title: Nonpigmented hair removal using photodynamic therapy in animal model.
abstract: Lasers have been successfully used for decades to remove dark hair. However, laser removal of nonpigmented hair is challenging due to the lack of chromophores. The aim of this study was to use photodynamic therapy (PDT) to remove nonpigmented hair.
  
  
  
  We compared the efficacy of permanent hair reduction in white BALB/c and black C57BL/6 mice treated with PDT or an 800-nm diode laser. We collected skin biopsy specimens and investigated post-PDT histologic changes and molecular changes.
  
  
  
  We observed keratin 15 staining in the bulge area and alkaline phosphatase staining in the dermal papilla following PDT. We observed a temporary, catagen-like transformation in nonpigmented hair follicles after PDT. We observed apoptotic cells in the hair matrix after PDT. Irradiation with an 800-nm diode laser did not achieve nonpigmented hair removal. Multiple PDT sessions achieved permanent reduction of nonpigmented hair. Interestingly, removal of black hair using PDT was less efficient.
  
  
  
  Our results suggest that PDT can damage the nonpigmented hair matrix, but not stem cells or dermal papillae. Repeated PDT may impair the hair-regeneration capacity via a bystander effect on bulge stem cells or dermal papillae. In this study, we found it was possible to remove nonpigmented hair using PDT. Lasers Surg. Med. 48:748-762, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
authors: Department of Dermatology, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Korea.
authors: Hyoseung
authors: H
authors: Shin
authors: Department of Dermatology, Institute of Human-Environmental Interface Biology, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.|Laboratory of Cutaneous Aging and Hair Research, Center for Medical Innovation, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Ji-Seon
authors: JS
authors: Yoon
authors: JMO Dermatology Clinic, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Wooseok
authors: W
authors: Koh
authors: Department of Dermatology, Institute of Human-Environmental Interface Biology, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.|Laboratory of Cutaneous Aging and Hair Research, Center for Medical Innovation, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Jin Yong
authors: JY
authors: Kim
authors: Laboratory of Clinical Medicine, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Gyeongju, Korea.
authors: Chang-Hyun
authors: CH
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Pathology, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Korea.
authors: Kang Min
authors: KM
authors: Han
authors: Department of Pathology, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Korea.
authors: Eo Jin
authors: EJ
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Dermatology, Institute of Human-Environmental Interface Biology, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. oskwon@snu.ac.kr.|Laboratory of Cutaneous Aging and Hair Research, Center for Medical Innovation, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea. oskwon@snu.ac.kr.
authors: Ohsang
authors: O
authors: Kwon
mesh_terms: D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006200:Hair Color; D006204:Hair Removal / Q000379:methods*; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; C475457:methyl 5-aminolevulinate; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid
keywords: black hair; laser; light-emitting diode; methyl aminolevulinate; white hair