title: Laser hair reduction and removal.
abstract: Hair removal by any means is unlikely to decrease in popularity, especially with the advent of laser technology allowing for effective treatment of hypertrichosis and hirsutism. There are many effective laser and intense light sources. Although virtually all skin types can be treated, the ideal target is a dark hair on light colored skin, and treatment of nonpigmented or vellus hairs has been disappointing with this method. The physical hair removal methods will continue to be popular options. The practice of aesthetic medicine should include consideration of offering hair reduction using lasers or light sources.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Missouri, 1 Hospital Drive, MA111, Columbia, MO 65212, USA. hovenicw@health.missouri.edu
authors.forename: Whitney
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hovenic
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: DeSpain
mesh_terms: D000075202:Contraindications; D006204:Hair Removal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006983:Hypertrichosis / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use