Hair Removal Practices Research Articles

Potential for Allergic Contact Dermatitis in Popular Depilatory Wax Hair Removal Practices and Ingredients.

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a type IV delayed hypersensitivity reaction that can commonly arise from exposure to allergens in personal care and cosmetic products. Depilatory waxing, a common hair removal practice, involves the use of various products that may contain potential contact allergens. There is limited literature discussing ACD to hair removal products. We aim to discover the most common allergens prevalent in depilatory waxing products used in a popular wax center in the United States and those found in online marketplaces. Through communication with the salon staff, we reviewed the involved products and analyzed all ingredients for common allergens. We also conducted an online search to examine the ingredients and the most common allergens of the top 10 bestselling wax strips across four selected online marketplaces (CVS, Amazon, Walmart, and Walgreens). The final query of online products consisted of 12 distinct wax products and 10 postwax products. Among the products used in the salon, the most common allergens were vitamin E, colophony, botanicals, fragrance, beeswax/propolis, and color additives, in descending order. The most frequent allergens commonly encountered in online wax products included color additives, found in 67% (8/12) products, followed by botanicals and colophony, both present in 58% (7/12) products. In the postwax products, the most frequent allergen was vitamin E present in 100% (10/10) of the products, followed by fragrance (8/10). Although these allergens do not frequently cause ACD, it remains crucial to identify and note them in hair removal products to address any potential cases. Raising awareness of these allergens in all steps of hair removal can help ensure the safety and comfort of patients undergoing waxing treatments.

Pubic Hair Removal Practices and Motivations Among a Nationally Representative Sample of U.S. Men.

Understanding current pubic hair removal (PHR) practices is vital for public health, given the prevalence among U.S. adults. This study updates the understanding of PHR practices, motivations, and correlates in a nationally representative sample of adult men. In April 2023, through a probability-based internet panel survey (Ipsos KnowledgePanel®), we found that nearly half (46.7%) of respondents reported lifetime PHR, with 29.2% reporting PHR in the past 30 days. Statistically significant differences were observed in sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, sexual activity, and social media use. A higher proportion of Gay and Bisexual men (GBM) reported lifetime PHR (76.5%) compared with heterosexual men (44.6%), with GBM having nearly 3 times greater odds of reporting lifetime PHR (OR = 2.891, 95%CI [1.2, 6.7]). Being sexually active in the past month statistically significantly predicted both lifetime PHR (OR = 1.884, 95%CI [1.2, 2.9]) and past 30-day PHR (OR = 2.849, 95%CI [1.8, 4.6]). Age also emerged as a significant predictor, as men aged 25 to 34 years (OR = 2.275, 95%CI [1.0, 5.0]) and 45 to 54 years (OR = 2.493, 95%CI [1.1, 5.6]) had higher odds of reporting lifetime PHR compared with those aged 18 to 24 years. This study provides valuable insights and updated national data on the prevalence, methods, and frequency of PHR among men in the United States. Given the correlations between PHR practices and factors such as sexual orientation, sexual activity, and age, these findings can equip educators and health care providers with data to foster better health outcomes through acknowledging and addressing the interplay between individual choices and broader social and cultural factors.

Not Just Non-Consensual Pelvic Exams

Not Just Non-Consensual Pelvic Exams

Deodorant/antiperspirant use and hair removal practices for hidradenitis suppurativa: recommendations from a single-center survey.

Deodorant/antiperspirant use and hair removal practices for hidradenitis suppurativa: recommendations from a single-center survey.

Changes to pubic hair removal practices during COVID-19 restrictions and impact on sexual intimacy

Pubic hair grooming (hair removal) has been linked to body image and sexual behaviour and, given the impacts of COVID-19 restrictions on access to sexual partners and beauty salons, we explored these associations. Data derive from a cross-sectional online survey. Participants were aged 18 years or over and in Australia. All genders were included. We explored factors associated with changes to hair removal using logistic regression and analysed free-text responses using content analysis. Of 256 participants, 89 (34.8%) had changed their grooming practices. Multivariable analysis found that female participants had 4.5 times increased odds of changed grooming (95%CI 1.8, 11.0; p = 0.001) compared with males. Individuals who reported ‘more’ or ‘less’ oral sex compared with the previous year were more likely to report increased odds of changed grooming (AOR 3.2; 95%CI: 1.4, 7.7; p = 0.009 and AOR: 3.3; 95%CI:1.6, 6.7; p = 0.001, respectively). Most who changed their grooming practices said it had reduced, attributing this to lack of partners, inability to access beauticians, and the mental health effects of the pandemic. For most, this change had no impact on sexual behaviour or body image; however, some spoke of reduced sexual desire and willingness to receive oral sex. Partner expectations influenced whether reduced grooming had negative consequences, and women were more affected than men, highlighting a gendered impact.

