An efficacy comparison of hair removal utilizing a diode laser and an Nd:YAG laser system in Chinese women.
BACKGROUND
The 800 nm diode laser and the 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser have been used successfully for hair removal for many years.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy of a diode laser with a Nd:YAG laser regarding axillary fossa hair removal in Chinese women.


METHODS
Twenty-nine Chinese women underwent three treatment sessions at 4-week intervals with a diode laser (34-38 J/cm(2)) on one side and a Nd:YAG laser (34-40 J/cm(2)) on the other side. Assessments included the reduction of hair diameter following treatment, the regrowth rate in hair length, total hair reduction and the immediate pain associated with the treatments.


RESULTS
At follow-up visit number 1 (4 weeks after the first session), the average reduction in hair diameter on the diode laser side and the Nd:YAG laser side was 2.44 μm and -0.6 μm, respectively. The regrowth rates of the hair were 61.93 μm/day and 59.84 μm/day, respectively, which were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). At follow-up visit number 1, hair reduction was 60.09% and 41.44%, respectively. At follow-up visit number 2 (4 weeks after the second session), hair reduction was noted to be 78.56% and 64.50%, respectively, which were both statistically significant (p < 0.05). Immediate pain scores at the first session were 6.97 and 6.17, respectively; at the second session were 5.48 and 6.69, respectively; and at the third session were 5.76 and 7.45, respectively; all statistically significant (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The diode laser showed more efficacy and was found to be more comfortable than the Nd:YAG laser for axillary fossa hair removal in Chinese women.
Li
Ruohong
R
Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China.
Zhou
Zhanchao
Z
Gold
Michael H
MH
D000328:Adult; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D006204:Hair Removal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000528:radiation effects