Long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser and intense pulse light therapy for idiopathic facial hirsutism. A comparative study

Background Lasers including Nd:YAG and intense pulse light are increasingly being used for the treatment of facial hirsutism. Objective The purpose of the study was to compare the efficacy and safety of long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser and IPL in the treatment of idiopathic facial hirsutism. Patients and methods 100 patients of idiopathic facial hirsutism were included in the study. 50 were treated with long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser (group A) and 50 were treated with IPL (group B). The starting fluence and pulse duration were determined according to the skin type. They were treated at 4-6 weeks interval for six treatments. The two groups were compared for efficacy and safety at the end of treatment. Efficacy was graded according to a 4-point scale from excellent to poor. Results At the end of six treatments 20% of patients in group A and 30% in group B exhibited excellent i.e. 75% hair reduction whereas 58% and 62% patients in groups A and B, respectively showed fair improvement i.e. 50-75% hair reduction. The two groups did not differ in terms of side effects. Immediate perifollicular erythema and edema were immediate side effects in both groups. Transient post-inflammatory pigmentation was observed in 45% and 60% of patients in groups A and B, respectively. Conclusion Long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser and IPL both are effective and safe methods for the treatment of idiopathic facial hirsutism