Therapeutic effect of using a long-pulsed alexandrite laser system with a cooling device for epilation in reconstructive surgery of auricular malformations.

Hair growth after reconstructive surgery for auricular malformations including microtia and full-thickness skin grafts poses serious problems for patients. Currently, the author and his colleagues use a long-pulsed alexandrite laser system with a cooling device to remove hair from hairy regions before and after reconstructive surgery of auricular malformations. They achieve good results with approximately two to five treatments, and report the details here. Using their protocols there were no adverse reactions such as ulceration, scarring, pigmentation, or depigmentation. The use of this system may change the technique of auricle treatment because of the advantages it offers, such as low invasiveness, high effectiveness, and safety.