Lumenis Enters Lifestyle Aesthetics and Weight Management Markets with Six Core Technologies and Over Ten Products

If there is one company that can dominate the global medical aesthetics energy-based device industry, then it must certainly be among the answers.Lumenissilhouette.

Founded in 1966 and headquartered in Israel, Lumenis is the world’s oldest and largest laser technology company. In addition, Lumenis is the only laser company globally certified by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and a world-renowned expert in the development and commercial innovation of laser, intense pulsed light (IPL), and radiofrequency (RF) energy technologies.

Leveraging its superior R&D capabilities and extensive global market experience, Lumenis analyzes and uncovers market demands, driving continuous technological innovation. The company has produced generations of classic devices, expanding its reach from serious clinical medical applications to the field of medical aesthetics.

Lumenis’s aesthetic energy-based product portfolio includes laser systems for skin rejuvenation, hair removal, and the treatment of vascular and pigmented lesions, as well as high-energy ultra-pulsed fractional laser devices widely used in cosmetic and plastic surgery. This extensive product proliferation is underpinned by the company’s robust technological innovation capabilities. Lumenis has five core energy-based technologies, namely:

I. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL): The 7th-Generation Innovative AOPT with Adjustable and Controllable Parameters Across Five Dimensions

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), commonly known as photorejuvenation, is a broad-spectrum light generated by focusing and filtering a high-intensity light source, with wavelengths typically ranging from 500 to 1200 nm.

Lumenis’s Unique Pulsed Light Technology—OPT Square Wave Patent Technology: Superior Efficacy, Safety, and Ease of Use. OPT stands for Optimal Pulse Technology. This technology ensures uniform and stable energy delivery, providing a gentle and comfortable treatment experience while enabling practitioners to control pulse energy and maintain high-intensity output.

Building on OPT, Lumenis has developed the seventh generation of intense pulsed light—AOPT Super Photon technology.

AOPT allows for parameter adjustments across five dimensions: pulse width, pulse delay, energy, spot size, and dual-wavelength settings. Treatment protocols can be customized based on individual skin concerns and tolerance levels, with energy precisely delivered to areas requiring more intensive treatment, thereby enhancing therapeutic efficacy and patient comfort.

II. Vaporization Laser(Ablative Fractional Laser): Six Times the Power, Four Times the Depth: UltraPulse Becomes the Gold Standard for Scar-Removal Lasers

Vaporization, thermal effects, and depth are the three key factors influencing scar removal efficacy.

Carbon dioxide lasers with a wavelength of 10,600 nm enable layered treatment targeting different tissues: superficially, they optimize skin tone and texture while tightening the skin; deeply, they disrupt scar tissue. However, traditional CO₂ lasers have long pulse durations (1–2 milliseconds), slow penetration rates, and cause significant thermal damage, leading to challenging postoperative care, a heightened risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and prolonged recovery periods.

In response, Lumenis has developed UltraPulse high-speed pulse technology.UltraPulse is the international gold standard for scar-removal lasers., the device’s power output is six times that of other carbon dioxide laser systems. Leveraging precise high-energy impact and shorter pulse duration, the UltraPulse carbon dioxide laser beam can accurately penetrate skin tissue to a depth of up to 4.0 mm. Thisapproximately

III. Diode (Semiconductor) Laser Technology: Deep and Efficient Skin Penetration with Precise Targeting of Specific Chromophores

Laser diodes are semiconductor lasers invented in the 1960s. They emit near-infrared light waves that penetrate deeply into the hair follicle roots, heating and dispersing pigment throughout the entire follicle, thereby destroying it and achieving effective hair removal.

These unique characteristics make diode lasers the most suitable technology for laser hair removal, enabling safe and effective treatment of all skin and hair types across all body areas. Additionally, diode lasers can be complemented by cooling technologies or other pain-mitigation methods to enhance treatment efficacy and patient comfort.

Lumenis’ LightSheer is a versatile, high-power, and high-fluence 805 nm diode laser technology. The 805 nm wavelength penetrates deeply into the hair follicle, where it is maximally absorbed by melanin while minimizing absorption by hemoglobin or water. This reduces laser energy loss and enhances hair removal efficacy.

Furthermore, the company’s patented ChillTip technology and sapphire contact cooling device provide sustained contact epidermal cooling for hair removal, with a cooler at the handpiece maintaining the sapphire window at a constant low temperature of approximately 5°C.

IV. Long-pulsed Nd:YAG Laser: A Non-invasive Treatment Penetrating to the Dermis, Suitable for All Skin Types

The wavelength of the Nd:YAG laser is near-infrared, allowing it to penetrate deeply into skin tissue and be readily absorbed by chromophores such as hemoglobin and melanin.

Lumenis’s Nd:YAG laser is a long-pulse Nd:YAG laser. The laser energy delivered by the long pulse is converted into heat within the tissue, thereby affecting the lesional tissue, and is selectively absorbed by the dermis. Therefore, it can treat deep vascular lesions, such as telangiectasia and reticular varicose veins of the legs. In addition to significantly reducing side effects associated with the treatment of vascular lesions, this technology is suitable for all skin types, including dark skin.

