Nonpigmented Hair Removal Using Photodynamic Therapy
February 2016
in “
Seoul National University Open Repository (Seoul National University)
”
TLDR Photodynamic therapy can temporarily remove nonpigmented hair but is less effective than lasers for black hair.
The study explored the use of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the removal of nonpigmented hair, which traditional lasers cannot target due to the lack of chromophores in blond or white hair. Using an animal model with BALB/c mice, the research demonstrated that PDT induced a temporary catagen-like transformation in nonpigmented hair follicles, with anagen hair regenerating within 3 weeks. Histological and molecular changes were observed, including increased levels of inflammatory markers post-PDT. While PDT achieved permanent hair removal on a small portion of the mouse back after multiple sessions, it was less effective for black hair compared to an 800-nm diode laser. The findings suggested that PDT could damage the hair matrix but not the stem cells or dermal papillae, indicating its potential as a treatment option for nonpigmented hair removal.
