What the Clarity II is, how its two wavelengths and motion tracking work, why it is our platform of choice for deeper skin tones and fine hair, and how we choose between it and our GentleMax Pro.
The Cynosure Lutronic Clarity II is an advanced dual-wavelength laser workstation designed for long-lasting hair reduction. It uses two distinct laser wavelengths: 755nm Alexandrite and 1064nm Nd:YAG. This dual wavelength system suits all six Fitzpatrick skin types. It is particularly effective for deeper skin tones, as well as for fine or stubborn hair, offering rapid, high-precision coverage across both small and large body areas. The Clarity II watches your skin temperature during every pass and warns us before it gets too hot, which is why it is our first choice for deeper skin tones.
A word from Swaleen before you read on
I have been giving treatments with many different machines over the past 20 years, and the Cynosure Lutronic Clarity II is my second primary machine, equal to my Candela GentleMax Pro. We operate these two top dual-wavelength laser platforms because we care about our clients and want to deliver optimal results. At Distill Laser Clinic, 1275 Finch Ave W, Suite 407, our home for laser hair removal in North York, we have completed 10,000+ treatments clinic-wide and hold a 4.9 rating across 328 Google reviews. One location only.
I added the Clarity II for two reasons. The first is that Toronto is one of the most diverse cities in the world, and I wanted a machine built around protecting deeper skin tones, not one adapted to them after the fact. The second is fine hair. Around session four or five, the coarse hair is gone and what is left is thin and light, and a laser that was perfect in session one starts missing it. The Clarity II was built for that stage.
And the same honesty I give on every page: no laser, this one included, can promise you results for life, and I will not promise it either. With the right hands, you get long-lasting hair reduction, finer regrowth, and a maintenance session once or twice a year for most people. Anyone who tells you otherwise is selling, not treating.
What the Clarity II is
The Cynosure Lutronic Clarity II is a high-end, dual-wavelength laser system engineered to deliver fast and precise laser hair removal. It combines two medical-grade laser wavelengths into a single platform: the 755nm Alexandrite laser and the 1064nm Nd:YAG laser. Rather than relying on static energy delivery or messy gels, the system uses digital Care technology. It features intelligent motion tracking in the handpiece and a 1ms short-pulse option. This lets us target hair follicles cleanly and efficiently while limiting heat in surrounding tissue.
The two wavelengths and when we use each
The Cynosure Lutronic Clarity II houses two separate laser wavelengths, allowing us to customize every session based on your specific skin tone and hair structure.
Alexandrite 755nm
- Highly absorbed by melanin, the dark pigment inside the hair shaft
- Used primarily for lighter skin tones, Fitzpatrick types I to III
- Powerful energy absorption for fine to coarse dark hair on the face, arms and legs
- Selected when there is a clear contrast between light skin and dark hair
Nd:YAG 1064nm
- A longer wavelength that penetrates deeper into the dermal layer of the skin
- Much lower absorption in surface melanin, so the energy passes the epidermal pigment
- Used for deeper skin tones, Fitzpatrick types IV to VI, and for deeply rooted or coarse hair
- Delivers light energy to the hair bulb beneath the surface, which lowers risk for dark complexions while turning off active hair growth
Our article on laser hair removal for different skin and hair types explains what to expect for your tone and hair colour.
How the cooling works and what a pulse feels like
The Cynosure Lutronic Clarity II has built-in cooling to help keep each session comfortable.
We believe in complete honesty about comfort. Laser hair removal is never completely sensation-free, and claiming it is comfortable for everyone is inaccurate. What does a pulse actually feel like? Most clients describe each laser pulse as a warm pinprick or a quick sensation like a rubber band snapping against the skin. Sensitive body zones feel more, but the integrated cooling calms the skin instantly, making sessions generally well tolerated. The full zone-by-zone account is in does laser hair removal hurt.
Why this is our platform of choice for deeper skin tones
The Cynosure Lutronic Clarity II is our platform of choice for deeper skin tones, covering Fitzpatrick types IV, V and VI. Individuals with dark or deeply pigmented skin have higher levels of melanin in their surface skin layer. If a laser uses a short wavelength with high melanin absorption, the surface skin absorbs too much light, which increases the risk of thermal burns, blistering, or hyperpigmentation.
