title: A systematic review of the use of lasers for the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To conduct a systematic review of the effectiveness of various types of lasers (and light based therapies) for the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and to establish recommendations based on our findings.
  
  
  METHODS
  MEDLINE, Cochrane and PubMed databases.
  
  
  METHODS
  English language studies describing the use of laser for the treatment of HS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multiple reviewers performed independent extraction and identified 22 studies that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Studies were categorised according to grading recommendations based on evidence quality guidelines for systematic reviews. Only 2 studies met criteria to be assigned the highest grade.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nd:YAG laser has been shown to be effective for the treatment of HS, as is intense pulsed light therapy (IPL) using the same principles of laser hair removal. There is weak evidence to recommend the use of carbon dioxide, diode or alexandrite lasers. The need for larger randomized controlled trials is highlighted.
authors: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Ulster Hospital, Belfast, United Kingdom. Electronic address: hannahiype@hotmail.com.
authors: Hannah
authors: H
authors: John
authors: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Bedford Laser Centre, Bedford Hospital, Bedford, United Kingdom.
authors: Nikolaos
authors: N
authors: Manoloudakis
authors: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Ulster Hospital, Belfast, United Kingdom.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Stephen Sinclair
mesh_terms: D057186:Comparative Effectiveness Research; D017497:Hidradenitis Suppurativa / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D007834:Lasers / Q000145:classification*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Hidradenitis suppurativa; IPL; Laser; Review