EVALUATION OF PULSED LIGHT FOR HAIR REMOVAL: CLINICAL STUDY IN MICE

The presence of excessive perioral hair in women is associated with psychological and emotional distress, and causes significant impairment of their quality of life. The aim of the present study is to show the efficacy of intense pulsed light (IPL) device in a mouse model. Thirty female, 6-8 weeks-old black-haired mice were selected. Mices were divided into five groups, each of six subjects, and were anaesthetized; the first five groups were only shaved with electric razor and waxing, while the other groups, after shaving of back, they were treated with the light of an intense pulsed light source device (590-1200 nm, spot size 20x50 mm-pulse duration 5-105 msec) (MED-LITE device, Dermal Medical, Bologna-Italy). All mices (Test group) received 12 sessions of treatment at 1 week interval. Hair counts and photographic evaluation of skin sites were made at baseline and at the last follow-up after the following time intervals: 4, 8, 12 weeks. All mices were evaluated after the following time intervals: 4, 8, 12 weeks. A statistically significant difference was present between hair reduction after treatment in control group vs. test (control vs. test) p-value = 0.08 after 4-8 and 12 weeks. We suggest that both intense pulsed light sources could reduce the hair eve