"If you look at what we're doing -- a nonthermal, nondestructive type of energy applied to the skin -- we're getting a statistically significant amount of improvement," says Dr. Leonardo Rasi, a laser surgeon in Redlands, Calif., who performed the study under contract with Light Dimensions but who has no other financial ties to the company.
But, he says, "this is not going to replace all doctors' lasers and light treatments."
Other doctors are dubious. In-office treatments, such as laser treatments, filler injections and face-lifts, can be painful and costly -- ranging from about $500 to thousands of dollars -- but produce results that are substantial and predictable.
The small amount of improvement cited in the RejuvaWand study may not impress consumers any more than the results they get from over-the-counter skin creams.
"Theoretically, this could work," Roberts says. But, she says, more detailed studies are needed.
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Hair removal
Professional laser hair removal is a $2.7-billion dollar business, and makers of home devices hope to tap into the market. In December, the FDA cleared a home device from Gillette, but the device won't be available this year.
"We are not going to launch something until we are 100% satisfied with everything about the device," says Kelly Vanasse, a spokeswoman for Gillette. "We're still working on it."
The concept behind laser hair removal is that light emitted from the device is absorbed by the dark pigment in the hair follicle. The energy is converted to heat, causing the hair to fall out in a couple of days. Repeated treatments are needed to target the hair follicles in their various stages of growth.
Some data suggest that the hair that grows back is lighter and finer, but it's not clear how often the hand-held device will have to be used.
Professional laser hair removal treatments can cost $300 or more per treatment (several are needed), but can eventually eliminate shaving.
A Pleasanton, Calif., company called SpectraGenics is already selling a home-use laser hair removal device outside the country. The company is seeking FDA clearance to sell the device in the United States, says Robert Grove, president of SpectraGenics.
"Laser hair removal in an office setting is an enormously successful enterprise," he says. "The convenience of doing laser hair removal at home we think will be of great interest."
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shari.roan@latimes.com
