The essentials at a glance
- Alexandrit lasers operate at 755 nanometres, the wavelength most strongly absorbed by hair pigment.
- First choice for skin types I to III on the Fitzpatrick scale and dark to medium brown hair; for darker or tanned skin, the practitioner switches to Nd:YAG 1064 nm.
- Six to ten sessions spaced six to eight weeks apart, because only hair in the growth phase responds (20 to 30 per cent per area).
- Cochrane review 2006: around 50 per cent hair reduction after just one to three sessions for Alexandrit and diode; after the full course, the area is permanently¹ hair-free.
- At Laserazor: Lutronic Clarity II and Candela GentleMax Pro Plus, Class IIb, cooling before each pulse, 0 € trial session for a complete area.
What is an Alexandrit laser?
An Alexandrit laser is a solid-state laser that emits light with a wavelength of 755 nanometres and is considered the standard for light to medium skin types in hair removal.
The name comes from the laser crystal: a synthetic chrysoberyl with chromium, named after the gemstone Alexandrit. The crystal is stimulated by flashlamps and emits red to near-infrared light. This wavelength is so valuable for hair removal because the hair pigment melanin absorbs it very strongly. Water and blood, on the other hand, absorb hardly any energy at 755 nanometres. So the light works precisely where the pigment is: in the hair shaft and the hair root.
In practice, the Alexandrit laser has been one of the most frequently used systems for hair removal since the late 1990s. The Cochrane review by Haedersdal 2006 rates it, along with the diode laser, as the technology with the best proven results. At Laserazor, we work with Class IIb Alexandrit lasers, which is the same class of equipment found in dermatology clinics: the Lutronic Clarity II in Berlin, München and Augsburg, and the Candela GentleMax Pro Plus in Hamburg. Both devices combine Alexandrit 755 nm and Nd:YAG 1064 nm in one system.
How the Alexandrit laser works
Selective photothermolysis is the principle where light of a suitable wavelength and pulse duration heats a pigmented structure so quickly that it is destroyed before the heat reaches the surrounding tissue.
This principle was described by Anderson and Parrish 1983 in the journal Science. For hair removal, this means: a light pulse lasting a few milliseconds hits the skin. The melanin in the hair shaft absorbs the energy and converts it into heat. The heat travels down the hair to the root and the stem cells of the hair bulge, which are responsible for regrowth. With enough energy, these cells are permanently¹ damaged, the hair falls out over the next two to three weeks and doesn't grow back.
Three parameters determine whether this is successful: the wavelength, the pulse duration, and the energy density, measured in joules per square centimetre. The pulse duration must be shorter than the time it takes for the root to release its heat to the surroundings. Depending on hair thickness, this is about 10 to 100 milliseconds. The specialist adjusts these settings for every area and every skin type. That's exactly why NiSV training isn't just a formality, but the difference between real results and just redness with no effect.
The graphic shows why 755 nanometres is such a good match for light skin: no other common laser is absorbed so strongly by the hair pigment. For dark skin, this is exactly the disadvantage, because the epidermis also contains a lot of melanin and absorbs energy. That's what the second wavelength in the device is for – find out more in our guide Alexandrit or Nd:YAG.
Who the Alexandrit laser is suitable for
Suitable for Alexandrit are people with Fitzpatrick skin types I to III and hair that is darker than their skin: black, dark brown, medium brown, and even dark blonde with visible pigment.
The classification comes from Fitzpatrick 1988 and describes how skin reacts to the sun. Type I always burns and never tans, Type III tans slowly after initial redness, Type VI is very dark and practically never burns. The lighter the skin and the darker the hair, the greater the contrast the laser needs.
For skin type IV, test pulses will decide. Many people with olive skin tolerate Alexandrit well on a lower energy setting, while others develop pigmentation spots. If that happens, we use Nd:YAG. For types V and VI, Nd:YAG is the safest choice right from the start, which is also confirmed by the review from Ibrahimi and colleagues in 2011.
