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.