Single treatment response to Nd:YAG lasers and IPL

Unwanted pigmented hair is a common problem for many patients. Traditional methods of hair removal have included shaving, bleaching, plucking, waxing, use of chemical depilatories, and electrolysis. These techniques have been limited by their pain, inconvenience, and poor long-term efficacy. Only electrolysis has offered the potential for permanent hair removal. However, the technique is tedious, highly operator-dependent, and impractical for the treatment of large numbers of hairs. Recently, a number of lasers and other light sources have been developed specifically to target hair follicles. These include ruby, alexandrite, diode, and Nd:YAG lasers and an intense pulsed light source. These devices offer the potential for rapid treatment of large areas and long-lasting hair removal.

This article explains the single treatment response to long pulse Nd:YAG lasers and intense pulse light for hair removal on skin.

METHODS:

Eleven patients were recruited into the study. The area treated included the face (upper lips, chin and jaw area), axillae and legs. One half of the body was treated with the long pulse Nd:YAG laser and the other half was treated with the IPL hair removal. Degree of pain experienced during treatment, the treatment outcome and any complications were observed. Patients were reviewed at 2 weeks and 6 weeks post-treatment.

RESULTS:

Volunteers generally described pain from the IPL system as "prolonged burning sensation" but tolerable. Pain from Nd: YAG laser treatment was described as "pinprick" and more intense but tolerable. Pigmentation occurred in some volunteers after the treatment in both IPL hair removal and Nd: YAG.

CONCLUSION:

The energy of both vertical IPL hair removal machines and Nd: YAG laser machines are very high, so the volunteers have the pain feeling when making treatment, and occurred the pigmentation side effects.

Home use IPL hair removal devices can solve the 2 problems mentioned above. The energy is much lower, so the treatment is painless and safety, and most treatments have no side effects if make treatment according to the use manual strictly.