Eremia, 2001

Title: Laser Hair Removal with Alexandrite versus Diode Laser Using Four Treatment Sessions: 1-Year Results.

Authors: Eremia S, Li C, Newman N.

Journal: Dermatol Surg 2001 Nov;27(11):925-930

PMID: 11737125 ABSTRACT

Affiliated institution: Division of Dermatology, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, Brockton Cosmetic Surgery Center, Riverside, California, and Beverly Hills, California.

BACKGROUND: Laser hair removal is the treatment of choice for hypertrichosis. The two most commonly used hair removal lasers are compared.

OBJECTIVE: To present the results of a comparative study examining the role of wavelength, fluence, spot size, pulse width, and cooling systems on long-term results after a series of four laser hair removal treatments using the 755 nm alexandrite and 800-810 nm diode lasers.

METHODS: The axillae of 15 untanned, type I-V patients were treated side by side four times at 4- to 6-week intervals with a 755 nm, 3-msec pulse width, cryogen spray-equipped alexandrite laser and an 800 nm, variable pulse width, cooled sapphire window-equipped diode laser. Each patient was pretested and treated with the maximum fluence tolerated at the largest spot size available for each laser (12 mm round/113 mm2 for the alexandrite and 9 mm for the diode).

RESULTS: Evaluations were done at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after the last treatment. Twelve-month results with the alexandrite and diode lasers achieved 85% versus 84% hair reduction. The fact that tan avoidance was strictly followed permitted the use of relatively high fluences (25-30+ J/cm2) even in type IV patients. For most patients, four treatment sessions using high fluences (30-40 J/cm2) with relatively large spot sizes (12 mm round for the 755 nm alexandrite and 9 mm for the 800 nm diode) resulted in 12-month hair reductions in the 90% range.

CONCLUSION: Both the alexandrite and diode lasers in this 12-month study produced excellent long-term hair reductions.