The removal of unwanted hair using a ruby laser

A ruby laser has been developed to remove unwanted hair. Melanin within the hair is used as a natural chromophore. It is postulated that photothermal damage destroys the hair itself and also key cells surrounding the hair fol licle to prevent regrowth. A prospective study of laser depilation in 116 p atients or 175 sites was performed over a period of 18 months. All the pati ents had tried other methods of hair removal and found them to be unsatisfa ctory. Hair counts (follicles/cm(2)) were used to judge the outcome. The mean foll ow-up time was 23.25 weeks (range 12-76 weeks). After a mean number of trea tments of 1.92 (range 1-20) there was a 56.4% reduction in hair density. Co mparing pre- and post-treatment hair density, there was a highly significan t reduction (paired t-test: P < 0.00001). Laser removal of hair is now a realistic treatment option.