title: Laser and intense pulsed light hair removal technologies: from professional to home use.
abstract: Light-based hair removal (LHR) is one of the fastest growing, nonsurgical aesthetic cosmetic procedures in the United States and Europe. A variety of light sources including lasers, e.g. alexandrite laser (755 nm), pulsed diode lasers (800, 810 nm), Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm) and broad-spectrum intense pulsed light (IPL, 590-1200 nm), are available and used widely for such procedures in dermatological/clinical settings under proper supervision. Patient selection and appropriate fluence settings are managed by professionals to maximize efficacy while minimizing adverse events. In the past 5 years, LHR devices have been sold directly to consumers for treatment in the home. In this review, we outline the principles underlying laser and IPL technologies and undertake an evidence-based assessment of the short- and long-term efficacy of the different devices available to the practising dermatologist and discuss the efficacy and human safety implications of home-use devices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. mhaedersdal@dadlnet.dk
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haedersdal
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Beerwerth
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Nash
mesh_terms: D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D006204:Hair Removal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000628:therapy; D006701:Home Nursing; D006801:Humans; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome