Home Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Device Is a Useful Tool to Decrease Hair Burden in Pilonidal Patients – A Case Series

January 2026 in “ International Journal of Surgery Case Reports ”

Somin Jo, Claire Abrajano, Bill Chiu

intense pulsed light IPL pilonidal disease laser epilation hair removal home IPL device

This case series describes four patients with pilonidal disease (PD) who used home intense pulsed light (IPL) devices for hair removal after surgical excision and initial clinic-based laser epilation. Due to the inconvenience of traveling to the clinic, these patients switched to home IPL, reporting no injuries and no recurrence of PD over a follow-up period of 1–3 years. The study suggests that home IPL is a safe and effective method to reduce hair burden and prevent PD recurrence, offering a convenient alternative to clinic-based laser treatments.

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