Head to head

Elite iQ vs GentleMax Pro Plus (2026)

The biggest practical difference is cost of entry: GentleMax Pro Plus's new pricing is $110k–$140k, while Elite iQ's is $85k–$115k. They are used for different treatments (GentleMax Pro Plus: alexandrite + nd:yag; Elite iQ: dual-wavelength platform), so the right pick depends on which treatments you're building demand for.

Category group: Hair removal (diode, alexandrite, Nd:YAG, IPL)

Device A

Device B

Price comparison

Price comparison: Candela GentleMax Pro Plus vs Cynosure Elite iQ
Attribute	Candela GentleMax Pro Plus	Cynosure Elite iQ
New price range	$110k–$140k	$85k–$115k
Used asking range	Used GentleMax Pro $35k–$65k	$45k–$70k
Payback calculator	View ROI calculator	View ROI calculator
Next step

New price range

Candela GentleMax Pro Plus: $110k–$140k
Cynosure Elite iQ: $85k–$115k

Used asking range

Candela GentleMax Pro Plus: Used GentleMax Pro $35k–$65k
Cynosure Elite iQ: $45k–$70k

Payback calculator

Candela GentleMax Pro Plus: View ROI calculator
Cynosure Elite iQ: View ROI calculator

Next step

Candela GentleMax Pro Plus

Cynosure Elite iQ

Consumable economics

Consumable economics: Candela GentleMax Pro Plus vs Cynosure Elite iQ
Attribute	Candela GentleMax Pro Plus	Cynosure Elite iQ
Consumable cost / lock-in	The DCD cryogen canister — a few dollars per treatment, roughly ~$2k-6k/year at busy-clinic volume; distance gauges and windows are minor wear items. Trivial next to a CoolSculpting-style tax, but not zero — put it in the model.	No per-treatment disposable. Wear parts: flashlamp $420 (LaserGCC); 15mm lens set $495, handpiece lens $180, alexandrite window $85, diffuser $65, aiming beam $260, alexandrite rod $7,700, fibre $1,200, DI water filter $125, particle filter $195 (LaserXParts).
Service cost	Not published	Not published

Consumable cost / lock-in

Candela GentleMax Pro Plus: The DCD cryogen canister — a few dollars per treatment, roughly ~$2k-6k/year at busy-clinic volume; distance gauges and windows are minor wear items. Trivial next to a CoolSculpting-style tax, but not zero — put it in the model.
Cynosure Elite iQ: No per-treatment disposable. Wear parts: flashlamp $420 (LaserGCC); 15mm lens set $495, handpiece lens $180, alexandrite window $85, diffuser $65, aiming beam $260, alexandrite rod $7,700, fibre $1,200, DI water filter $125, particle filter $195 (LaserXParts).

