Hair

Hair Removal Technique

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Hair Removal Technique, Hirsutism Management, Hypertrichosis Management, Epilation, Electrolysis

  • See Also
  1. Hirsutism (for antiandrogen management)
  • Indications
  1. Hirsutism
  2. Hypertrichosis
  • Technique
  • Epilation (Hair plucking)
  1. Removes Hair Shaft and Hair Bulb for 6-8 weeks
  2. Only effective for hairs in Anagen phase
  3. Adverse effects
    1. Risk of damage to hair matrix
    2. Limited to localized areas of Hair Growth
    3. Risk of inflammation
      1. Folliculitis or Pseudofolliculitis Barbae
      2. Risk of Hyperpigmentation or scarring
  4. Methods
    1. Hot waxing with resin (risk of Burn Injury)
    2. Hair plucking with tweezers
    3. Depilation (chemical dissolving of Hair Shaft)
      1. Effects last only 2 weeks (does not affect bulb)
      2. Contains thioglycolates, mercaptans, and alkali
      3. Risk of Contact Dermatitis and sulfur odor
  1. See Laser Hair Reduction
  • Technique
  • Shaving (less popular among women)
  1. Safe and effective
  2. Does not affect hair thickness or growth rate
  3. May leave appearance of hair thickening
  4. May cause irritation or Pseudofolliculitis Barbae
  • Technique
  • Electrolysis
  1. Effect varies by operator experience
  2. Permanent hair removal (destroys Hair Follicle)
  3. Technique
    1. Small needle inserted into skin at Hair Follicle
    2. Current applied for 0.02 to 20 seconds per hair
  4. Methods
    1. Galvanic (DC): Multiple treatments required (slow)
    2. Thermolysis (Alternating Current)
  5. Adverse effects
    1. Pain with procedure
    2. Risk of Keloid, scarring or pigmentation changes
  1. Apply bid to involved face
  2. Not first-line (often used to augment other methods)
    1. Works well in combination with laser
  3. Effective within 4-8 weeks of regular use
  4. Hair Growth normalizes 8 weeks after discontinuation
  5. Risk of Acne Vulgaris and local irritation
  • References
  1. Hansen (1997) Female Patient 22:11-18
  2. Gilchrist (1995) Am Fam Physician 52(6):1837-44 [PubMed]
  3. Kalve (1996) Am Fam Physician 54(1):117-24 [PubMed]
  4. Shenenberger (2002) Am Fam Physician 66(10):1907-14 [PubMed]