Where the Alexandrit laser reaches its limits
- Grey, white and very light blonde hair: Without pigment, there's no target. No laser can reliably remove these hairs, even on a higher energy setting.
- Red hair: The reddish pigment pheomelanin absorbs 755 nm less effectively than dark eumelanin. Red hair often only responds partially, so we'll check this during your trial session.
- Fresh tans and fake tan: Both increase the pigment in the epidermis. When this happens, we either switch to Nd:YAG or wait two weeks.
- Very fine peach fuzz: Fine, barely pigmented hairs, like those on the cheeks, don't respond as well as thicker hair.
Which areas can be treated
The Alexandrit laser is suitable for practically any body area, from the upper lip to full legs. Large spot sizes of up to 24 millimetres make it fast: underarms take ten minutes per session, full legs take 45 minutes. For women, our most popular bookings are underarms, full intimate, legs and face, while men usually choose back, chest, neck and beard line. You can find an overview of all areas under Treatments.
| Zone | Duration | 1 session | Pack of 3, per session | Pack of 5, per session | Pack of 10, per session |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Lip | 10 min | 59 € | 49 € | 39 € | 37 € |
| Full face | 20 min | 119 € | 97 € | 75 € | 70 € |
| Underarms | 10 min | 79 € | 65 € | 51 € | 48 € |
| Bikini Area | 10 min | 99 € | 81 € | 63 € | 59 € |
| Full intimate (women or men) | 15 min | 149 € | 121 € | 93 € | 86 € |
| Calves | 30 min | 179 € | 145 € | 111 € | 103 € |
| Full Legs | 45 min | 319 € | 257 € | 195 € | 180 € |
| Full Back | 40 min | 269 € | 217 € | 165 € | 152 € |
| Underarms + full intimate area | 15 min | 149 € | 139 € | 129 € | 119 € |
| Full Body | 180 Min | 659 € | 609 € | 559 € | 519 € |
Excerpt from the price list featuring all 31 areas, as of 9 September 2026. Prices are per full area and valid in all studios; packages are valid for 24 months.
An example of the calculation for the whole series: Underarms cost 79 € as a single session and 48 € per session in a 10-session package. Eight sessions in a package therefore cost less than five single sessions. Prices for areas, combinations and the VIP flat rate from 109 € a month can be found on the Prices page.
What to expect during a treatment at Laserazor
- Skin type check and consultation. Our specialist will determine your Fitzpatrick skin type, ask about any medication, sun exposure, skin conditions and hormones, and explain what results are realistic for your area. This takes about ten minutes and is part of your 0 € trial session.
- Preparation. The area should be shaved 12 to 24 hours beforehand so the energy travels straight to the root rather than the hair above the skin. Avoid waxing, epilating or plucking for four weeks prior, as this removes the root entirely. Your skin must be clean and free from any creams, deodorant or fake tan.
- Test pulses. We'll apply a few pulses to a small patch of skin using the planned energy setting and observe the reaction. A slight redness around the follicles is exactly what we want to see. Once confirmed, the energy level is set for the entire area.
- Treatment. You wear laser safety goggles. The specialist guides the handpiece over the zone, pulse by pulse. Right before each pulse, the device cools the skin – in Hamburg with cryogen spray, in the other studios with external Cryo cooling. You'll feel a quick, warm pinch; barely noticeable on the underarms and legs, but more distinct in the intimate area.
- Afterwards. The skin will be red for a few hours and slightly swollen around the follicles, like a mild sunburn. There's no gel left behind and no downtime, so you can get straight back to your day.
- Repetition. After two to three weeks, the treated hairs fall out. The next session follows after six to eight weeks, when the next group of hairs is in the growth phase.
Cooling isn't just about comfort; it's essential for using effective energy levels. It protects the epidermis from the heat, while the root gets the full dose at a depth of two to four millimetres. Without cooling, the specialist would have to lower the energy so much that nothing would happen to many of the hairs. Find out more in our guide Low-pain laser hair removal.
