Effectiveness and Safety of Intense Pulsed Light in the Treatment of Hirsute Women

Abstract

Background: this study focused on the use of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) technique for the treatment of hirsutism. Hirsutism results in psychological and severe cosmetic problems. IPL device is one of the most use technique for hirsutism. Similar to the laser, the basic concept of IPL technique is selective photothermolysis theory which cause thermal damaged for the stem cell in the hair bulge.

Objective: assessment the safety and efficiency of intense pulse light in the treatment of hirsutism.

Methodology: The research was carried out in private medical clinic, in Baghdad, Iraq on 40 women with hirsutism have black, brown hair and Fitzpatrick skin type scale (II to IV) with five sessions along a period of 8 months on chin site. The hirsutism degree was assessed by using "Ferriman-Gallwey scale (FGS)". Also, density, diameter and patient’s satisfaction were assessed at the baseline and after each session.

Results: Thirty patients diagnosed with hirsutism completed the study. The mean of the patients age was 30.24 ± 8.569 years (18-42) years. Hirsutism degree was significantly decreased after the end of sessions (p – value < 0.01). The density and diameter of hair was significantly decreased by 65.3% and 41.9% respectively at the end of study. Patient satisfaction significantly increased by 70% throughout the sessions. The adverse effect shows two cases of pain and one case of burning.

Conclusion: the IPL device with wavelength range from 500 nm to 1200 nm seems to be safe and effective for hirsute women with skin type (II to IV) Based on the Fitzpatrick scale and dark hair.