What are the Factors that Induce Paradoxical Hypertrichosis After Laser Hair Removal?

BACKGROUND: Laser hair removal (LHR) is one of the most requested cosmetic procedures worldwide. A rare side effect is the appearance of excess hair around previously treated areas, known as paradoxical hypertrichosis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to retrospectively identify the cause of this side effect.

METHODS: This study included all patients who underwent LHR at our center between November 2018 and November 2020. Alexandrite laser (Hair Removal [HR]) or diode laser (Super Hair Removal [SHR]) were used in 70% and 30% of cases, respectively. Clinical features and daily habits of patients with and without post-laser hypertrichosis were compared.

RESULTS: Of the 7381 patients who received LHR, 25 patients (0.34%) demonstrated an increase in hair growth compared to baseline. Of these 25 patients, 24 had been treated with alexandrite laser (HR) (P < 0.01). The most common site was the upper arm, followed by the periareolar area. Daily sun protection was associated with a significantly lower incidence of hypertrichosis (P < 0.05), as was confirmed and shown to be independent of Fitzpatrick skin type by binary logistic regression analysis (OR = 0.41, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: In our clinic, we observed Paradoxical Hypertrichosis After Laser Hair Removal in a small minority of cases as described by others. We did not observe differences in incidence related to skin type, but daily sun protection and LHR with diode laser (SHR) were associated with significant reductions in incidence rates. In addition to previously reported common sites, we also identified the periareolar area as a high-risk region.