Premium
Ruby laser treatment for hirsutism: clinical response and patient tolerance
Author(s) -
Sabine Sommer,
Catherine Render,
Robert M. Burd,
R. A. Sheehan-Dare
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2133.1998.02268.x
Subject(s) - medicine , hirsutism , erythema , surgery , hair removal , hypertrichosis , dermatology , insulin resistance , polycystic ovary , insulin
We report the results of a study of the ruby laser in normal mode for treatment of hirsutism in 43 patients with skin types I–IV. A pulse width of 950 μs, a 4 mm spot and a fluence sufficient to produce minimal whitening of the epidermis were used (mean 48 J/cm 2 ). In each patient, one site was treated once only, and a second site received four treatments at monthly intervals. After a single treatment, hair counts had reduced to a mean of 46% (median 67, reduced to 26) of the pretreatment values at 1 month, but increased to 80% (median 42) at 3 months and were 66% (median 37) at 6 months. One month after three treatments, hair counts had reduced to a mean of 29% (median 60, reduced to 15) of pretreatment values, and 3 months after four treatments at the same site, counts had increased to 44% (median 21). Patient tolerance of the treatment was good and higher fluences tended to be tolerated at consecutive visits. The first treatment was followed by mild, short‐lived erythema and swelling in 60% (25 of 42) patients. Fourteen per cent (six of 42) experienced mild blistering and 33% (14 of 42) crusting. More severe reactions were seen infrequently. These results indicate that normal mode ruby laser treatment is well tolerated. Sustained reduction in hair counts can be achieved for at least 6 months, and multiple treatments produce greater clinical effects.