Service cost

Candela GentleMax Pro Plus: Not published
Cynosure Elite iQ: Not published

FDA clearance

FDA clearance: Candela GentleMax Pro Plus vs Cynosure Elite iQ
Attribute	Candela GentleMax Pro Plus	Cynosure Elite iQ
FDA status & indication	FDA ClearedK201111, K112715, K133283 “755nm: Temporary hair reduction. Stable long-term or permanent reduction through selective targeting of melanin in hair follicles. Permanent hair reduction is defined as long-term stable reduction in the number of hairs regrowing after a treatment regime. Permanent hair reduction is defined as the long-term, stable reduction in the number of hairs regrowing when measured at 6, 9, and 12 months after the completion of a treatment regime. On all skin types (Fitzpatrick I-VI) including tanned skin. Treatment of benign pigmented lesions. Treatment of wrinkles. The photocoagulation of dermatological vascular lesions (such as port-wine stains, hemangiomas, telangiectasias). 1064nm: Removal of unwanted hair, for stable long term or permanent hair reduction and for treatment of PFB. Permanent hair reduction is defined as the long-term, stable reduction in the number of hairs regrowing when measured at 6, 9, and 12 months after the completion of a treatment regime. The lasers are indicated on all skin types Fitzpatrick I-VI including tanned skin. Photocoagulation and hemostasis of pigmented and vascular lesions such as but not limited to port wine stains, hemangioma, warts, telangiectasia, rosacea, venous lake, leg veins and spider veins. Coagulation and hemostasis of soft tissue. Benign pigmented lesions such as, but not limited to, lentigos (age spots), solar lentigos (sun spots), cafe au lait macules, seborrheic keratosis, nevi, chloasma, verrucae, skin tags, keratosis, tattoos (significant reduction in the intensity of black and/or blue-black tattoos) and plaques. The laser is indicated for pigmented lesions to reduce lesion size, for patients with lesions that would potentially benefit from aggressive treatment, and for patients with lesions that have not responded to other laser treatments. Reduction of red pigmentation in hypertrophic and keloid scars where vascularity is an integral part of the scar. Treatment of wrinkles. Temporary increase of clear nail in patients with onychomycosis (e.g., dermatophytes, Trichophyton rubrum and T. mentagrophytes, and/or yeast Candida Albicans, etc.)”	FDA ClearedK193426, K240396 “755nm: The Elite iQ laser is indicated for stable long-term or permanent hair reduction. Permanent hair reduction is defined as long-term stable reduction in the number of hairs regrowing when measured at 6, 9 or 12 months after the completion of a treatment regime. It is used for skin types (Fitzpatrick I-VI) including tanned skin. It is also indicated for the treatment of vascular lesions, benign pigmented lesions, and wrinkles. 1064nm: The Elite iQ laser is intended for the coagulation and hemostasis of benign vascular lesions such as, but not limited to, port wine stains, hemangiomas, warts, telangiectasia, rosacea, venous lakes, leg veins, spider veins and poikiloderma of Civatte; and treatment of benign cutaneous lesions such as warts, scars, striae and psoriasis. The laser is also intended for the treatment of benign pigmented lesions such as, but not limited to, lentigines (age spots), solar lentigines (sunspots), cafe au lait macules, seborrheic keratoses, nevi, chloasma, 755 nm: The Cynosure Elite+ Laser is indicated for stable long-term, or permanent hair reduction. Permanent hair reduction is defined as long-term stable reduction in the number of hairs regrowting when measured 6, 9, or 12 months after the completion of a treatment regime. It is used for all skin types (Fitzpatrick I-VI) including tanned skin. It is also indicated for the treatment of vascular lesions, benign pigmented lesions, and wrinkles. 1064 nm: The Cynosure Elite+ Laser is intended for the coagulation and hemostasis of benign vascular lesions such as, but not limited to, port wine stains, hemangiomas, warts, telangectasia, rosacea, venus lake, leg veins, spider veins and poikiloderma of civatte; and treatment of benign cutaneous lesions such as warts, scars, striae and psoriasis. The laser is also intended for the treatment of benign pigmented lesions such as, but not limited to, lentigos (age spots), solar lentigos (sun spots), cafe au lait macules, seborrheic 755mn laser: Temporary hair reduction. Stable long-term or permanent hair reduction through selective targeting of melanin in hair follicles. Permanent hair reduction is defined as the long-term, stable reduction in the number of hairs regrowing when measured at 6,9, and 12 months after the completion of a treatment regime. On all skin types (Fitzpatrick I - VI) including tanned skin. Treatment of benign pigmented lesions. Treatment of wrinkles.”

