Management of Unwanted Hair

January 2009 in “ Elsevier eBooks ”

Gurpreet S. Ahluwalia

depilation epilation shaving depilatory creams bleaching waxing plucking tweezing hair removal hair removal creams

Studysummary This chapter discusses management strategies for unwanted hair, focusing on the distinction between depilation and epilation, and reports no new clinical results.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The chapter discussed the management of unwanted hair, emphasizing that while hair's primary function in mammals is environmental protection, in humans, it is often removed for cosmetic reasons, especially by women. Hair removal methods were categorized into depilation (removing hair at the skin's surface) and epilation (removing the entire hair shaft from the root). Common techniques included shaving, depilatory creams, bleaching, waxing, and plucking. Waxing and tweezing, though more painful, provided longer-lasting results compared to depilatories, as they removed hair from below the skin's surface, delaying new growth for several weeks.

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17 / 17 results

research Topical Eflornithine: Efficacy in Reducing Unwanted Facial Hair Growth in Women

115 citations , January 2001 in “American journal of clinical dermatology”

This study found that eflornithine 15% cream reduced unwanted facial hair growth more effectively than a placebo in women with hirsutism, but hair growth returned to pretreatment levels within 8 weeks of stopping treatment.

research A Prospective, Randomized Trial Comparing Flutamide (250 mg/d) and Finasteride (5 mg/d) in the Treatment of Hirsutism

50 citations , May 2000 in “Fertility and Sterility”

This study found that flutamide was more effective than finasteride in reducing hair growth in women with hirsutism over a one-year period.

research Comparison of Spironolactone, Flutamide, and Finasteride Efficacy in the Treatment of Hirsutism: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

46 citations , January 2000 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

research Effect of Finasteride in Idiopathic Hirsutism

27 citations , November 1998 in “Journal of Endocrinological Investigation”

This study reported that 6 months of finasteride treatment significantly improved idiopathic hirsutism in women, with benefits persisting 6 months post-treatment and no adverse reactions observed.

research Ruby Laser Treatment for Hirsutism: Clinical Response and Patient Tolerance

52 citations , June 1998 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

This study found that normal mode ruby laser treatment for hirsutism is well tolerated and results in significant hair count reduction for at least six months, with multiple treatments offering greater effects.

research Comparison of Finasteride Versus Spironolactone in the Treatment of Idiopathic Hirsutism

76 citations , December 1997 in “Fertility and Sterility”

This study found that spironolactone was significantly more effective than finasteride in reducing hirsutism scores over 9 months, despite more side effects occurring in the spironolactone group.

research Long-Term Epilation Using the EpiLight Broad Band, Intense Pulsed Light Hair Removal System

67 citations , October 1997 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

This study found that the EpiLight Hair Removal System achieved approximately 60% hair removal after 12 weeks following a single treatment, indicating effectiveness and safety for long-term hair reduction.

research The Clinical Management of Hirsutism

30 citations , April 1997 in “European journal of endocrinology”

The document concludes that managing hirsutism involves identifying the cause, using a scoring system for severity, combining cosmetic and medical treatments, encouraging weight loss, and providing psychological support, while noting the need for more research on drug treatments.

research Electrolysis: Observations from 13 Years and 140,000 Hours of Experience

132 citations , October 1995 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This report concludes that the blend method is the most effective electrolysis technique for permanent hair removal, requiring proper technique and preparation such as shaving before treatment to increase efficacy.

research Clinical Relevance of Testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone Metabolism in Women

31 citations , January 1995 in “The American journal of medicine”

This article reviews the role of 5α-reductase in cutaneous hyperandrogenism and the potential of 5α-reductase inhibitors and antiandrogens in treating conditions like hirsutism and male-pattern baldness, reporting no clinical results.

research A Prospective Randomized Trial Comparing Finasteride to Spironolactone in the Treatment of Hirsute Women

34 citations , January 1995 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

research Hepatotoxicity Complicating Flutamide Treatment of Hirsutism

43 citations , December 1993 in “Annals of internal medicine”

This letter discusses the first reported case of serious liver damage linked to the use of flutamide for hirsutism in a woman, highlighting a potential risk for hepatotoxicity with this treatment.

research Temporary Hair Removal in Patients with Hirsutism: A Clinical Study

89 citations , March 1990 in “PubMed”

This study found that shaving was the most helpful and commonly used temporary hair removal method among women with facial hirsutism.

research Spironolactone Is an Effective and Well-Tolerated Systemic Antiandrogen Therapy for Hirsute Women

78 citations , May 1989 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism”

This study found that in hirsute women, daily treatment with 200 mg spironolactone significantly reduced hair growth rates and hair shaft diameters on various body areas over 12 months.

research Electrolysis and Thermolysis for Permanent Hair Removal

58 citations , March 1985 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This review discusses the historical, legal, and clinical aspects of electrolysis and thermolysis, highlighting potential risks due to the lack of standardized training for electrologists in the United States, but reports no new clinical results.

research A Novel Use of Spironolactone: Treatment of Hirsutism

124 citations , September 1980 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism”

This study found that spironolactone significantly reduced hair growth in hirsute women, with noticeable effects in 3-5 months, and decreased serum testosterone levels in all participants.

research The Effects of Epilation and Hormones on the Activity of Rat Hair Follicles

37 citations , January 1975 in “Journal of Experimental Zoology”

This study found that thyroxine increased hair growth rate in rats, but estradiol decreased it, with both hormones affecting follicular cycles independently without altering ultimate hair length.