Clinical Evaluation of Hair Removal Using an 810 nm Diode Laser With a Novel Scanning Device

November 2016 | Volume 15 | Issue 11 | Original Article | 1330 | Copyright © November 2016


Erin Courtney RN BSN and David J. Goldberg MD JD

Skin Laser & Surgery Specialists of NY and NJ, Hackensack, NJ

Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Diode lasers are often considered as the gold standard preference for hair removal due to the deep penetration and ef- fective targeting of the hair follicle. A wide variety of diode lasers are available, which can differ in terms of their parameters (such as fluence, pulse duration, repetition rate, scanner, and cooling). OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the safety and ef cacy of hair removal with an 810 nm novel scanning diode laser, up to six months after last treatment. METHODS: A scanning 810 nm diode laser was used for axillary hair removal of 14 female patients who received 3 treatments, 4-6 weeks apart. Follow-up on hair count was conducted 3 and 6 months after last treatment and compared to baseline hair count. RESULTS: No unexpected or signi cant adverse events were recorded. An average hair count reduction of 72.8% after 3 months and 67.6% 6 months after the last treatment is demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: The examined 810 nm diode laser was proven to be safe and effective for hair removal. Results were sustained for 6 months after last treatment. Longer follow-up data are followed for further substantiation of the clinical effect. Scanning technology can provide for potentially faster and safer treatments. J Drugs Dermatol. 2016;15(11):1330-1333.

INTRODUCTION

Excessive hair growth and the growth of hair in anatomic areas that are not cosmetically desirable is a common aesthetic problem. Photo-epilation is a preferred mode for hair removal compared to the conventional methods such as waxing and needle epilation in terms of safety, clearance efficacy, time saving, and ease of use.1 The lasers available to treat unwanted hair include the ruby laser (694 nm), the alexandrite laser (755 nm), the diode laser (800– 810 nm), the Nd:YAG (neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet) laser (1064 nm), and intense pulsed light (IPL; 590–1200 nm) devices.2 Among the various photo-epilation technologies, the long pulse 810 nm diode laser has demonstrated the best results and has been preferred by patients in a comparative study.3,4Diode lasers are the most popular preference for hair removal due to the deep penetration and targeting of the hair follicle. Often referred to as the gold standard in hair removal, the diode laser 810 nm wavelength is one that is highly reliable, has high papilla absorption, and can address a wide range of skin types, including skin types V and VI.Numerous published studies evaluating long pulse 810 nm diode lasers5-8 show long-term satisfactory hair clearance with comparable results. Other studies have also evaluated the variable parameters of diode lasers. Previous research has shown that high fluence, low repetition rate diode lasers, and low fluence, high repetition rate lasers present comparable short9 and long-term hair removal results.10,11 The effect of an 810 nm diode laser with low fluence and long pulse duration, even without cooling, was examined and demonstrated to reduce pain and risks while maintaining clinical efficacy in long term hair removal.12 However, the contribution of contact cooling to the safety of hair removal, along with the ability to use high fluence for efficacy, is also well established.13 The use of a scanning mechanism in 800 nm diode laser handpiece can potentially speed up an effective hair removal treatment without the need for multiple passes.14The objective of the current clinical study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of hair removal using an 810 nm scanning diode laser. Short and medium-term follow-up results (3 and 6 months after last treatment) were assessed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Device

An 810 nm laser using a scanning handpiece (Diolaze, InMode MD Ltd., Israel) was used in this study to determine hair reduction results. The laser has an 8 mm x 50 mm sapphire crystal that emits an 810 nm wavelength through scanning of short (30 ms) or long (80 ms) series of pulses and repetition rate that can be adjusted from single to auto-repeat (1-0.5 pps). The maximum fluence is 60 J/cm2.To increase patient comfort, the laser emission zone is surrounded by a plate that offers triple cooling during treatment. Such