How many sessions are needed
Six to ten sessions spaced six to eight weeks apart are the norm at Laserazor, because the laser only targets hairs in the growth phase and only 20 to 30 percent of the hairs in any given zone are growing at the same time.
Every hair goes through three phases. In the growth phase, it sits deep in the root and is nourished via pigment and blood vessels. In the transition phase, the root detaches, and in the resting phase, the hair sits shallowly and eventually falls out. Only during the growth phase does the hair shaft conduct heat down to the stem cells. That's why a session only ever catches the fraction of hairs that are currently growing. How large this fraction is depends on the zone: on the head, 85 percent of hairs grow simultaneously, but on the legs and underarms, it's only 20 to 30 percent.
The number of sessions also depends on hair density, hair colour, hormones, and the zone. Underarms and the bikini zone usually respond quickly; often there's significantly less hair after four sessions. Legs, back, and face tend to need eight to ten. A reliable upfront estimate isn't "smooth after three sessions", but rather: after the full series, the zone will be permanently¹ hair-free. To see how reliable these numbers are, check out our guide Fact check: permanent.
Alexandrit or Nd:YAG: the difference in a table
| Criterion | Alexandrit 755 nm | Nd:YAG 1064 nm |
|---|---|---|
| Absorption by hair pigment | very high | low to medium |
| Penetration depth | medium, reaches the root in light skin | high, up to 4 mm |
| Skin types | I to III, IV after test pulses | IV to VI, tanned skin |
| Fine and medium brown hair | good | weaker, needs more energy |
| Sensation per pulse | quick pinch | deeper, warmer |
| Sessions | six to ten | eight to ten |
| At Laserazor | Standard for light skin | Standard for dark and tanned skin |
The cross-section of the skin shows why we need both wavelengths: the root lies at a similar depth for everyone, but the amount of pigment in the epidermis varies greatly. In dark skin, the epidermis absorbs so much 755-nm light that the root gets too little and the epidermis gets too much. The Nd:YAG laser bypasses this because its light is absorbed less by the pigment and reaches deeper.
Risks and side effects
With the correct energy and cooling, the side effects of the Alexandrit laser are mild and temporary. The Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) lists redness, slight swelling around the follicles and, in rare cases, temporary pigment changes as typical reactions. Burns and scars are almost exclusively caused by using too much energy on dark or tanned skin, or by a lack of cooling. This is exactly what the skin type check, test pulses and NiSV certification protect you from.
- Normal: Redness and a feeling of warmth for a few hours, small swellings around the hair follicles, and a sensation like a mild sunburn for the first few days.
- Rare: temporary dark or light spots, especially with a tan, usually disappearing after weeks or months. Take care if you're prone to pigmentation issues, find out more in our guide Laser for pigmentation spots.
- Very rare: blisters, crusting or paradoxical hair growth, meaning fine new hairs around the edge of the treated zone. This mainly affects the face and neck on darker skin types and can be resolved by treating the surrounding area.
When to see a doctor first
If you have active skin conditions in the zone, are taking medications that increase light sensitivity, like isotretinoin, certain antibiotics or St John's wort, if you're pregnant, or if you have sudden, heavy hair growth with an unclear cause. We avoid moles and tattoos, you can find details in our guides Laser for tattoos and Laser for scars. Our guide Dermatologist or studio explains when a medical practice is the better choice.
Aftercare: the first 48 hours and the weeks after
On the day of treatment: no sports, no sauna, no hot baths, no sunbeds. Keep the skin cool, moisturise with a fragrance-free cream or aloe vera gel if needed. No exfoliants, no alcohol-based deodorant on freshly treated underarms.
The first two weeks: avoid the sun or apply SPF 50 to the treated zone. Treated skin is more sensitive to UV light, and a tan before your next session would limit the energy we can use.
