Laser systems that are commonly used for the treatment of
hirsutism include the
ruby laser (694 nm), the
diode laser (800 nm), the
alexandrite laser (755 nm) and the
Nd:YAG laser (1084 nm). The
diode laser and
alexandrite laser are considered effective in treatment of
hirsutism in dark-skinned patients. The response of hairs to these
laser systems is variable and not complete. In this study, we compared the efficacy of these two
laser systems for permanent
hair removal. This was a randomized, controlled clinical trial that was performed with women of the age range 15-45 years old. After obtaining informed consent, the samples were randomized into two groups using random allocation software. The first group was treated with
alexandrite laser alone (four sessions, two months apart). The second group was treated sequentially with
diode laser for the first two sessions and
alexandrite laser for the next two sessions. Overall, 111 patients (57 patients in the
alexandrite laser group and 54 patients in the sequential diode-
alexandrite laser group) were evaluated. There was no significant difference regarding mean of hair reduction between the two groups during the courses of treatment. Except for the first session, there was no significant difference regarding percent of patient satisfaction between the two groups (P value >0.05). Comparison between the two groups showed no significant difference one month, three months and six months after the last treatment (P value >0.05). Regarding the results of our study, there is no significant difference between sequential treatment with diode and
alexandrite lasers versus
alexandrite laser alone in the treatment of
hirsutism. We suggest that in further studies, the efficacy of sequential treatment with other
laser systems is evaluated against single treatment methods.