Implementation of Surgical Site Infection (SSI) Gap Analysis and Data Visualization Dashboards to Drive Organizational Change

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a major healthcare quality issue; they lead to increased morbidity and mortality rates. They also prolong the length of stay and increase the cost to the patient and the healthcare system. Depending on the procedure, the risk of death is 2 to 11 times greater for patients with an SSI than for patients without an SSI. Additionally, the financial burden and patient burden is considerable; it ranks as the most common and costly of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) and can extend a patient’s length of stay by 11.2 days. The risk of developing an SSI is affected by multiple factors at the patient, operative, and institutional levels. Methods: A Midwestern healthcare system conducted a review of the recommended best-practice guidelines that are currently accepted as the standards of care in US healthcare facilities. A gap analysis instrument for colorectal SSI prevention was drafted and reviewed for content validity and accuracy by field experts. Hospital infection preventionists worked in conjunction with operating room leaders to disseminate the survey to staff. Responses were collected from June 5 to June 30, 2019. Concurrently, the system infection preventionist team developed a standardized SSI dashboard template that could be used at the hospital, regional, and system level to visualize SSI infection counts, standardized infection ratios (SIRs) as well as procedure count data. These dashboard reports are updated and distributed on a monthly basis to each hospital’s campus executive team and other leaders. Federal- and state-required procedures were included and additional procedures were included based on hospital risk. Results: In total, 35 responses were recorded from 8 ministries across the system. Infection preventionists, operating room directors, physicians, nurses, and surgical technologists were represented among the respondents. The following areas were identified areas for improvement: use of chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing kit, mechanical bowel preparation with preoperative oral antibiotics, hair removal practices, use of fascial wound protector, maintenance of patients’ blood glucose levels, glove and gown changing procedures, and use of antimicrobial-coated sutures. The development and distribution of the SSI dashboard increased awareness and knowledge of SSIs by hospital and system-level leaders. Conclusions: The implementation of both the gap analysis and dashboard reports improved the awareness areas needed for improvement and knowledge of the burden of SSIs. These findings will drive discussions within the hospitals and at the system-level to implement evidence-based practice to improve care and decrease infections as well as guide the development of SSI patient care bundles.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

Body hair removal: Prevalence, demographics, and body experience among men and women in Germany.

Body hair removal is an increasing trend that has an impact on the individual's body image. To characterize current body hair removal practices in Germany and the extent to which body hair removal was related to demographic characteristics, body image, and body mass index. A national survey was conducted from September to October 2016 in men and women in Germany. Body experience was measured by a standardized questionnaire. In addition to sociodemographic data, age, gender, education, marital status, monthly income, and body mass index were collected. A total of n=2510 participants aged 14 to 94years (Mage=48.4years (SD=18.2), 53.4% females) were randomly selected from the general population. 69% of the questioned women removed their body hair while only 41% of men do. The gender effect is statistically significant (χ2 =203.43; df=1; P<.001). Income, a higher level of education, and living in an urban region were significantly associated with body hair removal in both, men and women. Furthermore, significant differences with regard to body image were found between hair removers and nonremovers which are associated with a different attitude toward the own body. Germans were likely to remove body hair if they were of younger age, better educated, and with high income. Hair removal is above all a women's issue. Especially, female hair removers experience their body as an esthetic entity with the need of active reshaping. There is a "shift" from ideal of a naturally hairy body to an increased hairlessness in Germany.

