Hi,

Im considering buying the Soprano XL Diode Laser specially for the SHR model. My patients are mostly Type IV and V . Am currently using the Cutera Xeo Laser with vantage mode for hair removal. Really like the same, but unfortunately the laser seems to fail now and then and the costs are prohibitive for repairs, almost makes it seem as if i'm making money for Cutera's distributer rather for my clinic. Want to buy a new laser for a second clinic I plan to start shortly and am confused which system to buy.

Demo'd the Soprano SHR Laser, and quite liked the same at least for the first sitting I did. Pain was very minimal and the results seem to be good so far. The cost is similar to the Cutera Vantage, and the Alma Soprano also has now a laser blanching application and a skin tightening hand piece along with a better warranty than Cutera. Also, the SHR mode on the Soprano seems to make larger areas treatment a lot more painless and am thinking whether I can increase my patient base with that for larger areas hair removal.

In fact I have a Lightsheer ET (100ms and 30ms) , and though the results are good the PIH possibilities and pain during the treatments want me to now sell the lightsheer.I didn't think I would consider another Diode machine (for lighter skin the Lightsheer is the best machine, but for my patient base , Type IV and V, not ideal) but the Soprano XL SHR laser made me rethink.

Appreciate any feedback on the Soprano XL Laser with SHR mode from users of the system along with any experience of PIH or side effects specially on darker patients. Thanks a lot.

The 1064 nm is stilll the gold standard for darker skin type. For fine hair in dark skin type, I found the 1064 is pretty good. for that. Have you tried the soprano on finer hair?

avk209,

How much do you want for the lightsheer?

I have used the Cutera 1064 and am very happy with the same, but am not happy with the company as some issues keep coming up with the Cutera and out of warranty the costs are quite high, so am then looking for an option for the same. Perhaps a 1064 from another company. I tried the Soprano on finer hair and am awaiting results from a few patients I did it on. I found the patient to be more comfortable on the Soprano than on the 1064 though its a diode, so i would like to know the results feedback from other docs using the system.

LH, please mail me at avk209 @ gmail.com or let me know your email id, and we can possibly work something out.

Hi,

Im considering buying the Soprano XL Diode Laser specially for the SHR model. My patients are mostly Type IV and V . Am currently using the Cutera Xeo Laser with vantage mode for hair removal. Really like the same, but unfortunately the laser seems to fail now and then and the costs are prohibitive for repairs, almost makes it seem as if i'm making money for Cutera's distributer rather for my clinic. Want to buy a new laser for a second clinic I plan to start shortly and am confused which system to buy.

Demo'd the Soprano SHR Laser, and quite liked the same at least for the first sitting I did. Pain was very minimal and the results seem to be good so far. The cost is similar to the Cutera Vantage, and the Alma Soprano also has now a laser blanching application and a skin tightening hand piece along with a better warranty than Cutera. Also, the SHR mode on the Soprano seems to make larger areas treatment a lot more painless and am thinking whether I can increase my patient base with that for larger areas hair removal.

In fact I have a Lightsheer ET (100ms and 30ms) , and though the results are good the PIH possibilities and pain during the treatments want me to now sell the lightsheer.I didn't think I would consider another Diode machine (for lighter skin the Lightsheer is the best machine, but for my patient base , Type IV and V, not ideal) but the Soprano XL SHR laser made me rethink.

Appreciate any feedback on the Soprano XL Laser with SHR mode from users of the system along with any experience of PIH or side effects specially on darker patients. Thanks a lot.

I do rent soprano xl for about one year. Also rent the infrared(NIR). The initial parameter , sugested by the salesman of alma lasers are about half the fluence and Total energy that i'm using right now. No response with NIR and very few response with soprano. I do have a couple of friends dermatologists that are happy with their results and i'm trying to follow their parameters, but is too soon to see some results.

I do rent soprano xl for about one year. Also rent the infrared(NIR). The initial parameter , sugested by the salesman of alma lasers are about half the fluence and Total energy that i'm using right now. No response with NIR and very few response with soprano. I do have a couple of friends dermatologists that are happy with their results and i'm trying to follow their parameters, but is too soon to see some results.

I do rent soprano xl for about one year. Also rent the infrared(NIR). The initial parameter , sugested by the salesman of alma lasers are about half the fluence and Total energy that i'm using right now. No response with NIR and very few response with soprano. I do have a couple of friends dermatologists that are happy with their results and i'm trying to follow their parameters, but is too soon to see some results.

