Hair Removal Practices: A Literature Review

The literature review on hair removal practices highlighted the evolution of these methods from cultural and religious traditions to modern aesthetic standards. Hair removal techniques were categorized into depilation, which removes the hair shaft, and epilation, which removes the hair shaft, follicle, and bulb. Methods such as shaving, chemical depilatories, plucking, threading, waxing, sugaring, lasers, intense pulsed light, electrolysis, and photodynamic therapy were discussed. Eflornithine hydrochloride 13.9% cream (Vaniqa®) was noted for its FDA and Health Canada approval to slow facial hair growth. The review emphasized that electrolysis was the only permanent method, while others were temporary, each with varying efficacy and side effects. It also pointed out the limitation of existing studies, which predominantly focused on individuals with darker hair and fairer skin, indicating a need for further research on light-colored hair.