BACKGROUND: Various lasers have been developed for epilation of unwanted hair. Effective hair removal in the Turkish population can be difficult, and multiple treatments are usually required for effective treatment. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy profile of a long-pulsed alexandrite laser for hair removal in the Turkish population with Fitzpatrick skin types II-V exclusively and to determine the benefit of multiple treatments. METHODS: Retrospective clinical evaluation conducted from September 2005 to May 2008 at a referral private clinic. Pre-laser skin testing was performed starting at 16 J/cm(2) and the energy fluence was selected according to response. All subjects were followed for 6 months after their final treatment. RESULTS: A total of 2359 patients are reported (264 men and 2095 women) ranging in age from 14 to 70 years, for a total of 3830 treatment sites. The majority of treatment sites were axillae (24.2%) followed by the bikini line (16.8%). Maximum reductions observed were 95% for axillae, 92% for the bikini line, 86% for breast, respectively. The patients had a mean 80.6% hair reduction. Complications occurred in only 2.2% of cases. Transient hyperpigmentation (0.7%), folliculitis (0.5%), transient hypopigmentation (0.5%), and blistering (0.4%) were commonly seen complications. No subjects had scarring or long-term pigmentary changes. CONCLUSION: The long-pulsed alexandrite laser is safe for hair removal in darker skin tones. Although Turkish skin can be effectively treated with a cooled, long-pulsed alexandrite laser, complications do occur.
BACKGROUND: Various lasers have been developed for epilation of unwanted hair. Effective hair removal in the Turkish population can be difficult, and multiple treatments are usually required for effective treatment. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy profile of a long-pulsed alexandrite laser for hair removal in the Turkish population with Fitzpatrick skin types II-V exclusively and to determine the benefit of multiple treatments. METHODS: Retrospective clinical evaluation conducted from September 2005 to May 2008 at a referral private clinic. Pre-laser skin testing was performed starting at 16 J/cm(2) and the energy fluence was selected according to response. All subjects were followed for 6 months after their final treatment. RESULTS: A total of 2359 patients are reported (264 men and 2095 women) ranging in age from 14 to 70 years, for a total of 3830 treatment sites. The majority of treatment sites were axillae (24.2%) followed by the bikini line (16.8%). Maximum reductions observed were 95% for axillae, 92% for the bikini line, 86% for breast, respectively. The patients had a mean 80.6% hair reduction. Complications occurred in only 2.2% of cases. Transient hyperpigmentation (0.7%), folliculitis (0.5%), transient hypopigmentation (0.5%), and blistering (0.4%) were commonly seen complications. No subjects had scarring or long-term pigmentary changes. CONCLUSION: The long-pulsed alexandrite laser is safe for hair removal in darker skin tones. Although Turkish skin can be effectively treated with a cooled, long-pulsed alexandrite laser, complications do occur.
Authors: Steven Paul Nistico; Ester Del Duca; Francesca Farnetani; Stefania Guida; Giovanni Pellacani; Ali Rajabi-Estarabadi; Keyvan Nouri Journal: Lasers Med Sci Date: 2018-04-13 Impact factor: 3.161