Abstract:

background.

Recalcitrant scarring follicular disorders have been treated previously by removing hair follicles both surgically by scalp resection with skin grafting and with X-ray epilation. Laser-assisted hair removal may provide an alternate method of hair removal with less associated morbidity.

objective.

The goal is to determine whether laser-assisted hair removal can be used to treat follicular inflammatory disorders by destroying hair follicles.

methods.

Three patients with various scarring follicular disorders (dissecting cellulitis of the scalp, keratosis pilaris spinulosa decalvans, and pseudofolliculitis barbae) were treated with the long-pulse non-Q-switched ruby laser and followed clinically.

results.

The patients tolerated the treatments well without significant side effects and noted improvement of their condition along with decreased hair growth in the treated area.

conclusion.

Laser-assisted hair removal may provide a safe, effective means of treating recalcitrant follicular disorders.

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Stanford University School of Medicine 2: Dermatology Department, San Francisco, California, University of California School of Medicine San Francisco, San Francisco, California *