eMedicine Specialties > Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery > Cosmetic Surgery

Laser Hair Removal

Author: Mounir Bashour, MD, CM, FRCS(C), PhD, FACS, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, McGill University; Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Sherbrooke University; Medical Director, Cornea Laser and Lasik MD
Coauthor(s): Andrea James, MA, Director of HairFacts.com, Deep Stealth Productions, Inc
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Jul 2, 2009

Introduction

The laser hair-removal systems currently used are relatively new; therefore, long-term results have not been reported. However, many reports about the efficacy of these systems have recently been published.

Success is typically reported in terms of permanent hair elimination or in terms of marked delay in its growth. Most investigators have assessed patients with light skin types (ie, Fitzpatrick skin types I-III), but recent groups have studied newer lasers for Fitzpatrick skin types IV-VI.

History of the Procedure

Goldman et al first described ruby-laser injury to pigmented hair follicles in 1963.¹ In 1983, Oshiro and Maruyama noted hair loss from nevi after treatment with a ruby laser.² However, at fluences affecting hair follicles, the epidermis was severely damaged.

The theory of selective photothermolysis that Anderson and Parrish developed in 1983 was based on a laser of particular wavelength and a pulse duration of light to target a particular chromophore.³ By applying this theory, the target can be destroyed selectively, sparing the surrounding tissue.

Use of a topical suspension of carbon particles followed by treatment with a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser was the first laser treatment for hair removal the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved. This initial method reportedly delayed regrowth by 3 months, but it did not provide permanent hair reduction.

In 1996, Grossman and associates, who used a normal-mode ruby laser, reported the first application of Anderson and Parrish's theory for hair removal.⁴ In 1998, Dierickx and associates published their report of a 2-year follow-up study demonstrating long-term, permanent hair removal with this laser.⁵

Hair-removing lasers and light sources

Since then, the market has been flooded with numerous hair-removing lasers and light sources.

Initial laser systems, such as the Q-switched Nd:YAG (1064 nm, Soft Light system; Thermolase Corp, San Diego, CA), used a suspension of carbon mineral oil to penetrate the hair follicle and to act as an energy-absorbing chromophore.

An optically filtered xenon flashlamp (Epi Light, ESC Luxar; Energy Systems Corp, Needham, MA) uses filters to select operating wavelengths of light at a cutoff of 690 nm, allowing light above this wavelength to pass through to affect hair.

The long-pulse ruby laser (EpiLaser 694 nm, Palomar Technologies, Lexington, MA; EpiTouch, Sharplan Laser, Allendale, NJ) uses the principle of selective thermolysis in which melanin acts as the target chromophore.

The long-pulse alexandrite laser (PhotoGenica LPIR 755 nm; Cynosure Inc, Chelmsford, MA) is based on the principle of thermokinetic selectivity and targets melanin in the hair follicle. In this way, the epidermis is allowed to cool efficiently while the melanin in the hair follicle is heated.

Coherent Medical (Santa Clara, CA) and Palomar (Lexington, MA) have introduced the LightSheer, a diode laser operating at 800 nm that has pulse durations of as long as 30 ms. This technology minimizes the size of the laser by replacing the laser tube in place of solid-state diode circuitry.

Lasers available or once available

The following is a list of lasers available at the time of this writing. Most technical improvements in devices have been incremental in terms of improving efficacy and reducing side effects. Some new models combine light- and heat-based methods by using radio-frequency (RF) energy; these are based on the theory that the heated areas can be further heated without causing damage to surrounding skin.

New devices are frequently introduced, and old models may be discontinued but still available as after market products. Check with the manufacturers for latest information.

Currently manufactured models of lasers are the following (by brand name - type of laser - manufacturer):

• Acclaim 7000 - Nd:YAG - Cynosure
• Apex 800 - Diode - IRIDEX
• Apogee 5500 - Alexandrite - Cynosure
• Apogee 6200 - Alexandrite – Cynosure
• Apogee 9300 - Alexandrite – Cynosure
• Apogee Elite – Alexandrite/Nd:YAG – Cynosure
• Aurora – Intense pulsed light (IPL)/RF - Syneron
• Comet – Diode/RF - Syneron
• CoolGlide CV - Nd:YAG – Altus/Cutera
• CoolGlide Xeo - Nd:YAG – Altus/Cutera
• CoolGlide Vantage - Nd:YAG – Altus/Cutera
• CoolGlide Excel - Nd:YAG – Altus/Cutera
• Cynergy PL - IPL - Cynosure
• DeLight - Flashlamp - Radiancy
• Dualis XP – Nd:YAG - Fotona
• EpiLight - IPL – ESC/Lumenis (This device is actually a flashlamp and not a true laser for hair removal.)
• EpiStar DS series - Diode - Nidek
• EsteLux - IPL – Palomar
• Fidelis XP – Nd:YAG - Fotona
• Galaxy – IPL/RF - Syneron
• Gemini - Nd:YAG - Laserscope
• GentleLASE - Alexandrite – Candela
• GentleYAG – Nd:YAG – Candela
• LightSheer (SC, EC, XC, SP, EP) - Diode - Coherent Star/Lumenis
• Lyra-i - Nd:YAG - Laserscope
• LPL - IPL - Lambda Scientifica
• Lumenis One - IPL/Nd:YAG - Lumenis
• MediLux - IPL - Palomar
• MeDioStar XT - Diode - Asclepion-Meditec
• NaturalLase 1064 - Nd:YAG - Focus Medical
• NaturalLase LP - Nd:YAG - Focus Medical
• NeoLux - IPL - Palomar
• PhotoGenica LPIR - Alexandrite – Cynosure
• PhotoLight - IPL - Cynosure
• PhotoSilk Plus - IPL – Cynosure
• Pitanga – IPL/RF - Syneron
• RubyStar+ - Ruby - Asclepion-Meditec
• SkinStation - IPL - Radiancy
• SmartEpil II - Nd:YAG - Cynosure
• SoftLight - Nd:YAG – ThermoLase/Danish Dermatologic Development
• Solis - IPL - Laserscope
• SpaTouch - IPL – Radiancy
• SpaTouch Pro - IPL - Radiancy
• StarLight - Diode - Star Medical/Coherent
• StarLux - IPL - Palomar
• VascuLight Plus - IPL/Nd:YAG – ESC/Lumenis
• VEGA - Nd:YAG - Lambda Scientifica

Discontinued models include the following:

• Athos - Nd:YAG - Cosmos
• Chromos 694 - Ruby - Mehl/Biophile
• Depilase - Nd:YAG - Depilase
• Depilase - Diode - Depilase
• E2000 - Ruby - Palomar
• Ellipse – IPL - Danish Dermatologic Development
• EpiLaser - Ruby – Palomar
• EpiPulse - Ruby - ESC
• EpiTouch - Alexandrite – ESC/Lumenis
• EpiTouch - Ruby – ESC/Lumenis
• IPL Quantum HR - Flashlamp – ESC/Lumenis
• LaseAway - Alexandrite - Silver Creek Medical
• LaseAway - Ruby - Polytec PI/Lambda
• Lorad - Nd:YAG - Focus Medical
• MedLite - Nd:YAG - Continuum
• MLT R694 - Ruby - MLT International
• MultiLight - PhotoDerm - Flashlamp – ESC
• PhotoDerm - Flashlamp - ESC
• SLP 1000 - Diode – Palomar
• SmoothLASE - Alexandrite – Leisegang/Cooper

Home-use lasers and IPL devices

Several low-power devices have been marketed directly to consumers as home-use epilators. Although some have companies followed regulatory procedures and though their devices are available by prescription, most are not capable of even epilation. Patients should be discouraged from purchasing and using home-use lasers unless the FDA has approved the device for use as epilators. Physicians should ascertain whether patients presenting with adverse effects were using one of these devices instead of medical-grade lasers.⁶

Problem

Unwanted pigmented hair is a common cosmetic problem for both men and women.

Frequency

About 4% of young, healthy randomly selected white women feel disfigured by their facial hair. The percentage is even higher in people of color and increases with age. This percentage does not reflect the vast number of patients who have unwanted hair in other areas, and it does not account for the huge number of men who feel disfigured by unwanted hair (eg, on the ears and back).

