Ayesha Siraj
Pakistan Air Force Hospital, Pakistan
Abstract Title: World’s first m-health application for improving compliance in laser hair removal: Development and pilot evaluation in a resource-limited setting
Biography: Dr. Ayesha Siraj is a postgraduate resident in Dermatology at Pakistan Air Force Hospital, Islamabad. Her research interests include procedural dermatology, digital health interventions, quality improvement projects and audits. She has a strong focus on integrating technology into clinical dermatology through innovation and collaborative health-technology projects to improve patient education, and overall healthcare quality, particularly in resource-limited settings. She is currently leading a pilot study evaluating a mobile application designed to improve compliance and procedural outcomes in patients undergoing laser hair removal.
Research Interest: Laser hair removal is one of the most commonly performed dermatological procedures worldwide. In patients with skin of colour, inadequate adherence to pre- and post-procedure instructions increases the risk of adverse effects such as hyperpigmentation, burns, and scarring. In low- and middle-income countries, limited patient education and follow-up resources further contribute to inconsistent compliance and suboptimal treatment outcomes. Although evidence supporting their role in procedural dermatology remains limited, digital health interventions may offer a scalable solution. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and usability of a purpose-designed m-health application for patients undergoing laser hair removal and to assess its effectiveness in improving compliance with pre- and post-procedure care instructions. A prospective, parallel-group preliminary pilot study was conducted among 50 female patients undergoing facial laser hair removal, divided into two groups of 25 each. The control group received standard care with verbal instructions and written appointment details, while the intervention group additionally used a mobile application providing educational content, automated reminders, and structured pre- and post-procedure guidance. Feasibility and usability were assessed using the System Usability Scale (SUS), and adherence was measured using a validated 10-item compliance questionnaire. The application demonstrated excellent usability, with a mean SUS score of 87.39 ± 10.41. Mean compliance scores were higher in the application group than in controls (34.7 ± 4.5 vs 24.2 ± 6.2). Appointment attendance was also higher among application users. These findings suggest that a tailored m-health application is feasible, user-friendly, and effective in improving patient compliance, supporting further evaluation in larger controlled studies.