Abstract
Background: hair removal using laser is becoming the most satisfying medical procedure for patients to get rid of excessive hair at any area of the body. However there are a number of well known side effects.
Objective: to report an unusual side effect in which patients develop increased hair growth at sites not previously treated by laser.
Methods: This is a retrospective study which included all patients who had experienced unusual increase in hair growth at areas remote to those treated with laser during one year period. Results: a total of 7 patients were reported with increase in hair growth at areas not previously treated with laser. They were all females. The neck and upper chest were the main areas affected. The laser used in 6 of them was the long pulse alexandrite laser
Conclusion: laser-induced hypertrichosis either at the treated area or remote to it is a newly reported side effect to laser hair removal and should be included in the list of laser side effects.