Are Two Lasers Better than One? No, Says a New Study
Researchers have found that using two types of lasers in combination to remove unwanted leg hair offers no additional benefits and may lead to more adverse effects that using either of the lasers alone.
For this single-center, randomized trial, which was published in the Archives of Dermatology, researchers compared the long-pulsed Nd:YAG and alexandrite lasers, individually and in combination. It’s the first study to examine the effect of combining these two lasers in a single treatment session, rather than sequentially.
Twenty people, aged 16 to 50, were enrolled in the trial. The medial and lateral sides of each participant’s legs were randomly assigned to receive one of these four laser treatments:
• A long-pulsed 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser (12-millimeter spot size)
• A long-pulsed 755-nanometer alexandrite laser (12-millimeter spot size)
• A long-pulsed 755-nm alexandrite laser (18-millimeter spot size)
• A combination of both lasers
Identified areas were treated for a total of 4 sessions at 8-week intervals. Fifteen participants finished the trial. (One dropped out due to adverse side effects; the other four were lost to follow-up.). The mean hair reduction (based on hair counting with digital photography) 18 months after the final treatment session was the following:
• 75.9% for the 12-millilmeter spot size alexandrite laser
• 84.3% for the 18-millimeter spot size alexandrite laser
• 73.6% for the Nd:YAG laser
• 77.8% for the combination therapy
The incidence of adverse effects (hyperpigmentation) and severe pain were most likely to occur in areas that received combination therapy. “After 18 months of follow-up, alexandrite and Nd:YAG lasers were efficacious for leg hair removal,” concluded the study’s authors. “Combination therapy did not have any additional benefit and caused more adverse effects.”
Source: Davoudi SM, Behnia F, Gorouhi F, et al. Comparison of long-pulsed alexandrite and Nd:YAG lasers, individually and in combination, for leg hair reduction. Arch Dermatol. 2008;144:1323-1327.
For this single-center, randomized trial, which was published in the Archives of Dermatology, researchers compared the long-pulsed Nd:YAG and alexandrite lasers, individually and in combination. It’s the first study to examine the effect of combining these two lasers in a single treatment session, rather than sequentially.
Twenty people, aged 16 to 50, were enrolled in the trial. The medial and lateral sides of each participant’s legs were randomly assigned to receive one of these four laser treatments:
• A long-pulsed 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser (12-millimeter spot size)
• A long-pulsed 755-nanometer alexandrite laser (12-millimeter spot size)
• A long-pulsed 755-nm alexandrite laser (18-millimeter spot size)
• A combination of both lasers
Identified areas were treated for a total of 4 sessions at 8-week intervals. Fifteen participants finished the trial. (One dropped out due to adverse side effects; the other four were lost to follow-up.). The mean hair reduction (based on hair counting with digital photography) 18 months after the final treatment session was the following:
• 75.9% for the 12-millilmeter spot size alexandrite laser
• 84.3% for the 18-millimeter spot size alexandrite laser
• 73.6% for the Nd:YAG laser
• 77.8% for the combination therapy
The incidence of adverse effects (hyperpigmentation) and severe pain were most likely to occur in areas that received combination therapy. “After 18 months of follow-up, alexandrite and Nd:YAG lasers were efficacious for leg hair removal,” concluded the study’s authors. “Combination therapy did not have any additional benefit and caused more adverse effects.”
Source: Davoudi SM, Behnia F, Gorouhi F, et al. Comparison of long-pulsed alexandrite and Nd:YAG lasers, individually and in combination, for leg hair reduction. Arch Dermatol. 2008;144:1323-1327.
posted by DrHr at 12:29 PM
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