Axillary Fox-Fordyce Disease Induced By Laser Hair Removal

Abstract

Fox-Fordyce disease (FFD) is an uncommon chronic inflammatory skin disease of the apocrine sweat glands that could be considered as a rare adverse event of laser hair removal. It is postulated that laser therapy could induce damage to the follicular infundibulum, resulting in epidermal detachment and altered keratinocytes maturation which led to keratin plugging. Here, we present a case of a post-pubertal woman who developed axillary itchy lesions with clinical and histological features compatible with FFD, after a series of axillary laser hair removal treatments. The management of the condition is unsatisfying: We suggested our patient stopping epilation sessions and applying topical corticosteroids, with good response on symptoms but no significant effect on the lesions.

Hair removal laser‐induced Fox–Fordyce disease emerging on the axillary and pubic areas: Report of a case and review of literature

“…The thermal energy results in follicular infundibulum injury, dysmaturation, and, subsequently follicular obstruction. 2,5,9 So, hair removal laser may trigger FFD by follicular obstruction in susceptible patients.…”

“…A few cases of laser or light hair removal‐induced FFD were reported during the past decade 1–10 . The clinical and histopathologic features of 13 laser or light hair removal‐induced FFD are summarized in Tables 1 and 2.…”

“…Laser or light devices used in hair removal destroy the hair by targeting melanin in the hair shaft and bulb and destroying bulge stem cells. The thermal energy results in follicular infundibulum injury, dysmaturation, and, subsequently follicular obstruction 2,5,9 . So, hair removal laser may trigger FFD by follicular obstruction in susceptible patients.…”

“…1 A few cases of laser or light hair removal-induced FFD were reported during the past decade. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] The clinical and histopathologic features of 13 laser or light hair removal-induced FFD are summarized in Tables 1 and 2. All cases are women, which may reflect the more prevalent laser hair removal in women.…”