Unwanted Hair Research Articles

Cognitive analysis of unwanted intrusive thoughts and facial hair: an idea before its time?

Durac (1997), Behaviour Research and Therapy, 35, 371–372) recently attempted a cognitive analysis of unwanted intrusive thoughts and the growth of facial hair. Though provocative, there are a number of conceptual, methodological and clinical issues that are inadequately addressed by this paper. Based on a thorough reading of a relevant body of literature from 1963 to 1994, five issues are addressed in a hirsute manner: (1) the origin of the phenomenon, (2) behavioral analysis of unwanted intrusive thoughts and the growth of facial hair (UIFHG), (3) the role of behavioral exercises in the disappearance of unwanted facial hair, (4) the serotonin connection underlying this disorder, and (5) ethical concerns in the treatment of UIFHG. Finally, important theoretical and clinical implications of the cognitive model are not discussed here: they will be reported elsewhere in a more extensive analysis.

A clinical study of hair removal using the long-pulsed ruby laser.

Laser hair removal is rapidly becoming a widely used modality. Clinical studies are needed to assess these hair removal systems. The long-pulsed ruby laser is one such modality for the removal of unwanted hair. To evaluate the efficacy of the long-pulsed ruby laser (694 nm, 3-msec pulsewidth, 7- or 10-mm spot size) in removing unwanted hair, and to provide treatment guidelines for the proper utilization of this laser system. Forty-eight areas of unwanted facial and body hair from 25 patients with blonde, brown, or black hair were treated with the long-pulsed ruby laser at fluences between 10 and 40 J/cm2. Hair regrowth was measured at 4 weeks after the first treatment, 4 weeks after the second treatment, 4 weeks after the third treatment, and 16 weeks after the third treatment by counting the number of terminal hairs compared with baseline pretreatment values. All complications and treatment outcomes were documented. The mean percent of regrowth after the first treatment was 65.5%, 41% after the second treatment, and 34% after the third treatment. Overall, regardless of skin type or targeted body region, patients who underwent three treatment sessions demonstrated an average 35% regrowth in terminal hair count compared with baseline pretreatment values 6 months after initial therapy. Long-pulsed ruby laser treatment resulted in significant hair growth delay in most cases. Repeated laser treatments produced an increased number of vellus hairs, an increase in growth delay, and a decreased percentage of hair regrowth.

Hair removal using the long-pulsed ruby laser.

There are a variety of traditional treatments for the removal of unwanted hair. Recently, lasers have been developed to remove hair. The long-pulsed ruby laser uses light at a wavelength of 694 nm with a 3-msec pulse to destroy hair. Seventy-two patients were treated with this laser from one to four times in a variety of areas. Seventy-one patients had an alteration in their hair growth. One patient had no change in her hair pattern. There were no scars and no permanent changes in pigmentation. Laser hair removal is a useful method for the treatment of unwanted facial and body hair.

Evaluation of the free-running ruby laser for hair removal. A retrospective study.

The free-running ruby laser has recently been introduced for removal of unwanted hair growth. It is assumed that the mode of action of ruby laser depilation is that of selective photothermolysis of the melanin-rich structures. The present data reflects our results of ruby treatment of 133 patients attending a dermatological laser clinic for hair removal. When success of the laser treatment was defined as greater than 50% hair removal, 59.0% of patients reported successful results after 90 or more days after last treatment. With success defined as greater than 25% hair removal at 90 days, successful treatment was obtained in 75.0%. Also, the patients evaluated the overall result of their treatments. The percentage of patients who were either "very satisfied" or "satisfied" after 90 days was 64.2%. Only a few side-effects were observed. In general, pain was no clinical problem. No significant scarring was observed. A temporary hypopigmentation was experienced by approximately 10%, but only one patient still had hypopigmentation 90 days after treatment. Due to variability of hair density as well as anagen and telogen phase durations in different anatomical locations, firm conclusions regarding the long-term effect still cannot be drawn.

Optimizing Treatment Parameters for Hair Removal Using a Topical Carbon-Based Solution and 1064-nm Q-Switched Neodymium:YAG Laser Energy

