Cynosure (Palomar) Vectus
Diode laser · 810nm high-power diode, large spot
The Cynosure (Palomar) Vectus typically sells new in the $70k–$95k range in the US, with used and refurbished systems around $18k–$35k. Cynosure (Palomar) Vectus holds FDA 510(k) clearance for its marketed indication. Figures are market estimates verified August 6, 2026.
What it's actually cleared for: 810nm diode laser cleared for hair removal, permanent hair reduction and pseudofolliculitis barbae
Last verified: August 6, 2026 · How we verify
New: $70k–$95k|Used: $18k–$35kmarket estimate, no email required
| Manufacturer | Cynosure (Palomar) |
|---|---|
| Company | Owner: Hahn & Company (South Korean private equity) (private equity owned, since 2024) · Distribution: direct |
| Category | Hair Removal & IPL |
| Technology | 810nm high-power diode, large spot |
| FDA status | FDA Cleared |
| New price range | $70k–$95k |
| Used price range | $18k–$35k |
| Consumables | Not published |
| Launch year | 2012 |
| Last verified | August 6, 2026 |
Bottom line
The throughput king of diode hair removal — a 12x25mm sapphire-cooled window and fast rep rate clear a full back in ~15 minutes, and the Skintel melanin reader takes guesswork (and medicolegal exposure) out of settings. A dedicated hair machine with zero pretense of doing anything else — simple, reliable, cheap to run. At ~$20k-35k used or ~$50k-70k negotiated new, the strongest pure-play alternative to the LightSheer franchise.
Overview
Fast large-area diode w/ Skintel
How it works
The science
810nm diode — melanin absorbs, heat destroys hair-regenerating structures. Adjustable pulse widths and fluences cover Fitzpatrick I-VI (dark skin at conservative long-pulse settings); cleared for hair removal, permanent reduction, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The oversized uniform beam is the engineering point: consistent energy across a huge spot = fewer missed patches, faster coverage.
Patented tech
Skintel is the industry's only FDA-cleared live melanin reader — measures actual epidermal melanin and suggests settings rather than eyeballing Fitzpatrick type. Advanced Contact Cooling is a sapphire cold plate across the full large spot. Real, functional Palomar engineering.
Origin
Developed by Palomar (Burlington, MA); manufactured under Cynosure (Westford, MA) post-2013 — verify current production site.
FDA & regulatory status
What it's actually cleared for:
810nm diode laser cleared for hair removal, permanent hair reduction and pseudofolliculitis barbae
510(k) numbers
K120622
Regulatory data is compiled from public FDA 510(k) records and may lag recent clearances. Always confirm status with the manufacturer before purchase.
Recent industry events
How we source company dataOwnership and corporate changes at Cynosure (Palomar) that can affect warranty, service and parts availability.
- Jan 2024
Cynosure and Lutronic merge under Hahn & Company
MergerCynosure and Lutronic announced their merger on January 19, 2024, closing later that year to form Cynosure Lutronic, Inc. under South Korean private equity firm Hahn & Company; terms undisclosed. This followed CD&R's 2019 purchase of Cynosure from Hologic for $205M and Hahn's 2023 acquisition of Lutronic.
Source: PR Newswire (Jan 19, 2024); Hologic filings
Treatment economics
What practices charge
~$75-150 small areas, ~$200-400 large areas, six-session courses at 20-30% off, full-body packages ~$2,000-3,500. Speed is the margin story — more large-area appointments per day than almost anything else.
Consumables & recurring cost
Essentially none — no gel needed with the contact-cooled handpiece; Skintel hygiene caps are pocket change. Long-run cost is diode life and chiller maintenance; handpiece rebuild ~$8k-14k out of warranty.
Ideal for
Best-fit practice
Volume hair removal businesses — chains, membership medspas, diverse-Fitzpatrick practices wanting the Skintel safety net for less-experienced operators. Not for owners who want skin or vascular work from the same box — that's the Icon.
Compliance
Medical director & delegation
Class II prescription device requiring a medical director; day-to-day delegated to laser techs, aestheticians, or RNs under protocol where allowed — varies sharply by state.
Contraindications & screening
Tanned/recently sun-exposed skin, isotretinoin history, pregnancy, photosensitizers, active infection/herpes, keloid tendency; screen non-pigmented hair as non-responders.
Ownership
Warranty & service
~1 year new; extended ~$7k-12k/year; post-merger Cynosure service is inconsistent by region — many owners run older Vectus units on well-supplied third-party service. Ask hard SLA questions before buying new.
Resale & used market
Good liquidity — steady trade at ~$18k-30k (recent listings around $25k); values stable-to-slightly-declining as the model ages without a direct successor.
Chains using this device
No confirmed chain deployments recorded yet.
Owner reviews
Write a reviewNo verified reviews yet — be the first. Founding reviewers get a thank-you gift card for an honest review, positive or negative. How verification works.
Alternatives
History
Every tracked change to pricing, lifecycle status, FDA data and warranty terms — newest first.
August 1, 2026
Record created
Added to The Aesthetic Index — August 2026
Source: The Aesthetic Index editorial
Get the full State of Aesthetic Devices 2026 report
The first full census of the US aesthetic device market — preview it free.