TLDR Laser treatment can effectively reduce unwanted hair growth, particularly for people with fair skin and dark hair.
In 2020, a study titled "Laser Treatment in Hirsutism: An Update" investigated the effectiveness of laser treatment for hirsutism, a condition causing excessive hair growth in women. The study found that long-pulsed alexandrite lasers and diode lasers were effective in reducing hair growth, with a single treatment reducing hair by 10%-40% and repeated treatments reducing hair by up to 90%. However, the effectiveness varied based on individual skin type, hair color, and treatment area. The study also found that higher settings of 60 J/cm2 and 50 milliseconds and 80 J/cm2 and 50 milliseconds significantly reduced mean hair counts. Despite the promising results, the study concluded that more research was needed to optimize treatment parameters and to develop technology that provides permanent and complete hair removal for all skin and hair types.
7 citations,
May 2014 in “Iranian Red Crescent medical journal” Laser hair removal is effective for hirsutism when combined with treatment for the underlying causes.
10 citations,
January 2013 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” The home-use IPL device effectively reduced hair and delayed its regrowth after six months of use, with users happy and no negative side effects.
143 citations,
January 2013 in “Dermatologic surgery” In-office laser hair removal works well long-term, especially Nd:YAG for darker skin, but home devices need more testing.
49 citations,
September 2012 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism” The document concludes with guidance for doctors on diagnosing and treating hirsutism effectively and safely.
14 citations,
March 2012 in “Lasers in Surgery and Medicine” A low-power, fast laser safely reduces hair with minimal pain and few side effects.
11 citations,
March 2012 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Most patients with dark skin were satisfied with laser hair removal and had few complications.
134 citations,
September 2008 in “Lasers in surgery and medicine” Low fluence photoepilation temporarily removes hair by targeting the hair follicle's pigmented area without severe damage.
16 citations,
April 2020 in “Dermatology practical & conceptual” Laser treatment can effectively reduce unwanted hair growth, particularly for people with fair skin and dark hair.
1 citations,
January 2009 in “Elsevier eBooks” The chapter explains why and how women remove unwanted hair, comparing methods like shaving and waxing.
61 citations,
January 2002 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology” 46 citations,
December 2000 in “Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery” Laser and light treatments offer quick, long-lasting hair removal for large areas.
