A structured treatment protocol improves results with laser hair removal

BACKGROUND : As laser epilation has become a widely accepted method for hair removal, questions regarding timing and frequency of treatments have arisen. OBJECTIVE : To determine whether a structured treatment protocol for laser hair removal improves clinical results in reducing hair growth. METHODS : A group of 100 patients (Group A) underwent laser epilation with four regularly spaced treatments; a group of 100 patients (Group B) determined their own treatment plan with respect to timing and frequency (not exceeding four treatments). RESULTS : Group A experienced a 78 &#45 8% reduction in hair with four treatments per patient while Group B experienced a 48 &#45 12% reduction with an average of 2.5 &#45 0.5 treatments per patient. These differences were statistically significant ( P < 0.05). Patient satisfaction was significantly improved in Group A compared with Group B ( P < 0.05). A positive linear relationship was identified in Group B between treatment frequency and hair reduction ( r = 0.94) and between treatment frequency and patient satisfaction ( r = 0.89). CONCLUSION : This study concludes that patients who participate in a structured treatment protocol note superior clinical results following laser hair removal.