eMedicine Specialties > Plastic Surgery > Ancillary Procedures

Laser Hair Removal: Follow-up

Author: Christian N Kirman, MD, Staff Physician, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center
Coauthor(s): Joseph A Molnar, MD, PhD, FACS, Associate Professor of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Associate Director, Burn Unit, Wake Forest University School of Medicine; Samer Alaiti, MD, FACP, Clinical Assistant Professor, Departments of Dermatology and Internal Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles School of Medicine; Medical Director, Miracle Mile Medical Center for Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery, Inc
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Nov 6, 2008

Outcome and Prognosis

In a comprehensive evidence-based review of hair removal using laser light sources, outcomes from different laser treatments were evaluated. The levels of efficacy and adverse effects from treatment with ruby, alexandrite, diode, and Nd:YAG laser light sources were compared from the results of 8 randomized controlled and 20 controlled trials.

  • Substantial objective evidence exists for partial hair removal with efficacy up to 6 months from treatments with ruby, alexandrite, diode, and Nd:YAG laser systems. Efficacy improved with each laser system when repetitive treatments were administered.
  • The efficacy of hair removal with each laser system is superior to other, more conventional treatments such as waxing, shaving, or electrolysis.
  • Evidence of long-term hair removal efficacy (>6 mo) exists from 2-4 treatments with alexandrite and diode lasers and is most likely after treatment with ruby (3-4 treatments) or Nd:YAG (5 treatments) laser systems.

Active communication must exist between the clinician and the patient regarding indications, expectations, and treatment goals before laser-assisted hair removal treatment begins. The FDA definition of permanent hair reduction should be reviewed with the patient seeking treatment, as evidence-based clinical trials report their results based upon this definition. Advertisements throughout the media often portray laser-assisted hair removal that could lead to unrealistic goals of treatment, and this approach may lead to more realistic expectations from both the clinician and the patient.

Future and Controversies

New personal handheld thermal or laser devices are quickly becoming available for patients to use at home for the treatment of unwanted hair.10,11 Devices such as the no!no! (Thermicon, Radiancy Inc, Orangeburg, NY) is a thermal, handheld self-treatment device now available for retail purchase.10 Other laser based devices, such as the Tria (SpectraGenics Inc, Pleasanton, Calif) and the pulsed light based Silk’n (Home Skinovations Ltd, Yokneam, Israel) will soon be available for home treatment as well. These devices should be used only after all risks and benefits are fully understood by the consumer. Consumers should discuss any questions with their healthcare providers before considering any type of self treatment.

 


More on Laser Hair Removal

Overview: Laser Hair Removal
Treatment: Laser Hair Removal
Follow-up: Laser Hair Removal
Multimedia: Laser Hair Removal
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

laser hair removal, hair removal, laser-assisted hair removal, unwanted body hair, excess body hair, body hair removal, excess facial hair, facial hair removal, excess hair, unwanted hair, unwanted facial hair

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Christian N Kirman, MD, Staff Physician, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center
Christian N Kirman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Joseph A Molnar, MD, PhD, FACS, Associate Professor of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Associate Director, Burn Unit, Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Joseph A Molnar, MD, PhD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Association of Plastic Surgeons, American Burn Association, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, North Carolina Medical Society, and Wound Healing Society
Disclosure: KCI, Inc.  Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Integra Life Sciences Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Clincal Cell Culture Grant/research funds Co-investigator

Samer Alaiti, MD, FACP, Clinical Assistant Professor, Departments of Dermatology and Internal Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles School of Medicine; Medical Director, Miracle Mile Medical Center for Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery, Inc
Samer Alaiti, MD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Phlebology, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, and American Society of Lipo-Suction Surgery
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

James F Thornton, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Mark E Krugman, MD, Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery and Clinical Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California at Irvine School of Medicine
Mark E Krugman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American College of Surgeons, American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, and American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Nicolas (Nick) G Slenkovich, MD, Practice Director, Colorado Plastic Surgery Center at Swedish Medical Center
Nicolas (Nick) G Slenkovich, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Medical Association, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and Colorado Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Jorge I de la Torre, MD, FACS, Professor of Surgery and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Residency Program Director, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Director, Center for Advanced Surgical Aesthetics
Jorge I de la Torre, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Association of Plastic Surgeons, American Burn Association, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Association for Academic Surgery, and Medical Association of the State of Alabama
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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