A novel 1060 nm diode laser system is safe and effective for hair removal and long-term hair reduction in all skin types including darkly pigmented individuals, according to research in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine (LSM).

Sixteen patients who were treated with the chilled sapphire tip (LightSheer Infinity 1060 nm ChillTip ET) showed a mean 68 percent, 82 percent, and 76 percent skin type-independent hair reduction in axillae, shin, and arm, respectively, at 6-month follow-up visit as compared to baseline. Treatment with the large spot size vacuum-assisted handpiece (LightSheer Infinity 1060 nm High Speed) was most effective in axillae and calves, with a 77.9 percent and 78.5 percent hair count reduction, respectively, at the 6-month follow-up visit. Pain was minimal, and common post procedural responses included mild to moderate erythema and/or edema.

“Large-spot lasers with suction can provide comfortable hair removal in darker skinned patients,” concludes study author E. Victor Ross, MD, CAPT MC, USN (ret), director of the Laser and Cosmetic Dermatology Center at Scripps Clinic in San Diego.

The study was selected as Editor’s Choice in the November 2018 issue of LSM.