Best practice options for hair removal in patients with unwanted facial hair using combination therapy with laser: guidelines drawn up by an expert working group.

Hirsutism is a common disorder affecting between 5 and 15% of the population. One of the most devastating consequences of hirsutism is the presence of unwanted facial hair. Treatment of hirsutism involves a two-pronged approach: treating the underlying cause and reduction of visible hair. Laser hair removal is one of the most effective options for reducing visible hair, however, it may not be wholly effective in all patients and combination therapy may need to be considered. Pharmacological therapy is often used in combination with mechanical hair removal due to the time needed for the drug treatment to demonstrate visible results. Clinical data investigating the use of laser treatment in combination with other treatments has focused on laser with topical eflornithine. The expert working group reviews existing data and provides guidance on the use of eflornithine in combination with laser for resistant hirsutism. Copyright 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.