The 1064nm Nd:YAG laser on the Clarity II solves this problem by using a longer wavelength that passes through surface melanin. The light energy travels through the pigmented epidermis without overheating it, focusing its energy directly on the hair root located deep within the dermis. The built-in temperature-sensing technology also monitors skin surface heat with every pass. This real-time monitoring, combined with integrated cooling, provides a lower-risk treatment experience for dark skin tones.
Why it is our platform of choice for fine hair and large areas
The Cynosure Lutronic Clarity II stands out for treating fine residual hair and large body areas because of two specific technologies: IntelliTrak motion tracking and a 1ms pulse width setting.
IntelliTrak technology uses built-in motion-sensing rollers within the laser handpiece. As we glide the handpiece over your skin, the system measures hand movement speed in real time and automatically adjusts the laser pulse repetition rate. This maintains an even, precise pulse density with an automatic 18 percent overlap across the entire treatment zone. It eliminates manual stamping errors, prevents missed spots, and lets us cover large areas like the back, legs, and arms quickly and uniformly.
For fine or thin hair, the Clarity II includes an exclusive 1ms pulse width setting. Fine hairs are smaller targets and lose heat rapidly. Standard laser pulse durations are often too slow to heat fine hair follicles effectively. The 1ms pulse setting delivers high thermal energy in an ultra-short burst, capturing thin residual hairs that older lasers fail to disable.
Which areas we treat with it
We use the Cynosure Lutronic Clarity II to treat almost any region of the body where you want long-lasting hair reduction.
- Face: upper lip, chin, jawline and sideburns. Facial hair can be stubborn and hormonally driven, so the precision of the 1ms pulse setting helps us target thin or resistant facial hairs cleanly. See facial laser hair removal.
- Large body areas: full back, shoulders, chest, abdomen, full arms and full legs. The IntelliTrak motion tracking handpiece lets us glide smoothly over these areas, delivering fast, uniform coverage without leaving untreated gaps. See full body laser hair removal and laser hair removal for men.
- Sensitive areas: underarms, bikini and Brazilian. The combination of targeted spot sizes and integrated cooling helps manage discomfort while treating coarse hair in these dense zones.
Who should not choose this laser
Saying who a laser is not for is what makes the rest of this page worth trusting. The Clarity II is not the right tool in these cases.
- Blonde, grey, red or white hair. There is not enough pigment in the follicle for either wavelength to find on this machine or any other. We will tell you plainly at your consultation that laser is not the right tool for that hair.
- Tanned or recently sun-exposed skin. We reschedule rather than treat a tan, on either machine.
- Dense, coarse hair in your first sessions. That is where the Candela GentleMax Pro and its peak power usually win. Many clients start on the GentleMax Pro and move to the Clarity II once the hair thins, and that is by design.
- Anyone who wants a promise. If you are looking for a clinic that promises a hair-free result for life, it will not be us, and it should not be anyone.
Clarity II vs our Candela GentleMax Pro: how we choose on the day
At Distill Laser Clinic, we do not rely on a single device. We operate two of the top dual-wavelength laser platforms in the industry: the Cynosure Lutronic Clarity II and the Candela GentleMax Pro. Having spent over 20 years in medical aesthetics, I know that having both workstations allows us to provide tailored care for every skin and hair type.
The Candela GentleMax Pro uses a high peak-power delivery system with built-in cooling. It is an exceptional platform for dense, thick, highly stubborn hair growth during your initial sessions.
The Cynosure Lutronic Clarity II features IntelliTrak motion tracking for automated 18 percent overlap and a 1ms pulse setting. It excels at fast coverage over large body areas and at catching fine, thin, residual hair during later sessions. On the day of your treatment, we assess your skin tone, hair density, and follicle thickness to select the ideal platform for your session.
"We run both machines because no single laser is best at everything. The day you walk in, we choose the one that suits your skin and your hair, not the one that is closest to the door."
Swaleen NissanLead Medical Aesthetician, Distill Laser Clinic North York · 20+ years in medical aesthetics
What to expect: sessions, spacing, shedding
Understanding the biological hair growth cycle is essential for achieving long-lasting hair reduction. Lasers only target hair follicles during the active anagen growth phase, when the hair shaft is attached to the follicle bulb.