To determine the most effective treatment parameters for laser-assisted hair removal using a Q-switched neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser. Prospective study to determine the effectiveness of Q-switched ND:YAG laser-assisted hair removal under varying pretreatment protocols. Hair growth was assessed after laser treatment, and the results were compared with those of wax epilation at 4, 12, and 24 weeks. A private ambulatory laser facility and academic referral center. Laser-assisted hair removal was performed under 4 different pretreatment conditions. Eighteen areas of unwanted body and facial hair from 12 study subjects were divided into 4 quadrants. Wax epilation followed by application of a carbon-based solution and exposure to Q-switched Nd:YAG laser radiation was performed on 1 quadrant. A second quadrant was wax epilated and exposed to Q-switched Nd:YAG laser radiation without prior carbon solution application. A third quadrant was exposed to laser radiation alone, and a final quadrant was wax epilated to serve as the control. Follow-up evaluations at 1, 3, and 6 months consisted of photographic documentation, manual hair counts, and patient hair-density estimates. Percentage of hair regrowth as assessed by objective hair counts and patient subjective evaluations. Mean percentage of hair regrowth at 1 month was 39.9% for the wax-carbon-laser quadrant, 46.7% for the wax-laser quadrant, 66.1% for the laser-alone quadrant, and 77.9% for the wax control quadrant. The percentage of hair regrowth approximately doubled by 3 months but was significantly delayed in all laser-treated quadrants regardless of pretreatment protocol. Full hair regrowth in all anatomic locations was observed by month 6. Patient subjective evaluations of hair density closely approximated hair count data. No adverse effects or long-term complications were observed. A single hair-removal treatment with the Q-switched Nd:YAG laser is safe and effective in delaying hair growth for up to 3 months. Although the combination of pretreatment wax epilation and topical carbon solution application was effective, laser irradiation alone, with or without wax epilation, also provided a significant delay in hair growth.

Long-term epilation using the EpiLight broad band, intense pulsed light hair removal system.

The long-term epilation of hair is the goal of several lasers and intense pulsed light systems. The purpose of the study is to use the EpiLight Hair Removal System to assess long-term epilation and to assess its safety profile following a single treatment session. Patients received a single treatment with the Epilight Hair Removal System after entering the patient's skin type, skin color, hair color, and hair density into the system's computer software. Treatment parameters include various wavelengths of light, pulse duration, pulse delay, and energy fluence. Thirty-seven subjects received a single treatment using one of four cut-off filters consisting of two to five pulses with energies of 34-55 J/cm2. The results of a single treatment show hair clearances occurring immediately and over a 12-week study period. Approximately 60% hair removal was noted at 12 weeks. The EpiLight Hair Removal System is an effective and safe method for long-term epilation of unwanted hair.

FC028 Efficacy, tolerability and safety of a long pulse Ruby laser system in the removal of unwanted hair by selective photothermolysis

FC028 Efficacy, tolerability and safety of a long pulse Ruby laser system in the removal of unwanted hair by selective photothermolysis

LASER-ASSISTED HAIR REMOVAL

The use of lasers in the treatment of a number of different skin disorders and diseases has become commonplace. This tremendous acceptance by both physicians and patients is a direct reflection of the high degree of precision and selectivity provided by lasers, which helps to minimize the risk of side effects and complications while simultaneously maximizing the opportunity for obtaining a satisfactory outcome. In an attempt to remove unwanted or excess hair, the principles of selective photothermolysis have been employed with several different laser and light devices that permit the effective treatment of large areas of hair-bearing skin with minimal discomfort and with low risk of scarring or other complications. It is possible using current laser technology to permanently remove some hair and induce a prolonged delay in the regrowth of many hairs. With additional experience and an improved understanding of how light can influence the rate and quality of hair growth, it is anticipated that permanent hair removal will be achieved in the near future.

Unwanted intrusive thoughts and the growth of facial hair: a cognitive analysis

The functional connection between unwanted intrusive hair growth and negative automatic cognitions is described and illustrated by case-material. Treatment by cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is recommended as generally successful except when certain facts are denied.

Khite: a non-Western technique for temporary hair removal.

Khite (also known as fatlah in Egypt) is a manual technique of temporary vellus hair removal that is widely performed in the Middle East. The technique of khite is reviewed as illustrated. Khite is an effective method of removing unwanted vellus hairs. Dermatologists in all parts of the world should be familiar with khite, because the ease of international travel may bring patients to their attention who have khite-association complications such as erythema, folliculitis, and secondary pigmentary changes.

Pulsed Alexandrite Laser Technology for Noninvasive Hair Removal

Determination of the efficacy of pulsed Alexandrite Laser technology for rapid noninvasive hair removal. Although previous studies have already shown that Ruby lasers are capable of noninvasive hair removal, a technology for the substantial increase of treatment speed is of great interest. We have used a 2 msec free running pulsed Alexandrite (lambda = 755 nm) laser operated at a repetition rate of up to 5 pps at energy fluences of 25-40 J/cm2 to treat a wide range of body sites on 126 patients in conjunction with a fiber delivery system and a transparent target ruler. A transparent gel was used as epidermal heat sink. The study lasted 15 months. Pretreatment as well as follow-up hair count per cm2 was performed to determine the level of success. Treatments were repeated when 1-2 mm growth was observed. The average hair count before the second treatment was found to be close to 65% of the pretreatment count. The average hair count 3 months after the last treatment, was found to be lower than 12%. The interval between treatments ranged from 4 weeks to 3 1/2 months. The 2 msec pulsed Alexandrite laser technology is effective for the removal of unwanted hairs, ranging from fair to dark, except when hairs are absent in the shaft depending on the stage of their growth cycle. This results in the necessity of a few treatments or touchups. Adverse effects are minimal and transient.

