title: Comparative evaluation of different hair removal lasers in skin types IV, V, and VI.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lasers permit treatment of unwanted excess hair with less discomfort than other methods of epilation. Many lasers with different parameters are now available from which the dermatologist can choose. Improved clinical results are made possible by the high specificity and selectivity of the laser systems to pigmented hair because of the use of an appropriate wavelength with the proper pulse and duration.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to compare the results of treatment of skin types IV, V, and VI using three different laser systems.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred female patients were compared using different laser systems: 35 patients underwent epilation using a Nd-Yag laser, 33 patients using an Alexandrite laser, and 32 patients using a Diode laser.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Follow up 12 months after the multiple treatments (three to six sessions) showed an insignificant difference between these three groups (35-40%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings indicate that all three laser systems tested can be used for dark skin; however, one should select a system that minimizes side-effects, primarily hypo- and hyper-pigmentation, especially when used for skin types IV, V, and VI.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. galadari@email.com
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Galadari
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004867:Equipment Design; D004869:Equipment Safety; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006204:Hair Removal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006983:Hypertrichosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome