Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc., purchased by Cynosure, Inc. in 2013, has long been a leading contributor in the field of medical and cosmetic lasers. Started in 1991 by a group of scientists, Palomar’s direction was led by a laser physicist who was out to develop laser applications for medicinal purposes. Through the acquisition of multiple companies, Palomar’s size grew in numbers, but the independently-run companies exercised a total lack of synergy and cohesiveness. Over time and under the direction of a new CEO, Palomar began seeking instead to revolutionize cosmetics through the use of lasers. To that end, in 1997 all non-cosmetic laser branches were sold off and the focus of the company became the development, advancement, and distribution of cosmetic laser equipment.
As the developer of EpiLaser – the first permanent hair reduction laser – Palomar began its new focus by expanding that technology into the leading edge, patented LightSheer laser in 1997. As a lighter and cheaper laser option to the EpiLaser, the true beauty of the LightSheer technology was that it could be used by more than just dermatologists, thereby expanding both the reach and versatility of the equipment. Then, in 1999, Palomar released the SLP1000 (or “Super Long Pulse 1000”) which was the first high-powered diode laser designed to provide a pulse at up to ten times the normal length. This technology expanded the hair removal and vein treatment capability of Palomar’s prior lasers and continued the trend of cheaper, more accessible options for professionals beyond simply dermatologists and plastic surgeons.
True market breakthrough for Palomar arrived in 2001, though, with the introduction of the EsteLux. Priced at $40,000, the EsteLux was Palomar’s first lamp-based product which successfully broke the company out of its laser-only mode. Running close to one-fourth the cost of laser-based technology but with similar capabilities, the EsteLux also boasted a simple enough mechanism that it could be successfully marketed to spas and salons. Additionally, through the option of purchasing different handpieces at a low cost, the EsteLux could be tailored for different uses which allowed purchasers more flexibility at a reasonable cost. This same success was recreated three years later with the introduction of StarLux to the market in 2004. Functioning in the same manner as the EsteLux, StarLux introduced water cooling in its handpieces. The improved cooling mechanism allowed for the use of StarLux in leg vein treatment, further expanding the reach and capability of Palomar’s superior equipment. Palomar continues to develop leading edge systems and the Icon is the next generation aesthetic system for StarLux. The Vectus laser uses diode technology and was designed to compete with the Lumenis LightSheer laser for hair removal.
In recognition of Palomar’s impressive track record as a leading edge contributor to the cosmetic laser market, Cynosure acquired Palomar in 2013. A manufacturer and marketer of light-based aesthetic and medical systems, Cynosure saw Palomar Medical as the perfect opportunity to increase its offerings to both medical and cosmetic end-users. With enhanced capabilities company-wide, Cynosure has created one of the world’s premier aesthetic laser and light-based companies. As such, Cynosure is a leading provider of user-friendly, safe, and efficient equipment that provides services ranging from hair removal and body sculpting to wrinkle reductions, leg vein removal, and vascular lesions.