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Laser and photoepilation for unwanted hair growthHaedersdal M, Gøtzsche PC
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SummaryUnwanted hair removal by laser systems and intense pulsed light sourcesUnwanted hair growth is a challenge and considerable resources are spent to achieve a hair-free appearance. Hair removal with laser devices (alexandrite, diode, neodymium:YAG, and ruby lasers) and intense pulsed light are widespread methods for hair removal although the long-term effect is uncertain. Eleven randomised controlled trials were included in the review, none of which were of high quality. A large number of trials were excluded, mainly because of their non-randomised designs. There appeared to be a short-term effect of approximately 50% hair reduction with alexandrite and diode lasers up to six months after treatment, whereas there was little evidence for an effect with intense pulsed light, neodymium:YAG or ruby lasers. Long-term hair removal was not recorded for any treatment. Infrequently reported adverse effects were pain, skin redness, swelling, burned hairs and pigmentary changes.
This is a Cochrane review abstract and plain language summary, prepared and maintained by The Cochrane Collaboration, currently published in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2010 Issue 1, Copyright © 2010 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.. The full text of the review is available in The Cochrane Library (ISSN 1464-780X).
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October 18. 2006 AbstractBackgroundUnwanted hair growth is a therapeutic challenge and considerable resources are spent to achieve a hair-free appearance. Epilation with laser devices (alexandrite, diode, neodymium:YAG, and ruby lasers) and intense pulsed light are commonly used although the long-term effect is uncertain. ObjectivesTo assess the effects of epilation with lasers and light sources. Search strategyWe searched the Cochrane Skin Group's Specialised Register in February 2004; MEDLINE (from 1966) and EMBASE (from 1980) in April 2005. We searched reference lists of collected trials and contacted trial authors. Selection criteriaRandomised controlled trials of laser or photoepilation. Data collection and analysisPrimary outcomes were objective reduction in hair counts, adverse effects and subjective reduction in hairiness. Secondary outcomes were participants´ satisfaction and personal observations such as softer, finer, or paler hairs. Two authors independently extracted data and assessed trial quality. Main resultsWe included eleven randomised controlled trials involving 444 people, none of which were of high methodological quality. A large number of trials were excluded, mainly because of their non-randomised design. The randomisation procedures were either unclear or inadequate, using coin tossing, alternation, drawing lots or cards, or open tables of random numbers. The interventions and outcomes were too heterogeneous to be entered in a meta-analysis. Most trials examined a short-term effect up to six months after final treatment. There appeared to be a short-term effect of approximately 50% hair reduction with alexandrite and diode lasers up to six months after treatment, whereas little evidence was obtained for an effect of intense pulsed light, neodymium:YAG or ruby lasers. Long-term hair removal was not documented with any treatment. Pain, skin redness, swelling, burned hairs and pigmentary changes were infrequently reported adverse effects. Authors' conclusionsSome treatments lead to temporary short-term hair removal. High quality research is needed on the effect of laser and photoepilation. |