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To improve patient care and outcomes, leading dermatologists from the Cutis Editorial Board answered 5 questions on laser hair removal. Here’s what we found.
Do you perform laser hair removal in your practice?
More than half (58%) of dermatologists perform laser hair removal, while 12% have a PA/NP or aesthetician who performs this procedure on patients. Almost one-third (31%) of respondents do not perform laser hair removal.
Expert Commentary
Provided by Shari R. Lipner, MD, PhD (New York, New York)
Lasers are an important part of dermatology residency training and not a formal part of any other residency program. Therefore, dermatologists are best equipped to treat patients who are interested in removing unwanted hair safely and effectively. Dermatologists should advocate use of both a mask and a vacuum when performing these procedures to protect patients, themselves, residents, and staff from the resulting plume.
Next page: Incidence of treatment
Has the number of patients getting laser hair removal changed over the last 5 years?
Fewer patients are getting laser hair removal now vs 5 years ago, according to half of dermatologists; 42% reported that roughly the same number of patients are getting it done. Only 8% reported that more patients are getting laser hair removal.
Expert Commentary
Provided by Shari R. Lipner, MD, PhD (New York, New York)
Unfortunately, many patients often undergo hair laser treatments at spas by practitioners with limited laser training with sometimes adverse effects, including burns and scars. Therefore, we have a duty to educate our patients about laser safety and encourage them to seek treatment from a board-certified dermatologist.
Next page: Treatment areas
What area do you treat most often in women?
What area do you treat most often in men?
The majority of dermatologists (64%) treat the face most often in women, followed by the bikini area and legs (18% each). In men, half (52%) of dermatologists treat the back most often in men, followed by the neck (43%) and chest (5%).
Expert Commentary
Provided by Shari R. Lipner, MD, PhD (New York, New York)
Before undergoing laser hair procedures, patients should be counseled that multiple treatments are often necessary, with the goal being reduction in hair density. Some hairs may still remain even after sufficient treatments. Some patients may be more comfortable with a topical numbing agent.
Next page: Lasers for darker skin types
What laser or device do you prefer to use for darker skin types?
Most dermatologists (79%) prefer to use the Nd:YAG 1064-nm laser for laser hair removal in darker skin types; 11% each prefer intense pulsed light or the alexandrite 755-nm laser.
Expert Commentary
Provided by Shari R. Lipner, MD, PhD (New York, New York)
The alexandrite 755-nm laser can be used safely in lighter skin types, while the Nd:YAG 1064-nm laser is preferred for darker skin types. It is also highly recommended to perform test spots in darker-skinned individuals.
Next page: More tips from derms
More Tips From Dermatologists
The dermatologists we polled had the following advice for their peers:
Laser hair removal appears to be a safe and effective adjunctive therapy for adolescent hidradenitis patients. This has greatly increased the amount of laser hair removal treatments I perform as a pediatric dermatologist over the past 5 years.—Craig Burkhart, MD, MS, MPH (Chapel Hill, North Carolina)
Curbing unrealistic expectations is essential. It isn't magic. You won't have silky smooth, hairless skin after 1 treatment, or 2, or maybe ever. Discoloration, dyspigmentation, and scarring are possible. Making all of that clear in advance—in writing—will preempt 95% of postoperative complaints and angry phone calls.—Joseph Eastern, MD (Belleville, New Jersey)
In some states, laser hair removal is performed in medical spas without any dermatologist supervision. The lasers used in laser hair removal can be very harmful if used by nonphysicians who are not supervised.—Lawrence J. Green, MD (Washington, DC)
About This Survey
The survey was fielded electronically to Cutis Editorial Board Members within the United States from January 7, 2019, to January 29, 2019. A total of 26 usable responses were received.
Georgesen C, Lipner SR. Surgical smoke: risk assessment and mitigation strategies. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018;79:746-755.
To improve patient care and outcomes, leading dermatologists from the Cutis Editorial Board answered 5 questions on laser hair removal. Here’s what we found.
Do you perform laser hair removal in your practice?
More than half (58%) of dermatologists perform laser hair removal, while 12% have a PA/NP or aesthetician who performs this procedure on patients. Almost one-third (31%) of respondents do not perform laser hair removal.
Expert Commentary
Provided by Shari R. Lipner, MD, PhD (New York, New York)
Lasers are an important part of dermatology residency training and not a formal part of any other residency program. Therefore, dermatologists are best equipped to treat patients who are interested in removing unwanted hair safely and effectively. Dermatologists should advocate use of both a mask and a vacuum when performing these procedures to protect patients, themselves, residents, and staff from the resulting plume.
Next page: Incidence of treatment
Has the number of patients getting laser hair removal changed over the last 5 years?
Fewer patients are getting laser hair removal now vs 5 years ago, according to half of dermatologists; 42% reported that roughly the same number of patients are getting it done. Only 8% reported that more patients are getting laser hair removal.
Expert Commentary
Provided by Shari R. Lipner, MD, PhD (New York, New York)
Unfortunately, many patients often undergo hair laser treatments at spas by practitioners with limited laser training with sometimes adverse effects, including burns and scars. Therefore, we have a duty to educate our patients about laser safety and encourage them to seek treatment from a board-certified dermatologist.
Next page: Treatment areas
What area do you treat most often in women?
What area do you treat most often in men?
The majority of dermatologists (64%) treat the face most often in women, followed by the bikini area and legs (18% each). In men, half (52%) of dermatologists treat the back most often in men, followed by the neck (43%) and chest (5%).
Expert Commentary
Provided by Shari R. Lipner, MD, PhD (New York, New York)
Before undergoing laser hair procedures, patients should be counseled that multiple treatments are often necessary, with the goal being reduction in hair density. Some hairs may still remain even after sufficient treatments. Some patients may be more comfortable with a topical numbing agent.
