Evaluation of the ruby 694 Chromos for hair removal in various skin sites

Abstract

Lasers have been established as effective treatment for hair removal, with possible long-term suppression of hair growth in treated areas. The purpose of this study was to assess long-term hair regrowth after treatment with the ruby laser. Volunteers recruited into the 1997-99 study were divided between three treatment groups, each having left and right treatment sides. Two treatments were given on both sides at monthly intervals. A third treatment was given randomly to one side. Hair counts of the experimental sites were made at monthly intervals for 1 year. The three patient groups were: top lip (25), axillae (25) and legs (19). Long-term hair reduction was achieved in all patients. A single treatment reduced hair counts by up to 75. Three treatments had an impact for 2 additional months, but not long term. Unexpected spontaneous hair reduction was found 5 months following treatment and lasted 2 months. This ruby laser produced a persistent two-thirds reduction in hair count over 8 months of follow-up. Extension of the follow-up to 12 months did not show significant regrowth. Existing experimental data, together with the results of this study, suggest that hair shaft damage is the key feature in achieving damage to the hair-producing mechanism. The correlation of treatment success and anagen growth phase is less likely.

Photoepilation: a growing trend in laser‐assisted cosmetic dermatology

“…When comparing three treatments using the ruby laser with three treatments of either waxing or electrolysis, it was found that the laser provided a 38% to 49% hair reduction, whereas the alternatives provided no significant change 16,18 . Increasing the number of treatments appeared to correlate with a decrease in overall hair counts 16,18–21 . Most of these studies have also noted better results in patients with light skin and dark hair 13,15,16 .…”

A qualitative study to assess the effectiveness of laser epilation using a quality-of-life scoring system

“…Several investigators have attempted to objectively quantify the efficacy of laser treatment for hirsutism, e.g. by counting hairs before and after treatment 3–7 . We felt that changes in QOL as a measure of efficacy of laser treatment would be a useful adjunct to these methods.…”

6 Lasers in Facial Plastic Surgery

“…Several studies have confirmed the efficacy and safety of using long-pulsed ruby-based systems for the temporary removal of hair and long-term hair reduction. 65,67,68,69 The long-pulsed alexandrite laser (755 nm) is also strongly absorbed by melanin. It also achieves selective heating of the hair follicles and adequate tissue penetration, resulting in effective hair reduction, 70 although a high incidence of nonpermanent posttreatment pigmentary changes has been reported.…”