title: The removal of unwanted hair using a ruby laser.
abstract: A ruby laser has been developed to remove unwanted hair. Melanin within the hair is used as a natural chromophore. It is postulated that photothermal damage destroys the hair itself and also key cells surrounding the hair follicle to prevent regrowth. A prospective study of laser depilation in 116 patients or 175 sites was performed over a period of 18 months. All the patients had tried other methods of hair removal and found them to be unsatisfactory. Hair counts (follicles/cm2) were used to judge the outcome. The mean follow-up time was 23.25 weeks (range 12-76 weeks). After a mean number of treatments of 1.92 (range 1-20) there was a 56.4% reduction in hair density. Comparing pre- and post-treatment hair density, there was a highly significant reduction (paired t-test: P < 0.00001). Laser removal of hair is now a realistic treatment option.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, RAFT Institute for Plastic Surgery Research, Mount Vernon Hospital, Northwood, UK.
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Gault
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Grobbelaar
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grover
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Liew
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Philp
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Clement
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Kiernan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006204:Hair Removal / Q000379:methods*; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D016896:Treatment Outcome