Abstract:
Background: The 800 nm diode laser and the 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser have been used successfully for hair removal for several years and are considered to be particularly suitable for hair removal in dark-skinned patients. Objective: To compare the efficacy, the tolerability, side effects and satisfaction of a diode laser with a long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser of different fluences for axillary hair removal in Thai woman. Methods: Thirty female patients received three treatments sessions performed at 4 week intervals. Each axilla was divided in half to yield four distinct areas that were treated by the following lasers: (1) three sessions with a high fluence 810 nm diode laser, (2) three sessions with a low fluence 810 nm diode laser, (3) three sessions with a long- pulse 1,064 nm neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser, and (4) rotational
treatment consisting of a single session by each of the three laser systems. Percent hair reduction, tolerability, satisfaction and side effects were evaluated after treatment.
Results: Of all 30 volunteers, 29 subjects received three treatments and attended 1-month and 3-month follow-up visits. A total of patients have skin phototypes III and IV. The mean age was 30 years. The percent hair reduction of high fluence diode laser, low fluence diode laser, long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser and rotational treatments on follow- up 1, 2,3 and 4 has increased significantly from baseline. At 4 week after the first treatment, hair reduction has increasingly on the high fluence diode, low fluence diode, Nd:YAG and rotational lasers area was 58.86%, 64.00%, 63.93% and 60.21%, respectively. At 4 week after the second treatment, hair reduction was 70.23%, 74.28%, 72.38% and 68.17%, respectively. At 4 week after the third treatment, hair reduction was 81.34%, 84.62%, 85.10% and 81.38%, respectively. And the last follow-up at 12 week
after the last treatment, hair reduction was 76.28%, 78.72%, 79.76% and 76.34%, respectively, which were all statistically significant. Immediate pain scores at the first session were 4.62, 5.07, 4.83 and 4.66 respectively, which were not statistically significant. The second session were 5.00, 3.55, 5.79 and 4.03, respectively. And the third session were 4.72, 3.97, 6.38 and 6.45, respectively, which both were statistically significant. With increasing numbers of treatments, the pain score for the diode laser decreased, while changes in pain for the Nd:YAG laser were not obvious. Side effects of both laser systems were local, mild and transient. Conclusion: Both diode laser and long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser systems are effective in the axillary hair removal treatment. Low fluence diode laser and long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser showed a statistically significant in hair reduction compared to high fluence diode laser and rotational laser treatment. Rotational laser treatment is not as effective as treatment with the diode laser or long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser alone. Low fluence diode was less painfull.