Lumenis: LightSheer, AcuPulse & UltraPulse > Is The Lightsheer Duet Worth Buying?
Charles,
The Duet is basically an ET with an extra, larger handpiece. If you like the ET and XC, you'll LOVE the larger handpiece. The question would then be not "to buy, or not to buy"... if you are thinking of purchasing a new hair removal system, and you are happy with the previous Lightsheers, that's an easy answer. The question would, then, be "new or used". If you are willing to put out the money for a new system, and pay for the service contract, then by all means- do it, and you will be happy. It is, technicially, a great system, and with the larger handpiece your treatments should be a lot quicker.
If you choose to buy used, take into consideration whether or not the seller will be able to provide service and maintenance on the unit. Not very many technicians can rebuild the handpieces on the older systems, let alone the newer ones. Do your research on the technicians or service company that will be servicing your unit if, in fact, you do purchase used and are told service is available or included.
One thing I always advise my customers when purchasing new is to include a clause in your purchasing agreement that makes full compliance with 21 CFR 1040.10-11 MANDATORY. This includes 1040.10(h)(ii) which requires that service information be made available to all who request it. New purchases carry a lot of clout, and THIS is when you should be requesting such information. This can save you a lot of money on service in the long run, especially if you decide to opt out of a manufacturer service contract once the warranty has expired.
For those who wonder why I always include this information in my posts- most laser and light based cosmetic/hair removal systems are technicially equal. Though clinical studies provide different results, these are usually based on purely TECHNICAL specifications ie. Yag vs. Erbium, 800nm diode vs. 640nm diode, etc. At the same spot size, wavelength, and fluence setting, any two systems are technically identical. This fact is what makes SERVICE after purchase the most import consideration in choosing a make and/or model of laser or light based device (or any medical device, for that matter).
Charles- it will be faster, no doubt. Better is questionable and dependent on what your definition of "better" is. It will be faster because they dramatically increased the spot size. The possible problem is that they didn't increase the power of the laser. The net of increasing spot size without a power change is less fluence. You simply are not destructing the follicle to as high of temperature when compared with the ET or XC. The million dollar question is how much fluence do you need to permanently disable a hair follicle? I'm not sure we know for sure. There is no question you can easily stunt hair removal with low fluences but it's been shown to regrow once you stop. If you repeat the treatment monthly for 5 or six months you will have hair removal. For how long is the question. On the other hand, because there is less fluence and suction it hurts less and maybe patients are okay with the tradeoff of permanence for pain reduction. I think the jury is still out.
dexter
The fluence is low yes, but the energy is delivered much differently than the ET, so less fluence is still effective and probably the same as the ET fluences delivered when you think about how its delivered.
With the large hand piece the skin is being succutioned intho the hand piece. This is stretching the skin, removing competing chromophores and bringing the target directly to the energy. This is why less joules or energy are necessary. If you think abou the way the ET is delivering the energy, you know why more energy is needed. WIth the et hand piece and no succuction you are driving the energy down. On the way down it is being absorbed by alll the competing chrmophores. So really how much is actually getting to the target by the time it gets there?
With the larger hand piece it is not about how much fluence is being used, its how its getting to target. Bring the targe to the energy is why less is used and why less fluence is needed. You will see after each treatment 20 percent hair reduction same with the ET. However, you hair will take a week to 10 days longer to shed out. It wasnt' poping out durning the treatment as it did with the ET. if there is hair left after 5 or 6 treatments, it takes 30 seconds to give one additonal treatment. So yes, I believe patients will be much happier and choose to have larger areas treated based on less pain.
Katy
The fluence is low yes, but the energy is delivered much differently than the ET, so less fluence is still effective and probably the same as the ET fluences being delivered when you think about how its getting to the target.
With the large hand piece the skin is being succutioned intothe hand piece. You have the energy or light directly on top of the target. The hand piece or succution is actually stretching the skin, seperating all competing chromophores and bringing the target directly to the energy. When you fire, you are delivering the energy directly on the follicle or target. This is why less joules or energy are necessary. If you think abou the way the ET is delivering the energy, you know why more energy is needed. WIth the et hand piece and no succuction you are driving the energy down. On the way down it is being absorbed by alll the competing chrmophores, it gets there slower, So really how much is actually getting to the target by the time it gets there?
With the larger hand piece and the vaccuum assistance less energy is actually needed. if you smell the skin after pulsing the laser, you will smell the burning smell as you do with the ET side. You will see after each treatment 20 percent hair reduction same with the ET. However, your hair will take a week to 10 days longer to shed out than the ET system. You don't see hair poping out durning the treatment as it do with the ET, but you do smell the same thing. if there is a few hairs left after 5 or 6 treatments, it takes 30 seconds to give one additonal treatment. So yes, I believe patients will be much happier and choose to have larger areas treated based on less pain. If you do GroupOn you will find your not spending 1 1/2 hours treating legs for nothing. You can actually make money with the Lightsheer Duet as it only takes 2 minutes to do under arms. 20 minutes for legs. If you are breaking your back over these areas, you will find this to be your best friend!
Katy
The problem with the Lightsheer Duet is that it is way too low on the fluence for the spot size. The larger hand piece is very fast but not very good at permanent hair removal. To give and example I am a Caucasian with brown hair. I am treated at over 30 j/cm2 on the 9x9 spot size but the maximum fluence is only 12 j/cm2 on the large spot. Hard to get high percentage of Perlane results at this low fluence so we do not recommend Duet.
K. DiCerbo
The question is - how quickly will you make your money back? If you buy used, it's going to take much longer. Since the technology has now improved significantly on models after 2004, you can buy used- just be careful. The used market is great if you get a working machine that can be serviced by a 3rd party. If you can do this you significantly increase your return on investment.
Buying used from someone you know is perfect. If you can't, do your homework. Face time the other party and make sure they show you the equipment and turn it on. Always see before you buy. There are a lot of scammers out there convincing you they have a great deal to offer.
There is a company in New York. They have a showroom and will let you rest it out before you purchase. I went with my wife for the weekend and saw the Book of Morman on Broadway the same night. It was a lot of fun. Check them out www.nylaseroutlet.com - they have a repair department as well.
do your homework when buying used and you will make a lot more money than new. If you don't, you may get scammed.
Ari
The question is - how quickly will you make your money back? If you buy new, it's going to take much longer. Since the technology has not improved significantly on models after 2004, you can buy used and not miss out- just be careful. The used market is great if you get a working machine that can be serviced by a 3rd party. If you can do this you significantly increase your return on investment.
Buying used from someone you know is perfect. If you can't, do your homework. Face time the other party and make sure they show you the equipment and turn it on. Always see before you buy. There are a lot of scammers out there convincing you they have a great deal to offer.
There is a company in New York. They have a showroom and will let you rest it out before you purchase. I went with my wife for the weekend and saw the Book of Morman on Broadway the same night. It was a lot of fun. Check them out www.nylaseroutlet.com - they have a repair department as well.
do your homework when buying used and you will make a lot more money than new. If you don't, you may get scammed.
Ari
I am considering investing in a lightsheer duet . I have been using the lightsheer XC and ET for hair removal and have been happy with results. Does anyone think the duet is that much better and faster that it is worth the investment for a busy hair removal practice?