BACKGROUND: Recalcitrant scarring follicular disorders have been treated previously by removing hair follicles both surgically by scalp resection with skin grafting and with X-ray epilation. Laser-assisted hair removal may provide an alternate method of hair removal with less associated morbidity. OBJECTIVE: The goal is to determine whether laser-assisted hair removal can be used to treat follicular inflammatory disorders by destroying hair follicles. METHODS: Three patients with various scarring follicular disorders (dissecting cellulitis of the scalp, keratosis pilaris spinulosa decalvans, and pseudofolliculitis barbae) were treated with the long-pulse non-Q-switched ruby laser and followed clinically. RESULTS: The patients tolerated the treatments well without significant side effects and noted improvement of their condition along with decreased hair growth in the treated area. CONCLUSION: Laser-assisted hair removal may provide a safe, effective means of treating recalcitrant follicular disorders.
BACKGROUND: Recalcitrant scarring follicular disorders have been treated previously by removing hair follicles both surgically by scalp resection with skin grafting and with X-ray epilation. Laser-assisted hair removal may provide an alternate method of hair removal with less associated morbidity. OBJECTIVE: The goal is to determine whether laser-assisted hair removal can be used to treat follicular inflammatory disorders by destroying hair follicles. METHODS: Three patients with various scarring follicular disorders (dissecting cellulitis of the scalp, keratosis pilaris spinulosa decalvans, and pseudofolliculitis barbae) were treated with the long-pulse non-Q-switched ruby laser and followed clinically. RESULTS: The patients tolerated the treatments well without significant side effects and noted improvement of their condition along with decreased hair growth in the treated area. CONCLUSION: Laser-assisted hair removal may provide a safe, effective means of treating recalcitrant follicular disorders.
Authors: E Victor Ross; Linda M Cooke; Kristen A Overstreet; Greg D Buttolph; Mark A Blair Journal: J Natl Med Assoc Date: 2002-10 Impact factor: 1.798