Removal Works

Laser light is absorbed by melanin, the pigment in the hair, and turns into heat that damages the follicle. That is why laser works on pigmented (dark) hair and has little or no effect on white, grey, red or very light blonde hair.

The result is permanent hair reduction: fewer hairs grow back, and those that do are finer and lighter. Occasional maintenance sessions, for example once or twice a year, are common.

Three Lasers and IPL at a Glance

Diode 810 nm — Alma Soprano Ice

An in-motion technique: the handpiece glides over the skin with cooling while the heat builds gradually. Comfortable and suitable for most skin types.

Alexandrite 755 nm — Cynosure, Candela

Fast and effective for light to olive skin and finer hair, because its wavelength is strongly absorbed by melanin.

Nd:YAG 1064 nm — Cynosure

Its longer wavelength reaches deeper follicles and is less absorbed by pigment in the skin surface — the safer choice for darker skin.

IPL — not a laser

Intense pulsed light sends a broad range of wavelengths rather than one precise wavelength, so it is less targeted. For hair removal, we use lasers.

Which Laser for Which Skin Type and Hair Colour?

Fitzpatrick skin types run from I (very fair, always burns) to VI (very dark). The table shows the usual first choice, confirmed at your assessment.

Skin type	Dark hair	Finer or lighter brown hair	Red, blonde, grey or white hair
I–II: very fair to fair	Alexandrite or diode	Alexandrite	Little or no effect
III–IV: medium to olive	Diode or alexandrite	Alexandrite or diode	Little or no effect
V–VI: brown to very dark	Nd:YAG; diode in selected cases	Nd:YAG or diode, assessed individually	Little or no effect

With a recent tan or sunburn, the session is postponed, whatever your skin type.

Comfort and Speed

Comfort depends on the laser, the area and the density of the hair. The Soprano Ice in-motion technique with cooling is designed for comfort; the alexandrite is fast. You may feel warmth or a light snapping sensation, and settings are adjusted for you. Approximate session times by area:

Underarms: about 10 minutes
Bikini: 15–20 minutes
Full legs: 45–60 minutes
Full body: about 1.5–2 hours

Laser Hair Removal Sessions and Intervals

Only hairs in the active growth phase (anagen) respond, and not all hairs are in that phase at once, so several sessions are needed, whichever laser is used.

	Face	Body
Typical sessions	8–10 or more	6–8
Interval	4–6 weeks	6–8 weeks (legs up to 8–10)
Maintenance	Common, especially for hormonal hair	Occasional, e.g. once or twice a year

Hormonal hair, for example with PCOS, may need more sessions and maintenance.

Why We Choose the Laser per Patient

Skin type and tan

We assess your Fitzpatrick type and check for a recent tan or sunburn.

Hair colour and thickness

Dark, coarse hair and finer hair respond differently; each area differs in hair depth and density.

Medical history

Photosensitising medicines, recent isotretinoin, pregnancy, tattoos in the area, keloid tendency, light-triggered epilepsy and hormonal conditions such as PCOS.

Test and settings

A patch test when needed, then settings adjusted to your skin and hair at each session.

Written plan

The laser, areas, number of sessions and intervals are written in your plan.

When Laser Is Postponed

We postpone treatment in the situations below and take extra care with a keloid tendency or light-triggered epilepsy. Redness and swelling are common; blistering, burns and temporary pigment changes are rare, and paradoxical hair growth is very rare.

Pregnancy
Sunburn or a recent tan
Active skin infection or rash
Photosensitising medication
Recent isotretinoin

Laser Hair Removal for Visitors

Because sessions are weeks apart, one visit allows one session, so laser suits people who live in Istanbul or visit regularly. You can also start a course here and continue at home: ask us to note which laser was used. For care before and after each session, see our laser care guide.

Related treatments

Frequently Asked Questions

Which laser is right for my skin type?

It depends on your skin tone and hair. The alexandrite 755 nm suits light to olive skin and finer hair; the diode 810 nm (Alma Soprano Ice) suits most skin types; the Nd:YAG 1064 nm is the safer choice for darker skin and deeper follicles. Our physicians confirm the choice after assessing you.

What is the difference between diode and alexandrite laser?

Both target melanin in the hair, but at different wavelengths. The alexandrite (755 nm) is strongly absorbed by melanin, so it is fast and effective for light to olive skin and finer hair. The diode (810 nm) reaches slightly deeper and, with the Soprano Ice in-motion technique and cooling, is comfortable and suits most skin types.

Does Soprano Ice laser hurt?

The Soprano Ice is designed to be comfortable. Its in-motion technique heats the follicles gradually as the handpiece glides over the skin, while cooling protects the surface. You may feel warmth or mild prickling, more on dense hair and sensitive areas. Settings are adjusted to your comfort.

Is IPL the same as laser hair removal?

No. IPL (intense pulsed light) is not a laser. A laser emits one precise wavelength chosen to target melanin, while IPL emits a broad band of filtered light, so its energy is less targeted. For hair removal, our physicians use lasers: diode, alexandrite or Nd:YAG, selected for your skin and hair.

Which laser is used for dark skin?

For darker skin (Fitzpatrick V–VI), the Nd:YAG 1064 nm is usually the first choice: its longer wavelength passes the pigment in the skin surface and reaches deeper follicles, which lowers the risk of burns and pigment changes. The diode 810 nm can also suit some darker skin types. A recent tan always means postponing.

Does laser work on blonde, red, grey or white hair?

Laser needs pigment in the hair to absorb its light, so it has little or no effect on white, grey, red or very light blonde hair, whichever device is used. If your hair is light, our physicians will tell you honestly at the consultation whether laser is worthwhile for you.

Does the laser type change how many sessions I need?

The number of sessions depends mainly on the hair growth cycle rather than the device: only hairs in the active growth phase (anagen) respond. Most body areas need 6–8 sessions, 6–8 weeks apart; the face often needs 8–10 or more, 4–6 weeks apart. See face laser hair removal.

Is laser hair removal permanent?

Laser gives permanent hair reduction: a long-term reduction in the number of hairs that grow back, with the remaining hairs finer and lighter. It does not remove every hair for ever. Occasional maintenance sessions, for example once or twice a year, are common, especially on the face. More answers in our laser hair removal FAQ.

Which laser is used for men?

Men's hair is usually coarse and dark, which responds well to laser; the laser is chosen by skin type, as for women. Common areas are the back, chest, shoulders, neck and beard-line shaping, and laser can reduce razor bumps. See laser hair removal for men.

Can I have laser hair removal if I have a tan?

Not straight away. A recent tan or sunburn increases the risk of burns and pigment changes, so the session is postponed. Avoid sun tanning and self-tan for 2–4 weeks before each session, and use SPF 50 on exposed areas for about 2 weeks afterwards.

This page is general information and does not replace a medical consultation. The laser, settings and number of sessions are decided by our physicians after assessing your skin and hair.

Free Consultation — Laser Hair Removal in Istanbul

Send us a WhatsApp message or book a video call with photos of the area; the consultation is free. You receive a written plan with the laser, sessions and price before treatment.

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