II. Indications
III. Technique: Epilation (Hair plucking)
- Removes Hair Shaft and Hair Bulb for 6-8 weeks
- Only effective for hairs in Anagen phase
- Adverse effects
- Risk of damage to hair matrix
- Limited to localized areas of Hair Growth
- Risk of inflammation
- Folliculitis or Pseudofolliculitis Barbae
- Risk of Hyperpigmentation or scarring
- Methods
- Hot waxing with resin (risk of Burn Injury)
- Hair plucking with tweezers
- Depilation (chemical dissolving of Hair Shaft)
- Effects last only 2 weeks (does not affect bulb)
- Contains thioglycolates, mercaptans, and alkali
- Risk of Contact Dermatitis and sulfur odor
IV. Technique: Laser Hair Removal
V. Technique: Shaving (less popular among women)
- Safe and effective
- Does not affect hair thickness or growth rate
- May leave appearance of hair thickening
- May cause irritation or Pseudofolliculitis Barbae
VI. Technique: Electrolysis
- Effect varies by operator experience
- Permanent hair removal (destroys Hair Follicle)
- Technique
- Small needle inserted into skin at Hair Follicle
- Current applied for 0.02 to 20 seconds per hair
- Methods
- Galvanic (DC): Multiple treatments required (slow)
- Thermolysis (Alternating Current)
- Adverse effects
- Pain with procedure
- Risk of Keloid, scarring or pigmentation changes
VII. Technique: Topical agents: Eflornithine Cream (Vaniqa)
- Apply bid to involved face
- Not first-line (often used to augment other methods)
- Works well in combination with laser
- Effective within 4-8 weeks of regular use
- Hair Growth normalizes 8 weeks after discontinuation
- Risk of Acne Vulgaris and local irritation