Review of Hair Removal in Traditional Medicine and Its Clinical Application
August 2012
in “
Journal of acupuncture and meridian studies
”
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Studysummary This review discusses the diagnostic classification and traditional Korean medicine treatments for abnormal hair growth and reports no new clinical results; it suggests that combining these with modern technology may enhance cosmetology advances. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
The study reviewed the history and methods of hair removal treatments for pilosis, an abnormal hair growth condition, within traditional Korean medicine, dating back to 610 A.D. It highlighted various treatments used in clinical Korean medicine, including moxibustion, superficial bleeding, microneedling, facial meridian massage, herbal facial packs, laser acupuncture, and intense pulsed light (IPL). The review found that traditional approaches to pilosis involved both internal medicinal classifications with corresponding medications and external treatments like acupuncture aimed at addressing root causes and physically removing hair. Techniques such as body and ear acupuncture, ear acupressure, subcutaneous acupuncture, and injections, as well as laser acupuncture, were documented. Additionally, physical and chemical hair removal methods were also in use. The study concluded that the integration of these traditional methods with modern technology could lead to significant advancements in the field of cosmetology.
