10.2.1 Shaving
Shaving is by far the most popular and convenient method of hair removal. In the United States, more that 90% of women shave their legs and axillae, and about 50% shave their bikini line (Gillette survey). Shaving any area of the face is the least popular method of hair removal in the US population, probably because of the fear of increase in hair growth. This has been proven to be a myth, as shaving does not change the thickness or the growth rate of human hair [5,6]. Side effects from shaving are minimal, however, prickly stubble and a rapid regrowth of hair that results after shaving leaves an undesirable tactile feel and ‘shadow’ of dark hair under the skin which is particularly noticeable on the face. The popular safety razors are designed to remove hair just below the skin surface by gently lifting and cutting each hair without nicks and cuts, and resulting in a smooth and hair-free skin.
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Table 10.1 Available Options for Hair Removal
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Method
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Mechanism
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Perceived
Efficacy
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Best for
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Trade-off
|
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Wet Shaving
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Removes hair at skin surface
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1-3 days
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Convenient, easy, and inexpensive
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Short-lived results, prickly stubble
|
|
Epilation and Waxing
|
Pulls hair from root
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Approx 3 weeks
|
Longer lasting
|
Painful, skin effects, minimum hair length required for grabbing
|
|
Depilatories
|
Breaks cystine double bonds and dissolves superfluous hair
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5-10 days; 3x longer than shaving
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Stubble free softer regrowth, smoother skin
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Odor, messy, skin irritation
|
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Cosmeceuticals
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Unknown
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Minor/moderate, adjunct to other methods
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Prolonging
hair-free
period,
delayed
regrowth
|
Does not remove or reduce hair growth
|
|
Drug actives
|
Selective
biochemical target in hair follicle
|
Moderate— adjunct to other methods
|
Hair density and growth – rate reduction
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Expensive, drug effect, does not remove hair
|
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Professional
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Melanin
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3-6 months
|
Professional
|
Expense,
|
|
high-energy
Laser/IPL
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targeting-follicle
destruction
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(Permanent?)
|
use
|
inconvenient, dermal side effects
|
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Emerging
Low-energy
Laser/IPL
|
Hair cycle
change/anagen
arrest
|
Est. 2-6 weeks (temporary)
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Home use
|
Periodic treatments
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