Laser Hair Removal: Comparison of Long-Pulsed Nd:YAG, Long-Pulsed Alexandrite, and Long-Pulsed Diode Lasers

Laser Hair Removal: Comparison of Long-Pulsed Nd:YAG, Long-Pulsed Alexandrite, and Long-Pulsed Diode Lasers
April 2004
To cite this article: Navid Bouzari MD, Hossein Tabatabai MD, Zahra Abbasi MD, Alireza Firooz MD, Yahya Dowlati MD, PHD (2004)
Laser Hair Removal: Comparison of Long-Pulsed Nd:YAG, Long-Pulsed Alexandrite, and Long-Pulsed Diode Lasers
Dermatologic Surgery 30 (4), 498Ò502.
doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2004.30163.x
Blackwell Synergy

Navid Bouzari, MD**Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, and , Hossein Tabatabai, MD**Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, and Mehregan Skin Laser Center, Tehran, Iran, Zahra Abbasi, MDMehregan Skin Laser Center, Tehran, Iran, Alireza Firooz, MD**Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, and , and Yahya Dowlati, MD, PHD*

*Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, and *Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, and Mehregan Skin Laser Center, Tehran, Iran

Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Navid Bouzari, MD, 1175 NE Miami Gardens Dr. 708E, NMB, FL 33179.
N. BOUZARI, MD, H. TABATABAI, MD, Z. ABBASI, MD, A. FIROOZ, MD, AND Y. DOWLATI, MD, PHD HAVE INDICATED NO SIGNIFICANT INTEREST WITH COMMERCIAL SUPPORTERS.

Abstract
Background. Advances in laser technology over the past several years have led to the development of numerous lasers for the treatment of unwanted hair. Laser wavelength is a key factor influencing treatment efficacy and complication rates.

Objective. To compare the efficacy and safety of laser hair removal using three different laser systems.

Methods. A retrospective study of 805 consecutive laser-assisted hair removal treatments, conducted on 75 patients by means of either a long-pulsed Nd:YAG, a long-pulsed alexandrite, or a long-pulsed diode laser is reported. All patients were evaluated at least 3 months after the last treatment, and their present conditions were compared with the 1st-day photographs.

Results. The mean hair reduction was 42.4%, 65.6%, and 46.9% in Nd:YAG, alexandrite, and diode lasers, respectively. When the number of treatment sessions was taken into account, the efficacy of alexandrite and diode lasers was not significantly different, whereas both systems were more efficacious than Nd:YAG. Neither of the laser systems showed better results for a particular skin type. The occurrence of side effects was not significantly different between three laser systems.

Conclusion. Both long-pulsed alexandrite and long-pulsed diode laser systems are effective in the treatment of unwanted hair, and they are more efficacious than Nd:YAG laser.

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