Efficacy of 810 nm diode laser in hair reduction in Indian subpopulation using a novel Gabor filter-based detection software and hair algorithm

BACKGROUND

Diode laser (810 nm) is frequently employed for hair reduction. There are few studies determining the efficacy in Indian population.

OBJECTIVES

Assessment of efficacy and safety of 810 nm diode laser in facial/axillary hair reduction and objective assessment of the improvement with dermoscopy, photographs, and novel Gabor filter-based hair detection algorithm.

METHODOLOGY

This hospital-based study included 40 adult women with 108 treatment sites over 5.4 sessions (range 4-8). Evaluation of treatment areas (hair texture, density) was done using modified Ferriman-Galwey scoring. Photography and dermoscopic images were taken before each session and 6 weeks after the last. Immediate and delayed adverse reactions were noted. Assessment of efficacy was done by patient, principal, and blinded investigator using Global Aesthetic Improvement scale (GAIS) and hair detection algorithm (evaluating characteristics of dermoscopic hair).

RESULTS

The fluences ranged from 16 to 29 Joules/cm² with pulse width of 30 ms. Upper lip (n = 29, 26.9%) and chin (n = 25, 22.1%) were commonly treated areas. Improvement in hair texture and density (reduction in uniformly distributed, terminal hair from 37.1% to 13.9%) was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). Excellent improvement of 75-100% (GAIS) was noted by principal and blinded investigator in 24.1% and 33.3% total sites, respectively. The median improvement, calculated by the algorithm, was 60% for side locks, 53.9% for axilla, 24.1% for upper lip, and 14.9% for chin. Axilla and upper lip were sites associated with maximum discomfort. Epidermolysis and paradoxical hypertrichosis were seen in five patients each.

CONCLUSION

The 810 nm diode laser is safe and effective in the reduction of dark, coarse terminal hairs in Fitzpatrick skin types III-V. Inter-observer variation and investigator bias in the assessment of efficacy can be successfully overcome by using the algorithm.

The results of the diode laser hair reduction treatments after the IPL hair reduction treatments

Introduction: Lasers and IPL action are similarly based on the selective photo thermolysis principle, where the melanin acts as chromatophore. There are, however, fundamental differences in the way they are built and in the light they emit.The goal of this paper is to compare the results of epilation treatments by a laser and by an IPL and to rate the effectiveness of a diode laser epilation following a non-coherent light therapy.Methods: 45 healthy females, 21-23 years old, skin type II-III took part in the study.805 nm diode laser and the IPL device with a wavelength of 640-1200 nm, was used. The informed consent for participation and treatment was obtained during a consultation. The participants were randomly divided into three groups of 15: I - one IPL treatment was followed by three diode laser treatments, II - two IPL treatments followed by three diode laser treatments, III- three IPL treatments followed by three diode laser treatments.Results: A percentage average of hair loss among patients treated with a diode laser as a control group is higher which indicates the laser's higher effectiveness.Conclusion: The IPL has been shown to negatively impact the effectiveness of a diode laser. This is linked with the way non-coherent light weakens and thins the hair that impedes the absorption of laser light by the melanin and adversely affects the treatment results.

Diode Laser 805 Hair Removal Side Effects in Groups of Various Ethnicities - Cohort Study Results

Introduction: As hair removal has become most popular in aesthetics, the management of its side effects is crucial for every practitioner. Available studies describe the effectiveness of the diode laser hair removal for all skin types according to the Fitzpatrick scale independently, but the question of the occurrence of side effects and adverse effects remains unanswered. This study aims to illustrate aspects of side effects for patients of various ethnicities and the impact of those on the effectiveness of the treatment. Methods: The research was carried out in Poland and the United Kingdom from March 2016 to March 2019. 217 people of various ethnic origins were qualified for the study, 206 sessions were completed and statistical analysis was performed. The procedure was performed in the pubic area with diode lasers with a wavelength of 805 nm, minimum peak power of 2100 W and pulse duration between 15 and 400 ms. ET sapphire cooling assisted handle 9 x 9 mm large and pulse energy density between 10 and 100 J/cm² were used for all treatments. In addition, in order to illustrate the effectiveness of treatments, the subjective and objective analyses of hair loss percentages were indicated. In statistical analysis, the chi-square test for independence was used to evaluate the correlation between the type and severity of side effects and the ethnic origin of patients, the number of treatments, the Fitzpatrick scale and the level of satisfaction. Results: The occurrence of sensitivity depended statistically significantly (PP=0.002) on ethnicity. Ethnicity had no significant effect on the occurrence of erythema. The occurrence of hyperpigmentation statistically significantly depended (P<0.001) on ethnicity. The occurrence of burns depended statistically significantly (P=0.001) on ethnicity. The number of treatments had a significant (P P=0.012) effect on the severity of side effects occurrence. Among participants who had 6 treatments, only half had side effects, including multiple effects occurring in 9.79% of cases. The occurrence of side effects such as sensitivity and hyperpigmentation did not depend on the number of treatments. However, the number of treatments had a significant impact on the incidence of erythema (P<0.001) and burns (P=0.005). More than half of the respondents (58.33%) had erythema after more than six procedures, whereas in the 6 treatments the erythema occurred only in 6.7% of cases. Conclusion: The treatment with the use of diode lasers for all subjects with different ethnicity and thus the recognized scale according to Fitzpatrick is effective and safe. The occurring side effects are transient and do not impact the effect of the whole therapy.

Aspects of Diode Laser (805 nm) Hair Removal Safety in a Mixed-Race Group of Patients

Introduction: Laser hair removal (LHR) has become one of the most popular treatments in aesthetics. Side effects are an inevitable part of laser therapy, therefore managing them is crucial for every laser practitioner to ensure patients' safety along with achieving the best results. The available references describe the effectiveness of the diode LHR for all skin types according to the Fitzpatrick scale, but the question of patient safety and minimization of side effects and postoperative complications in mixed-race patients remains unanswered. This study aims to illustrate aspects of specific side effects in patients of mixed ethnicity and the impact of those effects on the results of the treatment. Methods: The study was conducted in Poland and the United Kingdom on 216 patients of various ethnic backgrounds. This study analyses the frequency of side effects in a mixed-race group of 32 participants, taking into account their skin type according to the Fitzpatrick scale. The patients received a course of 6 treatments using diode laser 805 nm. An objective and a subjective method were used to analyse treatment results and side effects, with adverse effects documented, if observed. Treatment settings were adjusted to skin reaction during the patch test. Results: Objective analysis was different from the subjective analysis of the treatment's effectiveness. No adverse effects were observed. Side effects such as hyperpigmentation, skin irritation, skin burns, and skin hypersensitivity were found. Conclusion: 805 nm diode laser is effective and efficient at hair removal in mixed-race patients. It is a safe treatment in terms of skin reaction as only short-term side effects were observed in the treated area and no adverse effects were noted. To achieve the best results and to avoid adverse effects it is necessary to adjust treatment settings according to the individual patient's skin reaction.