Long-term epilation with long-pulsed neodimium : YAG laser

BACKGROUND. Unwanted body hair can represent a severe cosmetic disturbance. The traditional methods used to epilate often have limitations, side effec ts, and unsatisfactory results. In recent years, various light sources (las ers and others) have been developed for long-term epilation of unwanted hai r. OBJECTIVE This study evaluates, on a large number of patients, the efficien cy and safety of a long-pulsed low-potency Nd-Yag laser invented specifical ly for long-term hair removal. METHODS. Some 208 subjects needing epilation were divided into three groups and treated during an Ii-month period. Group A included 73 patients with a normal distribution of unwanted hair; Group B 67 patients with constitutio nal hypertrichosis; and Group C 62 patients with hirsutism. Treatment sessi ons were performed with a fluence of 23-56 J/cm(2) at 1-month intervals unt il obtaining desirable results. Follow-ups ranged from 1 to 6 months. In 3 patients 4-mm diameter punch biopsy specimens were obtained before the firs t session and again after 6 hours. A third biopsy was performed after 3 mon ths. RESULTS. Every session resulted in a 20-40% hair loss, depending on the col or of hair. Complete epilation was obtained in 4 to 6 sessions. Only white hair was not receptive to laser light, and its growth was not modified. No patients, including dark-complexioned patients, had blistering, hypo-or hyp erpigmentation. No pain was present during treatment except for the axillar y area. In the specimen obtained after 6 hours, very extensive necrosis of the hair follicular and sebaceous gland epithelium was evident. Histologic findings of the biopsies taken after three months showed complete disappear ance of hair and moderate fibrosis. CONCLUSION. This study proves that the long-pulsed Nd:Yag laser treatment p roduces an excellent prolonged epilation with no relevant side effects. Thi s laser light, having a 1064 nm wavelength, is minimally absorbed in superf icial skin layers, and pronounced scattering up to 5 mm occurs targeting th e deeper follicles.