Laser hair removal - A review and report on the use of the long-pulsed alexandrite laser for hair reduction of the upper lip, leg, back, and bikini region

BACKGROUND. The mechanism and permanence of laser-assisted hair removal rem ains a formidable task in the medical community. OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to determine the safety and long-t erm efficacy of the long-pulsed or normal mode alexandrite infrared laser f or hair depilation. METHODS. Beginning in October 1996, a total of 31 anatomic sites on 22 pati ents ranging in age from 25 to 59 years (mean 42 years) were evaluated to a ssess hair removal. Treatment sites included 17 upper lips, 9 legs, 2 backs , and 3 bikini regions. Eligible patients were of Fitzpatrick skin types I- m. Patients were treated using the long-pulsed alexandrite infrared laser a t 755 nm, single-pulse technique, 10 mm spot size, 10% overlap, pulse durat ions of 5, 10, and 20 msec, and a fluence of 20 J/cm(2). Subjective patient improvement and objective, blinded graded improvement was assessed at 1, 2 , 3, and 6 months. RESULTS. Objective blinded grading at 6 months revealed that hair reduction varied both with the pulse duration and anatomic location. Maximum reducti ons observed were 40%, 56%, 50%, and 15% for the lip, leg, back, and bikini areas, respectively. Upper lip hair reduction increased from 40% to 54% at 6 months when a second treatment was performed 8 weeks after the initial t reatment. CONCLUSION. The long-pulsed alexandrite laser is safe and effective in redu cing hair growth. Treatment efficacy varies with the anatomic location, pul se duration, and number of treatments. A single-pulse technique utilizing a 10 msec pulse duration at 20 J/cm(2) produced the greatest hair reduction. No permanent adverse effects occurred on skin types I-III at the parameter s tested.