Flash lamps for hair removal were cleared by FDA to market in
the U.S. in 1997, although flash lamps had been used since the
early 1970's in photoepilators. Below are clinical studies discussing
modern flash lamp hair removal, as well as selected articles about
flash lamps on related topics. Flash lamp technology is also called
IPL (intense pulsed light), ILS (intense light source), full spectrum,
non-coherent, and broadband light.
Gold (1997): 
37 subjects getting one treatment had
60% hair removal at 12 weeks.
Fitzpatrick (1997): A brief abstract.
Raulin (1997): 2 transsexual subjects getting 13 and 41 facial
treatments respectively over one year had "satisfactory"
results 6 months after last treatment. With photos.
Schroeter (1997): 40 women had facial hair treated, with 77% reduction
after 6 treatments. No follow-up after treatment.
Smith (1998): A brief abstract.
Gold (1998): A brief abstract.
Tse (1999): A good overview.
Sadick (1999): 67 subjects had 1 or 2 treatments. Of
those reporting back 6 months or more after final treatment,
hair loss was between 54% and 64%
Weiss (1999): 48 subjects had 2 treatments. Average
reduction was 33% 6 months after treatment. (Full version of
Weiss 1998
).
Sadick (2000): 34 patients had and average of 76% reduction
immediately following an average of 4 treatments. No follow-up
discussed in abstract.
Moreno-Arias (2000): Reports on successful removal of transplanted
scalp hair grafts with 1.5 year follow-up.
Weiss (2000): A brief letter. See Weiss (1999).
hair removal
facts
for consumers
