Will Carbon Wave work with my laser?
Carbon Wave is fired with a laser the practice already owns. This is the Focus Medical list of devices for use with the patch, with the settings and compression optic for each.
What does the patch need from the laser?
The patch is a target for a short, high-peak-power pulse. The treatment protocol calls for a Q-switched Nd:YAG at 1064 nm with a nanosecond or picosecond pulse, the largest spot size available on the device, and a 10 Hz pulse rate.
Each device in the list below is paired with a compression optic shape, rectangle or round, matched to its handpiece. Fluence is set lower on tier 1 devices and higher on several tier 2 devices with a 5 mm spot.
A CO₂ laser cannot fire Carbon Wave. The two are different lasers working by different physics: CO₂ ablates tissue by heat, and the Q-switched pulse produces a mechanical shockwave at the patch.
Tier 1 devices
Seven Q-switched and nanosecond-picosecond Nd:YAG lasers, all with a rectangular optic and fluence of 1.5 to 2.5 J/cm².
| Device | Manufacturer | Type | Wavelength | Fluence | Spot size | Pulse rate | Optic | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PiQo4 | Lumenis | Nanosecond and picosecond Nd:YAG | 1064 nm | 1.5 to 2.5 J/cm² | 9 to 11 mm | 10 Hz | Rectangle | 8 ns or 2 ns pulse width preferred |
| StarWalker / QX Max | Fotona | Q-switched Nd:YAG | 1064 nm | 1.5 to 2.5 J/cm² | 8 to 10 mm | 10 Hz | Rectangle | |
| Spectra | Lutronic / Cynosure | Q-switched Nd:YAG | 1064 nm | 1.5 to 2.5 J/cm² | 8 to 10 mm | 10 Hz | Rectangle | |
| Hollywood Spectra | Lutronic / Cynosure | Q-switched Nd:YAG | 1064 nm | 1.5 to 2.5 J/cm² | 9 to 10 mm | 10 Hz | Rectangle | |
| Revlite | Cynosure | Q-switched Nd:YAG | 1064 nm | 1.5 to 2.5 J/cm² | 8 to 10 mm | 10 Hz | Rectangle | |
| Medlite | Cynosure | Q-switched Nd:YAG | 1064 nm | 1.5 to 2.5 J/cm² | 6 to 10 mm | 10 Hz | Rectangle | |
| Enlighten | Cutera | Nanosecond and picosecond Nd:YAG | 1064 nm | 1.5 to 2.5 J/cm² | 6 to 8 mm | 10 Hz | Rectangle | 2 ns pulse width preferred |
Tier 2 devices
Eleven devices, most with a round optic and a smaller spot. Several run at higher fluence, and two are noted for longer treatment time.
| Device | Manufacturer | Type | Wavelength | Fluence | Spot size | Pulse rate | Optic | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chrome | Quanta | Q-switched Nd:YAG | 1064 nm | 2.5 to 3.0 J/cm² | 5 mm | 10 Hz | Round | May have alternate handpiece options |
| Discovery Pico | Quanta | Nanosecond and picosecond Nd:YAG | 1064 nm | 2.5 to 3.0 J/cm² | 5 mm | 10 Hz | Round | May have alternate handpiece options |
| Qplus | Quanta | Q-switched Nd:YAG | 1064 nm | 2.5 to 3.0 J/cm² | 5 mm | 10 Hz | Round | May have alternate handpiece options |
| NanoStar | Asclepion | Q-switched Nd:YAG | 1064 nm | 2.5 to 3.0 J/cm² | 5 mm | 10 Hz | Round | May have alternate handpiece options |
| PicoStar | Asclepion | Picosecond Nd:YAG | 1064 nm | 2.5 to 3.0 J/cm² | 5 mm | 10 Hz | Round | May have alternate handpiece options |
| PicoWay | Candela | Picosecond Nd:YAG | 1064 nm | 1.5 to 2.0 J/cm² | 5 to 6 mm | 10 Hz | Round | Longer treatment time |
| PicoSure | Cynosure | Picosecond alexandrite | 755 nm | 1.0 to 1.5 J/cm² | 6 mm | 10 Hz | Round | Longer treatment time |
| Helios | LaserOptek | Q-switched Nd:YAG | 1064 nm | 1.5 to 2.5 J/cm² | 8 to 10 mm | 10 Hz | Rectangle | |
| Toro | Deka | Q-switched Nd:YAG | 1064 nm | 1.5 to 2.5 J/cm² | 6 to 8 mm | 10 Hz | Rectangle | |
| Q10 | IDS Lasers | Q-switched Nd:YAG | 1064 nm | 1.5 to 2.5 J/cm² | 8 mm | 10 Hz | Rectangle | |
| Pastelle | Won Tech | Q-switched Nd:YAG | 1064 nm | 1.5 to 2.5 J/cm² | 8 mm | 10 Hz | Rectangle |
Settings from the Focus Medical list of lasers for use with the Carbon Wave patch. PicoSure is a 755 nm picosecond alexandrite and appears on the list at lower fluence. Device names are trademarks of their respective owners; listing does not imply endorsement by the manufacturer. Confirm settings against the current treatment protocol with your representative before treating.
What if my laser is not listed?
Send the make, model and handpiece. The Hyperion Medical team checks it against the protocol requirements before you order.

Asked and answered
Which lasers work with the Carbon Wave patch?
Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers at 1064 nm with a nanosecond or picosecond pulse. The Focus Medical list names 18 devices in two tiers, from Lumenis, Fotona, Lutronic, Cynosure, Cutera, Quanta, Asclepion, Candela, LaserOptek, Deka, IDS Lasers and Won Tech.
Does Carbon Wave work with a CO₂ laser?
No. Carbon Wave needs the short, high-peak-power pulse of a Q-switched or picosecond laser. A CO₂ laser works by heat, not by a shockwave at the patch.
Which compression optic do I need?
It depends on the laser. Tier 1 devices use a rectangular optic; most tier 2 devices use a round one. The optic for each device is listed in the tables above.
What spot size should be used?
The largest spot size available on the device. The list ranges from 5 mm on several tier 2 lasers to 9 to 11 mm on the Lumenis PiQo4.
Keep reading
Carbon Wave patch
Patch format, the compression optic, side effects and the document pack.
Carbon Wave cellulite treatment
What causes the dimpling, how acoustic subcision works, and the course.
Book a demo
See the patch and optic on a Q-switched laser.