Tool to visualize and evaluate operator proficiency in laser hair-removal treatments

Angiokeratoma of Fordyce-A rare complication of laser hair removal: A case report of two patients

Key Clinical Message

This study highlights the first documented cases of angiokeratoma of Fordyce following laser hair removal (LHR) emphasizing the importance of patient selection and careful laser use. It underscores the importance of understanding LHR-associated risks, particularly for patients with darker skin. The efficacy of topical rapamycin as an alternative treatment for angiokeratomas is also discussed.

Abstract

Laser hair removal (LHR) has emerged as a widely accepted method for achieving long-term hair reduction. While generally considered safe, it is important to study the possible adverse events to optimize patient care. Here, we present a unique case report of angiokeratoma of Fordyce, a rare vascular lesion, following LHR. Two patients experienced the development of these lesions subsequent to LHR treatment sessions, characterized by a severe burning sensation during the procedure. Interestingly, both individuals exhibited varicose veins on their legs, suggesting a potential risk factor for this complication. Our findings highlight the importance of understanding the mechanisms underlying LHR-induced adverse events and the need for further research to elucidate associated risk factors and management strategies. This case report serves to enhance awareness among clinicians and emphasizes the significance of patient counseling regarding the potential side effects of LHR.

Purpura induced by laser hair removal: a case report

Background

Laser hair removal is an effective and safe method for the permanent reduction of unwanted hair. Common side effects include temporary pain, transient erythema, and perifollicular edema. Purpuric eruption is a rare adverse event.

Case presentation

To the best of our knowledge, this is the second case report of purpura induced by laser hair removal. Our patient is a 50-year-old woman of Arab origin. Her positive reaction to a laser hair removal provocation test helped in the diagnosis; her condition was managed with an orally administered corticosteroid, leading to complete resolution within 5 days.

Conclusion

Purpura induced by laser hair removal is a self-limiting and unusual side effect; physicians’ awareness of such adverse events can help them to avoid unnecessary investigations and provide guidance for better management.

A Pilot Study on the Evaluation of Physicians' Laser Delivery Performance Using a Laser Beam Detection Kit

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Many laser devices have been developed over the past decades for various skin conditions. However, variations in the technical skill of physicians for laser skin treatment delivery have not yet been evaluated. This study evaluates the differences in omission and overlap percentages during simulated laser hair removal treatments among physicians at two clinics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A laser beam detection kit was developed to record and collect laser irradiation from a diode laser device. Eight physicians (primary private clinic 4, tertiary referral hospital 4) were recruited to perform 80 trials of laser delivery simulation. The simulation process was captured in video frames by a camera built inside of the detection kit. The laser distribution map was reconstructed, and each physician's performance result was determined by a computer calculation.

RESULTS

Various assumption tests showed that each physician had different laser delivery skills. Four physicians from clinic A had an average omission rate of 13.4%, and four physicians from clinic B had an average omission rate of 19.7%. Regarding the average overlap rate of the two clinics, clinic A had a higher rate than clinic B (26.1% vs. 14.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

The study's findings confirmed the differences of the technical skills among the physicians and between the two clinics. The proposed computer-assisted evaluation of technical skill is useful for assessing physicians' performance during laser skin treatments.

Algorithm for Analyzing Thermal Images of Laser Irradiated Human Skin

Introduction: Tracking temporal changes of temperature during laser skin treatment plays an important role in improving the process of laser skin treatment itself. There are a number of methods to analyze temperature's temporal dependency during laser skin treatment; some of those methods depend on imaging the skin with thermal cameras. However, the use of thermal cameras exhibits specific problems, including the ability to track laser-skin interaction spot. This paper is dedicated to solve that problem using digital image processing program coded with Matlab. Methods: The measurements were taken for 15 native Syrian subjects of different sex, age and skin tones, the treated ailment was port wine stain. The clinical work (laser exposure) was performed in Damascus University, hospital of dermatology. The treatment was observed by thermal camera and analyzed using the proposed Matlab coded tracking system. Results: For all the subjects, the treatment laser spot was tracked and the curves of skin temperature change with time where calculated by the use of the proposed algorithm, then the active time was calculated for each subject. The algorithm proved practical and robust. Conclusion: The proposed algorithm proved to be efficient and can be used to support future researchers with capability to measure the temperature with high frame rate.

Comparison of Efficacy Between Novel Robot-Assisted Laser Hair Removal and Physician-Directed Hair Removal

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the number of laser irradiation sessions, process duration, and hair removal rate required for robot-assisted automatic versus physician-directed laser hair removal.

BACKGROUND DATA

This research group previously developed and tested an automatic laser hair removal (LHR) system to provide uniform laser treatment distribution.

METHODS

Six subjects 20-40 years of age, with skin types III-IV completed this study. A home-use LHR device with an 810 nm diode laser was used to treat equal-sized areas of both upper thighs; a random computer generator determined the use of a robot-assisted automatic LHR system or physician-directed LHR on the right or left thigh. The treatment schedule comprised five visits; subjects were photographed and shaved, and received LHR during the first through the fourth visits at 2-week intervals. The fifth visit occurred 1 month after the fourth, and only involved photography.

RESULTS

All subjects successfully completed the clinical trial with no noticeable or permanent side effects. The average hair removal rates were 49.0% (standard error of the mean [SEM]: 4.0) and 29.5% (SEM: 4.0) for robot-assisted and physician-directed LHR, respectively. The average treatment duration and number of irradiation shots were 18 min, 30 sec (SEM: 33 sec) and 260 (SEM: 5.7) for robot-assisted LHR and 3 min, 11 sec (SEM: 15 sec) and 73 (SEM: 5.9) for physician-directed LHR.

CONCLUSIONS

This clinical study successfully demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of robot-assisted LHR. The proposed novel system will benefit both patients and clinicians.