Darryl Shaw Hodson, MD, LTC
Laser and intense pulse light procedures, once limited to physician offices and operating rooms, have become increasingly available at a variety of nonmedical sites such as spas. State regulations as to whom can perform these treatments varies greatly across the United States and, thus, in some states, the operators of these devices do not have any significant additional medical or laser knowledge more so than the patients who receive treatment. Although serious complications of laser treatments occur, they are rare when the procedure is performed correctly. Currently, there are 2 light devices approved by the Food and Drug Administration for home hair removal on the U.S. market, and several other companies are expected to release products in the near future. There are two home laser devices marketed for hair loss. As these light-based devices become smaller, safer, easier to use, as well as cheaper to manufacture, direct use by patients will increase. Results from home use devices are impressive but still inferior to office-based lasers and light devices. It is likely that home lasers and intense pulsed light devices will eventually receive other indications because many of these devices use wavelengths similar to currently available office based equipment.
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