Two to four weeks later: The treated hairs are pushed up by the skin and fall out. This briefly looks like regrowth, but it's a sign that the treatment has worked. You can shave the zone during this time, but don't wax or pluck. After that, the cycle starts again, and your next session is due in six to eight weeks.
Alexandrit laser at home?
Alexandrit lasers aren't available for home use. At-home devices are almost always IPL flashlamps or weak diode lasers with a fraction of the energy density. They can slow down hair growth on light skin with dark hair, but rarely achieve permanent¹ reduction and aren't approved for dark skin. The main difference isn't just the energy, but the assessment: at home, you miss out on the skin type check, test pulses, and adjustments for each zone. You can find a comparison of all methods in our guide Permanent hair removal: methods compared.
Alexandrit laser at Laserazor
Laserazor treats in six studios: Berlin Pestalozzistraße 13 and Danckelmannstraße 24 (both Charlottenburg), München Steinstraße 57 (Haidhausen) and Westendstraße 142, Augsburg Unter dem Bogen 2 and from 26 October 2026 Hamburg Poststraße 36. In Berlin, München and Augsburg we work with the Lutronic Clarity II (Alexandrit 755 nm and Nd:YAG 1064 nm) and in Berlin and München additionally with the DEKA Again Pro, in Hamburg with the Candela GentleMax Pro Plus. All devices are class IIb medical devices with cooling immediately before each pulse. Every specialist who treats you has the required expertise according to NiSV. Over 2.600 Google reviews with 5,0 stars show how this is received in everyday life.
Test the Alexandrit laser: 0 € trial session
Skin type check, test pulses and a complete zone, for example underarms or bikini line, for 0 €. No purchase, no subscription, no obligation. After two to three weeks, you'll see for yourself how the hairs fall out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Alexandrit laser and the Nd:YAG laser?
The Alexandrit laser works at 755 nm and is highly absorbed by hair pigment, making it the top choice for light to medium skin (Fitzpatrick I to III). The Nd:YAG laser works at 1064 nm, penetrates deeper and reacts less to the pigment in the top layer of your skin. It's the safe choice for dark and tanned skin (types IV to VI). At Laserazor, both wavelengths are built into the same device.
Which skin types is the Alexandrit laser suitable for?
For Fitzpatrick skin types I to III – meaning very fair to lightly tanning skin, with hair that's darker than the skin. For type IV, we use test pulses to decide, and from type V upwards, we treat with Nd:YAG.
How many sessions do I need with the Alexandrit laser?
Usually eight to twelve sessions spaced six to eight weeks apart. The laser only works on hair in the growth phase, and that's only 20 to 30 percent at a time per zone. Underarms and the bikini line often respond faster; legs, back and face tend to need the upper end of that range.
Does the treatment with the Alexandrit laser hurt?
You'll feel a quick, warm pinch with each pulse. It's barely noticeable on your legs and underarms, but a bit more obvious in the intimate area and on your upper lip. The cooling right before each pulse takes away most of the heat. There's no need for numbing cream.
Does the Alexandrit laser work on blonde, red or grey hair?
It doesn't work on grey and white hair because the pigment is missing. Very light blonde hair reacts weakly, and red hair only partially. Dark blonde and medium brown hair with visible pigment respond well. During your trial session, you'll see how your hair reacts after two to three weeks.
How much does a treatment with the Alexandrit laser cost?
At Laserazor, underarms cost 79 € as a single session and 48 € per session in a 10-session package, full intimate 149 € and 86 €, full legs 319 € and 180 €. The first session of a complete area is the 0 € trial session. Alternatively, there is the VIP flat rate from 109 € a month.
Can I get treated with the Alexandrit laser in the summer?
Yes, as long as the area isn't freshly tanned and you protect it with SPF 50 afterwards. If you have a tan, we'll switch to Nd:YAG or postpone your appointment by two weeks.
What do I need to know before my treatment?
