The removal of unwanted hair using a ruby laser

Abstract

A ruby laser has been developed to remove unwanted hair. Melanin within the hair is used as a natural chromophore. It is postulated that photothermal damage destroys the hair itself and also key cells surrounding the hair follicle to prevent regrowth. A prospective study of laser depilation in 116 patients or 175 sites was performed over a period of 18 months. All the patients had tried other methods of hair removal and found them to be unsatisfactory.Hair counts (follicles/cm2) were used to judge the outcome. The mean follow-up time was 23.25 weeks (range 12–76 weeks). After a mean number of treatments of 1.92 (range 1–20) there was a 56.4% reduction in hair density. Comparing pre- and post-treatment hair density, there was a highly significant reduction (pairedt-test:P< 0.00001).Laser removal of hair is now a realistic treatment option.