title: Evaluation comparing multiple treatments with a 2-msec and 10-msec alexandrite laser for hair removal.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There are a variety of different laser hair removal systems currently available. There are also systems with identical emitted wavelengths; yet their emitted pulse durations vary. There are few data comparing these systems in an objective manner.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen subjects received three treatments with two different pulse duration 755-nm alexandrite lasers. Paired anatomic sites were treated three times with both a 2-msec and a 10-msec system. Subjects were evaluated prior to laser treatment and 6 months after the three treatments with manual hair counts and incidence of complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average percentage of hair reduction was 33.1% for the 2-msec-pulse duration and 33.9% for the 10-msec-pulse duration alexandrite laser. No cutaneous pigmentary changes or scarring was noted 6 months after the final treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The alexandrite laser is effective in removing unwanted hair. There was no difference in response between a 2-msec and a 10-msec alexandrite laser.
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey 07103, USA.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Goldberg
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ahkami
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006204:Hair Removal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged