| Abstract: |
Laser surgery is one of the most rapidly advancing fields in medicine. Laser has been used in treatment of some dermatological diseases. One of the most important uses of laser in dermatology is hair removal. A variety of laser and non-laser light systems have been used for the removal of excess hair. Lasers and light sources are very attractive because of their non-invasive nature and the speed at which they operate.This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of the Q-switched Nd: Y AG laser with the application of carbon cream in hair removal.In this study, 21 female patients with idiopathic hirsutism were included, their ages ranged from 18 to 40 years. Twelve patients were skin type III and nine patients were skin type IV. Three anatomic sites were involved, cheek, chin and neck. All patients were represented with black terminal hair.All patients were subjected to three laser treatment sessions with monthly interval by Q-switched Nd:YAG laser with application of carbon cream. Topical anaesthesia was not used except in two patients. The laser parameters used in this study were 1064 nm wavelength, fluence of 3 J/cm2, repetition rate of 10Hz, pulse duration of IOns and 6 mm spot size.Follow up evaluation was done monthly after the first and the second sessions. After the third session, follow-up was done at 1,3 and 6 months.Evaluations consisted of photographic documentation and manual hair count in one centimeter diameter area fixed for each patient by using a standard template.The results of this study showed that there was a significant decrease ill the number of hair after each treatment session and during follow up of the patients. The mean percent of hair reduction was 32.4% at one month after the first treatment, 46% one month after the second treatment, 59.5% one month after the third treatment, 37.9% three months after the third treatment and 22.3% six months after the third treatment.One month after the first seSSIOn, patients with hirsutism at cheek and neck showed a significant decrease in hair count than those with hirsutism at chin. After further treatments and during follow up of the patients, there was no significant difference in hair reduction observed between the previous sites.The complications caused by the Q-switched Nd:YAG laser were mild and transient. The side effects proved to be non significant for both skin type of the patients and sites of hirsutism. Also, the Q-switched Nd:YAG laser had been noted to decrease hair size and lighten hair color in most of the patients.From this study we concluded that the Q-switched Nd:YAG laser in combination with carbon cream is a safe method for temporary hair removal. The technique is relatively painless, easy to perform and relatively quick. The Q-switched Nd:Y AG laser causes a change in the hair growth cycle (most probably prolong the resting phase) resulting in a delay in hair regrowth and temporary hair reduction. However, permanent hair removal cannot be achieved even after multiple sessions.
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