Prospective, Comparative Evaluation of Forearm and Lower Leg Hair Removal with 808-nm Diode Laser at Different Fluences

Abstract

Background and Objectives High fluence diode lasers have emerged as the gold standard for removal of unwanted hair. Lowering the energy should result in less pain but could theoretically affect the efficacy of the therapy. The author designed this study to compare the efficacy of a low fluence 808-nm diode laser to that of a high fluence 808-nm diode laser for permanent hair removal in Korean women. Materials and Methods The author classified 26 Korean women into 2 groups. The groups received laser treatment for either the forearm or the lower leg using a low fluence HR808 prototype diode laser on one side and a high fluence laser on the other side at 1-month intervals. Hair counts and thickness were recorded by folliscope and photograph at each follow-up visit and at the 3-month follow-up after the final laser treatment. At the final visit, patients were surveyed regarding pain and satisfaction. Three plastic surgeons assessed the results by photograph. Results In the forearm group, the median reduction of hair density was 14.4% with low fluence and 19.0% with high fluence. The hair thickness reduction rate was 50% with low fluence and 65.6% with high fluence. Pain scores were 1.91 and 2.1, respectively. In the lower leg group, the median reduction of hair density was 45.9% with low fluence and 63.7% with high fluence. The hair thickness reduction rate was 57.7% with low fluence and 60.7% with high fluence. Pain scores were 2 and 2.4, respectively. Conclusion High fluence HR808 prototype diode laser can efficiently remove unwanted hair. In terms of treatment comfort, there was no significant difference compared to low fluence mode.