title: Laser hair removal: comparison of long-pulsed Nd:YAG, long-pulsed alexandrite, and long-pulsed diode lasers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Advances in laser technology over the past several years have led to the development of numerous lasers for the treatment of unwanted hair. Laser wavelength is a key factor influencing treatment efficacy and complication rates.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy and safety of laser hair removal using three different laser systems.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study of 805 consecutive laser-assisted hair removal treatments, conducted on 75 patients by means of either a long-pulsed Nd:YAG, a long-pulsed alexandrite, or a long-pulsed diode laser is reported. All patients were evaluated at least 3 months after the last treatment, and their present conditions were compared with the 1st-day photographs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean hair reduction was 42.4%, 65.6%, and 46.9% in Nd:YAG, alexandrite, and diode lasers, respectively. When the number of treatment sessions was taken into account, the efficacy of alexandrite and diode lasers was not significantly different, whereas both systems were more efficacious than Nd:YAG. Neither of the laser systems showed better results for a particular skin type. The occurrence of side effects was not significantly different between three laser systems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both long-pulsed alexandrite and long-pulsed diode laser systems are effective in the treatment of unwanted hair, and they are more efficacious than Nd:YAG laser.
authors.affiliation: Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Navid
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bouzari
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tabatabai
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Abbasi
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Firooz
authors.forename: Yahya
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Dowlati
mesh_terms: D005145:Face / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006204:Hair Removal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D009333:Neck / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome