Hair induction after laser-assisted hair removal and its treatment

BackgroundLaser hair removal is a relatively safe procedure with limited side effects. Hair induction has been previously scarcely reported.ObjectiveWe sought to report the incidence of this strange side effect in a large number of patients treated for hair removal and to follow its course and treatment.MethodsWe conducted retrospective analysis of the files of all patients who underwent laser hair removal during the time period from May 1998 until May 2005 in a private institution in Athens, Greece.ResultsHair induction occurs predominantly on the face and neck of female patients of Mediterranean ancestry with darker skin types. The percentage is quite low (4.5%). Laser treatment of the induced hair reduces the problem.LimitationsNo control groups could be obtained in this study. Furthermore, the natural course of hair induction could not be studied because it was always treated or patients were lost to follow-up.ConclusionsHair induction is a rare side effect of laser hair removal occurring in selected populations and body areas; however, it responds well to laser treatments.