Carbon Laser Peel Supplies for Med Spas

A carbon laser peel is one of the most common add-on treatments for practices that already own a Q-switched or picosecond Nd:YAG laser. The laser is the big purchase. After that, the treatment runs on a short list of supplies: carbon cream, an aftercare product, eye protection, and a few disposables. This guide explains what a carbon peel is, which lasers are used for it, and what to keep on the shelf, with links to the supplies IDS Lasers stocks in its professional shop.

A carbon laser peel is a laser procedure that uses a thin layer of carbon on the skin. The carbon is applied to clean skin, left to dry, and then the laser is passed over the treated area until the carbon layer is removed. You will also hear it called a "Hollywood peel," which a 2023 study in the Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery describes as "the popular Internet term" for the carbon peel laser technique, or a "China Doll peel."

In that study's description, the applied carbon "acts as an external chromophore for the absorption of laser energy." In other words, the carbon gives the laser something dark to target at the skin's surface. The same paper describes treating with a 1064 nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser in two modes, a longer-pulse pass followed by a Q-switched pass (Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, 2023). The authors also note that "not much scientific literature is available" on how well the method works for acne, so treat outcome claims with care and follow your device's instructions for use (IFU) and your medical director's protocols.

This article is about supplies and workflow. It is not clinical guidance, and it makes no claims about results.

Carbon peels are run on Nd:YAG lasers that can fire at 1064 nm:

• Q-switched Nd:YAG. This is the laser type described in the published study above. Q10 PREMIUM is the IDS Lasers Q-switched and long-pulse Nd:YAG platform. Its wavelengths include 1064 nm.
• Picosecond Nd:YAG. Carbon Q, the IDS Lasers carbon cream, is formulated for both Q-switched Nd:YAG and pico laser procedures (Carbon Q product page). PICO PREMIUM is the IDS Lasers 300 ps Nd:YAG platform. Its wavelengths include 1064 nm.

Settings, number of passes, and spacing between sessions belong in your device IFU and your practice's protocols, not in a supplies checklist. If you are adding carbon peels to an existing laser, ask your device trainer how they fit your platform.

This is the one supply that is specific to the treatment. You need a carbon cream or lotion made for laser use, with a texture that spreads into a thin, even layer.

IDS Lasers option: Carbon Q, a professional-use carbon cream formulated for Q-switched Nd:YAG and pico laser procedures. $125. The product page describes a smooth texture for even application. Ask us how many treatments a container covers in your protocol, because it depends on the area treated and how thickly your team applies it.

Most practices finish with a calming, hydrating product as part of aftercare.

IDS Lasers option: The Laser Doctor, a lightweight post-treatment serum made for use after laser and aesthetic treatments. It contains aloe vera, Allium cepa (onion) extract, EGF, and snail secretion filtrate, according to the product page. 20 ml: $18. 500 ml: $125. The 20 ml size works as a take-home or retail item, and the 500 ml size works as a back-bar supply.

Some aftercare protocols include a thin patch for individual spots.

IDS Lasers option: Skin Doctor, an ultra-thin hydrocolloid circular patch. Whether and when to use one is a call for your protocol and your provider.

These aren't carbon-peel products, but you'll go through them on every treatment:

• A gentle cleanser and gauze or cotton pads to prep the skin and remove leftover carbon
• Applicators or brushes for spreading the cream evenly
• Disposable headbands, gloves, and drapes
• Broad-spectrum sunscreen for the client to leave with, if your protocol includes it
• A written aftercare sheet signed off by your medical director

Supply cost per treatment comes down to how much carbon cream and serum each treatment uses, which depends on the area treated and how your team applies them. Track usage for your first few weeks of treatments, then divide the product cost by the number of treatments you actually got from each container. Put that figure into the med spa laser ROI calculator as your consumable cost per treatment, along with your own price and weekly bookings.

If you are still choosing a laser, see Q10 PREMIUM, PICO PREMIUM, or compare platforms. Financing is available through our financing partners.