The Cutera Excel HR is a dual-wavelength laser system that can be used to treat a wide-range of dermatologic conditions requiring selective photothermolysis of target chromophores. Operating as an independent touchscreen console, the Excel HR consists of a handpiece that delivers laser energy and provides epidermal cooling; a footswitch which activates the treatment beam; and a boom and handpiece holster to keep the machine compact and contained.
When turning on the console, the touchscreen automatically asks for the selection of laser type from two choices: the Nd:YAG and the Alexandrite. The YAG laser, operating at 1064nm, is near infrared, rendering it invisible to the human eye. Therefore, a low power aiming beam is used to target the correct tissue area. With a longer, penetrating wavelength, the YAG laser beam is absorbed by the melanin and hemoglobin, making it a useful tool in many applications. The Alexandrite laser, operating at 755nm, is similarly invisible to the human eye, employs a low power aiming beam, and is absorbed by the melanin and hemoglobin, so the Alexandrite is also useful in multiple applications. The chosen beam on the Excel HR can be selected simply by selecting from the touchscreen.
Cutera Excel HR Treatments
Treatment options with the Excel HR are wide and varied depending on the chosen laser.
With the Alexandrite laser, treatment options include: temporary and permanent hair reduction; benign pigmented lesion removal; wrinkle removal; and photocoagulation of dermatological vascular lesions, such as port wine stains, hemangiomas, and telangiectasias. Treatment with the Alexandrite laser is safe on all skin types (Fitzpatrick I – VI), including tanned skin.
The Nd:YAG laser also offers a variety of treatment options that are safe for all skin types (Fitzpatrick I – VI), including tanned skin. One major treatment area includes coagulation and hemostasis of benign vascular lesions, including port wine stains, hemangiomas, warts, telangiectasias, rosacea, venus lake, leg veins, spider veins, and poikiloderma of civatte. The Nd:YAG laser is also effective in treatment of benign pigmented lesions, including age spots (lentigos), sun spots (solar lentigos), café au lait macules, seborrheic keratosis, chloasma, verrucae, skin tags, keratosis, plaques, and tattoo removal. Additionally, benign cutaneous lesions – such as warts, scars, striae, and psoriasis – can effectively be treated with the Nd:YAG laser. Finally, permanent and temporary hair reduction, wrinkle treatment, pseudofolliculitisbarbae (PFB) treatment, and reduction of red pigmentation in hypertrophic and keloid scars are all options with the Nd:YAG laser.
Cutera Excel HR Maintenance
While annual maintenance of the Excel HR is recommended to ensure proper performance, there are suggested user maintenance routines that can be performed on a more regular basis. For instance, users should clean external surfaces, the handpiece, and the touchscreen display weekly or as needed. Additionally, the heat exchanger intake should be inspected weekly and cleaned at least on a monthly basis. Finally, the coolant reservoir, which will be filled at installation, should be monitored regularly and refilled if the water evaporates. These easy steps will lead to minimal need for service repairs; however, any and all service repairs should always be provided by a qualified service engineer.
