Effectiveness of short-pulse width Nd:YAG in laser hair reduction.

Abstract

Laser hair reduction (LHR) is a safe and effective way of reducing unwanted hairs over body. Long-pulse Nd:YAG laser has over the years, been proven to be particularly safe and effective in darker skin types. While conventionally, long-pulse Nd:YAG laser has been used, recently short-pulse width Nd:YAG laser of 0.6-1.6ms which is 10-50 times less than the standard method (long-pulse) of Nd:YAG LHR, has become available. To study the effectiveness of short-pulse width Nd:YAG laser in LHR in Indian patients. This was a prospective observational study conducted over a period of 1year. Fifty female patients with fitzpatrick skin type 3-5 were included. Patients underwent four sessions of LHR, with an interval of 6weeks and then follow up was done for 6months after the last session. The mean age of patient was 29.92years ranging from 17 to 48years. After finishing four sessions of LHR procedure 58%, 34%, 6%, and 2% of the patients showed excellent, good, moderate, and poor improvement respectively. No complications were seen during the treatment and after follow-up. Statistical analysis by paired t test showed the results to be statistically significant. Hair reduction using unique short-pulse width Nd:YAG laser is easy to use, safe, and effective in Indian skin.