Alexandrite hair removal laser could benefit hidradenitis suppurativa patients

Combining alexandrite laser treatment and oral zinc could help decrease hidradenitis suppurativa severity, according to a study.

“Hidradenitis suppurativa is a severe, chronic cutaneous disease characterized by painful nodules, abscesses and sinus tracts in intertriginous areas,” Elisa Molinelli, MD, of the dermatological unit in the department of clinical and molecular sciences at Marche Polytechnic University in Ancona, Italy, and colleagues wrote in a research letter. “Laser treatment for hair removal has emerged as a valid therapeutic approach of HS.”

Researchers conducted a prospective study of the use of alexandrite hair removal laser 755 nm in 40 HS patients with Hurley stage I or stage II disease.

Twenty patients (100% women; average age, 29.6 years) received five laser treatments each at 6-week intervals, with 10 being treated in the inguinal area and 10 treated in both the inguinal and axillae area. A control group of 20 patients (100% women; average age, 31.5 years) did not receive any laser treatment, however all patients received antiseptic chlorhexidine wash and oral gluconate zinc 90 mg.

Clinical response at week 15 was achieved in 10 patients (50%) in the treatment group and 2 patients (10%) in the control group. At week 30, 14 patients (70%) in the treatment group had a clinical response, compared with 4 patients (20%) in the control group.

In addition, pain reduction, Dermatology Life Quality Index scores and International Hidradenitis Suppurativa Severity Scores were all significantly improved in the treatment group.

“Our study indicates that combining alexandrite laser with oral zinc may confer an even greater therapeutic benefit in HS, decreasing disease severity and acute flare,” the authors wrote.