Hair removal using an 800-nm diode laser: comparison at different treatment intervals of 45, 60, and 90 days.
BACKGROUND
Some laser irradiation parameters such as wavelength, fluence, pulse duration, and spot size have been shown to influence the damage of any target inside the skin, however, the role of some patients' factors such as hair growth cycle is still under debate.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the association of treatment interval and laser treatment outcome.


METHODS
In a retrospective chart review of 176 patients undergoing laser-assisted hair removal with a diode laser 24 patients were selected. All accepted to cease the therapy, and be followed-up for 5 months. At the end of the study the patients were questioned about the efficacy of the treatment as well as the adverse effects. Hair counting was also performed. The adverse effects (pain, blister or erosion, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, and folliculitis) were questioned during the follow-up period.


RESULTS
The mean hair reduction was 78.1%, 45.8%, and 28.7% in 45, 60, and 90-day interval groups, respectively (P < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
The treatment interval was related to the treatment outcome in our study.
Bouzari
Navid
N
Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. nbouzari@yahoo.com
Tabatabai
Hossein
H
Abbasi
Zahra
Z
Firooz
Alireza
A
Dowlati
Yahya
Y
D000328:Adult; D001768:Blister / Q000209:etiology; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D005499:Folliculitis / Q000209:etiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006197:Hair / Q000254:growth & development / Q000528:radiation effects; D006204:Hair Removal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D017495:Hyperpigmentation / Q000209:etiology; D017496:Hypopigmentation / Q000209:etiology; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007834:Lasers / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000145:classification; D009333:Neck; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome