Preferred methods of excess hair removal in pediatric patients with lung transplantation

Abstract

Hypertrichosis is common among recipients of lung transplantation taking cyclosporine and it poses a special psychosocial problem in children. Children and parents frequently inquire about methods of hair removal. We sought to determine preferred methods of hair removal in this population. We distributed a questionnaire to 104 pediatric recipients of lung transplantation. A total of 56 questionnaires (54%) were completed. Of respondents, 91% (51 of 56) experienced hypertrichosis, 75% (38 of 51) of whom attempted treatment. Depilatory cream was the most common hair removal technique (79%, 30 of 38). Shaving, particularly with an electric razor, received the highest ratings of both satisfaction and likelihood of future use. Generalizability is limited by the response rate. Preferred methods according to different hair locations were not evaluated. In our pediatric transplantation population, depilatory cream was the most commonly used treatment for hypertrichosis whereas electric shaving had the highest ratings of satisfaction and future use.