Efficacy of Laser Hair Removal in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of laser hair removal (LHR) as a treatment for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a chronic inflammatory skin condition. The review included 10 studies with a total of 227 patients, comprising six randomized controlled trials, two nonrandomized experimental studies, and two case series. Various laser modalities, such as long-pulsed Nd:YAG, intense pulsed light, Alexandrite, and others, were assessed. The findings consistently showed significant improvement in HS disease severity across different laser types, with minimal adverse effects like mild pain and erythema. A meta-analysis of three studies using long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser indicated a standardized mean difference in disease severity of −1.68, favoring LHR treatment. The study concludes that LHR is an effective treatment option for HS, likely due to the destruction of hair follicle units, with minimal adverse effects.