GentleMax Pro Plus vs Clarity II

Independent side-by-side comparison with pricing, specs, and clinical evidence.

Last updated: 2026-04-09

Why This Comparison Matters

GentleMax Pro Plus and Clarity II sit in the same hair removal lasers category but take different approaches. GentleMax Pro Plus (Candela (Syneron)) uses Dual-Wavelength Alexandrite (755nm) + Nd:YAG (1064nm) while Clarity II (Lutronic) uses Dual-Wavelength Alexandrite (755nm) + Nd:YAG (1064nm). Both received FDA clearance (2020 and 2019 respectively) and both are actively sold in the US market. The decision between them is rarely about which is objectively better. It's about which fits your specific practice.

Physicians end up comparing these two devices when they're shopping in the $115,000-$175,000 to $80,000-$125,000 price range and want a category leader. Both devices are commonly recommended by sales reps from competing manufacturers, which means physicians often hear inflated claims about one and dismissive claims about the other. This comparison strips out the marketing and looks at pricing, mechanism, evidence, and practice fit side by side.

Side-by-Side Specifications

GentleMax Pro Plus Clarity II
Manufacturer Candela (Syneron) Lutronic
Technology Dual-Wavelength Alexandrite (755nm) + Nd:YAG (1064nm) Dual-Wavelength Alexandrite (755nm) + Nd:YAG (1064nm)
Price (New) $115,000-$175,000 $80,000-$125,000
Price (Used) $45,000-$90,000 $35,000-$70,000
Treatment Time 15-45 minutes per area 15-40 minutes per area
Sessions 6-8 sessions per area spaced 4-8 weeks 6-8 sessions per area
Per Session $100-$600 depending on area $100-$500 depending on area
Annual Consumables Minimal (Dynamic Cooling Device uses cryogen) $500-$1,500 (cooling)
Annual Maintenance $6,000-$12,000 $4,000-$8,000
FDA Cleared Yes (2020) Yes (2019)

Technology

GentleMax Pro Plus

Technology: Dual-Wavelength Alexandrite (755nm) + Nd:YAG (1064nm). Dual-wavelength platform combining the fastest Alexandrite and highest-powered Nd:YAG in a single system. 27mm maximum spot size is the largest in the category, which delivers the fastest coverage for large areas.

Clarity II

Technology: Dual-Wavelength Alexandrite (755nm) + Nd:YAG (1064nm). Dual-wavelength platform with IntelliTrak motion sensor for consistent pulse overlap during in-motion treatment. Positioned as a value alternative to GentleMax Pro Plus with 80-90% of the performance at 60-70% of the price.

Pricing

GentleMax Pro Plus

New: $115,000-$175,000. Used: $45,000-$90,000. Per session: $100-$600 depending on area. Annual consumables: Minimal (Dynamic Cooling Device uses cryogen). Annual maintenance: $6,000-$12,000.

Clarity II

New: $80,000-$125,000. Used: $35,000-$70,000. Per session: $100-$500 depending on area. Annual consumables: $500-$1,500 (cooling). Annual maintenance: $4,000-$8,000.

Clinical Evidence

GentleMax Pro Plus

100+ published studies. The GentleMax platform has the deepest peer-reviewed evidence base in laser hair removal.

Clarity II

20+ published studies. Good data on all skin types and body areas.

Treatment Experience

GentleMax Pro Plus

15-45 minutes per area per session. Recommended protocol: 6-8 sessions per area spaced 4-8 weeks. Treatment areas: Whole body (face, legs, back, Brazilian, underarms, etc.). Patients typically tolerate this platform well when operated by trained clinicians.

Clarity II

15-40 minutes per area per session. Recommended protocol: 6-8 sessions per area. Treatment areas: Whole body. Patient experience varies by operator training and settings.

Practice Fit

GentleMax Pro Plus

High-volume med spas and dermatology practices where hair removal is a top revenue line. Practices serving diverse patient skin types that need both Alexandrite and Nd:YAG in one platform.

Clarity II

Dermatology and med spa practices that want dual-wavelength hair removal on a budget. Buyers who value clinical capability over brand recognition.