Sessions
Most clients need 6 to 8 sessions to achieve significant, long-lasting hair reduction. Clients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome typically need 8 to 12 sessions because of ongoing hormonal stimulation of new hair follicles. See laser hair removal for PCOS.
Spacing
Spacing between sessions is critical to capture new hair growth cycles. Face sessions are 4 to 6 weeks apart, and body sessions are 6 to 8 weeks apart. Read how many treatments laser hair removal takes for the breakdown by area.
Shedding
After your treatment, treated hairs gradually work their way out of the follicle. Shedding happens over 1 to 3 weeks after a session. Do not wax, pluck, or thread these shedding hairs.
Cost
Sessions start from $55, and the consultation is always free. A patch test is available following your consultation. The full price list by area is on our laser hair removal pricing page.
Safety and who should wait
While laser hair removal is an established clinical procedure, certain health conditions require you to delay treatment to protect your skin barrier and lower risk.
- Postpone your session if you have an active skin infection, open lesions, or an active herpes simplex outbreak in the target area.
- We do not treat tanned skin. No sun or self-tanner for 2 weeks before a session, as excess surface pigment increases the risk of thermal injury.
- If you have taken isotretinoin for severe acne, wait at least six months after finishing your medication before receiving laser treatments, as it compromises the skin's healing capacity.
- We do not treat you if you are pregnant.
We review your health background, medication list, and skin history thoroughly before proceeding. Our article on laser hair removal side effects explains what is normal after a session and what is not.
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Before the First Pulse
An insider's guide to laser hair removal by Swaleen Nissan, Lead Medical Aesthetician with 20+ years of experience. How clinics really work, which laser suits your skin, and what to ask before you pay. No email required.
Get the free guideFrequently asked questions
Is the Clarity II good for dark skin?
The Cynosure Lutronic Clarity II is highly effective for dark skin because it uses a 1064nm Nd:YAG laser. This longer wavelength passes through surface melanin, targeting the hair root deep in the dermis, which suits Fitzpatrick skin types IV to VI. Built-in cooling helps keep each session comfortable.
How many sessions will I need with the Clarity II?
Most clients need 6 to 8 sessions to achieve optimal long-lasting hair reduction with the Clarity II. Clients with hormonal conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome usually need 8 to 12 sessions. Face sessions are spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart and body sessions 6 to 8 weeks apart.
Does laser hair removal with the Clarity II hurt?
Laser hair removal with the Clarity II is generally well tolerated, but it is not completely free of discomfort. Clients often describe each pulse as a warm rubber band snapping against the skin. Built-in cooling helps keep each session comfortable.
How much does laser hair removal cost at Distill Laser Clinic?
At Distill Laser Clinic, 1275 Finch Ave W, Suite 407, North York, sessions start from $55. The overall cost depends on the body area treated and the total number of sessions required for your hair density. The consultation is always free, and during it we assess your skin and provide transparent pricing tailored to your goals.
Is there downtime after a Clarity II session?
Most clients return to daily activities right away after a Clarity II session. Mild redness and slight warmth, like a light sunburn, are normal post-treatment reactions that typically settle within a few hours to a couple of days.
How should I prepare before my Clarity II laser session?
Before your Clarity II session, cleanly shave the target area 24 hours in advance. Do not wax, pluck, or thread for 4 weeks prior, as the hair root must remain intact. Remember that we do not treat tanned skin. No sun or self-tanner for 2 weeks before a session.
Go deeper
Our other platform, and why it is our pick for dense, coarse hair.
Every question answered in one place, written by Swaleen.
The honest answer from 20 years in the treatment room.
What clinics charge by area, and what changes the price.
What to do before and after every session.
Hands-on and virtual training for clinicians, taught by Swaleen.
Book a free consultation
Twenty to thirty minutes, no pressure. We assess your skin and hair, tell you which laser suits you and why, and put your plan in writing.
Book a free consultationDisclaimer: This page provides general information only and is not medical advice. It does not account for your specific circumstances, and results vary from person to person. Please book a consultation so we can assess your skin, hair, and medical history before any treatment. For advice about your situation, speak with a suitably qualified professional.
