Hair Removal 101

By MC Kelby HERWriter

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Hair removal is the practice of removing body hair. Hair typically grows all over the human body but is most noticeable on the head, face, eyebrows, eyelashes, armpits, legs, pubic region, abdomen, back and chest. Hair does not generally grow on the palms of the hands, the lips, certain areas of the genital structure or the soles of the feet.

Hair removal has been practiced in almost all human cultures. The methods used to remove hair have varied in different times and regions but shaving is the most common method.

Many hair removal products on the market have proven fraudulent. Many other products exaggerate the results or ease of use.

Hair removal typically falls into two categories: temporary and permanent. Types of temporary hair removal include: depilation and epilation.

Hair removal can be achieved through depilation (removing part of the hair above the skin's surface) or epilation (removing the entire hair). For many consumers, temporary methods at regular intervals are acceptable.

Depilation lasts several hours to several days. It can be achieved by shaving, depilatories or friction. Here are some examples of depilation:
• Shaving or trimming (manually or with electric shavers)
• Depilatories (creams or "shaving powders" which chemically dissolve hair)
• Friction (rough surfaces used to buff away hair)

Now, epilation lasts several days to several weeks can be achieved by tweezing, waxing, sugaring, threading and rotary epilators. Here are explanations of each procedure.
• Tweezing
• Waxing (a hot or cold layer is applied and then removed with porous strips)
• Sugaring (similar to waxing, but with a sticky paste)
• Threading (also called fatlah or khite, in which a twisted thread catches hairs as it's rolled across the skin)
• Rotary epilators (devices which rapidly grasp hairs and pull them out by the root)

Other types of epilation include:
• Use of turmeric along with other ingredients like besan powder and milk
• Prescription oral medications
• Enzymes (the Epiladerm-Complex) that inhibit the development of new hair cells. Hair growth will become less and less until it finally stops; normal depilation/epilation will be performed until that time. Hair growth will return to normal if use of product discontinued. Products include the prescription drug Vaniqa (active ingredient eflornithine hydrochloride inhibiting the enzyme ornithine decarboxylase).

Permanent hair removal involves several options. Permanent hair removal destroys the hair while sparing the surrounding skin. Methods include: electrolysis (electrology), thermolysis, laser hair removal (lasers and laser diodes), intense pulsed light (high-energy lamps) and diode epilation (high energy LEDs).

The following methods provide no clinical proof or support. So if you use one of these methods, please use extreme caution.
• Electric tweezers
• Transdermal electrolysis
• Transcutaneous hair removal
• Photo-epilators
• Microwaves
• Foods and Dietary supplements
• Non prescription topical preparations (also called "hair inhibitors," "hair retardants," or "hair growth inhibitors")

There are several disadvantages to many of these hair removal methods. Most are not permanent. Also, they can cause medical problems and permanent damage or have very high costs. Some of these methods are still in the testing phase and their methods have not been clinically proven. One should seek the advice of a doctor-supervised facility when choosing these hair removal methods.

Sources:
http://www.about-hair-removal.com/
http://dermatology.about.com/
http://www.hairfacts.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

MC Ortega is the former publicist for the late Walter Payton, Coca-Cola and Dunkin’ Donuts. Ortega is a senior communications and messaging executive specializing in media relations, social media, program development and crisis communications. Also, Ortega is an avid traveler and international shopper. Ortega resides with her partner, Craig, dog, Fionne and extensive shoe collection. Ortega also enjoys jewelry design/production and flamenco dancing.

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.