Alma Sinon

The Sinon is a Q-switched ruby laser at 694 nm. It was developed by WaveLight Laser Technologie AG of Erlangen, Germany, which received FDA clearance under K040433 on May 19, 2004 and again under K050218 on February 15, 2005. Those filings describe two operating modes: a Q-switched mode with nanosecond pulses and megawatt peak power for tattoo removal and benign pigmented lesions, and a free running mode for hair removal in Fitzpatrick skin types I and II. The FDA device database now lists the Sinon Ruby Laser System under Alma Lasers Ltd., in a standard and a silver version.

Alma's current Sinon brochure gives a 20 ns pulse, fluence of 2 to 14 J/cm2, spot sizes of 3, 4, 5 and 6 mm, and a repetition rate of 0.5 to 2 Hz, set from a color touchscreen. The beam is divergent and focuses inside the handpiece rather than on the skin, which gives an oval spot. A cold air chiller can be connected for patient comfort. Alma lists three applicators: Focus, which uses adapters to change spot size, HomoGenius, with a 3 by 3 mm square spot, and a fractional Pixel applicator with a 5 by 5 pattern.

Units can carry either the WaveLight or the Alma name, so the badge says little about age on its own. The 2004 and 2005 filings include the free running hair removal mode, while Alma's current brochure lists only the Q-switched mode. If your screen offers a free running or hair removal setting, say so in the listing.

On a ruby laser of this age, buyers focus on the laser head and its service history, including the last output calibration and any parts replaced. List which applicators and spot adapters you have, the condition of the handpiece optics, and whether a cooling unit is included. Photos of the serial label, the screen and each applicator help.