Nis Laser Clinic — Alexandrite GentleLase Pro

The device we use is the GentleLase Pro, manufactured by American company Candela Medical. It emits Alexandrite laser at a wavelength of 755 nanometres and is one of the reference platforms in dermatology and plastic surgery practice worldwide.

• FDA and CE approved: Cleared by the US FDA and compliant with the European Union Medical Device Regulation (CE); approved indications are supported by clinical studies.
• Large spot size (up to 18–20 mm): Each pulse covers a broader area, allowing large zones such as the back to be completed in 20–30 minutes.
• High energy output: Delivers sufficient thermal effect in a single session even on coarse, dark hair.
• DCD™ cooling system (Dynamic Cooling Device): A cryogen spray is delivered to the skin milliseconds before each pulse, protecting the epidermis and significantly reducing pain and burn risk. This is Candela's proprietary technology, synchronised with the laser pulse under computer control.
• Wide medical indication range: In addition to laser hair removal, the device is clinically approved for superficial vascular lesions, solar and age-related pigmentation, certain benign pigmented lesions, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and adjunctive applications in acne scarring.

There are four distinct technologies sold under the label "laser". They are not interchangeable; each has a different target wavelength and is suited to different skin types.

• Alexandrite (755 nm) — the device we use: One of the wavelengths with the highest melanin absorption. It is the reference technology for patients with fair to medium skin tones (Fitzpatrick I–III) and high hair-follicle melanin content.
• Nd:YAG (1064 nm): A deeper-penetrating wavelength with lower melanin absorption. It is the preferred and safe alternative for darker skin tones (Fitzpatrick IV–VI), tanned skin, and deep vascular lesions where Alexandrite is not indicated.
• Diode (808 nm): Moderate melanin absorption and moderate penetration depth. Common in chain clinics; it does not simultaneously match the spot speed of Alexandrite or the safety profile of Nd:YAG on darker skin.
• IPL (Intense Pulsed Light): Technically not a laser. It is broad-spectrum filtered light with lower wavelength selectivity. IPL does not reach the clinical performance of medical lasers for long-term hair reduction. The vast majority of devices marketed as "home laser" are IPL.

The correct device must be selected according to each patient's skin and hair characteristics. At Nis Laser Clinic, the standard modality is Alexandrite via GentleLase Pro; for Fitzpatrick V–VI skin types or tanned skin, treatment is deferred or an appropriate referral is made.

The Fitzpatrick skin type classification is a six-point scale (I to VI) based on the skin's response to sun exposure. It is the foundation on which laser parameters are individually calibrated for each patient.

• Type I: Very fair skin, never tans, always burns.
• Type II: Fair skin, burns easily, rarely tans.
• Type III: Medium skin, initially burns then tans. Common in Northern Cyprus.
• Type IV: Olive skin, rarely burns, tans easily. Represents the majority of Mediterranean skin tones.
• Type V: Dark brown skin, very rarely burns.
• Type VI: Dark brown to black skin, never burns.

Alexandrite laser is ideal for Types I–III, safe for Type IV with carefully adjusted parameters, and carries a risk of burn or pigmentation change in Types V–VI due to high surface melanin — Nd:YAG is recommended or treatment is not planned for these skin tones. In tanned skin, a minimum 4-week sun avoidance period is required and reassessment takes place once skin colour has returned to baseline. Fitzpatrick assessment is a standard part of every first consultation at our clinic.

Applied for long-term hair reduction on the face, underarms, bikini line, legs, back, chest, and full body. Alexandrite works quickly and with high efficacy on melanin-rich hair. The average number of sessions varies by area: 6–8, spaced 4–8 weeks apart. The outcome is described as "long-term hair reduction"; a guarantee of zero regrowth is not realistic for any device. For the full protocol: Laser Hair Removal in Northern Cyprus.