I do rent soprano xl for about one year. Also rent the infrared(NIR). The initial parameter , sugested by the salesman of alma lasers are about half the fluence and Total energy that i'm using right now. No response with NIR and very few response with soprano. I do have a couple of friends dermatologists that are happy with their results and i'm trying to follow their parameters, but is too soon to see some results.

hi rutsnei,so did the soprano work on your patients?i am interestd in buying it for my clinic-any advice?

we have the soprano SHR, and the results seem on par with the Cutera Xeo we use. Yes it is less painful, but is physically more taxing on the operator, particularly if you have a busy LHR practice. We have one technician that developed carpal tunnel and one that has started to experience some discomfort. We've had to adjust our scheduling so that our technicians don't only LHR all day long.

I have been using the Soprano XL for over a year now and my practice has exploded. The results are fantastic and due to this my referrals are simply amazing. The majority of the time, I use SHR mode.....I treat all skin types and have had great results. I have also used the Catera Xeo and I do have a yag, but have great results with the Alma with much less discomfort. No pain equals alot of satisfied clients.

After 2 years using soprano XL,i can say that:
-If you use the dynamic mode wich is less painful than lightsheer, i get results for Fitzpatrick skin types I-II with 6 sessions ( with an interval of 2 months each). So 1 year treating to obtain good results
-Maintenace every 6 monts
-The dynamic mode is less painful than lightsheer, but in static mode the pain is the same as the old lightsheer( not the duet)
-No problems in fitzpatrick I-IV
-Had 1 complication: transytory hipocromia ina tipe VI patient
OBS: I do test every patient in a non exposed area(under the arm), with 3 different energiees in the first time. I reavaluate hin in 1 and 2 months to prevent complications

I have been using the alma soprano xli now for 8 months. The results have exceeded my expectations. The hair will take about 6 treatments on averageof 6 - 8 weeks apart for total resolution...some patients stop shaving all together after 2 -3 RXs. The chin and lip are the slowest areas to resond. The NIR handpiece for skin tightening has been a disappointment.

Hi do you know anyone in the greater toronto area that is willing to rent out the soprano xl SHR machine . Please email me above if you do.

Thanks

MD Esthetics.

I have been using the Soprano for almost 4 years now. The SHR mode allows you to fine tune the amount of energy you are putting in to the hair follicle by the number of passes. Because the skin is allowed to cool off each time you move away from the area, you are able to safely deliver more energy to the follicle than with a single, big pulse. I think, in order to get the best results, you need to do about 15- 20 passes which makes device more labor intensive and time consuming than some of the other lasers. This machine helped me differentiate my practice from my competition because I was able to build a reputation for having a less painful laser that treats all skin types and more importantly, I am getting better results than everyone around me.

The main problem I have with the laser is the lack of duplication of results. It's good in some and not so good in others I deal predominantly with type 4 and 5 skin. Though the results are better than the ndyag , I feel there's still a bit to go before I would say optimal results. This is definitely superior when it comes to pain

I'm looking to put about 15-18 joules into an 8x10 area. After doing it for a while, it's easier to count the passes than to constantly stare at the screen. I'm also watching for a skin reaction. After about 15 Joules, I usually continue for a few more passes if I don't see erythema. If you are doing type 4 and 5 skin, watching the joules would be better, since you may not see a skin erythema occurring. Although this laser can be safely used on darker skin, we have to be careful because you can still burn if too much energy is delivered, and you can stimulate hair growth if not enough is delivered.

If I may ask how fast are you looking to move the hand piece when delivering the passes, do you do it slowly in a sequential order or it more random and fast irregular movement? I also feel the higher joules work better with the same kilo joules of energy.

There is a tendency to start moving faster so I have to keep correcting myself. The slower you move, the closer the pulses are to each other. This is where being mindful of the total Kjoules is helpful so that you can stay consistent. If you move too slow, it becomes more painful, if you move too fast, you will need to do more passes. If you have the Soprano XLi, it goes up to 20 J/cm2 I usually stay between 12 and 16. The higher the J/cm2, the slower it fires, so it doesn't help cut down on the treatment time. For darker skin 9 or 10 is fine.

Thanks again hwsong, I have the accord the max joules is 10 , though the kilo joules can go up , that max I have gone upto is 12 kj for a 10 by 10 area.

I also treat in a manner consistent with that which hwsong mentioned. I was skeptical with the SHR method until I tried it on my own leg. I was told to only treat up to about 10j per area, but have been using about 15-18 also. I have had great results. By trying it on your own skin, you can tell better how fast to go. I go in a pace that is pretty quick. It is important to keep the hand piece flush with the skin though, so not so fast that this cannot be accomplished. If you move slow, it will be really uncomfortable. I plan on doing the rest of my legs with the SHR...much more tolerable.