title: Bilateral axilla hair removal comparing a single wavelength alexandrite laser with combined multiplexed alexandrite and Nd:YAG laser treatment from a single laser platform.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study compares the efficacy, safety, and side-effect profile of three different firing modes in a single laser emitting both dual-wavelength multiplexed laser pulses and single-wavelength pulses for removing unwanted axillary hair in subjects with Fitzpatrick skin types II-V.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects received four laser treatments at 4-6 week intervals. One axilla was treated with the alexandrite laser alone while the contralateral axilla was treated with multiplexed pulses delivering either a 755 nm/1064 nm pulse or a 1064 nm/755 nm pulse. Efficacy was evaluated through blinded hair counts performed on digital photographs taken two and six months following the final treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean hair clearance percentages were 83%, 81%, and 86% for the alexandrite, alexandrite/YAG sequence, and YAG/alexandrite sequence, respectively. Side effects were minimal and did not differ by treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Muliplexed 755 nm/1064 nm and 1,064 nm/755 nm pulses compared favorably with the 755 nm pulses for efficacy and side-effect profile, all being highly efficacious. Further study of the multiplexed pulses in various clinical settings, including refractory hair removal, are indicated.
authors.affiliation: Main Line Center for Laser Surgery, Ardmore, PA 19003, USA. dermguy@dermguy.com
authors.forename: Eric F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Bernstein
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Basilavecchio
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Plugis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001365:Axilla / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006204:Hair Removal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult