The photodynamic therapy (PDT) is based on the principle of light interaction with a pho – sensitizing molecule resulting in the formation of chemically reactive species in the target tissue. However, the phosensitizer must preferentially accumulate in the target tissue to avoid collateral damage. For topical PDT, aminolevulonic acid (5-ALA) was the first mol­ecule demonstrated […]

Despite its limitations, electrolysis for many years was the most popular method of long­term or permanent hair removal. The introduction of laser-based hair removal procedures in the 1990s has now replaced most of the electrolysis market. This method of hair removal is based on the concept developed by Anderson and Parrish in 1983, commonly known […]

10.4.1 Electro-epilation For years electrolysis has been a method of choice for women seeking permanent hair removal. There are three types of electro-epilation methods in use: galvanic electrolysis, thermolysis, and a combination or the blend method. The use of galvanic electrolysis can be traced back to 1875 when Charles Michel, an ophthalmologist used this technique […]

The attraction of treatment with eflornithine, active in Vaniqa, is that it can effect hair growth when applied topically, and it provides major safety advantages over antiandrogens. Another significant advantage is the increased and earlier onset of efficacy, within 6-12 weeks, compared to a 6-12 month lag for the anti-androgens. A randomized, double­blind controlled study […]

10.3.4.1 Hormonal Treatments Women suffering from clinically significant hirsutism, male-pattern hair growth in women [19], generally seek treatments beyond simple cosmetic measures or cosmeceutical prod­ucts to manage their hair growth. A study conducted by McKnight [20] in a random popula­tion of 400 European women asked the question how many felt they have excess amount of […]

The marketplace is filled with creams, lotions, and sprays with implied claims for hair – growth reduction. From the regulatory perspective, any product with explicit claims of hair – growth reduction or inhibition falls under the ‘drug’ category, requiring substantial demonstration of efficacy and safety, and approval from the FDA for marketing. The cosme- ceutical […]

While there are number of patents covering the use of enzymes as cosmetic depilatory, technology has not advanced to a commercially viable product. Enzyme action in depila – tion is complex and reportedly varies with the type of enzyme. Some proteolytic enzymes, such as papain and trypsin solubilize hair to some extent, while others act […]

10.3.1 Depilatory Creams Depilatories act like a chemical razor that dissolves the hair fiber, causing it to separate easily from the skin surface with results lasting up to two weeks [5,17]. Two forms of depilatories, chemical and enzymatic, are described in the literature and are commercially available. However, only the chemical-based depilatories are effective and […]

Waxing is a time-tested method of hair removal that has seen a renewed popularity. While depilatories remove hair at the skin’s surface, “epilatories”, such as tweezers and waxes, pluck hair from below the surface. Waxing and tweezing may be more painful than using a depilatory, but the results are longer lasting. Because the hair is […]