Laser hair removal with alexandrite versus diode laser using four treatment sessions: 1-year results

PubMed Reference:Eremia S, Li C, Newman N. Dermatol Surg. 2001 Nov.

Study Details:

  • 15 females (18-35 years old) with skin type I-V
  • Each axilla was split into 2 halves and treated on superior/inferior area:
    • 755nm alexandrite (3 msec pulses,12 mm round spot size, cryogen cooling device) at maximum tolerated fluence up to 40J/cm2
    • 800nm diode laser (9 mm square spot size and built in sapphire window contact cooling device) at maximum tolerated fluence up to 40J/cm2
  • 4 treatment sessions at 4 to 6-week intervals
  • Hair counts at 3, 6, and 12 months after the final treatment.

Study Results:

  • Mean hair reduction of 85% for alexandrite 755 nm, 12 mm
  • Mean hair reduction of 84% for diode 800 nm, 9 mm
  • Superior cooling device with alexandrite system allowed all patients, regardless of skin type, to tolerate the same maximum fluence with both lasers
  • Sapphire cooling system with diode laser significantly more operator dependent than the cryogen spray device in the alexandrite system
  • There were no complications.