Unwanted hairs are a common problem in which different light sources were developed as the treatment of choice. Alexandrite laser, diode laser, and intense pulsed light (IPL) were clinically used for this purpose with long-term scarce comparative results. The objective of the study was to compare the clinical efficacy, complications, and long-term hair reduction of alexandrite laser, diode laser, and IPL. Clinical trials on 232 persons using diode, alexandrite, laser and IPL were conducted. The number of sessions to reach optimal result varied between 3 and 7. Then the side effects were evaluated. Six months after the last session, optimal hair reduction was observed with no significant differences between the light sources, but a hair reduction was found to be higher using the diode laser. Side effects were observed with all light sources but more frequently with diode. Our findings indicate that all three light sources tested have similar effects on hair removal and in Iranian patients, using lower wavelengths minimizes the side effects.

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Q-switched ruby laser treatment is a safe procedure for the treatment of solar lentigines even in dark-skinned individuals. Considering routine factors in addition to melanin content alone is required for minimizing side effects, especially postinflammatory hyperpigmentation in darker skin.

Traditional hair-removal techniques have included shaving, waxing, chemical depilation, and electrolysis. All of these methods result in temporary hair removal. The theory of selective photo thermolysis led to the development of a variety of different laser systems. These lasers range from the short end of spectrum, with the 694-nm ruby laser, to the middle, with the 755-nm alexandrite and 810-nm diode lasers, and to the long end with the 1,064-nm Nd:YAG laser. We made a systematic review on the clinical trials with use of various laser sources for hair removal, so all clinical trials related to hair removal lasers in 1998-2003 were considered after elimination of heterogenite sources in data store. Trial results were synthetized on the basis of kind of laser. Our study clarified that hair reduction at least 6 months after the last treatment and hair reductions were 57.5, 42.3, 54.7, and 52.8% after three sessions for diode, Nd:YAG, alexandrite and ruby, respectively. We compared the result with use of analysis of variance method (Scheffes) and double comparison with use of Student's t test. Our results clarified that diode laser is the most effective, and Nd:YAG has the least effect of hair removal.It seems that diode and alexandrite lasers are proper for hair removal, but as we need high fluence in the darker skin types and this is accompanied with higher complications, diode is advised for lighter skin, and we advised alexandrite laser for darker skin types.

Brunsting-Perry type LP has been regarded as a form of cicatrical pemphigoid. The pathogenic antigen of Brunsting-Perry type LP is not fully understood. LP of the face and neck may resemble epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) localized to the face. 1-3 This suggests that Brunsting-Perry type LP might represent a clinical variant of localized EBA because the results of the immunofluorescence study and immunoelectronmicroscopic examination are identical to those of EBA. ELISA of our patient's serum revealed that BP180 NC16a domain was positive, but BP 230 was negative. In addition, by immunoblotting the patient's serum clearly demonstrated the reactivity against the recombinant protein of BP180 NC16a domain. These immunological data suggest that BP180 NC16a domain could be regarded as a target antigen in Brunsting-Perry type LP as well as generalized bullous pemphigoid and pretibial type of LP. 4 Further accumulation of the immunological data of Brunsting-Perry type LP is needed to clarify the target antigen of this unique bullous dermatosis.LP is usually treated with topical corticosteroids. Ko and Chu 5 described that 0.03% topical tacrolimus ointment was effective for dyshidrotic type of localized bullous pemphigoid on the palms and soles. Topical application of tacrolimus has been known to be effective for facial lesions of atopic dermatitis. In our case, topical tacrolimus dissolved the skin lesion including erythema following bullous lesions on the face. Topical application of tacrolimus might locally suppress the immune reaction, which caused the clinical improvement of the lesion. LP of the face is good indication of topical tacrolimus therapy as well as atopic dermatitis.