Next page: Lasers for darker skin types
What laser or device do you prefer to use for darker skin types?
Most dermatologists (79%) prefer to use the Nd:YAG 1064-nm laser for laser hair removal in darker skin types; 11% each prefer intense pulsed light or the alexandrite 755-nm laser.
Expert Commentary
Provided by Shari R. Lipner, MD, PhD (New York, New York)
The alexandrite 755-nm laser can be used safely in lighter skin types, while the Nd:YAG 1064-nm laser is preferred for darker skin types. It is also highly recommended to perform test spots in darker-skinned individuals.
Next page: More tips from derms
More Tips From Dermatologists
The dermatologists we polled had the following advice for their peers:
Laser hair removal appears to be a safe and effective adjunctive therapy for adolescent hidradenitis patients. This has greatly increased the amount of laser hair removal treatments I perform as a pediatric dermatologist over the past 5 years.—Craig Burkhart, MD, MS, MPH (Chapel Hill, North Carolina)
Curbing unrealistic expectations is essential. It isn't magic. You won't have silky smooth, hairless skin after 1 treatment, or 2, or maybe ever. Discoloration, dyspigmentation, and scarring are possible. Making all of that clear in advance—in writing—will preempt 95% of postoperative complaints and angry phone calls.—Joseph Eastern, MD (Belleville, New Jersey)
In some states, laser hair removal is performed in medical spas without any dermatologist supervision. The lasers used in laser hair removal can be very harmful if used by nonphysicians who are not supervised.—Lawrence J. Green, MD (Washington, DC)
About This Survey
The survey was fielded electronically to Cutis Editorial Board Members within the United States from January 7, 2019, to January 29, 2019. A total of 26 usable responses were received.
To improve patient care and outcomes, leading dermatologists from the Cutis Editorial Board answered 5 questions on laser hair removal. Here’s what we found.
Do you perform laser hair removal in your practice?
More than half (58%) of dermatologists perform laser hair removal, while 12% have a PA/NP or aesthetician who performs this procedure on patients. Almost one-third (31%) of respondents do not perform laser hair removal.
Expert Commentary
Provided by Shari R. Lipner, MD, PhD (New York, New York)
Lasers are an important part of dermatology residency training and not a formal part of any other residency program. Therefore, dermatologists are best equipped to treat patients who are interested in removing unwanted hair safely and effectively. Dermatologists should advocate use of both a mask and a vacuum when performing these procedures to protect patients, themselves, residents, and staff from the resulting plume.
Next page: Incidence of treatment
Has the number of patients getting laser hair removal changed over the last 5 years?
Fewer patients are getting laser hair removal now vs 5 years ago, according to half of dermatologists; 42% reported that roughly the same number of patients are getting it done. Only 8% reported that more patients are getting laser hair removal.
Expert Commentary
Provided by Shari R. Lipner, MD, PhD (New York, New York)
Unfortunately, many patients often undergo hair laser treatments at spas by practitioners with limited laser training with sometimes adverse effects, including burns and scars. Therefore, we have a duty to educate our patients about laser safety and encourage them to seek treatment from a board-certified dermatologist.
Next page: Treatment areas
What area do you treat most often in women?
What area do you treat most often in men?
The majority of dermatologists (64%) treat the face most often in women, followed by the bikini area and legs (18% each). In men, half (52%) of dermatologists treat the back most often in men, followed by the neck (43%) and chest (5%).
Expert Commentary
Provided by Shari R. Lipner, MD, PhD (New York, New York)
Before undergoing laser hair procedures, patients should be counseled that multiple treatments are often necessary, with the goal being reduction in hair density. Some hairs may still remain even after sufficient treatments. Some patients may be more comfortable with a topical numbing agent.
Next page: Lasers for darker skin types
What laser or device do you prefer to use for darker skin types?
Most dermatologists (79%) prefer to use the Nd:YAG 1064-nm laser for laser hair removal in darker skin types; 11% each prefer intense pulsed light or the alexandrite 755-nm laser.
Expert Commentary
Provided by Shari R. Lipner, MD, PhD (New York, New York)
The alexandrite 755-nm laser can be used safely in lighter skin types, while the Nd:YAG 1064-nm laser is preferred for darker skin types. It is also highly recommended to perform test spots in darker-skinned individuals.
Next page: More tips from derms
More Tips From Dermatologists
The dermatologists we polled had the following advice for their peers:
Laser hair removal appears to be a safe and effective adjunctive therapy for adolescent hidradenitis patients. This has greatly increased the amount of laser hair removal treatments I perform as a pediatric dermatologist over the past 5 years.—Craig Burkhart, MD, MS, MPH (Chapel Hill, North Carolina)
Curbing unrealistic expectations is essential. It isn't magic. You won't have silky smooth, hairless skin after 1 treatment, or 2, or maybe ever. Discoloration, dyspigmentation, and scarring are possible. Making all of that clear in advance—in writing—will preempt 95% of postoperative complaints and angry phone calls.—Joseph Eastern, MD (Belleville, New Jersey)
In some states, laser hair removal is performed in medical spas without any dermatologist supervision. The lasers used in laser hair removal can be very harmful if used by nonphysicians who are not supervised.—Lawrence J. Green, MD (Washington, DC)
About This Survey
The survey was fielded electronically to Cutis Editorial Board Members within the United States from January 7, 2019, to January 29, 2019. A total of 26 usable responses were received.
Georgesen C, Lipner SR. Surgical smoke: risk assessment and mitigation strategies. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018;79:746-755.
Georgesen C, Lipner SR. Surgical smoke: risk assessment and mitigation strategies. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018;79:746-755.