FDA status & indication

Candela GentleMax Pro Plus: FDA ClearedK201111, K112715, K133283
“755nm: Temporary hair reduction. Stable long-term or permanent reduction through selective targeting of melanin in hair follicles. Permanent hair reduction is defined as long-term stable reduction in the number of hairs regrowing after a treatment regime. Permanent hair reduction is defined as the long-term, stable reduction in the number of hairs regrowing when measured at 6, 9, and 12 months after the completion of a treatment regime. On all skin types (Fitzpatrick I-VI) including tanned skin. Treatment of benign pigmented lesions. Treatment of wrinkles. The photocoagulation of dermatological vascular lesions (such as port-wine stains, hemangiomas, telangiectasias). 1064nm: Removal of unwanted hair, for stable long term or permanent hair reduction and for treatment of PFB. Permanent hair reduction is defined as the long-term, stable reduction in the number of hairs regrowing when measured at 6, 9, and 12 months after the completion of a treatment regime. The lasers are indicated on all skin types Fitzpatrick I-VI including tanned skin. Photocoagulation and hemostasis of pigmented and vascular lesions such as but not limited to port wine stains, hemangioma, warts, telangiectasia, rosacea, venous lake, leg veins and spider veins. Coagulation and hemostasis of soft tissue. Benign pigmented lesions such as, but not limited to, lentigos (age spots), solar lentigos (sun spots), cafe au lait macules, seborrheic keratosis, nevi, chloasma, verrucae, skin tags, keratosis, tattoos (significant reduction in the intensity of black and/or blue-black tattoos) and plaques. The laser is indicated for pigmented lesions to reduce lesion size, for patients with lesions that would potentially benefit from aggressive treatment, and for patients with lesions that have not responded to other laser treatments. Reduction of red pigmentation in hypertrophic and keloid scars where vascularity is an integral part of the scar. Treatment of wrinkles. Temporary increase of clear nail in patients with onychomycosis (e.g., dermatophytes, Trichophyton rubrum and T. mentagrophytes, and/or yeast Candida Albicans, etc.)”
Cynosure Elite iQ: FDA ClearedK193426, K240396
“755nm: The Elite iQ laser is indicated for stable long-term or permanent hair reduction. Permanent hair reduction is defined as long-term stable reduction in the number of hairs regrowing when measured at 6, 9 or 12 months after the completion of a treatment regime. It is used for skin types (Fitzpatrick I-VI) including tanned skin. It is also indicated for the treatment of vascular lesions, benign pigmented lesions, and wrinkles. 1064nm: The Elite iQ laser is intended for the coagulation and hemostasis of benign vascular lesions such as, but not limited to, port wine stains, hemangiomas, warts, telangiectasia, rosacea, venous lakes, leg veins, spider veins and poikiloderma of Civatte; and treatment of benign cutaneous lesions such as warts, scars, striae and psoriasis. The laser is also intended for the treatment of benign pigmented lesions such as, but not limited to, lentigines (age spots), solar lentigines (sunspots), cafe au lait macules, seborrheic keratoses, nevi, chloasma, 755 nm: The Cynosure Elite+ Laser is indicated for stable long-term, or permanent hair reduction. Permanent hair reduction is defined as long-term stable reduction in the number of hairs regrowting when measured 6, 9, or 12 months after the completion of a treatment regime. It is used for all skin types (Fitzpatrick I-VI) including tanned skin. It is also indicated for the treatment of vascular lesions, benign pigmented lesions, and wrinkles. 1064 nm: The Cynosure Elite+ Laser is intended for the coagulation and hemostasis of benign vascular lesions such as, but not limited to, port wine stains, hemangiomas, warts, telangectasia, rosacea, venus lake, leg veins, spider veins and poikiloderma of civatte; and treatment of benign cutaneous lesions such as warts, scars, striae and psoriasis. The laser is also intended for the treatment of benign pigmented lesions such as, but not limited to, lentigos (age spots), solar lentigos (sun spots), cafe au lait macules, seborrheic 755mn laser: Temporary hair reduction. Stable long-term or permanent hair reduction through selective targeting of melanin in hair follicles. Permanent hair reduction is defined as the long-term, stable reduction in the number of hairs regrowing when measured at 6,9, and 12 months after the completion of a treatment regime. On all skin types (Fitzpatrick I - VI) including tanned skin. Treatment of benign pigmented lesions. Treatment of wrinkles.”

Which chains run each

Which chains run each: Candela GentleMax Pro Plus vs Cynosure Elite iQ
Attribute	Candela GentleMax Pro Plus	Cynosure Elite iQ
Chain adoption	3 recorded pairings	2 recorded pairings
Chains using it	Ideal Image(Confirmed) SEV Laser(Reported) European Wax Center(Confirmed)	SEV Laser(Confirmed) Foxy Box Laser + Wax Bar(Confirmed)
Approved reviews	0	0

Chain adoption

Candela GentleMax Pro Plus: 3 recorded pairings
Cynosure Elite iQ: 2 recorded pairings

Chains using it

Candela GentleMax Pro Plus: Ideal Image(Confirmed)
SEV Laser(Reported)
European Wax Center(Confirmed)
Cynosure Elite iQ: SEV Laser(Confirmed)
Foxy Box Laser + Wax Bar(Confirmed)

Approved reviews

Candela GentleMax Pro Plus: 0
Cynosure Elite iQ: 0

Specs and platform

Specs and platform: Candela GentleMax Pro Plus vs Cynosure Elite iQ
Attribute	Candela GentleMax Pro Plus	Cynosure Elite iQ
Manufacturer	Candela	Cynosure
Built by (OEM)	Candela Corporation	Cynosure LLC
Category	Alexandrite + Nd:YAG	Dual-wavelength platform
Technology	Dual 755nm alexandrite + 1064nm Nd:YAG (Alexandrite)	755/1064nm + Skintel melanin reader (Alexandrite)
Launch year	2021	2020
Status	Current (GentleMax Pro discontinued, huge used market)	Current
OEM platform	—	—

Manufacturer

Candela GentleMax Pro Plus: Candela
Cynosure Elite iQ: Cynosure

Built by (OEM)

Candela GentleMax Pro Plus: Candela Corporation
Cynosure Elite iQ: Cynosure LLC

Alternatives

Other devices in the same subcategory.

Candela GentleMax Pro

Dual-wavelength platform

New: $70.0k

Cynosure Elite+

Dual-wavelength platform

New: $60.0k

Cynosure Elite MPX

Dual-wavelength platform

New: —

Cynosure Apogee Elite

Dual-wavelength platform

New: $60.0k

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