title: Safety and efficacy of low-fluence, high-repetition rate versus high-fluence, low-repetition rate 810-nm diode laser for permanent hair removal--a split-face comparison study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study was designed to evaluate the hypothesis that low-level fluences done repetitively on a hair follicle will produce permanent hair removal with less discomfort and fewer side effects than a single high-fluence pulse.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the safety and efficacy of a low-fluence, high-repetition rate versus a high-fluence, low-repetition rate 810-nm diode laser for permanent hair reduction in patients with facial hirsutism.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two female patients with confirmed polycystic ovaries by ultrasonography with facial hirsutism were subjected to the low-fluence, high-repetition Soprano® XL laser in SHR mode and the LightSheer™ laser on each side of the face using preset parameters once a month for six sessions. Hair counts were done at the end of the sixth session using a 'Hi Quality Hair Analysis Program System' and the pain score was recorded by a visual analog scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall median reduction of hair was 90.5% with the Soprano XL and 85% with the LightSheer, with a standard deviation of 7 and 8.5 respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This new technology, with low fluence and high repetition, showed a statistically insignificant increase in hair reduction compared to the LightSheer, but did show a significant reduction in hair thickness and a low pain score.
authors.affiliation: Derma-Care Skin & Cosmetology Centre, Mangalore, Karnataka, India. gspai@derma-care.in
authors.forename: Ganesh S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Pai
authors.forename: Pavritha S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Bhat
authors.forename: Hema
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mallya
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gold
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005145:Face / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006204:Hair Removal / Q000379:methods*; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult