title: Evaluation of safety and efficacy of variable pulsed light in the treatment of unwanted hair in 77 volunteers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several studies on hair removal with intense pulsed light (IPL) and various laser sources have been done, but adequate data on long-term follow up are scarce. The present uncontrolled prospective pilot study evaluated safety and long-term efficacy of variable pulsed light (VPL) on hair removal in the face for medical and/or cosmetic indications.
  
  
  METHODS
  The VPL system (Energist Ltd, UK) was used for the treatment of hypertrichosis in the face, mainly hirsutism, in 77 female volunteers. The minimum follow-up time after the last treatment was 9 months (mean: 12.74 +/- 2.87 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over 50% of hair clearance was observed in 68 (88.3%) of all cases. Erythema and leucotrichia were the most often associated side-effects encountered. Transient pigmentary changes were not reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The VPL System presents as a relatively efficient and safe treatment alternative for long-term removal of unwanted hair. It seems to be particularly effective in fair-skinned patients with dark hair (skin types II-III-IV). Adverse effects were minimal and transient and, in no patient, significant enough to interrupt treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Division of Special and Environmental Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nahavandi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Neumann
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Holzer
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Knobler
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000254:growth & development / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006204:Hair Removal / Q000379:methods*; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D006983:Hypertrichosis / Q000628:therapy*; D008027:Light; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome