title: Treatment of pseudofolliculitis with a pulsed infrared laser.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pseudofolliculitis barbae is a common disorder in individuals with thick, curly hairs, and treatment options are limited.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of a diode laser in the treatment of pseudofolliculitis barbae.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Laser and Skin Surgery Center of New York, New York, NY.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten consecutive patients with long-standing pseudofolliculitis barbae and skin phototypes I to IV.
  
  
  METHODS
  Treatment was performed using an 810-nm diode laser (20- to 30-millisecond pulse duration) at fluences of 30 to 40 J/cm(2). Three treatments were performed at 6- to 8-week intervals, and subjects underwent evaluation for improvement in the pseudofolliculitis and the degree of hair reduction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were assessed at 6- to 8-week intervals for the degree of hair-count reduction, improvements in papule and pustule formation, and adverse effects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Complete hair-growth delays of 3 to 8 weeks' duration were produced, and a decrease in hair density of greater than 50% was noted in all subjects 6 to 8 weeks after the last laser treatment. All patients exhibited greater than 50% improvement in the signs of pseudofolliculitis. Preexisting pigmentary changes improved with therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diode laser treatment is a safe and effective method for improving pseudofolliculitis barbae in patients with skin phototypes I to IV.
authors.affiliation: Laser and Skin Surgery Center of New York, 317 E 34th St, Suite 11N, New York, NY 10016, USA.
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Kauvar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005499:Folliculitis / Q000628:therapy*; D006204:Hair Removal / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007259:Infrared Rays; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010789:Phototherapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome