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Removal of excessive hair |
 Many individuals have what they consider to be excessive or inappropriate facial or body hair, and often seek to educate themselves on ways to deal with unwanted hair growth. This article is a survey and description of the most common methods of hair removal. No one technique is optimal for all body regions and circumstances, and personal preference frequently dictates the method selected. The information provided below indicates the settings in which the various approaches to hair removal are generally used, as well as some of their potential adverse consequences.
Hair Follicles
Hair follicles are tube-like structures with bulbous appearing bottom regions that project inward from the surface of the skin. Within these follicles hair shafts form and develop before exiting the skin. Hair is primarily composed of a protein called Keratin that goes through a characteristic life cycle which includes growth, transition, and resting phases. It is during this latter phase, called "telogen," that mature hair shafts fall out, or are pushed out, by newly growing hair below them. In humans, the life cycles of the individual hair follicles are independent of one another. The simultaneous presence of approximately 100,000 scalp hairs with unsynchronized growth, creates the continuous appearance of a "full head of hair."
Bleaching
Bleaching is a common way to improve the cosmetic appearance of undesired hair growth. It masks, rather than removes, unwanted hair. Bleaching is most suitably used by women to de-emphasize dark hair above the upper lip, along the
jaw line, and on the arms. It can be useful in areas that are too large for waxing, and esthetically inappropriate for shaving. However, the cosmetic results obtained with bleaching are often less than satisfactory, since the bleached hair can stand out against dark skin. Bleaches can be purchased in retail outlets like beauty supply stores or pharmacies, or created at home. Bleaching is painless and easily accomplished, but may cause skin irritation.
 Shaving
Probably, the best known method of hair removal is shaving. It is fast, cheap, and effective. However, shaving removes the tapered tips from hair shafts, causing growing hairs to have a bristly feel. At one time shaving was erroneously thought to encourage hair growth and increase hair thickness, but this assumption has proved to be untrue. Nevertheless, shaving can cause irritation, cuts, and occasionally, infection. Also, regrowth of the sharp tipped hair shafts can result in hair follicle irritation, inflammation, and the development of ingrown hairs. Ideally, shaving would involve closeness with little or no irritation. This is best accomplished by using an angle between the blade and the skin of 28-32 degrees. Using fresh blades and thick lather during wet shaving will minimize abrasion, as will shaving in the direction of hair growth. Repeated shaving over an area and heavy pressure should be avoided. Plentiful facial fat, in this context is helpful, because it improves skin resiliency, thus minimizing irritation. Better shaving results are achieved in follicles that contain only one hair, and in those that lack deep pits near their openings.
Both wet and dry shaving techniques are commonly used. In wet shaving, razor blades and shaving cream or other lubricants are applied after the area to be shaved is moistened. Thick creams best prevent irritation and cuts. Allowing shaving cream to sit on the skin for at least four minutes prior to shaving, will lessen razor burn and preserve razor blade life. In dry shaving one uses an electric razor with rotating or vibrating blades to cut hair. Creams or other moisturizing agents are not necessary, and are usually not added. Dry shaving is quick, easy, and generally causes less abrasion, irritation, and trauma to the skin than does wet shaving. However, it typically does not produce as close a shave as wet shaving, and irritation and infections remain possible. Dry shaving should not be used on a woman’s face, and can irritate the underarm regions.
 Abrasives
Hair is sometimes removed by rubbing the skin with abrasive materials like pumice stone. This can be quite irritating. Consequently, the technique is not commonly used in the United States. "Hair removing gloves" are mittens of made of fine sandpaper, that can be used to remove hair. The gloves are rubbed circularly over areas of hair removal, breaking the hair shafts. This method also irritates the skin, and is not widely practiced in the United States.
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