Fine red-to-purple thread veins (telangiectasia, spider veins) and superficial reticular varicosities visible on the legs and face can be treated with laser. This is a medical indication, not purely a cosmetic one. The Alexandrite wavelength of GentleLase Pro is effective on superficial lesions; deeper or larger-calibre varices may require Nd:YAG or sclerotherapy, and advanced varicose vein disease warrants referral to vascular surgery. Process detail: Spider Vein Treatment.

Solar lentigines, age spots and prominent freckles on the face, décolleté and backs of the hands are benign pigmented lesions targeted with GentleLase Pro. The lesion typically darkens over one to two weeks before naturally separating from the skin. Melasma is a different condition — it is hormonal and inflammatory in nature; laser at the wrong dose can actually worsen it. Not every pigmented lesion is suitable for laser; dermoscopy assessment is the essential first step, and any lesion with suspicion of malignancy is referred for biopsy. Full detail: Pigmentation Treatment in Northern Cyprus.

Birthmarks are a heterogeneous group (café-au-lait macules, congenital melanocytic naevi, port-wine stains, haemangiomas). Each requires a different approach: some are treated with laser, some with surgical excision, and some are simply monitored. A dermatology assessment is performed before any laser treatment. If ABCDE criteria are present (asymmetry, irregular border, colour variation, diameter over 6 mm, change over time), biopsy takes priority. Oncological safety precedes cosmetic motivation.

Acne scarring cannot be erased with a single treatment. For atrophic scars, GentleLase Pro is used to smooth the skin surface and reduce post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation; the best results are achieved in combination with microneedling, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), chemical peel, and subcision. Laser is not applied during an active acne flare. Realistic expectation: 50–70% visible improvement — the aim is meaningful improvement, not complete elimination.

The most effective technologies for tattoo removal are Q-switched or picosecond lasers. GentleLase Pro (Alexandrite 755 nm) can deliver some effect on green and black ink tattoos; it does not achieve complete removal across all ink colours. Each case is assessed individually; if a more appropriate technology is required, we refer honestly rather than proceed with an unsuitable device.

Your first appointment can be in person at our clinic or online (WhatsApp or Zoom). Topics covered in the assessment:

• Fitzpatrick skin type — determined by visual assessment and questionnaire.
• Medical history: Pregnancy and breastfeeding; photosensitising medications (particularly isotretinoin/Roaccutane — use within the past six months defers treatment); active skin conditions (acne, vitiligo, melasma, herpes simplex); history of malignancy.
• Hormonal profile: Patients with PCOS or thyroid disorders are advised that results may be shorter-lived than average.
• Recent sun exposure: If you have tanned or had significant sun exposure within the past 30 days, treatment is deferred.
• Most recent hair removal method: No root-removing methods (waxing, threading, tweezing) within the past four weeks — shaving only is permitted beforehand.
• Topical products: Tretinoin, retinol, and AHA/BHA acids must be stopped two weeks before treatment.

At the end of the consultation, suitability, estimated number of sessions, and a clear price range are provided in writing.

Every patient having laser for the first time, or with a history of uncertain skin reactions, receives a test pulse on a small area of the treatment zone. We wait 24–48 hours; if redness stays within physiological limits and no burn or pigmentation change occurs, we proceed to a full treatment at the next appointment. This is mandatory for Fitzpatrick IV and borderline skin types, and strongly recommended for all other patients.

Photographs are taken at the start of each session, previous parameters are reviewed, and the skin is assessed by examination. This comparison enables gradual dose adjustment between sessions.

• The treatment area is shaved before arrival. The skin is cleansed; a topical anaesthetic cream is applied if needed — most patients find the DCD cooling system sufficient and do not require anaesthetic.
• Protective eyewear (for both patient and practitioner) is standard.
• Parameters (energy in J/cm², pulse duration in ms, spot size, DCD cooling) are set to patient-specific values.
• Thanks to the large spot size: back 20–30 min, legs 45–60 min, upper lip 5 min, underarms 10–15 min.
• After treatment, cooling gel and SPF 50+ sun protection are applied.

Session intervals: face 4 weeks; underarms and bikini line 6 weeks; arms, legs, back and chest 6–8 weeks; spider vein and pigmentation treatments 4–6 weeks.

First 24–48 hours: avoid hot showers, hammams, saunas, swimming pools and the sea; avoid strenuous exercise; do not apply new cosmetic products.

After each session, a WhatsApp check-in message is sent at 24 and 72 hours. If an unexpected reaction occurs (prolonged redness, crusting, hyperpigmentation), you are invited to attend the clinic for assessment on the same day. Comparative photographs are taken at sessions 1, 4 and 8. Long-term reduction is assessed 6–12 months after the final session; if partial regrowth occurs due to hormonal or lifestyle factors, a maintenance session is planned as part of your package.

Candela Medical has been manufacturing medical lasers since the 1970s and is a standard reference for dermatology and plastic surgery clinics worldwide. GentleLase Pro is Candela's current Alexandrite platform model; the FDA has approved it for multiple indications.

Three common market alternatives and their limitations:

• Diode devices of uncertain origin: FDA/CE equivalence is questionable; energy stability tends to decline rapidly.
• IPL marketed as "laser": IPL is broad-spectrum filtered light — it is not a laser.
• Home-use and salon devices: They do not meet the safety and energy-control standards of medical-grade equipment.

"Which device do you use, does it have FDA/CE certification, and what cooling system does it have?" — any clinic unable to answer these three questions clearly should not be your first choice.

Laser treatment is a technical procedure; like all medical applications, it must be performed under medical supervision. Op. Dr. İbrahim Meyzin is a Specialist in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery and a full member of the Cyprus Turkish Medical Association (CTMA), Registration No. 969.

The practical implications of a plastic surgery background in laser practice:

• Patient selection and Fitzpatrick assessment are clinical decisions; incorrect selection can result in hyperpigmentation or burns.
• Suspicious pigmented lesions are examined by dermoscopy; malignancy suspicion prompts biopsy referral.
• Adverse event management (prolonged redness, burn, pigmentation change, herpes reactivation) requires medical intervention.
• Medically indicated treatments (spider veins, benign pigmented lesions) are medical procedures, not simply cosmetic services.

All treatments are carried out by certified laser practitioners under physician supervision.

Laser prices in Northern Cyprus span a wide range; unusually low prices frequently come with device uncertainty or the surprise of "additional sessions required". Nis Laser Clinic's pricing principles:

• Per-area package: The planned full course of sessions (typically 6–8) is priced as a package. The starting fee is the total fee.
• Follow-up and maintenance session included: One maintenance session within 6–12 months of your final treatment is included in the package.
• Cosmetic and medical indications priced separately: Laser hair removal is cosmetic; spider vein and pigmentation treatments are medical procedures and are priced per session separately.
• Test session at no charge: If treatment is not performed, no fee is charged.

An exact figure is provided after consultation, based on area, skin type and hair characteristics, and confirmed in writing.

The high UV index of the Northern Cyprus sun is an additional planning variable for laser treatment. Our protocol:

• 30 days before treatment: Direct sun exposure, sunbeds and intensive outdoor activity are restricted; treatment is deferred in tanned skin.
• 30 days after treatment: SPF 50+ sun protection is mandatory. Swimming pools and the sea are permitted from 48 hours after treatment; intensive sunbathing should be avoided for at least two weeks.
• Summer planning: Ideally, a laser course is started and completed between autumn and spring.
• Short-stay visitors: For patients visiting Northern Cyprus for two to three days, post-treatment sun avoidance is incompatible with a beach holiday. For these patients, device-free treatments such as dermal filler or botulinum toxin are recommended as an alternative.

The sun is not the enemy of laser — it is a factor to manage carefully. Patients who follow the guidelines can safely undergo laser treatment in Northern Cyprus.