Background
Background: The goal of laser or flashlamp
photoepilation is to produce long-term, cosmetically significant hair
removal. We document the long-term efficacy achieved with an intense pulsed
light source for photoepilation.
Design: Prospective study comparing long-term results of single
vs multiple treatments, and effects of anatomic site and skin type on
efficacy of photoepilation with a device emitting broad-spectrum, noncoherent
(nonlaser) radiation from 550- to 1200-nm wavelengths, in macropulses
divided into 2 to 5 minipulses. SETTING: Private dermatology practice.
PATIENTS: Thirty-four patients (8 men, 26 women) with hirsutism. INTERVENTIONS:
Parameters for the study were wavelength of 615 to 695 nm, pulse duration
of 2.6 to 3.3 milliseconds, fluence of 34 to 42 J/cm(2), 10 x 45-mm exposure
field, and application of 1 degrees C cooling gel. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Hair removal efficiency, calculated as percentage ratio of the number
of hairs present compared with baseline counts, and patient satisfaction
questionnaire completed at last follow-up.
Results: The mean hair removal efficiency achieved was 76% after
a mean of 3.7 treatments. More than 94% of the sites reached mean hair
removal efficiency values greater than 50%. Hair removal efficiency was
not significantly related to skin type, hair color, anatomic site, or
number of treatments. Side effects were mild and reversible and occurred
in a minority of patients (hyperpigmentation in 3 and superficial crusting
in 2).
Conclusion: Our data document the long-term clinical efficacy of
intense pulsed light source-induced hair removal in light and dark skin
phenotypes. Maximal photoepilation was achieved from the initial 1 to
3 treatments; only a small added benefit was seen after more treatments.
Arch Dermatol. 2000;136:1336-1340
Johnson F, Dovale M. Intense pulsed light treatment of hirsutism: case
reports of skin phototypes V and VI. Journal of Cutaneous Laser Therapy
1999;1(4):233-237.
Abstract:
Removal of unwanted hair is a common cosmetic concern. For hirsute women,
treatment often requires drug therapy and various methods to physically
remove the hair. Traditional methods of hair removal include shaving,
waxing, tweezing, depilatory creams and electrolysis. Hair removal methods
based on light technology, such as lasers and intense pulsed light systems,
are alternative methods for longer-term hair removal. Intense pulsed light
has been used in our clinic, during the past 2 years to treat light-to-dark
skinned patients, including skin types V and VI. We present here the treatment,
using an intense pulsed light source, of three dark skinned patients with
hirsutism. Patients were treated during multiple sessions (five to seven)
for unwanted facial hair. Sessions were conducted monthly and patients
were evaluated at follow-up sessions 2-7 months after the final treatment.
Successful clearance of unwanted hair was achieved in all three patients
with no pigmentary changes observed during the final follow-up sessions.
Folliculitis and hyperpigmentation from tweezing were also treated by
the intense pulsed light source. These results suggest that intense pulsed
light is an effective source for hair removal and may, with proper parameter
selection, be useful in the treatment of very dark skin types.
Sadick NS, et al. High-intensity flashlamp photoepilation. Arch Dermatol
1999; 135: 668-76.
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