Although human hair is most often thought of as being only of cosmetic importance, it also functions as a sensory organ, reduces friction at certain anatomic sites, protects against the environment by providing thermal insulation, aids in pheromone dissemination, and plays both social and sexual roles. Patients experiencing either the abnormal loss of hair or the development of unwanted hair<sup>8 Chernosky M.E. Permanent removal of superfluous hair Tex Med 1971 ;  67 : 72

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti, 17 Goldberg H.C., Hanfling S.L. Hirsutism and electrolysis Med Soc NJ 1965 ;  62 : 9

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> are prone to psychologic and cosmetic disturbances and often seek medical advice.

Since early in their development, lasers have been used to correct a wide variety of congenital and acquired vascular<sup>49 Wheeland R.G. Clinical uses of lasers in dermatology Lasers Surg Med 1995 ;  16 : 2  [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> and benign pigment conditions<sup>24 Kilmer S.L., Wheeland R.G., Goldberg D.J. , e al. Treatment of epidermal pigmented lesions with the frequency-doubled Q-switched Nd:YAG laser: A controlled, single-impact, dose-response, multicenter trial Arch Dermatol 1994 ;  130 : 1515

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> with tremendous success. Recently, lasers have been employed for the correction of hirsutism and hypertrichosis in both men and women.<sup>16 Goldberg D.J. Topical solution-assisted laser hair removal Lasers Surg Med 1995 ;  7S : 47

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> This article compares the existing nonlaser technology used for hair removal with the newly developed laser-assisted techniques.