Long-pulsed Nd: YAG Laser and Intense Pulse Light-755 nm for Idiopathic Facial Hirsutism: A Comparative Study

INTRODUCTION

Hirsutism is defined as excessive terminal hair growth in a female in male pattern distribution. Perception of hirsutism is by definition subjective, and women present with a wide variation in severity.[1]

Hirsutism affects 5%–10% of unselected women, depending on the definition and ethnicity.[2] Female hirsutism is an embarrassing condition that threatens both a woman's perception of her femininity and her self-esteem.[3] Underlying causes of hirsutism may be congenital adrenal hyperplasia, polycystic ovary syndrome, ovarian and adrenal tumours, pharmacological agents, familial or it may be idiopathic.[4]

It is very important to determine the underlying causes. Although the most common causes are ethnic or hereditary, one must look to out any sign of androgen excess, such as, an increase in body hair, irregular menstrual cycles, acne, alopecia and seborrhoea.[5] Such male-pattern growth of terminal body hair usually occurs in androgen-sensitive locations, such as upper lip, chin, chest, areola, abdomen, back and femoral region.[6]

On the other hand, hypertrichosis is independent of androgen influence and is manifested, particularly by the superfluous and uniform growth of non-terminal (vellus) hairs over the body particularly in non-sexual areas.

Many temporary hair removal methods exist including shaving, tweezing, waxing, chemical depilatories and electrolysis.[7] The need for a rapid, non-invasive method has led to the development of various light sources.

Laser hair reduction (LHR) has emerged as a popular cosmetic dermatology procedure. Several types of lasers are available for hair removal along with non-laser intense pulse light (IPL) epilators. However, optimising these devices according to the skin and hair type of the patient to be effective yet safe, is a difficult task.

Lasers emitting light in the wavelength range of 600–1100 nm can effectively target the melanin in the entire portion of hair follicles.[8] Different laser systems and intense-pulsed light currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration, USA, for the reduction of hair are ruby (694 nm), alexandrite (755 nm), diode (800 nm) and long pulse Nd: YAG (1064 nm) laser and IPL (515–1200 nm) sources.[9]

LHR is a slow process which takes at least six to eight sittings and spacing between the sessions is done depending on the hair cycle of that area. The apparent cosmetic improvement may be related to reduction in number of hairs or a decrease in diameter or pigmentation. Tracking of these parameters over such long periods is tedious. Hence, a lot of confusion still exists regarding the optimum settings and the type of laser most beneficial for a given hair and skin type.

In spite of different laser systems available for LHR, no single system has been found to be safest and most effective in all skin types.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a high-energy, long-pulsed 1064-nm Nd: YAG Laser and IPL-755 in the treatment of hirsutism in Indian population.

AIM

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness and safety of long-pulsed Nd: YAG laser and IPL-755 in management of idiopathic facial hirsutism.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The study was an open-labelled randomly allocated experimental type. A total of thirty-three cases were included in the study. The inclusion criteria were hirsutism patients presenting in the outpatient department (OPD) with age more than 18 years and those who gave consent to participate in the study.

Patients having hypertrichosis, greying of hirsute hairs, associated photo-aggravated diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, keloidal tendency or taking photosensitive drugs, undergoing treatments such as chemical epilation or electrolysis or active cutaneous infections in the treatment area such as herpes labialis and bacterial folliculitis were excluded from the study.

Detailed history taking and clinical examination, hormonal and sonological evaluation was done as per relevance to the particular case. Eligible patients were randomly divided into two groups:

• Group A: Patients who received treatment with long-pulsed Nd: YAG Laser (Lumenis, Israel)

• Group B: Patients who received treatment with IPL-755 nm (Lumenis, Israel).

A skin patch test was performed at a comparatively less sun-exposed site 2–3 days before the procedure to select the parameters for treatment and safety profile of a particular patient.

Patients were asked not to take up threading, bleaching, plucking, waxing or electrolysis once the treatment was start ed.; Shaving was to be avoided 2 weeks before the session; and sunscreen to be used during the study period. Photographs were taken before starting the laser sessions each time and after every session.

RESULTS

A total thirty-three cases of idiopathic hirsutism were enrolled in the study and six sessions were performed in both group at regular interval and following results were documented after proper analysis of the cases.

Efficacy

The percentage of reduction in the hairs was evaluated separately by patient, investigator, and expert evaluator after every session of laser in each group by visual impression [Table 1].

Table 1 Percentage of improvement recorded after each session

Patients were evaluated and results were graded according to a 4-point visual scale [Table 2].