A full Brazilian or all natural: understanding the influences on young women\u2019s decision to remove their pubic hair

BackgroundResearch indicates that young women are being exposed to increasing pressures to remove pubic hair from their bodies, which has the potential for both negative physical and psychological consequences. Women’s personal choice and reasoning for partaking in pubic hair removal is influenced by broader social influences; however, there is little theory-based research drawing from established decision-making models investigating the underlying processes that lead young women to engage in pubic hair removal practices. Based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour, it was hypothesised that 1) attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioural control would predict intention to remove pubic hair; 2) additional variables (prototype similarity and favourability) from the Prototype Willingness Model would significantly predict intention to remove pubic hair; 3) feminist values would significantly predict decreased intention to remove pubic hair; and 4) intention and perceived behavioural control would predict future self-reported removal of pubic hair.MethodThe current study included a sample of 270 young women (17–25 years old), who completed an online survey and a follow up survey 4 weeks later (N = 96).ResultsAttitudes, perceived behavioural control, and similarity to prototypical pubic hair removers were significant predictors of intention to remove pubic hair. Intention was significantly positively associated and feminist values were significantly negatively associated with actual pubic hair removal.ConclusionsThese findings align with Theory of Planned Behaviour propositions. Furthermore, the expansion of the model highlights how broader social images impact on young women when deciding whether to engage in a behaviour that is intimately associated with their body image.

Practices and complications of pubic hair removal among Saudi women

BackgroundPubic hair grooming, including the complete removal of pubic hair, has become an increasingly common practice, particularly among young women. Although widespread, there is limited data regarding the methods, products, reasons, and complications of pubic hair removal, particularly among Saudi women. The objective was to examine pubic hair removal practices and the prevalence of its complications among Saudi women living in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study conducted at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Saudi women between 16 and 60 years of age who had the ability to read and speak Arabic, were eligible to complete an anonymous and self-administered survey on pubic hair removal practices and its complications.ResultsBetween December 2015 and September 2016, 400 Saudi women completed the survey. The age was 26.3 ± 6.9, 16–58 (mean ± SD, range) years. About three quarters (77.0%) self-removed their pubic hair, while the remainder made use of professional personnel in medical clinics (15.5%), beauty salons (5.3%), and professional services at home (2.2%). Many women (41.8%) used a combination of hair removal methods, with non-electric razor as the most common single method used (33.5%), followed by laser (8.7%), sugaring (6.0%), waxing (4.5%), trimming (2.0%), electric razor (2.0%), and cream (1.5%). Three-quarters of women (75.5%) reported complications, and although they were mostly minor injuries, treatment had to be sought for 17.9% of complications. Multivariable analyses showed that no variables remained correlated with the occurrence of complications (age of starting hair removal, income, BMI, level of education, mode of removal, advice on removal).ConclusionsSaudi women initiate pubic hair removal in early adolescence. While most complications are minor, close to one in five women experience complications.

Pubic Hair Removal Practices in Cross-Cultural Perspective

The literature on pubic hair removal (PHR) practices primarily focuses on women in Western societies and attributes recent increases in PHR to product marketing, pornography, and pop culture. Here, we explore PHR and retention practices outside the cultural West through content coding of societies in the Human Relations Area Files’ database, eHRAF World Cultures. Thirty-one societies noted distinct PHR or retention practices. Descriptive data on 72 societies provided additional context to the perception of pubic hair and reasons for its removal or retention. Results indicate that women practice PHR more commonly than men cross-culturally and practices are often tied to concerns about hygiene and sexual activity. Findings show that some features of PHR cross-culturally resemble those of the cultural West in which these practices have been best characterized, though these practices cannot be attributed to the same suite of factors such as exposure to pornography or product marketing. We interpret these findings within cross-cultural and evolutionary perspectives.

Risky business: is pubic hair removal by women associated with body image and sexual health?

Women (n=264; Mage=33.82, s.d.=11.13, range=18-66) completed self-report questionnaires assessing these constructs, including an assessment of body hair removal practices. Greater appearance concerns (as measured by thin-ideal internalisation, appearance investment and self-objectification) and sexual health indicators (i.e. less condom use self-efficacy when a partner disapproves of condom use) all predicted greater importance of reasons for pubic hair removal (R2=0.315, F(8184)=9.97, P<0.001), controlling for age groups. Additionally, women who removed a greater amount of hair reported more thin-ideal internalisation and appearance investment than those who removed less hair. Women who express stronger reasoning for pubic hair removal, and remove a larger amount of it, may endorse problematic beliefs and behaviours particularly related to appearance concerns. It is important for practitioners to consider this practice as distinct from grooming and to be aware of its association with a broader array of risky beliefs and behaviours that can compromise women's well-being.

