Comparison of long-pulsed alexandrite and Nd:YAG lasers, individually and in combination, for leg hair reduction: an assessor-blinded, randomized trial with 18 months of follow-up

PubMed Reference:Davoudi SM, Behnia F, Gorouhi F, et al. Arch Dermatol. 2008 Oct.

Study Details:

  • 20 individuals aged 16 to 50 years with skin phototypes III and IV
  • Legs received a total of 4 treatments at 8-week intervals with 1 of the 4 following treatment procedures:
    1. Long-pulsed 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser (12-mm spot size)
    2. Long-pulsed 755-nm alexandrite laser (12-mm spot size)
    3. Long-pulsed 755-nm alexandrite laser (18-mm spot size)
    4. Combination of long-pulsed 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser and long-pulsed 755-nm alexandrite laser (treatments 1 and 2)
  • Hair counts with digital photography by 2 blinded assessors at 8 and 18 months after the last treatment session.

Study Results:

  • Significant hair reduction for all groups (analysis of variance, P>0.05): 75.9% hair reduction for the 12-mm spot size alexandrite laser; 84.3% for the 18-mm spot size alexandrite laser; 73.6% for the Nd:YAG laser; 77.8% for the combination therapy
  • Maximum hair reduction efficacy with alexandrite laser
  • Combination therapy did not have any additional benefit and caused more adverse effects.