Methods for hair removal

 

Depilation

The term of depilation describes several procedures for removing hairs which remove only the part of the hair visible outside of the skin.
The most common depilation method is shaving. Here, the hair is
cut right where it exits the skin.

There are also chemical methods, for example using depilatory crème. The substances contained in the crème (thioglycol acid) break open the hair proteins so that the part of the hair outside of
the skin disintegrates.

The hair root is not affected by depilation.

 

 
   
Temporary Epilation

Epilation describes procedures for removing body hair, in which the hair is removed / torn out with the root.

There are permanent epilation procedures where the hair root is destroyed, and temporary ones where the hair is only torn out without destroying the root, so that the hair grows back; however, this will only happen after a longer time than when using depilation.

The most common methods for temporary epilation are the expert-sugaring (see fig 2)  and tweezers – and in some cases also warm wax and sugar wax. 
 

 
 

Permanent Epilation / Hair Growth Reduction
- Long-Lasting change and reduction of hair regrowth
 
All permanent epilation procedures have the common factor of being effective only for hair in the anagen growth stage. Therefore, these procedures must be applied repeatedly to achieve a satisfactory result – see also definition of professional hair regrowth reduction.

Selective Thermolysis (Laser / IPL) *

In this procedure, the hair is subjected to large-area laser impulses or flashes of light. The light is absorbed by the hair root and converted to heat. This local heat development obliterates the hair root.

This procedure usually works best with dark hair or hair with a dark root, since white hair is missing the pigment melanin, which takes up the laser radiation.

Currently, many laser and light treatment systems are available on the market, ranging from those suitable for slowing down hair growth (long-term epilation) to those offering permanent removal of hair. These are solid body diode lasers with a longer frequency or high-energy discharge lamps (IPL).

 

IPL is short for intense pulsed light and, like laser epilation, constitutes a means for removing hair with the application of a high-energy source.

In contrast to laser technology, which uses a single, fixed wavelength, IPL technology uses the complete range of a Xenon light source, limited to the required wavelength range effective for treatment by application of filters.

The limitation to this wavelength area is implemented to ensure that only the hair pigment melanin is heated, while tissue (water, blood) remains unaffected. Newer IPL systems include active cooling for the skin, and several short impulses can be selected. This way, the hair root can be obliterated without any danger to the skin.

Since the basic principle of this treatment corresponds to that of laser epilation, this procedure also usually works on darker hair only (hair with sufficient amounts of melanin). White hair and vellus hair usually cannot be removed permanently, since they do not contain the pigment melanin to absorb the radiation.


Blendmethods/Elektrical Epilation*

Electrical epilation was first used in the U.S. as early as in 1875; over the years, it was technically developed and refined. It works independently of hair colour, thickness and skin tone.

Electrical epilation works by inserting a very fine probe adjusted to hair thickness and follicle depth into every follicle. This probe is then used to apply a certain dose of electrical energy to every follicle. This causes permanent damage to the hair growth cells. The hair can no longer grow.

Electrical epilation is practiced by one of three methods, thermolysis, electrolysis and the blend method. The chosen method and application depends on the individual hair growth situation, skin reaction and different experience of pain of the client.
 
High-frequency alternate current is used to generate heat in the area of the probe tip, causing coagulation of the tissue and growth cells in the follicle.

For electrolysis treatment, direct current is used to produce caustic soda in the follicle to chemically destroy the germinating cells.

The blend method uses both types of current, i.e. high-frequency alternate current (thermolysis) and direct current (electrolysis) in combination. This heats up the caustic soda more quickly.

 

Proteolytic Active Enzyme Treatment*

An enzyme complex acts on the exposed/hair free follicle, i.e. the hair is first removed/epilated root-deep by a beautician.  The best pre-treatment/epilation a beautician can perform is using the EpilaDerm®-Profi-Sugarpastes respectively the sugaring method.

Then the respective skin area is treated with enzymes that "disintegrate" the hair cells in the hair papilla. This irreversible process changes and/or reduces the basis for growth of the hair follicle in its anagen growth phase over time.

Since there is no way of telling from the outside which growth stage hairs are in, repeated treatment is required to achieve a satisfactory result.
* According to the current knowledge of danlab ltd. in December 2010.