Furthermore, the Nd:YAG laser can also treat very superficial skin conditions. For instance, it stimulates neocollagenesis by heating the subdermal tissue (a non-invasive treatment), thereby improving facial wrinkles.

V. Non-ablative Laser (Non-ablative Fractional Laser): Heating promotes neocollagenesis, and non-ablative treatment significantly shortens the recovery period

Non-ablative laser is a coherent beam. The beam can selectively target and heat water chromophores in the skin. As tissue temperature rises, it stimulates neocollagenesis. The wavelengths used in non-ablative lasers do not cause water evaporation (vaporization) in tissues; instead, they heat tissues in a controlled manner via laser energy, and the resulting temperature increase stimulates new collagen formation.

Non-ablative laser treatments do not involve tissue evaporation or vaporization, thereby significantly shortening the recovery period; this is a key reason why an increasing number of patients are opting for non-ablative therapies.

VI. Radiofrequency Microneedling (RFMN): Penetrates into the dermis to accelerate cellular renewal and regeneration

Microneedling (Collagen Induction Therapy) is a minimally invasive treatment. It creates microscopic punctures in the skin’s surface, thereby triggering the body to naturally produce new collagen and elastin, which improves skin texture and firmness.

Lumenis’s radiofrequency (RF) microneedling incorporates RF energy into traditional microneedling procedures, delivering RF energy to selected tissue depths via a fine multi-needle array. In addition to creating the micro-injuries characteristic of conventional microneedling, RF microneedling delivers RF energy deep into the dermis, heating the dermal layer to stimulate skin tightening and the production of collagen and elastin, thereby further enhancing skin firmness and reducing scarring.

As a developer and manufacturer of radiofrequency, laser, and intense pulsed light technologies, Lumenis provides advanced energy-based technologies and devices, along with a variety of medical aesthetic treatment solutions, for medical fields such as dermatology and ophthalmology.Currently, the main aesthetic medical devices in production include over ten energy-based devices such as Stellar M22, LightSheer, UltraPulse α, UltraPulse, and ResurFX.

Energy-Based Devices for Medical Aesthetics

Image source: Lumenis official website

Among them, the Stellar M22 is undoubtedly the star product in Lumenis’s portfolio. In addition to its leading sales volume, the M22 is a multifunctional platform device capable of endless innovative upgrades.

Lumenis officially ushered in the OPT era with its fourth-generation system, the “Lumenis One”; the technology was progressively refined through the fifth-generation “Lumenis M22” and the sixth-generation “Lumenis M22.”With the seventh-generation “Lumenis M22 AOPT Super Photon,” Lumenis has once again achieved a breakthrough, ushering in the AOPT era.

AOPT technology enables adjustable fluence for each sub-pulse, in addition to tunable sub-pulse width and pulse delay, thereby achieving varying peak power levels and facilitating a transition from “semi-automatic” to “fully manual” operation, thus providing therapists with greater flexibility.

Lumenis M22 AOPT Super Photon

Image source: Lumenis

In addition to the original seven filters, the M22 AOPT introduces two new dual-band filters—Vascular (530–650 & 900–1200 nm) and Acne (400–600 & 800–1200 nm)—specifically designed for the treatment of vascular lesions, sensitive skin, and acne. Furthermore, the M22 AOPT employs 5D Holographic Targeting Chromophore Technology, ensuring uniform energy delivery, enhanced efficacy, improved safety, and a gentle treatment experience that avoids skin burns.

Filter

Image source: Lumenis official website

As a versatile, customizable, and high-efficiency platform device, the M22 integrates Lumenis’s four proprietary technologies, enabling the treatment of more than 30 indications. These four technologies are: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) with customizable treatment protocols, Multi-Spot Nd:YAG laser, ResurFX, and Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser.

Four Technologies

Image source: Lumenis official website

In addition to the intense pulsed light mentioned above, specifically, the Multi-Spot Nd:YAG laser is a multi-pulse sequential technology that features two sizes of lightguides, which can be replaced within seconds. It is primarily used for the treatment of varicose veins and vascular skin diseases.

The Q-Switched Nd:YAG is a skin-clearing laser used to treat pigmented skin lesions and remove dark tattoos. The ResurFX’s CoolScan™ sapphire cooling tip delivers non-ablative fractional laser energy and is designed for multiple reuse.

According to Frost & Sullivan data, the size of China’s medical aesthetics market grew from RMB 99.3 billion in 2017 to RMB 189.1 billion in 2021, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.5%. It is projected to reach RMB 638.2 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 14.5% from 2021 to 2030.

In the face of the rapidly growing Chinese medical aesthetics market, Lumenis embarked on its “Journey of Light” in China as early as 1992, gradually expanding and strengthening its presence while deepening its localization efforts in the country.

Lumenis is known as “Ke Yi Ren” in China, which is the Chinese transliteration of “Coherent.”

