title: Laser hair removal.
abstract: Laser hair removal is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that is well suited to the office-based practice. A great deal of improvement has occurred in the past 5 years with the technology and the understanding of how and for whom the procedure works. A review of the physics of laser-skin interactions is included as well as guidelines for safe and effective clinical treatments. Four wavelengths of lasers and intense light sources have proven successful for a variety of skin types. Average rates of long-term hair reduction, for properly treated subjects, are consistently reported between 70 and 90% at a minimum of 6 months. When performed by physician extenders under the supervision of a physician, maximal use of time and resources can be achieved.
authors.affiliation: drlacombe@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Victor G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Lacombe
mesh_terms: D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006200:Hair Color; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000473:pathology; D006204:Hair Removal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D007834:Lasers / Q000145:classification; D018579:Patient Selection; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D016896:Treatment Outcome