Presidential Greeting - American Society for Laser Medicine and ...

UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA; Skin and Laser Center
of Northern California, Sacramento, CA
Background: The long-pulsed diode (800–810 nm) laser is one of
the most commonly used and effective lasers for hair removal.
Limitations of currently available devices include a small
treatment spot size, treatment-associated pain and the need for
skin cooling. Here, we evaluate the hair reduction capabilities of a
long-pulsed diode laser with a large spot size and vacuum assisted
suction.
Study: A prospective, self-controlled, single center study of
axillary hair removal consisting of 35 subjects. The study
consisted of three treatments using a long-pulsed diode laser with
a large spot size and vacuum assisted suction at 4- to 6-week
intervals, followed by a single follow-up visit 6 months after the
last treatment. Hair reduction was quantified using macro hair
count photographs taken at baseline, prior to each treatment and
at the 6-month follow-up visit. The level of treatment-associated
pain, treatment time and adverse events were additional study
endpoints.
Results: There was statistically significant hair reduction
at 6-month follow-up for 33/35 patients. Ninety-one percent of
subjects demonstrating hair reduction had hair clearance
greater than 25%. Seventy percent of these subjects showed
clearance that is equal to or greater than 50% and nine percent
showed 75–100% clearance. The majority of subjects
reported feeling up to moderate pain during treatment without
the use of pre-treatment anesthesia or skin cooling. There was
one adverse event in the study unrelated to the treatment
protocol.
Conclusion: A long-pulsed diode laser device with a large spot
size and vacuum-assisted suction is safe and effective for the
removal of unwanted hair. Compared to other commercially
available long-pulsed diode devices, treatments are faster to
perform and less likely to be painful.
#110
American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery Abstracts 35
SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF A HAND-HELD DIODE
LASER FOR UPPER LIP HAIR REMOVAL
Brian Biesman, Whitney Morris
Nashville Centre for Laser and Facial Surgery, Nashville, TN
Background: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of high powered
lasers for permanent hair reduction is well recognized. Hand-held
diode lasers are known to be safe and effective at achieving
permanent hair reduction in certain anatomic region but not in
the upper lip. The goal of this study was to establish the safety and
efficacy of a hand-held diode laser for permanent hair reduction on
the upper lip.
Study: Fifty women (Fitzpatrick skin type II–IV) with unwanted
hair in the upper lip area underwent eight self-treatments at 3week
intervals using a hand-held, battery powered diode laser
(810 nm). The energy density for treatment ranged from 7 to 20 J/
cm 2 as chosen by the subject based on comfort. Subjects were
followed for 12 months after last treatment. Hair counts and
digital photographic analysis of the width and color of the hair
were performed at baseline, 1 month and 12 months after last
treatment.
Results: Of 50 subjects enrolled, 43 attended the 1-month followup
visit and 38 completed the 12-month follow-up visit.
Treatments were tolerated well; the only side effect was transient
erythema. Reduction in dark terminal hair was statistically
significant compared to baseline and was > 50% at 1-month
follow-up and > 30% at 12-month follow-up. A significant
percentage of hairs present 12 months after the final treatment
were thinner and lighter than those present at baseline.
Conclusion: Self-treatment with the diode laser has a good safety
profile and is an effective method for permanent hair reduction in
women with dark terminal hair in the upper lip.
#111
BILATERAL AXILLA HAIR REMOVAL
COMPARING A SINGLE WAVELENGTH
ALEXANDRITE LASER WITH COMBINED
MULTIPLEXED ALEXANDRITE AND ND:YAG
LASER TREATMENT FROM A SINGLE LASER
PLATFORM
Eric Bernstein
University of Pennsylvania, Ardmore, PA
Background: The 1,064 nm Nd:YAG has been shown to be
effective in removing dark hair in darker skin types but can less
effective at treating fine or lighter hair. The 755 nm alexandrite
wavelength has been shown to be clinically effective for almost all
hair types but is safest for lighter skin types. These two treatment
modalities were compared for effectiveness and safety in a
bilateral comparison of axillary hair removal.
Study: Twenty-two Caucasian females with Fitzpatrick skin
types II–V were enrolled in this IRB-approved study. Subjects
underwent four treatments at 4- to 6-week intervals. One axilla
was treated with the alexandrite laser, while the other received
treatment with multiplexed Nd:YAG/alexandrite laser. A
mathematical model was used to estimate the necessary energy
needed for equivalent follicle heating between the two treatment
modalities. A 15 mm spot size was used delivering fluences up to
32 J/cm 2 . Digital photographs were taken by canfield Scientific
following the 3rd treatment visit, as well as 2 months and 6
months following the final treatment.
Results: Clearance rates as measured by blinded hair counts
averaged 67–74% 4 weeks following the second treatment, 67–
77% at 2 months following the four treatment, and 78–85% at 6
months after the 4th treatment.
Conclusion: Both the alexandrite laser and the multiplexed
alexandrite/Nd:YAG laser modes were safe and effective for the
removal of unwanted axilla hair. The multiplexed mode achieved
equivalent clearance to the alexandrite single wavelength mode.
#112
A SPLIT AXILLA COMPARISON STUDY OF
AXILLARY HAIR REMOVAL WITH LOW FLUENCE
HIGH REPETITION RATE 810 NM DIODE LASER
VERSUS HIGH FLUENCE LOW REPETITION RATE
1,064 NM ND:YAG LASER
Rungsima Wanitphakdeedecha,
Kanchalit Thanomkitti, Sasima Eimpunth,
Woraphong Manuskiatti
Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
Background: Laser hair removal has emerged as the gold
standard to remove unwanted hair; however, it is associated with
pain and side effects, especially when treating patients with
darker skin tone. A novel low fluence high repetition rate 810 nm
diode laser using multiple passes in constant motion technique
has been recently introduced as the other option of hair removal
with less discomfort and fewer side effects when compared to
traditional laser hair removal. The objectives of this study were to