Hair induction after laser-assisted hair removal and its treatment

Laser hair removal is a relatively safe procedure with limited side effects. Hair induction has been previously scarcely reported. We sought to report the incidence of this strange side effect in a large number of patients treated for hair removal and to follow its course and treatment. We conducted...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2006, Vol.54 (1), p.64-67
Main Authors: Kontoes, Paraskevas, Vlachos, Spiros, Konstantinos, Marayiannis, Anastasia, Loupatatzi, Myrto, Savva
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abdomen
Back
Biological and medical sciences
Dermatology
Face
Female
Hair - growth & development
Hair Removal - adverse effects
Hair Removal - methods
Humans
Lasers
Male
Medical sciences
Neck
Retreatment
Retrospective Studies
Skin Pigmentation
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Summary:Laser hair removal is a relatively safe procedure with limited side effects. Hair induction has been previously scarcely reported. We sought to report the incidence of this strange side effect in a large number of patients treated for hair removal and to follow its course and treatment. We conducted retrospective analysis of the files of all patients who underwent laser hair removal during the time period from May 1998 until May 2005 in a private institution in Athens, Greece. Hair induction occurs predominantly on the face and neck of female patients of Mediterranean ancestry with darker skin types. The percentage is quite low (4.5%). Laser treatment of the induced hair reduces the problem. No control groups could be obtained in this study. Furthermore, the natural course of hair induction could not be studied because it was always treated or patients were lost to follow-up. Hair induction is a rare side effect of laser hair removal occurring in selected populations and body areas; however, it responds well to laser treatments.
ISSN:0190-9622
1097-6787
DOI:10.1016/j.jaad.2005.09.034