Background: Several studies on hair removal with intense pulsed light (IPL) and various laser sources have been done, but adequate data on long-term follow up are scarce. The present uncontrolled prospective pilot study evaluated safety and long-term efficacy of variable pulsed light (VPL) on hair removal in the face for medical and/or cosmetic indications.
Study design/material and methods: The VPL system (Energist Ltd, UK) was used for the treatment of hypertrichosis in the face, mainly hirsutism, in 77 female volunteers. The minimum follow-up time after the last treatment was 9 months (mean: 12.74 +/- 2.87 months).
Results: Over 50% of hair clearance was observed in 68 (88.3%) of all cases. Erythema and leucotrichia were the most often associated side-effects encountered. Transient pigmentary changes were not reported.
Conclusion: The VPL System presents as a relatively efficient and safe treatment alternative for long-term removal of unwanted hair. It seems to be particularly effective in fair-skinned patients with dark hair (skin types II-III-IV). Adverse effects were minimal and transient and, in no patient, significant enough to interrupt treatment.