No waxing, epilating or plucking for four weeks beforehand, and no sun or fake tan for two weeks prior. Shave 12 to 24 hours before your appointment. On the day of your treatment, please don't use any creams, deodorants or perfumes on the area.
What are the side effects of the Alexandrit laser?
Redness and slight swelling around the follicles for a few hours are completely normal. Temporary pigment changes are rare, mostly occurring on tanned skin. Burns and scars almost only happen due to incorrect energy settings or a lack of cooling – our skin type check, test pulses and NiSV certification protect you from this.
Is the Alexandrit laser a medical device?
The devices at Laserazor, Lutronic Clarity II and Candela GentleMax Pro Plus, are Class IIb medical devices. This is the same class of equipment used in dermatology clinics. Cosmetic devices without this classification are limited in their energy output.
Sources
The expert statements in this guide are based on the following sources. For each source, you'll find who wrote it, when it was published and its status.
- Anderson RR, Parrish JA (1983). Selective photothermolysis: precise microsurgery by selective absorption of pulsed radiation. Science, Volume 220, pages 524 to 527. peer-reviewed article. View source. Describes the principle behind all laser hair removal: light of a suitable wavelength and pulse duration specifically heats pigmented structures, while the surrounding tissue remains unharmed.
- Fitzpatrick TB (1988). The validity and practicality of sun-reactive skin types I through VI. Archives of Dermatology, Volume 124, pages 869 to 871. peer-reviewed article. View source. Defines the six skin types based on their reaction to the sun, which remain the basis for choosing wavelength and energy today.
- Haedersdal M, Gøtzsche PC (2006). Laser and photoepilation for unwanted hair growth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 4, CD004684. systematic review (Cochrane). View source. Evaluates randomised trials: Alexandrit and diode lasers show a hair reduction of around 50 percent up to six months after treatment; data for IPL and Nd:YAG was thinner at the time. Long-term data over years was missing in the evaluated studies.
- Ibrahimi OA, Avram MM, Hanke CW, Kilmer SL, Anderson RR (2011). Laser hair removal. Dermatologic Therapy, Volume 24, pages 94 to 107. peer-reviewed review article. View source. Overview of mechanism of action, wavelengths (Alexandrit 755 nm, diode 800 to 810 nm, Nd:YAG 1064 nm), skin types, cooling and side effects; Nd:YAG is considered the safest choice for dark skin types.
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) (continuously updated). Laser and IPL hair removal: Information from the Federal Office for Radiation Protection. bfs.de, optical radiation topic area. official information. View source. Explains the operating principle and risks (redness, pigment changes, burns from incorrect energy) and recommends application by qualified professionals.
- Federal Government (Regulation) (2018, in effect since 31.12.2020). Ordinance on Protection against the Harmful Effects of Non-Ionising Radiation in Human Applications (NiSV). Federal Law Gazette 2018 Part I, page 2034. statutory order. View source. Regulates who is allowed to use lasers and IPL on humans. For hair removal, proven expertise is mandatory; treatments that intentionally damage tissue are reserved for doctors.
- Laserazor (as of 9. September 2026). Laser hair removal price list, all 31 zones. laserazor.de/preise. own price list. View source. Single sessions and packages of 3, 5 and 10 sessions, valid in all studios, 24-month duration.
¹ 'Permanent' means: after a complete series, no hair that the laser has reached will grow back in the treated zone. No laser can reach grey, white and very light hairs. Hormonal changes can trigger new growth, in which case a top-up session is usually enough.
NiSV-certified specialists from the Laserazor studios in Berlin, München, Augsburg and Hamburg. They treat clients every day using Alexandrit and Nd:YAG lasers and write down exactly what they explain in the studio: no marketing fluff, just facts with sources.
This guide provides general information and doesn't replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Laser hair removal is a cosmetic procedure; if you have skin conditions, take medications that increase light sensitivity, are pregnant or have unexplained hair growth, it makes sense to get medical advice first.
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