Bencini, 1999  Title: Long-term epilation with long-pulsed
neodimium:YAG laser.
Authors: Bencini PL, Luci A, Galimberti M,
Ferranti G
Journal: Dermatol Surg 1999 Mar;25(3):175-8
PMID: 10193962, UI: 99208305
Affiliated institution: Servizio
di Dermatologia, Ospedale S. Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
Cited in:
BACKGROUND: Unwanted body hair can represent a severe cosmetic
disturbance. The traditional methods used to epilate often have
limitations, side effects, and unsatisfactory results. In recent
years, various light sources (lasers and others) have been developed
for long-term epilation of unwanted hair.
OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates, on a large number of patients,
the efficiency and safety of a long-pulsed low-potency Nd-Yag
laser invented specifically for long-term hair removal.
METHODS: Some 208 subjects needing epilation were divided into
three groups and treated during an 11-month period. Group A included
79 patients with a normal distribution of unwanted hair; Group
B 67 patients with constitutional hypertrichosis; and Group C
62 patients with hirsutism. Treatment sessions were performed
with a fluence of 23-56 J/cm2 at 1-month intervals until obtaining
desirable results. Follow-ups ranged from 1 to 6 months. In 3
patients 4-mm diameter punch biopsy specimens were obtained before
the first session and again after 6 hours. A third biopsy was
performed after 3 months.
RESULTS: Every session resulted in a 20-40% hair loss, depending
on the color of hair. Complete epilation was obtained in 4 to
6 sessions. Only white hair was not receptive to laser light,
and its growth was not modified. No patients, including dark-complexioned
patients, had blistering, hypo-or hyperpigmentation. No pain was
present during treatment except for the axillary area. In the
specimen obtained after 6 hours, very extensive necrosis of the
hair follicular and sebaceous gland epithelium was evident. Histologic
findings of the biopsies taken after three months showed complete
disappearance of hair and moderate fibrosis.
CONCLUSION: This study proves that the long-pulsed Nd:Yag laser
treatment produces an excellent prolonged epilation with no relevant
side effects. This laser light, having a 1064 nm wavelength, is
minimally absorbed in superficial skin layers, and pronounced
scattering up to 5 mm occurs targeting the deeper follicles.
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