Derm News: 2007.7(3)

Effect of piroxicam gel for pain control and inflammation in Nd:YAG 1064-nm laser hair removal

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, March 2007;21(3):380-383
S Akinturk, A Eroglu
ABSTRACT

Background

Laser-assisted hair removal is a variably uncomfortable and painful procedure.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of piroxicam gel on pain control and subsequent inflammation in Nd:YAG 1064 nm laser hair removal in women volunteers.

Methods

Fifty women volunteers were enrolled in this prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled study over a 6-month period. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive piroxicam gel as Group P or saline as a control group. Topical analgesic and saline were applied to the treatment sites for 45 minutes. The pain scores (VAS) and side effects were recorded before the hair removal, during the hair removal, at the end of the hair removal, and after 1 hour, 2 hours and 24 hours after the hair removal.

Results

Subject characteristics and treatment settings in Nd:YAG 1064 nm laser were similar in both groups. The pain scores (VAS) were significantly lower in the Group P than those of the control group during the hair removal (p < 0.001). Inflammatory side effects such as erythema, edema, and folliculitis, were more frequent in the control group than those of Group P during the procedure (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

This study showed that piroxicam gel provided adequate pain relief after Nd:YAG 1064 nm laser hair removal in women volunteers. Piroxicam gel was associated with lesser inflammatory side effects when compared to placebo because of its anti-inflammatory effect after the procedure.

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The Derm News service provided by the Editorial Consultants of Skin Therapy Letter^© and its founding editor Dr. Stuart Maddin.