title: Laser-assisted hair removal for darker skin types.
abstract: Before the advent of longer wavelengths, longer pulse durations and more efficient cooling devices, laser-assisted hair removal was best suited for phototypes I-III with dark terminal hairs. Now, laser-assisted hair removal can be performed safely and efficaciously on darker skin types. The long-pulsed diode and Nd:YAG-wavelength-based laser systems are best suited to safely and effectively treat patients with darker skin types. By using conservative fluences, longer pulse durations and multiple treatments, safe and effective laser-assisted hair removal is possible for darker skin types. Patients with darker skin who suffer from hirsutism, hypertrichosis, and pseudofolliculitis barbae can finally be treated safely and effectively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Howard University College of Medicine, 2041 Georgia Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20060, USA. drbattle@culturamed.com
authors.forename: Eliot F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Battle
authors.forename: Lori M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Hobbs
mesh_terms: D044383:Black People; D006204:Hair Removal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006983:Hypertrichosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*