Photo-Epilation with
the EpiLight Hair Removal System:
Multi-case Study
Harvey Jay, M.D. (Private Practice, New
York, N.Y.)
INTRODUCTION
The current methods, such as electrolysis, waxing, depilatories or laser procedures,
available to the millions of men and women seeking to remove unwanted hair are often
painful and time consuming. The new EpiLight hair removal system (ESC Medical Systems) is
an intense light energy system, which offers a superior alternative to current hair
removal systems with less maintenance and discomfort and rare adverse effects. The
EpiLight device provides a broad wavelength spectrum of 590 nm to 1200 nm and an energy
fluence from 30 to 65 J/cmq to overcome the limitations in laser systems and to penetrate
deeply enough to the target melanin with sufficient energy to damage hair follicles
without harming surrounding skin tissue. These flexible parameters allow the physician to
customize the treatment to the particular body area, specific hair color and exact skin
type of the patient. In particular. the device's large spot size 8x35 (2.8 cmq) or 10x45
mm (5.6 cmq) covers a greater area with each pulse and decreases the overall treatment
time.
In this study, six patients were treated with the EpiLight device by Dr. Jay to remove
unwanted hair trom various parts of the body (see Table 1).
METHODS
Six patients were treated with the EpiLight device by Dr. Jay to remove unwanted hair from
various parts of the body (for parameters and location of hair removal see Table 1). The
treatment area was prepared by clipping the hair to a length of about 1 mm. No waxing or
application of a messy, black carbon tar solution was necessary with the EpiLight device.
A transparent cooling gel was then applied to the treatment site to aid in skin cooling
during the pulse sequence and to improve coupling of the light to the skin. No local
anesthesia was administered due to the minimal discomfort produced with this treatment
method.
RESULTS
The treatment of the six patients represented a wide variety of treatment characteristics.
The flexibility of the EpiLight device allowed Dr. Jay to customize the treatment
parameters to the various skin types and treatment sites. Darker skin type (type IV),
represented by patient 5, is often challenging to treat successfully. In addition, laser
resistant areas (patient 1) and large treatment sites (patient 1) were succesfully treated
with the EpiLight instrument. Follow up sessions revealed that the six patients had been
successfully treated with the EpiLight device. The clearance ranged from 64% to 95% and in
the case of patient 2, 80% clearance was observed sixteen months after the initial
treatment session. This study suggests that the EpiLight device is a proficient tool for
easier hair removal and possibly long-term epilation. |
Fig.1: 36 year-old male with hair on chest and shoulder.
Patient had 2 unsuccesful treatments with the Softlight device prior to treatment with
Epilight.
Fig. 2: after 6 treatment over the course of 5 months.
Fig. 3: 63 years old female with hair on
the tight. Patient likes to play tennis, but before treatment, she was embarrassed to wear
shorts while playing.
Fig. 4: One year after 1st treatment of entire area. Patient feels comfortable wearing
shorts after treatment.
Fig. 5: 16 months after 1st treatment of entire area. Partial areas were treated during
successive treatment sessions.
Fig. 6: 19 year old female with hair on the abdomen.
Before treatment.
Fig. 7: 2 months after 3 treatments within 1 year.
Fig. 8: 25 year old female with hair on the axilla. Before
treatment. Fig. 9: after 2 treatments.
Fig. 10: 25 years old female patient with hair on chin,
neck and jaw. Before treatment, patient was so embarrassed by her conditions that she had
not worked in several years.
Fig. 11: after 3 treatments. Patient has found work and now feels comfortable appearing in
public.
Fig. 12: 27 years old female with hair in bikini line.
Before treatment. Fig.13: 6 weeks after 4 treatments.
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