title: A randomized, controlled, double-blind study evaluating melanin-encapsulated liposomes as a chromophore for laser hair removal of blond, white, and gray hair.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laser hair removal of blond and white hair is a complicated task with often unsatisfactory results as a result of a lack of laser-absorbing chromophore. In the present study, we investigated if repetitive external application of liposomal melanin (Lipoxome; Dalton Medicare B.V., Zevenbergschen Hoek, The Netherlands) enables removal of blond/white and gray hair with a diode laser.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two areas of blond, gray, or white facial and body hair of 16 patients were treated with a liposomal melanin spray (Lipoxome) and 3 cycles of 800 nm diode laser at intervals of 8 weeks (28-40 J/cm). A control group of 16 patients applied physiological saline spray before diode laser treatment. Hair regrowth was measured 8 weeks after each cycle and additionally 6 months after the last treatment by counting the number of terminal hairs compared with baseline pretreatment values. Complications and treatment outcomes were documented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean regrowth in the liposomal melanin group was 83% after 3 treatment cycles. Six months after therapy, average terminal hair count compared with baseline pretreatment showed 14% reduction. Although significant difference was seen compared with the control group showing a 10% reduction of hair growth after 6 months (P < 0.05), the clinical outcome was disappointing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Melanin-encapsulated liposomal spray in combination with diode laser treatment showed significant higher efficacy in the treatment of white and blond hair compared with a control group. However, the clinically observed hair reduction was so weak that additional effort as well as higher costs argues against the application of the tested formulation.
authors: Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany. Michael.Sand@rub.de
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Sand
authors: Falk Georges
authors: FG
authors: Bechara
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Sand
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Altmeyer
authors: Klaus
authors: K
authors: Hoffmann
mesh_terms: D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006200:Hair Color; D006202:Hair Dyes; D006204:Hair Removal / Q000379:methods*; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008081:Liposomes; D008297:Male; D008543:Melanins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D006202:Hair Dyes; D008081:Liposomes; D008543:Melanins