Hair removal with long pulsed diode lasers: a comparison between two systems with different pulse structures.
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to study hair removal efficacy, and possible side effects of two commercially available long pulsed diode lasers. The radiant exposure was selected to a value of 35 J/cm2, which is frequently used in the clinic in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations.


METHODS
A prospective clinical study was performed on twenty-nine patients with hair color ranging from light brown to black on the upper lip. One half of the upper lip was randomly selected for treatment with the MedioStar laser; the contralateral half of the lip was treated with the LightSheer laser. Three treatments were performed at 6-8 week intervals. Percent hair reduction and acute- and long-term side effects were evaluated after treatment.


RESULTS
The average hair reductions 6 months after the first treatment were 49% with the MedioStar laser and 48% with the LightSheer laser. No scarring or pigmentary change of the skin was observed after any of the treatments with either laser. However, differences in acute side effects such as degree of erythema and burned hairs were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
No statistically significant differences in hair removal efficacy were observed. These results agree with mathematical modeling, which also offers a method to estimate hair removal efficacy and adverse effects for a range of hair characteristics and laser parameters.
Fiskerstrand
Eli Janne
EJ
Center for Esthetic Laser Surgery, NO-7010 Trondheim, Norway. info@estetisklaserkirurgi.no
Svaasand
Lars O
LO
Nelson
J Stuart
JS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006204:Hair Removal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome