The Effect of Different Spot Sizes on the Efficacy of Hair Removal Using a Long-Pulsed Diode Laser |
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| Authors: | Wolfgang Bä umler,PhD,,Kathrin Scherer,MD,,Christoph Abels,MD,,Sabine Neff,MD,,Michael Landthaler,MD,, Rolf-Markus Szeimies,MD |
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| Affiliation: | Department of Dermatology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany. baeumler.wolfgang@klinik.uni-regensburg.de |
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| Abstract: | BACKGROUND: In the last years several lasers have proven their efficacy for hair removal. However, little is known about the efficacy of varying the spot size with those lasers. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term efficacy of hair removal using a diode laser with different spot sizes. METHODS: A long-pulsed diode laser (2 x 60 msec) was used. The spot size was 8 mm, 12 mm, or 14 mm. Twenty consenting volunteers were treated three times at regular intervals of 3 weeks. The ratio of the number of hairs in the treated area to an adjacent area left untreated (control) was referred to as regrowth. RESULTS: One month after laser treatment, regrowth was 23% (8 mm), 12% (12 mm), and 13% (14 mm). After 3 months regrowth was 67% (8 mm), 54% (12 mm), and 55% (14 mm). Fifteen months after treatment 4 of 16 volunteers had a regrowth rate of less than 25%. CONCLUSION: The results provide evidence for an effective and long-lasting growth delay of hairs using the long-pulsed diode laser. The use of large spot sizes improved the growth delay of hairs measured 1 month after treatment. |
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