Laser-Assisted Hair Removal: Side Effects of Q-Switched Nd:YAG, Long-Pulsed Ruby, and Alexandrite Lasers

August 1999 in “ Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology ”

Christopher A. Nanni, Tina S. Alster

TLDR Laser hair removal is safe with the right settings, but side effects like pain and skin changes are more common in darker or tanned skin.

In a retrospective study examining 900 laser-assisted hair removal treatments over 24 months, side effects such as pain, erythema, edema, hypopigmentation, hyperpigmentation, blistering, crusting, erosions, purpura, and folliculitis were observed. The majority of these side effects occurred in patients with tanned skin or those with Fitzpatrick skin phototypes III and higher, particularly with the use of long-pulse ruby and alexandrite lasers. Seasonal variations, anatomic treatment locations, and sun exposure significantly influenced the incidence of side effects in these groups. Despite these side effects, the study concluded that laser-assisted hair removal is safe when appropriate laser treatment parameters are selected based on patient characteristics, such as skin type and sun exposure. The study found no infections, scarring, or long-term complications associated with the treatments.

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research Laser-Assisted Hair Removal: Side Effects of Q-Switched Nd:YAG, Long-Pulsed Ruby, and Alexandrite Lasers

294 citations, August 1999 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Laser hair removal is safe with the right settings, but side effects like pain and skin changes are more common in darker or tanned skin.