Etiology

Excessive hair growth affects the healthy population, but it also severely affects patients with hormonal disturbances, such as polycystic ovary disease, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, hirsutism, hypertrichosis, and congenital hairy nevi.

Excessive hair growth has been implicated in the pathogenesis of pilonidal disease and in the unfavorable outcome of some reconstructive flaps.

Pathophysiology

Hirsutism is characterized by the excessive growth of coarse terminal hairs in women in a pattern similar to that of adult men. Given the subjectiveness of this perception, especially in different racial groups, Ferriman and Galway developed a scoring scale. Nine body areas are used to grade hair growth on a scale of 0-4. The scores for the 9 body parts are added, and a total score of 8 or more defines hirsutism. On the basis of this scale, 5% of women in the United States have hirsutism.

Hyperandrogenism (ie, increased plasma androgen levels) is sometimes the cause. This condition may be related to adrenal causes (eg, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, androgen-producing tumors), pituitary causes (eg, Cushing disease), ovarian causes (eg, polycystic ovary disease, ovarian tumors), or exogenous causes (eg, anabolic steroids, testosterone).

Idiopathic hirsutism is likely caused by subtle forms of ovarian or adrenal hypersecretion, alterations in serum androgen-binding proteins or androgen metabolism, or (most likely) excessive genetic sensitivity of hair follicles to normal androgen levels.

Presentation

Patients typically have a history of either excessive hair growth or hair growth in undesired body locations. For men, these areas are often the shoulders, back, and ears. For women, these areas are often the face, breasts, legs, and lower abdomen.

Take a complete history, including menstrual, pregnancy, and family histories. Discuss the degree of past, recent, and potential future sun exposure.

Perform a full external physical examination. If a hormonal problem is suspected, consider referring the patient to an endocrinologist or a gynecologist.

Indications

The indication for hair removal is mostly subjective. A desire for hair removal is the only criterion for laser surgery.

Relevant Anatomy

Each hair has 3 distinct components: the bulb, which lies near the insertion of the erector pili, the isthmus, and the infundibulum.

Pluripotential cells in the bulb and bulge areas cause growth of the hair follicle. Melanocytes are present in these areas. For most people, the bulb is approximately 4 mm beneath the surface of the skin (deeper in some individuals). Therefore, a considerable laser-penetration depth is required to remove the bulb.

Hair grows in cycles. Anagen is the active growth phase, catagen is the transition phase, and telogen is the resting phase. The duration of the anagen phase governs the length of hair at different body sites. Lasers are truly effective in only the anagen phase, when hair-matrix cells divide rapidly and migrate outward from the shaft and when the melanin load is at its highest. During the catagen phase, mitosis ceases, the hair matrix regresses, the papilla retracts to a place near the bulge, and capillary nourishment diminishes. In the telogen phase, the follicle detaches from the papillae and contracts to a third of its original depth, eventually falling out. The telogen phase varies in duration from one body area to the next. For example, the telogen phase may last as long as a year for hair on the leg.

The ratio of anagen follicles to telogen follicles varies with body location. Because not all of the hairs are in the anagen phase at any 1 time, laser treatment must be repeated to capture the new hairs coming into the anagen phase.

Contraindications

For the laser to be effective, the hair pigment must be darker than the surrounding skin pigment. If this is not the case, the treatment will not work, and harmful complications may occur. Early in the evolution of the procedure, patients with Fitzpatrick skin types V or VI were not candidates, and even patients with skin types III and IV were at high risk. With new technologies, most patients can now be treated, though caution must still be exercised.

Recently, Aldraibi et al looked at using topical corticosteroid treatment to help minimize the side effects when treating skin types IV-VI with an Alexandrite laser system.⁷ Their study showed that using a topical corticosteroid treatment appears to minimally help in reducing posttreatment erythema and edema and also decreases the duration of hyperpigmentation. It was felt in this study that treating skin type VI was "less safe."

Sun tanning is obviously contraindicated during or before treatment because the practice darkens the pigment of the skin surrounding the hair.

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