Pros and Cons

GentleMax Pro Plus Pros

  • Dual wavelengths cover all Fitzpatrick skin types I through VI
  • 27mm spot size is the fastest on the market for body treatments
  • Strongest brand recognition in professional laser hair removal
  • Dynamic Cooling Device improves patient comfort

GentleMax Pro Plus Cons

  • Highest price point in the category (up to $175K new)
  • Cryogen Dynamic Cooling Device adds operating cost and complexity
  • Annual service contracts run higher than single-wavelength competitors

Clarity II Pros

  • Dual wavelengths cover all skin types
  • IntelliTrak motion sensor improves operator consistency
  • 20mm maximum spot size approaches GentleMax performance
  • Lower price than Candela's flagship platform

Clarity II Cons

  • Lower peak fluence than GentleMax on the 1064nm side
  • Lutronic ownership instability post-Hologic deal
  • Brand recognition below Candela and Lumenis

The Verdict

Choose GentleMax Pro Plus if your practice prioritizes Candela (Syneron)'s ecosystem, brand recognition, or specific clinical advantages. High-volume med spas and dermatology practices where hair removal is a top revenue line. Practices serving diverse patient skin types that need both Alexandrite and Nd:YAG in one platform. The pros that matter most: Dual wavelengths cover all Fitzpatrick skin types I through VI; 27mm spot size is the fastest on the market for body treatments. The biggest tradeoff to accept: Highest price point in the category (up to $175K new).

Choose Clarity II if Lutronic's positioning fits better. Dermatology and med spa practices that want dual-wavelength hair removal on a budget. Buyers who value clinical capability over brand recognition. The pros that matter most: Dual wavelengths cover all skin types; IntelliTrak motion sensor improves operator consistency. The biggest tradeoff to accept: Lower peak fluence than GentleMax on the 1064nm side.

For a practice with limited capital that needs maximum flexibility, used pricing tilts the math. GentleMax Pro Plus used units run $45,000-$90,000; Clarity II used units run $35,000-$70,000. For practices with strong patient flow already, the device that integrates with your existing platforms is usually the right answer even if its standalone specs are slightly weaker. For practices building a category from scratch, brand recognition and patient demand matter more than raw clinical specs. Look at which device patients are already asking for in your market before signing a contract.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more expensive, GentleMax Pro Plus or Clarity II?

GentleMax Pro Plus runs $115,000-$175,000 new and $45,000-$90,000 used. Clarity II runs $80,000-$125,000 new and $35,000-$70,000 used. Per-session pricing is $100-$600 depending on area for GentleMax Pro Plus and $100-$500 depending on area for Clarity II. Annual operating costs (consumables plus maintenance) typically run 5-15% of purchase price for both devices. The right financial comparison includes total cost of ownership over 5 years, not just sticker price.

Which has better clinical evidence, GentleMax Pro Plus or Clarity II?

GentleMax Pro Plus clinical evidence: 100+ published studies. The GentleMax platform has the deepest peer-reviewed evidence base in laser hair removal. Clarity II clinical evidence: 20+ published studies. Good data on all skin types and body areas. Evidence quality is not about study count alone. Look at sample sizes, blinded evaluators, independence from manufacturer funding, and outcome durability. Older devices in the same category usually have stronger evidence because they've been studied longer.

Is GentleMax Pro Plus or Clarity II more popular in dermatology practices?

Both GentleMax Pro Plus and Clarity II are commonly used in dermatology, med spa, plastic surgery practices. Market share in any given category shifts year to year. Candela (Syneron) and Lutronic both maintain active sales forces in the US. Ask other physicians in your specialty which platform they're using and why. Peer references in your local market matter more than national market share data.

Are there safety concerns with GentleMax Pro Plus or Clarity II?

Both devices are FDA cleared and have established safety profiles. GentleMax Pro Plus has these documented concerns: Highest price point in the category (up to $175K new). Clarity II has: Lower peak fluence than GentleMax on the 1064nm side. Physicians should monitor FDA MAUDE reports for both devices before purchase. Adverse event trends matter because they signal problems that may not appear in marketing materials. Any device with a sudden spike in MAUDE filings deserves closer scrutiny.

Can I use GentleMax Pro Plus and Clarity II in the same practice?

Some practices run both devices, especially when they target different patient segments or treatment areas. The downside is duplicated training, parallel consumable inventories, and potential cannibalization between platforms. The upside is broader marketing claims and the ability to switch patients between platforms if one doesn't deliver expected results. Most practices choose one and commit to mastering it rather than splitting volume.

What's the resale value comparison between GentleMax Pro Plus and Clarity II?

Used GentleMax Pro Plus sells for $45,000-$90,000 on the secondary market. Used Clarity II sells for $35,000-$70,000. Resale values depend on age, software version, applicator condition, and remaining warranty. Devices with strong installed bases hold value better. Devices with active safety signals or declining manufacturer financial health depreciate faster. Resale value should be a factor in any device purchase, especially if practice plans might change in 3-5 years.