Negotiating the hairless ideal in Āotearoa/New Zealand: Choice, awareness, complicity, and resistance in younger women's accounts of body hair removal

Hair removal amongst Western women is ubiquitous, and research continues to highlight the ongoing conformity of almost all women with hair removal practices. Often women are presented as either cultural dupes, following the expectations of the Western hairless ideal without question, or highly engaged participants in the rigours of aesthetic labour, using it for their own agentic purposes. This paper seeks to explore the various ways that younger women (18–35) made sense of their own and others’ hair removal practices. We report on a thematic analysis of data generated from an online (mostly) qualitative survey with 299 female-identified respondents. Four themes were constructed: (1) women should do what they want with their body hair, (2) removing hair is socially shaped, (3) begrudging complicity, and (4) resistance to hair removal norms takes a particular kind of woman. We discuss the ways in which women described their practices and thinking where they seemed simultaneously complicit with and resistant to idealised notions of feminine embodiment.

Practices and Complications of Pubic Hair Removal Among Saudi Women [5H

INTRODUCTION: To determine pubic hair removal practices and the prevalence of its complications among Saudi women living in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: Between December 2015 and August 2016, a cross-sectional study was conducted at the outpatient gynecology clinics of King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Participants completed an anonymous, self-administered survey. RESULTS: Four hundred Saudi women completed the survey. The age was 26.3 ± 6.9; 16 - 58 years (mean ± SD; range). The majority 252 (63%) were classified as under/normal weight. The age of the start of pubic hair removal was 13.5 ± 1.9; 8 - 21 years. The frequency of removal was 20.8 ± 14.6; 3-90 days. Pubic hair removal was done by the women themselves in 308 (77%) women, and by professional personnel in medical clinics in 62 (15.5%) women, in beauty salons in 21 (5.3%) women, and at home in 9 (2.2%) women. The method was razor (33.5%), laser (8.7%), sugaring (6%), waxing (4.5%), trimming (2%), electric razor (2%), cream (1.5%), and combinations (41.8). Complications were skin cuts (7.7%), severe itching (7.5%), ingrown hair (6.8%), rash (3%), burn (2.5%), allergy (2%), abrasion (1.5%), bruise (1.5%), hyperpigmentation (1.5%) and combinations (41.5%). Only 13.6% required treatments. There were no associations between the age of starting of removal, BMI, removal by the women themselves or professional personnel in clinics, or in beauty salons, or at home, methods used for removal, and occurrence of complications. CONCLUSION: Pubic hair removal starts in adolescence years and is associated with infrequent complications that require treatments.

Hair removal-related injuries in the United States, 1991-2014.

Hair removal practices have changed in frequency and location on the body. Previous research on hair removal injuries has focused on a specific body region, age, or gender. This study sought to take a broader perspective of hair removal-associated injuries in the United States which sought treatment at emergency departments. Data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) from 1991 to 2014 were used to identify hair removal-related injuries. Incidence rates were determined for the overall population and stratified by gender and age category using US Census Bureau population estimates. From 1991 to 2014, there were an estimated 292 053 hair removal-associated injuries in the United States. The overall incidence rate was highest in 2013 (9/100 000). Those aged 65+ had the highest incidence from 1991 to 2010 with those aged 19-34 having the highest rate starting in 2011. When stratified by body region injured, males had highest injury rates to the face and females had highest rates to the lower limbs. Starting in 2010, those aged 19-34 had higher incidence particularly for pubic and trunk regions. The incidence of hair removal-associated injuries seen by emergency departments increased nearly ninefold between 1991 and 2013. Due to the increased incidence among 19- to 34-year-olds, caution should be taken particularly for this age group when undergoing depilatory practices. Overall, individuals should practice safe and acceptable usage of hair removal products to reduce the risk of injury.

Laser hair removal for genital gender affirming surgery.

