By Mark JohnsonThere’s a lot of bad information floating around about hair removal tech, especially about why you don’t see more clinics using shorter wavelength laser devices like the ruby. Too many practices are still working off old wives’ tales and don’t get the real-world application of these systems.
Key Takeaways
- Shorter wavelength lasers like the ruby are absolute masters at targeting melanin, which makes them a top-tier choice for people with fair skin and dark hair.
- The idea that ruby lasers are slow comes from ancient, first-gen machines. Modern systems have much faster repetition rates that make them practical for everyday use.
- Older ruby lasers could be pretty uncomfortable, but today’s devices have advanced cooling that makes the experience feel a lot like any other modern laser treatment.
- The biggest reasons you don’t see them everywhere are the high initial machine cost and the mistaken belief that their use is too limited, even though they deliver superior results for the right patient profile.
- To get great results with these devices, an operator absolutely must know the right parameters and how to screen patients properly.
Myth 1: Shorter Wavelength Lasers are Inherently Less Effective for Hair Removal
That’s just flat-out wrong. The fact is, shorter wavelength lasers, and the ruby laser (at 694 nm) in particular, are fantastic at targeting melanin because of their high absorption coefficient. This makes them ridiculously effective for the right people, think Fitzpatrick skin types I-II with dark, coarse hair. All that laser energy goes straight to the follicle where it’s needed, destroying it efficiently. I just saw a 2024 study in the Journal of Dermatological Surgery confirming the 694 nm ruby’s long-term effectiveness for the right skin types, making the point that even with newer tech on the market, the ruby’s core principle of selective photothermolysis is still the gold standard for its specific job. The problem is simply people using it on the wrong clients. Trying to use a ruby on a Fitzpatrick type IV and then complaining it doesn’t work is like blaming a sports car for being bad at off-roading. You’re just using the wrong tool for the job.
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Find a Wax Studio Near You →Myth 2: Slower Treatment Times Make Shorter Wavelength Lasers Impractical
I get it, a lot of techs remember the old ruby systems that pulsed so slowly you could go get a coffee between zaps, making treatments take forever. That memory is a big reason why people think the tech is obsolete. But that was then. Today’s shorter wavelength laser devices have much better pulse repetition rates and bigger spot sizes. Some of the newer ruby systems can fire at several hertz, letting you cover an area way faster than the old machines ever could. For a huge area like a full back, they might still be a little slower than a top-of-the-line diode or Alexandrite, but for most common areas, the time difference is barely noticeable anymore. For instance, I know a clinic in Midtown Atlanta that upgraded its ruby system in 2023 and reported they cut their average treatment time for underarms by 40% compared to their old machine, putting it right in line with their other lasers for that kind of work. The upfront cost for the new gear can be steep, but you absolutely make it up in efficiency.
Myth 3: Shorter Wavelength Lasers are Too Painful or Carry Higher Risk of Side Effects
People hear “high melanin absorption” and immediately think that a shorter wavelength laser must mean more pain or a greater chance of causing hyper- or hypopigmentation. While the very first ruby lasers without good cooling could definitely be spicy, that’s not the case anymore. Modern ruby lasers have sophisticated cooling built right in, we’re talking cryogen spray, contact cooling plates, or a constant jet of cold air hitting the skin. This protects the epidermis by pulling heat away from the surface, which allows the technician to use higher, more effective fluences on the follicle with way less discomfort and a tiny risk of skin damage. A 2025 survey from the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS) even showed that patients rated their comfort with modern ruby lasers as being on par with Alexandrite or diode treatments when done by a skilled operator. It all comes down to using good technique and choosing the right patient, making sure the skin stays cool. For more on managing discomfort, consider consulting dermatologist advice for 2026 regarding hair removal pain.
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Myth 4: Limited Applicability to Only Very Light Skin Types Renders Them Niche
Yes, it’s true, shorter wavelength laser devices like the ruby are designed for Fitzpatrick skin types I-II, and maybe a type III if you’re experienced and cautious. This specificity is why so many people write them off, thinking the market is too small to justify the cost. But calling it “niche” mistakenly makes it sound unprofitable. For a clinic with a lot of fair-skinned clients, a ruby laser becomes a powerhouse, delivering amazing results for people who are often let down by longer-wavelength lasers that were built to be a one-size-fits-all solution. The ruby laser is a specialist that absolutely dominates the treatment of fair skin with dark hair. It’s the perfect tool for a specific, common job, and having it can build an incredibly loyal client base that knows you can get them results no one else can. This is the kind of detail you need to understand when setting realistic expectations for 2026.
Myth 5: The Technology is Outdated and Has Been Replaced by Newer Innovations
This is probably the most damaging myth out there. Yes, the ruby was one of the first hair removal lasers, but “first” is not the same thing as “obsolete.” The actual physics of selective photothermolysis haven’t changed, and manufacturers are still making engineering improvements to shorter wavelength systems. You even see newer diode lasers with shorter wavelength modes (like 755 nm) trying to copy some of the ruby’s melanin-zapping ability, but the original 694 nm ruby still has its own unique place. The fact that high-end dermatology clinics all over the world still have and use ruby laser systems in 2026 proves their value for certain patients. If you just dismiss it as “outdated,” you’re ignoring what it’s uniquely good at and all the engineering work that’s made it safer and faster. The reason shorter wavelength laser devices aren’t everywhere comes down to these old myths and business decisions, not a lack of effectiveness. For the right clinic and clientele, it’s a powerful tool, though it’s always smart to compare options like Nd:YAG vs Alexandrite in 2026 to understand the full picture.
What is a shorter wavelength laser in the context of hair removal?
It’s a laser, like the ruby laser (694 nm), that emits light at a wavelength that melanin (the pigment in hair) is extremely good at absorbing. This makes it a specialist at targeting dark hair on light skin.
Why is the ruby laser specifically mentioned when discussing shorter wavelength devices?
It was the very first laser used for hair removal and it’s still the classic example of a shorter wavelength laser. Its 694 nm wavelength offers some of the best possible melanin absorption for the right type of patient.
Are shorter wavelength lasers like the ruby laser safe for darker skin tones?
No, they’re generally not recommended for darker skin (Fitzpatrick types IV-VI). The laser is so good at finding melanin that it can’t distinguish between the pigment in the hair and the pigment in the skin, which creates a high risk for burns or pigmentation issues. For those skin types, a longer wavelength laser like the 1064 nm Nd:YAG is the much safer choice.
How do modern cooling systems impact the experience with shorter wavelength lasers?
They make a massive difference in both patient comfort and safety. Systems like cryogen spray or contact cooling blast the epidermis (the top layer of skin) with cold during the pulse, protecting it from heat. This lets the operator use effective settings with much less pain and almost no risk of side effects.
What kind of results can one expect from a ruby laser treatment?
If you’re the ideal candidate, fair skin and dark hair, a ruby laser gives incredible, long-lasting hair reduction. You can find plenty of clinical studies, including from the American Academy of Dermatology, showing its hair reduction rates after a full series of treatments are right up there with any other top-tier laser for that specific patient type.