Application of a eutectic mixture of lidocaine/prilocaine cream to the moustache area prior to electrolysis provides effective analgesia

Electrolysis for removal of unwanted facial hair can be painful and uncomfortable. Any therapy that reduces the pain of this procedure is likely to increase the efficacy and acceptability of electrolysis and encourage more patients to return for subsequent treatments. We therefore determined the effectiveness and practicality of applying a eutectic mixture of lidocaine/prilocaine cream to the moustache area (upper lip) prior to electrolysis. In a randomized, double-bund, single-center, crossover trial, 21 female patients applied lidocaine/prilocaine cream to one-half of the moustache area and placebo to the other under an occlusive dressing for 60 min. The pain experienced by the patient during electrolysis was rated on a visual analogue scale (VAS) and by the electrologist on a verbal rating scale (VRS). There was a statistically significant difference in favor of the lidocaine/prilocaine cream compared with placebo, for both the VAS score and VRS rating. The results demonstrate that lidocaine/prilocaine...

4 Anti-androgens in gynaecological practice

Hirsutism and acne in women are common distressing problems. Unwanted hair growth, acne and seborrhoea result from the action of androgens on the skin. Such effects depend not only on increased androgen production by the ovary or adrenal gland but also on the bioavailability of androgen to peripheral tissues. This in turn is related to transport of androgens in plasma by specific binding proteins and to peripheral metabolism of testosterone and androstenedione to their more potent 5 alpha-reduced derivatives. An effective anti-androgen is one which blocks the androgen receptor-mediated actions of testosterone and DHT on skin. CPA, the treatment of choice in the UK, is a potent androgen receptor-blocking steroid which also has progestational properties. When combined with ethinyloestradiol it also suppresses ovarian function, thus reducing androgen production, and provides effective contraception.

Electrosurgical Epilation

This article discusses alternative methods for the removal of unwanted hair, the mechanisms of action of each, and their advantages and disadvantages. Epilating needle design is discussed and epilating technique is described. Physician-patient interaction and the role of the dermatologist in electrosurgical epilation are explored.

Hirsutism: recent advances in dealing with unwanted hair

Hirsutism: recent advances in dealing with unwanted hair

Hirsutism: recent advances in dealing with unwanted hair

Hirsutism: recent advances in dealing with unwanted hair

Surgical depilation for treatment of pseudofolliculitis or local hirsutism of the face.

By cutting away their roots, unwanted terminal hairs can be removed when they are in their active phase (anagen) by a method called surgical (subcutaneous) depilation. There can be recurrences when hirsutism is being treated in females, because of vellus hairs which have their roots in the dermis. The residual vellus hairs can be eradicated by electrical depilation, however. Recurrences in males (pseudofolliculitis) are usually due to terminal hairs in a resting place (telogen); these "club hairs" can also be removed by electrical depilation.

Local treatment of unwanted hair

Unwanted hair worries many women. Rarely hirsutism may be caused by abnormalities of the adrenals, the pituitary or the ovaries, or by abnormalities such as pigmented moles, and if possible all cases of generalised hirsutism should be seen by an endocrinologist before local treatment is undertaken. In some cases abnormalities of steroid metabolism are detected, in others hypersensitivity of skin follicles to endogenous androgens has been postulated. The results of hormone treatment are however disappointing. There are racial differences in hirsutism: it is for example commoner among women of Mediterranean stock. The hairiness, when it occurs, approaches the male pattern of distribution in proportion to the severity of the disorder.

The Science of Cosmetics

Weighing and measuring in laboratory and salon an introduction to chemistry atoms, molecules and ions organic compounds in cosmetics water cosmetics and toiletries as mixtures surface activity emulsions and detergency detergents and emulsifiers skin a clean face products for bath and shower skin care - the problems skin care cosmetics decorative cosmetics sunshine, suntan, sunburn the hands, the feet, the nails hair hair care hair waxing and hair colouring unwanted hair the teeth and oral hygiene perfumery the development and testing of cosmetic products packaging cosmetics and toiletries.