INFLUENCE OF CLIPPING AND CHEMICAL EPILATION ON HAIR GROWTH IN MICE1

In a study with 221 albino mice, researchers found that hair growth was accelerated by clipping or epilation using either barium sulphide or a carcinogenic hydrocarbon. The treatments resulted in hair appearing earlier in the treated areas than in untreated areas, with a latent period before accelerated growth that varied by treatment. The artificially induced hair growth was histologically similar to normal hair growth. The study also discussed conflicting literature on hair growth induction, noting that while some studies suggest shaving or cutting hair can stimulate growth, others see no effect. The conclusion was that while local hair growth cycles in mice can be sped up through certain treatments, the overall pattern of hair succession is unchanged.