Comparison of hair reduction with three lasers and light sources: prospective, blinded and controlled study.

OBJECTIVE

The main goal of this study was to compare the hair removal efficacy of three methods: intense pulsed light (IPL), a combination of IPL and radio frequency (RF) and diode laser (810 nm).

METHODS

Forty participants were treated within three standardized squares on lateral sites on their legs. Each of these squares was treated twice with an interval of 4-6 weeks. The fourth square was left as a control. A blinded physician counted the hairs in each square before the first treatment and 8 months after the second treatment. Immediate and delayed side effects as well as pain scores were recorded.

RESULTS

The mean hair count reduction achieved by the diode laser, IPL and IPL+RF was 49.90%, 39.16% and 47.15%, respectively. This study did not show any serious side effects and the number of side effects was minimal. The mean pain scores for the first and second treatments by diode laser, IPL and IPL+RF were 4.65 and 4.58, 2.43 and 2.53, and 3.95 and 4.03, respectively. At the end of the study, a free hair removal treatment for both legs was chosen by patients in the proportion 20 diode laser, 10 IPL and eight IPL+RF.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of RF and optical energies proved its safety and efficacy for hair removal, which is comparable with diode lasers and approximately 20% more efficient than 'pure' IPL.