Utilization of Alexandrite Laser for Hair Removal in Pediatric Auricular Reconstruction

Abstract

Auricular reconstruction with autologous rib cartilage involves using a soft tissue envelope to cover the cartilage framework. In patients with a low hairline, hair-bearing skin may be incorporated on the reconstructed ear, creating a difficult and conspicuous aesthetic problem. A retrospective chart review was conducted to summarize and share the experience of using the Candela GentleMax Pro 755-nm alexandrite laser system (Candela Corp) in children following auricular reconstruction. Nine patients received laser hair removal via the alexandrite laser system with good results. The number of completed sessions ranged from 1 to 5. The procedures were completed without the need for premedication or procedural sedation. Laser hair removal with an alexandrite laser system was safe, fast, and effective. With multistage auricular reconstruction, it was feasible to incorporate laser hair removal between the stages.

Long‐pulsed neodymium‐doped yttrium aluminum garnet for hair reduction in pediatric microtia repair

“…Nd:YAG is considered more painful compared to other lasers. 10 Although 11/12 of our patients tolerated the laser with topical lidocaine and ice, one did require general anesthesia. It is possible that those who did not return for additional sessions did so due to pain, though patients did not disclose this specifically.…”

“…Two other studies have described the use of LP Nd:YAG in a total of three patients, all of whom were adults. [7][8][9][10][11][12] LP Nd:YAG is often used for epilation of darker skin to minimize the risk of side effects. Given melanin's limited absorption of light at 1064 nm, there is less epidermal absorption and subsequent dyschromia.…”

“…11 Although this longer wavelength is not thought to significantly decrease laser efficacy compared to other modalities, our cohort had a higher average and range of sessions than other studies with alexandrite and IPL treatments in microtia reconstruction. 7,9,10 This may relate to our initially conservative fluences, hair color and thickness, or the age of our patients (hair thickness may increase and color may darken during adolescence). It is difficult to know whether patients 1, 4, and 6, who received fewer treatments, had satisfactory outcomes or were lost to follow-up for other reasons.…”

“…6 Few studies have investigated laser hair removal in the setting of microtia reconstruction. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12] We present the largest case series of long-pulsed neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (LP Nd:YAG) laser for hair reduction as part of the surgical reconstruction for microtia.…”

Utilization of intense pulsed light for hair removal in pediatric auricular reconstruction using tissue expander: A retrospective cohort study

“…In our practice, the therapeutic parameters for fluency in the expander group were 13 to 14 J/cm 2 , while 14 to 15 J/cm 2 were used in the non-expander group, which was lower than that in other reports using the Alexandrite Laser System. [13,17] The Fitzpatrick type of our patients was II to III; low energy settings were used for dark skin (Fitzpatrick type III) and high settings for light skin (Fitzpatrick type II), and it was adjusted according to the skin reaction during the treatment. Nevertheless, basically, the fluence in the expander group does not exceed 16 J/cm 2 for safety considerations.…”