Comparison of effectiveness between the diodo láser (810nm) versus intense pulsed light in photoepilation of axillary hair

Abstract

The axillary hair, which appears in women during puberty around the age of 11, often poses hygiene and aesthetic concerns. As a result, it is commonly removed. Based on this premise, a quasi-experimental study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of Diode Laser (810nm) versus Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) for axillary hair removal. In this study, a sample of 40 female patients aged between 18 and 40 years, with Fitzpatrick skin types II–IV, underwent axillary hair removal. Twenty patients were treated with the Diode Laser (810nm) at a fluence of 10 J/cm², with energy levels ranging from 6 KJ to 10 KJ per axilla. The other 20 patients received IPL hair removal with a filter of 620–1200nm, and energy levels supplied from 40 J/cm² to 50 J/cm². At the beginning and end of the protocol, characteristics such as hair thickness, pigmentation, and follicular density in the treated region were identified and compared. Patient data were recorded in clinical histories, along with photographs taken for each case after obtaining informed consent. The main results revealed that axillary hair removal after five sessions was proportionally similar with both the Diode Laser and IPL platforms. Secondary manifestations such as erythema and mild pain were observed in most cases for both treatments. Additionally, improvements in color and texture of the treated area were noted, resulting in a high level of patient satisfaction. In conclusion, both Diode Laser and IPL hair removal yield similar results with few adverse reactions, provided that the correct parameters are chosen for each individual case.