What else than eyes need special protectors during laser hair reduction sessions?

Abstract

Complications of laser hair reduction should be classified not only to skin and ocular complications but to skin, ocular, and scalp hair complications. Do not forget the plumes. Awareness about laser dangers is very critical. In this way, able to progress the security of both patients and laser providers. Does Nd: YAG cause more bad effect than Alexandrite on scalp hair melanin of laser providers and why? The study aimed at detecting the effect of cumulative exposure to scattered beam during laser hair reduction on the laser providers which may cause unexpected scalp hair melanin affection. The study included 150 female subjects: One hundred medical personnel engaged in laser-assisted hair reduction procedure; half of them were wearing head cover (hijab) and 50 female subjects not dealing with hair reduction laser systems (half of them were wearing hijab). Two laser devices were used: Alexandrite laser (GentleLase PRO® 755 nm, Candela Corp., Wayland, MA, USA) and neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet (Nd: YAG) (Synchro HP 1064 nm, Deka M.E.L.A s.r.l., Calenzano (FI), Italy) laser. A significant higher number of grey hairs in medical personnel (P < 0.001) was evident at the initial examination and at each follow-up visit thereafter. The number of grey hairs at initial assessment, after 6 months and after 1 year, was significantly higher in medical personnel dealing with Nd: YAG laser than those using long-pulsed Alexanderite laser (P < 0.001 each). A noteworthy positive correlation was found between working years, grey hair number at the start of study, and the progression (excess) in number of grey hairs after 1 year regardless of the laser system used. It seems that scalp hair pigment needs specific protection as does the eye pigment. Greater attention should be paid to possible long-term hazards particularly on service providers.