Gault, 1999

Title: The removal of unwanted hair using a ruby laser.

Authors: Gault DT, Grobbelaar AO, Grover R, Liew SH, Philp B, Clement RM, Kiernan MN

Journal: Br J Plast Surg 1999 Apr;52(3):173-7

Affiliated institution: Department of Plastic Surgery, RAFT Institute for Plastic Surgery Research, Mount Vernon Hospital, Northwood, UK.

PMID: 10474466, UI: 99403714

Cited in:

A ruby laser has been developed to remove unwanted hair. Melanin within the hair is used as a natural chromophore. It is postulated that photothermal damage destroys the hair itself and also key cells surrounding the hair follicle to prevent regrowth. A prospective study of laser depilation in 116 patients or 175 sites was performed over a period of 18 months. All the patients had tried other methods of hair removal and found them to be unsatisfactory. Hair counts (follicles/cm2) were used to judge the outcome. The mean follow-up time was 23.25 weeks (range 12-76 weeks). After a mean number of treatments of 1.92 (range 1-20) there was a 56.4% reduction in hair density. Comparing pre- and post-treatment hair density, there was a highly significant reduction (paired t-test: P < 0.00001). Laser removal of hair is now a realistic treatment option.