Table 2 4-point visual scale

On analysis of the data, it was found that poor response after first session in Group A was 13.33% and in Group B was 50%. After fourth session, average of excellent response in Group A was 86.67% and in Group B was 11.11% and after sixth session, average of excellent response in Group A [Figures 1 and 2] was 93.33% and in Group B [Figures 3 and 4] was 16.66%. In Group B, 83.33% showed good result. All the patients in the study group after sixth session showed >50% reduction in hair [Table 3].

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Figure 1

Response in patient treated with long-pulsed Nd:YAG (Group A)

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Figure 2

Response in patient treated with long-pulsed Nd:YAG (Group A)

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Figure 3

Response in patient treated with intense pulse light-755 (Group B)

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Figure 4

Response in patient treated with intense pulse light-755 (Group B)

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Table 3 Response recorded on basis of 4-point visual scale

Safety

Erythema [Figure 5], perifollicular oedema and hyperpigmentation [Figure 6] were the adverse effects noted. In Group A patients, erythema was seen in 26.67%, perifollicular oedema in 13.33% and hyperpigmentation in 13.33%; whereas in Group B, erythema was seen in 50% patients, perifollicular oedema in 16.67% and hyperpigmentation in 38.89% patients [Table 4]. None of the patients reported any scar or crusting.

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Figure 5

Adverse effect: Post-procedure erythema

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Figure 6

Adverse effect: Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

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Table 4 Adverse effects reported

DISCUSSION

The study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital of eastern India with thirty-three patients of idiopathic hirsutism who came to the OPD of Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy.

In a study conducted by Tanzi and Alster,[10] a mean hair reduction of 41%–46% on the face were noted after 6 months of a series of three long-pulsed Nd: YAG laser treatments. Whereas, in our study, patients treated with monthly session of long-pulsed Nd: YAG laser showed an average hair reduction of 84.67% after four sessions and 87.33% after six sessions [Table 1].

Goldberg and Silapunt et al.[11] achieved hair reduction of 26%–29% at different sites such as axilla and bikini area treated with long-pulsed Nd: YAG laser.

In a study by Noor and Paracaha,[12] maximum hair reduction was observed 1 month after the series of laser treatments, with a mean hair reduction ranging from 68% to 75%.

In our study Group B, after six sessions, 50%–75% reduction in hairs was seen in 83.33% patients [Table 1] and >75% reduction in 16.66% patients [Table 3]; however, in study by Asad et al.,[13] a mean hair density reduction >50% was achieved in 71% patients in those who have completed their five treatment sessions.

Amin and Goldberg[14] reported >50% reduction in all patients after six sessions using IPL and minimal adverse effects were noted. Feng et al.[15] showed that hair reduction by IPL was 49.9% after first session, 58.6% after two sessions, 79.3% after three sessions and 80.8% after four sessions in Chinese patients; whereas in our study, average hair reduction was 28.06% after first session, 39.72% after two sessions, 64.72% after four sessions and 71.11% after last session.

Kamal et al.[16] showed long-pulsed Nd: YAG laser and IPL-755 both are equally effective for hirsutism treatment, our study data showed that the response to long-pulsed Nd: YAG laser is far better than IPL-755.

The side effects reported in our study are minimal and in accordance with other studies using long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser.[17]

In Group A, 26.67% patients reported post-session erythema. Perifollicular oedema and hyperpigmentation were seen in 13.33% patients [Table 4]. In study by Noor and Paracaha,[12] 95% patients showed erythema, 89% patients perifollicular oedema and in 2% patients with hyper-pigmenation were seen with long-pulsed laser for hair removal.

Asad et al.[13] using IPL-755 for hirsutism reported its adverse effect as mild erythema in 80% patients, folliculitis in 13% patients and hyper-pigmention in 10% patients, whereas in our study, 50% patients showed erythema, 16.67% showed perifollicular oedema and 38.89% showed hyperpigmentation with IPL. None of the patient showed folliculitis.

The side effects reported in our study were minimal and self-limiting, none of the patients encountered side effects warranting discontinuation of treatment or leading to long-term scarring or pigmentation. Although statistically insignificant, more side effects were noted with IPL than with long-pulsed Nd: YAG laser which is compatible with the findings of other studies.[18]

CONCLUSIONS

Long-pulse Nd-YAG (1064 nm) is better than IPL-755 nm in term of efficacy and safety in treating idiopathic facial hirsutism in Indian skin. However, further study over large group of patients is required to confirm the observation.