Optimizing treatment parameters for hair removal using a topical carbon-based solution and 1064-nm Q-switched neodymium:YAG laser energy
C. A. Nanni and T. S. Alster
Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the most effective treatment parameters for
laser-assisted hair removal using a Q-switched
neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser. DESIGN: Prospective study
to determine the effectiveness of Q-switched ND:YAG laser-assisted hair
removal under varying pretreatment protocols. Hair growth was assessed
after laser treatment, and the results were compared with those of wax
epilation at 4, 12, and 24 weeks. SETTING: A private ambulatory laser
facility and academic referral center. INTERVENTION: Laser-assisted hair
removal was performed under 4 different pretreatment conditions. Eighteen
areas of unwanted body and facial hair from 12 study subjects were divided
into 4 quadrants. Wax epilation followed by application of a carbon-based
solution and exposure to Q-switched Nd:YAG laser radiation was performed on
1 quadrant. A second quadrant was wax epilated and exposed to Q-switched
Nd:YAG laser radiation without prior carbon solution application. A third
quadrant was exposed to laser radiation alone, and a final quadrant was wax
epilated to serve as the control. Follow-up evaluations at 1, 3, and 6
months consisted of photographic documentation, manual hair counts, and
patient hair-density estimates. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Percentage of hair
regrowth as assessed by objective hair counts and patient subjective
evaluations. RESULTS: Mean percentage of hair regrowth at 1 month was 39.9%
for the wax-carbon-laser quadrant, 46.7% for the wax-laser quadrant, 66.1%
for the laser-alone quadrant, and 77.9% for the wax control quadrant. The
percentage of hair regrowth approximately doubled by 3 months but was
significantly delayed in all laser-treated quadrants regardless of
pretreatment protocol. Full hair regrowth in all anatomic locations was
observed by month 6. Patient subjective evaluations of hair density closely
approximated hair count data. No adverse effects or long-term complications
were observed. CONCLUSIONS: A single hair-removal treatment with the
Q-switched Nd:YAG laser is safe and effective in delaying hair growth for
up to 3 months. Although the combination of pretreatment wax epilation and
topical carbon solution application was effective, laser irradiation alone,
with or without wax epilation, also provided a significant delay in hair
growth.
Long-Pulsed Nd:YAG Laser-Assisted Hair Removal in Pigmented Skin: A Clinical and Histological Evaluation
Alster et al.
Arch Dermatol 2001;137:885-889.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
What Proportion of Dermatological Patients Receive Evidence-Based Treatment?
Abeni et al.
Arch Dermatol 2001;137:771-776.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Isomorphic Phenomenon: Adverse Effect After Epilation With the Long-Pulsed Ruby Laser
Wimmershoff et al.
Arch Dermatol 2000;136:1570-1571.
FULL TEXT
Long-term Photoepilation Using a Broad-spectrum Intense Pulsed Light Source
Sadick et al.
Arch Dermatol 2000;136:1336-1340.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Ectopic Hair Growth After Flap Reconstruction of the Head and Neck
Toft et al.
Arch Facial Plast Surg 2000;2:148-150.
FULL TEXT
High-Intensity Flashlamp Photoepilation: A Clinical, Histological, and Mechanistic Study in Human Skin
Sadick et al.
Arch Dermatol 1999;135:668-676.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
A Hair's Breadth Closer?
Tope and Hordinsky
Arch Dermatol 1998;134:867-869.
FULL TEXT