Genital gender affirming surgery (GAS) involves reconstruction of the genitals to match a patient’s identified sex. The use of hair-bearing flaps in this procedure may result in postoperative intra-vaginal and intra-urethral hair growth and associated complications, including lower satisfaction with genital GAS. Despite the significant increase in genital GAS within the past 50 years, there is limited data regarding hair removal practices in preparation for genital GAS and notable variation in hair removal techniques among dermatologists and other practitioners. We present a literature review, recommendations from our experience, and a practical laser hair removal (LHR) approach to hair removal prior to genital GAS.

Innovative approaches to avoid electric shaving-induced skin irritation.

Globally, millions of men regularly remove their facial hair using an electric shaver. Over the course of several decades, the concept of an electric shaver has evolved from a relatively simple hand-powered apparatus to a technologically advanced device designed to provide the user with an optimum shaving experience. This requires a careful balance between robust removal of hair and skin comfort. By incorporating advanced scientific measurement and imaging technology into clinical testing, insights are being gained into skin comfort issues associated with hair removal practices. This study describes new research insights that have guided the development of electric shaving technology. These innovative features are designed to maximize hair removal and minimize the impact on skin health, thus enabling new levels of shaving efficacy and comfort to be attained.

A study of pubic hair removal and genital grooming practices in provincial Austria

Aims: This study aims to assess pubic hair removal and genital grooming practices in women, regarding age, methods, frequency, hairstyle and reasons for removal as well as observe changes in their sexuality and occurrence of genital Infections.

“I think gorilla-like back effusions of hair are rather a turn-off”: ‘Excessive hair’ and male body hair (removal) discourse

Men's hair removal practices are becoming mainstream, seen as a consequence of changing masculine norms and men's relationships to their bodies. This is often presented as a straightforward ‘shift’ from men's ideal bodies as naturally hairy, to increased hairlessness, and the consequence on men's body concerns as inevitable. This paper analyses qualitative survey data from Aotearoa/New Zealand using critical thematic analysis, and describes three themes. Two themes capture contradictory ideas: that men's body hair is natural, and that men's body hair is unpleasant. A third theme introduces the concept of ‘excess’ hair, which allowed sense-making of this contradiction, mandating men's grooming of ‘excessive’ hair. However its vagueness as a concept may provoke anxiety for men resulting in hair removal. This paper adds to a body of research demonstrating a cultural transition: the ways changing masculinities, increased commodification of male bodies, and shifting gender roles impact on men's hair removal practices.

Rebecca M. Herzig.Plucked: A History of Hair Removal.

Plucked: A History of Hair Removal, a whimsical undertaking by the author’s admission, supplements the robust historical literature on beauty practices and the beauty industry in the U.S. The book focuses on body hair removal practices as well as attitudes and beliefs about hair as an element of sexuality or beauty, hairy masculinity on the one hand and hairless femininity on the other. Rebecca M. Herzig’s monograph consists of a chronological series of essays that begins with English-American views of “beardless” Indians in the eighteenth century and ends with a discussion of genetic engineering as a possible means of suppressing hair growth. English Americans, she argues, viewed the clean faces of Indian males as evidence of a degenerate failure to grow into full manhood. Herzig plays Indian hair removal practices against the U. S. government’s twenty-first-century effort to humiliate Muslim detainees at Guantánamo Bay detention camp by shaving their beards. In Herzig’s view the two examples book-end an historical arc of gendered cultural practices. The preponderance of the chapters cover hair removal practices among white women in the U.S. With respect to women, Herzig finds a hairless face matched with a porcelain complexion to be a consistent American ideal with increased interest in the removal of armpit, leg, or pubic hair following from the uncovering of women’s bodies as changing fashion dictated. According to the author, popular taste frequently drove many American women and men to engage in hair stripping that inflicted pain and compromised their health.

Social pressures and health consequences associated with body hair removal

The removal of body hair on the legs, arms and pubic area is commonplace in today's society and being hair-free is associated with beauty and femininity. Not only do adult women feel pressure from their peers and partners to achieve the hairless ideal, but also girls as young as 11 years old are presenting to health professionals with no pubic hair. Heidi Williamson looks hair removal practices in the Western world