The Q-Plus C is best for practices treating a complete spectrum of pigmented lesions and multi-color tattoos, combining 1064 nm, 532 nm, and a 694 nm Ruby wavelength for stubborn green and blue pigment. The Q-Plus A provides a powerful dual-wavelength (1064 nm / 532 nm) foundation ideal for high-volume epidermal and dermal hyperpigmentation correction. Both platforms feature OptiBeam II square spot technology.
What is the main difference between the Q-Plus A and Q-Plus C for benign pigmented lesion removal?
The main difference between the Q-Plus A and Q-Plus C is in their wavelength configurations and clinical scope. The Q-Plus A is a dual-wavelength platform (1064 nm / 532 nm) engineered for core pigmented lesion removal and multi-color ink clearance. The Q-Plus C builds upon the Q-Plus A foundation by adding a 694 nm Ruby laser, making it a tri-wavelength workstation capable of targeting difficult blue, green, and purple pigments.
What are benign pigmented lesions, and how do Q-Switched lasers treat them?
Benign pigmented lesions—such as freckles, melasma, birthmarks, sunspots, and age spots—are non-cancerous collections of melanin in the skin. To treat these areas, Q-Switched lasers send high-energy light in ultra-short nanosecond pulses directly to the targeted melanin. This optical energy is rapidly absorbed by the pigment, which shatters into tiny micro-particles through photo-acoustic impact. Once broken down, the fragmented pigment is naturally cleared away by the body’s lymphatic system.
Key Benefits of Q-Switched Technology for Pigment Removal:
- Selective Photothermolysis: Ultra-short nanosecond pulses target melanin with high peak power while preserving surrounding healthy tissue.
- Square Spot Profile Advantage: OptiBeam II handpieces deliver uniform energy distribution with precise edge-to-edge stacking, covering a 28% larger treatment area and saving up to 30% in treatment time.
- Versatile Wavelength Depth: Enables precise treatment across superficial epidermal spots and deeper dermal pigmentation.
- Safe Across Fitzpatrick Scale: Parameter flexibility allows safe and effective treatment for skin types I through VI.
How do the specifications of the Q-Plus A and Q-Plus C compare?
Comparing technical configurations ensures practice owners select the laser platform that best matches their clinical focus, budget, and patient demographics.
| Feature / Specification | Q-Plus A Platform | Q-Plus C Platform |
| Laser Configuration | Q-Switched Nd:YAG (1064 nm / 532 nm) | Q-Switched Nd:YAG + Ruby (1064 nm / 532 nm / 694 nm) |
| Available Wavelengths | 1064 nm, 532 nm | 1064 nm, 532 nm, 694 nm |
| Primary Pigment Targets | Melanin, dark pigment, black/red/orange ink | Melanin, green, blue, purple, recalcitrant pigment |
| Spot Profile Technology | OptiBeam II Square Spot Profile (2×2 to 7×7 mm) | OptiBeam II Square Spot Profile (2×2 to 7×7 mm) |
| Optional Handpiece Expansion | Twain IPL, Twain 2940, HC PhotoFrax, DF PlasmaFrax | Twain IPL, Twain 2940, HC PhotoFrax, DF PlasmaFrax |
| 510(k) Cleared Indications | Benign pigmented lesions & tattoo removal | Benign pigmented lesions & tattoo removal |
Which system should your aesthetic practice choose?
Choosing between the Q-Plus A and Q-Plus C depends on whether your practice requires a dedicated dual-wavelength platform or an expanded triple wavelength workstation.
Choose the Q-Plus A if:
- You are launching a new aesthetic practice or expanding into benign pigmented lesion correction and foundational tattoo removal.
- Your primary clinical demand centers on standard epidermal hyperpigmentation, age spots, freckles, and dark/red pigmentation.
- You want high-powered, cost-effective Q-Switched performance without requiring specialized green/blue ink wavelengths.
Choose the Q-Plus C if:
- You require complete wavelength coverage, including the 694 nm Ruby wavelength for stubborn blue, green, and purple pigmentation.
- You run a high-volume medical spa or specialty clinic handling complex dermal pigmentation, layered inks, and recalcitrant lesions.
- You want maximum versatility to treat all tattoo colors and complex benign pigmented lesions without consumable dye handpieces.
For practice owners interested in exploring ultra-high peak power picosecond technology or multi-application workstations, explore our full product lineup, including the Discovery Pico Plus featuring 1.8 GW of peak power and the multi-application Quanta Chrome Lase-Station®.
How do you select the right Q-Switched laser for your practice?
Selecting the right Q-Switched laser requires matching your platform’s wavelength capabilities to your primary treatment offerings and patient demographics. Choosing high-performance aesthetic technology provides the foundation for rapid ink clearing, targeted pigment correction, and predictable clinical outcomes, ensuring long-term practice growth and patient satisfaction.
Whether adding benign pigmented lesion removal to an existing medspa menu or launching a dedicated specialty clinic, investing in the right platform drives clinical success. Explore Astanza’s complete lineup of Q-Switched Nd:YAG lasers or contact our team today to learn more about device specifications, clinical training, and practice support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which wavelength is best for superficial epidermal sunspots?
The 532 nm Nd:YAG and 694 nm Ruby wavelengths are exceptional for superficial epidermal sunspots and age spots. The 532 nm wavelength exhibits high melanin absorption in shallow skin layers, while the 694 nm Ruby laser (featured on the Q-Plus C) provides deep melanin targeting with minimal risk to surrounding collagen.
Are Q-Switched laser treatments safe for dark skin tones?
Yes, Q-Switched laser treatments are safe across Fitzpatrick skin types I–VI when proper fluence settings are utilized. The 1064 nm Nd:YAG wavelength is specifically recommended for darker skin tones (types IV–VI) because its longer wavelength bypasses epidermal melanin, preventing unwanted post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).
How many sessions are required to clear benign pigmented lesions?
Most superficial benign pigmented lesions, such as freckles and lentigines, clear within 1 to 3 treatment sessions. Deeper dermal pigmentation or birthmarks may require additional sessions scheduled several weeks apart to facilitate complete lymphatic clearing of fragmented melanin particles.