Patient Satisfaction and Complications Following Laser Hair Removal in Ethnic Skin

March 2012 in “ Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology ”

Vachiramon, Tricia J. Brown, McMichael Aj

laser hair removal Nd:YAG laser Fitzpatrick skin type VI hyperpigmentation hypopigmentation blistering scarring LHR

TLDR Most patients with dark skin were satisfied with laser hair removal and had few complications.

The study evaluated patient satisfaction and complications following long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser hair removal (LHR) in individuals with dark-complexioned skin, specifically those with Fitzpatrick skin type VI. Fifty patients, comprising 41 females and 9 males aged between 21-70 years, completed a survey after undergoing LHR. The results showed a high level of satisfaction, with a mean satisfaction score of 84.2 out of 100. Patients reported a preference for LHR over other hair removal methods, and 79.3% of those who had completed six or more treatments experienced less frequent hair removal than before. Complications were minimal, with only three patients (6%) experiencing temporary hyperpigmentation lasting 3-10 days. There were no reports of hypopigmentation, blistering, or scarring. The mean recommendation score was 91.5, indicating that all participants would recommend LHR to others with unwanted hair. Overall, Nd:YAG laser-assisted hair removal was found to be highly satisfactory with minimal complications in subjects of color.

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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.