title: A structured treatment protocol improves results with laser hair removal.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  As laser epilation has become a widely accepted method for hair removal, questions regarding timing and frequency of treatments have arisen.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether a structured treatment protocol for laser hair removal improves clinical results in reducing hair growth.
  
  
  METHODS
  A group of 100 patients (Group A) underwent laser epilation with four regularly spaced treatments; a group of 100 patients (Group B) determined their own treatment plan with respect to timing and frequency (not exceeding four treatments).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Group A experienced a 78 +/- 8% reduction in hair with four treatments per patient while Group B experienced a 48 +/- 12% reduction with an average of 2.5 +/- 0.5 treatments per patient. These differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Patient satisfaction was significantly improved in Group A compared with Group B (P < 0.05). A positive linear relationship was identified in Group B between treatment frequency and hair reduction (r = 0.94) and between treatment frequency and patient satisfaction (r = 0.89).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study concludes that patients who participate in a structured treatment protocol note superior clinical results following laser hair removal.
authors.affiliation: Plastic Surgery Associates of Northern Virginia, 8180 Greensboro Drive, Suite 1015, McLean, VA 22102, USA.
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Freedman
authors.forename: R V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Earley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D005260:Female; D006204:Hair Removal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D013997:Time Factors