Coherent diode takes the lead in hair removal

The laser hair-removal market continues to yield surprises. Earlier this year, after some analysts predicted that the market was nearing saturation, several vendors announced strong and even record sales of their lasers for this application. Foremost among these was Candela (Wayland, MA), whose Gentlelase alexandrite laser took the hair-removal market by storm in the latter part of last year and the first two quarters of this year.

Now the tide has turned again. Coherent (Santa Clara, CA) is projecting record quarterly sales and shipments of its LightSheer family of diode-laser hair-removal systems—enough apparently to overtake Candela laser hair-removal system sales for the first time. Coherent says it shipped more than 200 units in the fourth quarter (ended October 2), generating more than $17 million in revenues in the process.