Efficacy of long- and short pulse alexandrite lasers compared with an intense pulsed light source for epilation: a study on 532 sites in 389 patients.
BACKGROUND
Undesirable hair growth presents a significant problem for many patients, and photoepilation has become a very popular procedure in aesthetic and cosmetic practice. Among the systems used are the long- and short-pulsed alexandrite lasers (LP-Alex, SP-Alex) and intense pulsed light (IPL) sources. The present study retrospectively examined the outcome of these systems from the viewpoint of efficacy and side effects.


METHODS
Three hundred and eighty-nine patients (370 females and 19 males, mean age 36.4 yrs, skin types II-V) were admitted to the study, with a total of 532 treated sites. They were treated either with the LP-Alex, SP-Alex or IPL. Subjective evaluation and interview of the patients was held prior to every treatment session. Six to eight treatments were required with the alexandrite lasers, 2.4-2.8 months between treatments, and the IPL source required 8-9 treatments, 2-2.5 months apart.


RESULTS
No significant difference was seen between the LP- and SP-Alex, or between both of them and the IPL source, although the period to regrowth was longer for the lasers. Erythema and oedema were more noticeable with the LP-Alex, as were crusting and hyper- and hypopigmentation. Discomfort was greatest with the LP-Alex and the IPL source. Hair induction at the borders of the treated area on the face and neck was seen only with the LP-Alex, and correlated statistically significantly with any episode of severe erythema, crusting or hyperpigmentation.


CONCLUSIONS
There was no statistically significant difference between the LP-, SP-Alex and IPL photoepilation with regard to efficacy. Transient side effects were highest with the LP-Alex, and least with the IPL system. In the LP-Alex treated face and neck sites, 3.1% had hair induction in the borders of the treated areas.
Marayiannis
K B
KB
Laserlight Clinic for Laser and Plastic Surgery, 13 P. Stavrou Str., GR-11524 Athens, Greece.
Vlachos
S P
SP
Savva
M P
MP
Kontoes
P P
PP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001608:Beryllium; D004890:Erythema / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006204:Hair Removal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006983:Hypertrichosis / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010789:Phototherapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
C112654:alexandrite; D001608:Beryllium