EVALUATION OF THE FREE-RUNNING RUBY-LASER FOR HAIR REMOVAL - A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

The free-running ruby laser lies recently been introduced for removal of unwanted hair growth. It is assumed that the mode of action of ruby laser depilation is that of selective photothermolysis of the melanin -rich structures, The present date reflects our results of ruby treatm ent of 133 patients attending a dermatological laser clinic for hair r emoval. When success of the laser treatment was defined as greater tha n 50% hair removal, 59.0% of patients reported successful results afte r 90 or more days after last treatment. With success defined as greate r than 25% hair removal at 90 days, successful treatment was obtained in 75.0%. Also, the patients evaluated the overall result of their tre atments. The percentage of patients who were either ''very satisfied'' or ''satisfied'' after 90 days was 64.2%. Only a few side-effects wer e observed. In general, pain was no clinical problem. No significant s carring was observed. A temporary hypopigmentation was experienced by approximately 10%, but only one patient still had hypopigmentation 90 days after treatment. Due to variability of hair density as well as an agen and telogen phase durations in different anatomical locations, fi rm conclusions regarding the long-term effect still cannot be drawn.