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NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN LASER ASSISTED HAIR REMOVAL
ORLANDO, FL (March 1, 1998) -- Unwanted body hair concerns both men and women. Regardless of the cause, millions of Americans remove unwanted hair daily, by a variety of temporary hair removal strategies that include shaving, waxing, chemical depilatories and tweezing. Electrolysis provides a permanent, but often tedious and slow alternative solution for hair removal.
Speaking today at the American Academy of DermatologyÃs 57th Annual Meeting, Melanie C. Grossman, MD, a dermatologist in private practice in New York, discussed new laser technologies that are emerging in the treatment of unwanted body hair. "Recent improvements in the understanding of laser skin interactions and advances in laser technology have afforded the development of several laser-assisted hair removal strategies. Coupled with our existing knowledge, this gives way to new and exciting possibilities into future testing and research development."
Lasers enable the treatment of large surface areas in a short time span allowing treatment of an entire back, leg or chest in one treatment session. While in many cases results are excellent compared to existing alternatives, it is easier to induce a growth delay, than to induce permanent hair removal. Success varies depending upon the individual and the location of the hair on the body.
Currently, FDA approved methods of hair removal include: the Long Pulsed Ruby Laser; the Q-Switched Nd:YAG Laser in combination with a carbon
Grossman suspension; Long Pulsed Alexandrite Laser; Diode Laser, and the Non-Coherent light source.
The Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser works in combination with a topical suspension which is carbon-based. Hair is removed from the skin surface by shaving the day before treatment. The day of treatment, the carbon suspension is applied and low energy laser pulses are delivered to the treatment area which directs the carbon into the hair follicles. Higher fluence pulses are then delivered to the skin surface and targets the carbon-filled follicles. Areas of treatment include the face, trunk and extremities. Various body sites and individuals respond differently.
The Long Pulsed Alexandrite is another FDA approved method which is used to treat the trunk, the extremities and the face. Hair-bearing areas must be shaved prior to treatment. In addition, a non-coherent broad spectrum light source is also used to treat areas shaved prior to treatment. A cooling gel is applied to the surface of the skin and then laser light pulses are delivered.
The newest FDA cleared method is the Laser Diode. Under investigation are several additional sources for the treatment of hair removal: a Long Pulsed YAG Laser; and a light therapy which utilizes a topical drug Amino Levulonic Acid, (ALA) which targets hair follicles for destruction using a red light source known as Photodynamic Therapy.
"With the development of new treatments underway and the refining of existing technologies, the dermatological advancement of hair removal is successfully moving forward, " Dr.Grossman concluded.
The American Academy of Dermatology is the worldÃs largest organization of dermatologists with over 10,000 members.
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