Removal of Unwanted Facial Hair

Pete Styczynski1, John Oblong1, and Gurpreet S. Ahluwalia2

1 The Procter and Gamble Company, Cincinnati, OH, USA 2The Gillette Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of The P&G Company,

Needham, MA, USA

5.1 Introduction 158

5.2 Overall Contribution of Facial Hair to the Perception of Beauty 158

5.3 Survey of Facial Hair Removal/Management Methods 160

5.3.1 Shaving 161

5.3.2 Depilation 161

5.3.3 Plucking/Waxing 161

5.3.4 Electrolysis 161

5.3.5 Drug Therapy 162

5.3.6 Laser Treatment 163

5.4 Facial Hair Biology 163

5.4.1 Hair Follicle Structure, Growth Characteristics, and Regulation 163

5.4.2 Regulation of Facial Hair Growth 164

5.4.3 Facial Hair Phenotypes and Regional Differences 165

5.5 Contribution of Laser-Based Technologies to Facial Hair Removal 170

5.5.1 Facial Hair—A Key Area of Concern for Women 170

5.5.2 Types of Professional Hair Removal Lasers 171

5.5.3 Clinical Efficacy for Facial Hair Removal 171

5.5.3.1 Efficacy Determination 171

5.5.3.2 Clinical Efficacy Data for Facial Hair 172

5.5.3.3 Treatment of Lighter Hair Color 173

5.5.4 Adverse Effects 174

5.5.4.1 Dermal Safety 174

Gurpreet S. Ahluwalia (ed.), Cosmetic Applications of Laser and Light-Based Systems, 157-179,

© 2009 William Andrew Inc.

5.5.4.2 Eye Safety 174

5.5.4.3 Paradoxical Hair Growth 175

5.6 Future Trends—Synergy with Cosmetic Technologies 176

References 176

6.1 Introduction

Facial hair represents a significant psychological burden for many women around the world. Although excessive facial hair is often associated with disease states such as poly­cystic ovaries and hormonal imbalance, the range of facial hair from a vellus to terminal state is commonly found among women with no underlying hormonal etiology. Facial hair in women is perceived as unfeminine and unhealthy, and is associated with aging (P&G internal data). In addition, women are often not only bothered by the presence of facial hair but also frustrated with the removal process [1,2]. There are strong emotive responses as a result of facial hair that include lack of self-confidence, shamefulness, and being uncom­fortable in social and intimate situations [3]. For these reasons, among others, the manage­ment and removal of female facial hair represents an unmet global consumer need. This chapter will focus on the overall contribution of facial hair to the perception of beauty, the biology of facial hair, and the current methods of removal with emphasis on laser technolo­gies, as well as some future trends for removal of unwanted facial hair.