Coherent, one of the predecessors of Lumenis, was originally founded in 1966 in Silicon Valley, USA. It is the world’s largest and longest-established manufacturer of light-based and medical laser systems, as well as a pioneer and leader in photonics technology. In 2001, Coherent Medical Group merged with ESC-Sharplan to form a new medical laser company named Lumenis, derived from the Latin for “light of life.”

In terms of sales layout, Lumenis has expanded from a single branch office at the time of its initial entry into the Chinese market to eight branch offices currently located in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Wuhan, Xi’an, Shenyang, and Hangzhou, thereby establishing an extensive market network. Through years of dedicated effort, the company’s technologies and products have gained widespread adoption and recognition among Chinese users and patients.

In terms of localized innovative manufacturing, Lumenis’s first innovation base in China was officially launched in the Shanghai Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone at the end of 2022. Since then, the Lumenis M22 has formally commenced localized R&D and production in China. As the first laser medical technology production base established by Lumenis in China, this facility represents a critical step in integrating global innovative resources and fully advancing its localization strategy, marking a significant milestone.

In May 2023, Lumenis seized opportunities in China’s lower-tier markets for lifestyle aesthetics and weight loss, launching two new light medical aesthetic products—GeneoX and Lulumuscle.

GeneoX represents Lumenis’s significant foray from the medical aesthetics sector into the lifestyle beauty market.

With the widespread adoption of scenario-based minimally invasive aesthetic treatments, consumer demand for scientific skin management is steadily rising. GeneoX Oxygen Skin Rejuvenation is a multi-functional, professional-grade anti-aging skincare treatment. It pioneers the application of the “Oxygen Skin Rejuvenation” concept in aesthetic dermatology, triggering oxygenation reactions within the skin. Combined with Sonic skin rejuvenation technology, it infuses natural active ingredients into the skin, addressing various signs of aging caused by hypoxia, such as laxity and dryness.

LuLuMuscle is a passive exercise device. Utilizing magnetic engine technology, it generates a broad spectrum of electromagnetic waves that penetrate directly into the muscle layers, rapidly activating entire muscle groups. With up to 1,000 muscle contractions per minute, it provides intensive stimulation in a short period, thereby achieving body contouring goals. Consistent training helps enhance muscular endurance and strength, resulting in firmer, more toned muscles.

In 2015, global investment firm XIO Group completed the $510 million acquisition of Lumenis. With financial backing from XIO Group, Lumenis acquired Pollogen in November 2015, expanding its portfolio of aesthetic medical devices. In 2019, Baring Private Equity Asia (BPEA), an Asian venture capital firm, acquired Lumenis from XIO Group for $1 billion.

Lumenis’s Valuation Doubles in Four Years: Two Acquisitions Reflect the Rise of the “Beauty Economy”As consumer demand for aesthetic enhancement grows increasingly prominent, the global beauty, skincare, and medical aesthetics industries are experiencing rapid development with substantial future growth potential. “Medical aesthetics” has become a highly competitive and lucrative segment within the healthcare industry.

In China, the medical aesthetics device industry started relatively late, and the current competitive landscape of the photoelectric medical aesthetics market is dominated by foreign companies.According to data from VCBeat’s “White Paper on Energy-Based Devices in Medical Aesthetics,” foreign brands account for more than 60% of the mid-to-high-end market, including public hospitals and large medical aesthetics chain institutions.

The domestic medical aesthetic optoelectronic device industry in China has a low level of market concentration.Domestic large-scale medical aesthetic optoelectronic enterprises in China hold only about 15% of the market share, with their primary target customers being small and medium-sized private clinics, private practices, and lifestyle beauty salons. Furthermore, due to the high entry barriers imposed by NMPA certification, the majority of uncertified medical aesthetic optoelectronic devices operate in the gray area of beauty salons.

However, since 2018, the medical aesthetics market has entered an era of stringent regulation, severely impacting the market for unauthorized and counterfeit products. Under this regulatory trend, the market share of unauthorized and counterfeit products in the niche segment of medical aesthetic energy-based devices will be further compressed, while the market size for authentic products will be more effectively safeguarded.

With the successive launch of mid-to-high-end domestic optoelectronic products, some Chinese manufacturers are poised to rise rapidly within a short period, emerging as potential industry leaders. These include innovative enterprises in the field of optoelectronic medical aesthetics such as Fumilei, Minovue, Yimu Vision, Gengmei, Huadong Medicine, Mir Medical, Baijian Jiayi, Nanjing Baifu Weimai Medical, Meiyang Innovation, Cynosure, Meimuen, and Peninsula Medical.

References:

1. The Rapid Rise of Photoelectric Aesthetic Medicine: Two Major Trends Emerge - VCBeat

2. In-Depth Analysis: The Future and Greater Possibilities of Energy-Based Medical Aesthetics Amid Explosive Growth - VCBeat

3. “White Paper on Energy-Based Devices in Medical Aesthetics” - VCBeat