Facial Hair Reduction Using Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) & Alexandrite Laser

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde35 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of the IPL system 650advance handpiece with the alexandrite laser for the purposes of female facial hair reduction

This is a randomised (splitface)controlled trial, comparing the use of the Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) system 650 advance handpiece against the Alexandrite Laser for the purposes of female facial hair reduction. Previous studies have shown that the alexandrite laser is superior to IPL in achieving hair reduction. A new handpiece (Lynton, Lumina 650 advance) available for the IPL system is designed to further optimise its use in removing female facial hair (particularly those hair colours previously unresponsive to treatment). This study will compare the alexandrite laser to the IPL system using the new handpiece. This may lead to improvements in the treatment of female patients with male pattern facial hair. Female patients referred to our facial hair reduction service will be recruited to this study. 1/2 their face will be treated with IPL and 1/2 with alexandrite laser. Each participant will receive 6 full treatments at approximately 6 weekly intervals. Participants will be asked to fill in a satisfaction questionnaire and have clinical photographs taken pre treatment and at 1 and 3months post final treatment. All treatments will be carried out in our dedicated laser suite at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Hirsutism

Interventions

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)DEVICE

Half Face Treated with IPL

Alexandrite LaserDEVICE

Half face treated with Alexandrite Laser

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 16 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Female Patients * Minimum age 16years old * Fitzpatrick skin types I-III * Significant facial hair. Exclusion Criteria: * Fitzpatrick skin types IV-VI * Age less than 16years old * Males * No visible facial hair growth * Use of electrolysis or depilatory creams 6weeks prior to treatment * Active acnes * Current coldsore * Previous facial hair removal with laser or IPL in past 12 months * Sun tanned skin

Locations (1)

Canniesburn Plastic Surgery Unit, Glasgow Royal Infirmary

Glasgow, United Kingdom

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in total Hair Count measurement at 1month post final treatment from baseline

Pre Treatment hair count assessed using videomicroscopy as baseline. Post final treatment hair counts will be measured again at 1month to assess if there has been a reduction in total hair count from pre-treatment

Time frame: Baseline and 1 month

Change in total hair count at 3months post final treatment from baseline

Pre Treatment hair count assessed using videomicroscopy as baseline. Post final treatment hair counts will be measured again at 3months to assess if there has been a reduction in total hair count from pre-treatment

Time frame: Baseline and 3months post final treatment

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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