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Intense pulsed light photoepilation in hirsute women: the role of obesity

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Abstract

Intense pulsed light (IPL) has shown diverse results in hair clearance related to treatment protocols or skin phototype. Hirsutism may be due to endocrine disease, as in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), both of which conditions may be associated with obesity. Obesity complicates the metabolic pattern, particularly in terms of insulin resistance, which may worsen the clinical condition of hirsutism. This study evaluated the role of obesity in photoepilation, comparing the clinical efficacy, long-term hair reduction and patient satisfaction in 40 hirsute women with PCOS or CAH, either obese (n = 20) or of normal weight (n = 20). The IPL settings were the same for both groups, but the number of sessions varied according to the clinical results. Obese patients showed a statistically significant severity of initial hirsutism if compared to the non-obese population and, for this reason, required more sessions to achieve hair reduction. The results were maintained at the 2-year follow-up examination, with a high satisfaction rate in both groups.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Plastic Surgery Unit, 2nd Medical Faculty, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy

    Francesca R. Grippaudo & Matteo Angelini

  2. Physiopathology Department, 2nd Medical Faculty, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy

    Maria Rosaria Chiossi & Vincenzo Toscano

  3. Via Ciro Menotti 5, 00195, Rome, Italy

    Francesca R. Grippaudo

Authors
  1. Francesca R. Grippaudo
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  2. Matteo Angelini
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  3. Maria Rosaria Chiossi
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  4. Vincenzo Toscano
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Correspondence to Francesca R. Grippaudo.

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Grippaudo, F.R., Angelini, M., Chiossi, M.R. et al. Intense pulsed light photoepilation in hirsute women: the role of obesity. Lasers Med Sci 24, 415–418 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-008-0583-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-008-0583-x

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