Laser Hair Reduction And Removal

The document from May 2011 provides an overview of laser hair reduction and removal, a procedure that was highly popular and generated significant revenue in 2009. It explains that unwanted hair growth can be due to hirsutism or hypertrichosis and may be associated with hormonal imbalances. Laser hair removal, effective for permanent to semi-permanent hair reduction, works on the principle of selective photothermolysis and is most effective for individuals with dark hair and light skin. The document also outlines contraindications and precautions for laser treatments, the importance of patient history, and the need for multiple sessions. Various laser types and their effectiveness are discussed, as well as the emergence of home treatments and future techniques like photodynamic therapy. A pilot study mentioned in the document reported a 40% mean hair loss in 12 subjects after a single treatment with light and ALA, and another study showed up to 48% hair removal with ALA pretreatment. The document concludes that while laser hair removal is effective, especially for dark hair, there is still a need for treatments that target nonpigmented or vellus hairs.