Six-month follow-up multicenter prospective study of 368 patients, phototypes III to V, on epilation efficacy using an 810-nm diode laser at low fluence

• Published in: Lasers in medical science 2011-03, Vol.26 (2), p.247-255
• Main Authors: Royo, Josefina, Urdiales, Fernándo, Moreno, Javier, Al-Zarouni, Marwan, Cornejo, Paloma, Trelles, Mario A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Clinical outcomes; Cosmetics; Dentistry; Dermatology; Diode lasers; Discomfort; Effectiveness; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hair; Hair Removal - instrumentation; Humans; Lasers; Lasers, Semiconductor; Low-Level Light Therapy; Male; Medical science; Medical technology; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Optical Devices; Optics; Original Article; Patients; Photonics; Prospective Studies; Quantum Optics; Skin; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0268-8921; 1435-604X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10103-010-0846-1

Laser hair removal is currently a popular cosmetic procedure. Traditional high-fluence laser treatment for hair elimination is associated with discomfort and adverse events and it is restricted to low phototype skins. A multicenter study of hair epilation with low fluences and high repetition pulse rate using an 810-nm diode laser was carried out on 368 patients (phototypes III to V) to test its efficacy in a 6-month follow-up after five treatments on the face and various body areas. Objective and subjective assessment as well as histologies show a high index of patient satisfaction due to high efficacy of hair elimination, also proved histologically by the damage observed at hair structure level. Results obtained a high degree of patient satisfaction and a low index of adverse events. Laser epilation was well accepted regarding discomfort and was also complication-free for dark and tanned skins. Treatment is easy to conduct and requires adapting the movement of the hand-piece to a constant speed in order to achieve high-energy deposit on tissue avoiding risks of burning.