Treatment of terminal and vellus non-pigmented hairs with an optical bipolar radiofrequency energy source-with and without pre-treatment using topical aminolevulinic acid

Objective. The present study compares the 6-month hair removal efficacy of a combined pulsed light bipolar radiofrequency device with and without pre-treatment using topical aminolevulinic acid. Materials and methods. Fifteen adult females, skin phenotypes II-IV were entered into the study. Ten subj...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of cosmetic and laser therapy 2005-03, Vol.7 (1), p.25-28
Main Authors: Goldberg, David J., Marmur, Ellen S., Hussain, Mussarrat
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Administration, Cutaneous
Aged
Aminolevulinic Acid - administration & dosage
Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
Face
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Hair Diseases - pathology
Hair Diseases - therapy
Hair removal
Hair Removal - methods
Humans
Middle Aged
non-pigmented hair removal
PDT
photodynamic therapy
Photosensitizing Agents - administration & dosage
Pigmentation Disorders - pathology
Pigmentation Disorders - therapy
Prospective Studies
Radio Waves - therapeutic use
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Summary:Objective. The present study compares the 6-month hair removal efficacy of a combined pulsed light bipolar radiofrequency device with and without pre-treatment using topical aminolevulinic acid. Materials and methods. Fifteen adult females, skin phenotypes II-IV were entered into the study. Ten subjects were determined to have white terminal hairs; an additional five females presented with fine facial vellus hairs. Unwanted facial hair was treated twice at 4-6 week intervals with a combined optical bipolar radiofrequency source. At each treatment half of the treatment area was pre-treated with topical aminolevulinic acid; the other half was not. Follow-up visits were undertaken at 6 months after the second treatment. Hair counts were obtained before treatment and 6 months after the final treatment. Results. An average terminal white hair removal of 35% was observed at 6 months after treatment with the combined pulsed light bipolar radiofrequency device. When pre-treatment with topical aminolevulinic acid was provided the average hair removal of terminal white hairs was found to be 48%. None of the five subjects with vellus hair were noted to respond to either treatment. Conclusions. Combined radiofrequency and optical light treatment leads to effective hair removal of terminal white hairs. This improvement is increased with pre-treatment use of topical aminolevulinic acid. Vellus nonpigmented hairs did not respond to treatment
ISSN:1476-4172
1476-4180
DOI:10.1080/147641700510037734