Topical liposomal Rose Bengal for photodynamic white hair removal: randomized, controlled, double-blind study.
BACKGROUND
Blond and white hair removal by laser is a complicated task with weak satisfactory results due to the deficiency in laser-absorbing chromophore.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate if repetitive sessions of photodynamic therapy (PDT) using external application of liposomal Rose bengal (RB) photosensitizer followed by intense pulsed light (IPL) exposure enables removal of gray and white hair.


METHODS
Rose bengal loaded in liposomes (LRB) was constructed, prepared in hydrogel, and was studied for some pharmaceutical properties. Penetration and selective hair follicle damage in mice skin were studied. Topical gel containing LRB was used for treating fifteen adult females who were complaining of facial white terminal hair. Unwanted facial hair was treated for three sessions at intervals of 4-6 weeks using intense pulsed light (IPL). At each session, the treatment area was pre-treated with topical LRB gel, while a control group of another 15 patients applied placebo gel before IPL treatment. Evaluations included hair regrowth, which was measured 4 weeks after each treatment session and at 6 months follow-up by counting the number of terminal hair compared with baseline pretreatment values. Treatment outcomes and complications if any were also reported.


RESULTS
Average hair regrowth in the LRB group was 56% after 3 treatment cycles. After six-months follow up, average terminal hair count compared with baseline pretreatment showed 40% reduction and no recorded side effects. A significant difference (P<0.05) was seen compared with the control group; the clinical results were promising.


CONCLUSIONS
Photodynamic hair removal using rose bengal-encapsulated liposomal gel in combination with IPL treatment showed significant efficacy in the treatment of white hair compared with a control group.
Nevien
N
Samy
Maha
M
Fadel
D000818:Animals; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006197:Hair / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D006200:Hair Color; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D006204:Hair Removal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D062325:Intense Pulsed Light Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008081:Liposomes; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010539:Permeability; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012395:Rose Bengal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D013997:Time Factors
D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D020100:Hydrogels; D008081:Liposomes; D012395:Rose Bengal