Paradoxical hypertrichosis after laser epilation

In a retrospective study conducted over a 4-year period at a single center, researchers observed that paradoxical hypertrichosis, an increase in hair growth following laser hair removal, was an infrequent side effect. Out of 489 patients who underwent treatment with a long-pulsed alexandrite laser, only 3 patients, which is approximately 0.6% of the sample, experienced this condition. The limited instances of hypertrichosis appeared to be more common in patients with darker skin, specifically those with phototype IV and black hair. However, due to the small number of affected patients, the study could not perform a statistical analysis to firmly establish the relationship between hypertrichosis and variables such as age, sex, treatment settings, or the number of treatments. The researchers concluded that while the occurrence of hypertrichosis after laser hair removal is uncommon, it is a potential risk, particularly for individuals with darker skin and black hair, and should be included in the informed consent process.