Light Age Epicare

The Light Age EpiCare is a long-pulse alexandrite laser made by Light Age, Inc. of Somerset, New Jersey. It emits 755 nm near-infrared pulses through an optical fiber and handpiece that project a round spot on the skin. It grew out of the Sharplan Model 5000 alexandrite laser. Light Age had built that laser's internal parts for Laser Industries, and when it took over final assembly, sales and distribution, it filed the EpiCare as an identical design. FDA cleared that 510(k), K983977, on January 7, 1999 for removal of dark body hair.

A second clearance, K032991, issued September 14, 2004, names EpiCare models 501-1H, 501-SP, 501-LP and 501-LPX. It extends the indications to permanent hair reduction and to vascular lesions, benign pigmented lesions and wrinkles. The model number on the rear label tells you which version you have, and the LP and LPX suffixes come from this filing.

Light Age later built two related systems that are separate products. The EpiCare-DUO, cleared in November 2009 under K091625, added Nd:YAG modules for 1064 nm next to the 755 nm alexandrite and is run from a laptop user interface with a foot pedal. The EpiCare-YAG, cleared in April 2012 under K113115, is the DUO with the alexandrite modules taken out. If your system has a 1064 nm setting, it is one of those two and not a plain EpiCare. Light Age's home page now lists the Q-Clear and Ta2 Eraser among its medical products, not the EpiCare family.

A dealer pricing an EpiCare will ask for the flashlamp age or shot count, measured energy at the handpiece compared with the setting, and the condition of the fiber, its connector and the handpiece window. Recent service records matter for a system of this age. Confirm with Light Age whether parts and service are still available for your model number before you set expectations.