Introduction to hair removal

  Abnormal hair growth can be caused by genetics, abnormal hormone levels and some medications.       Types of excessive hair growth: 1.hypertrichosis: excessive hair growth located anywhere on the body, mostly due to genetic or ethnic causes, but also endocrine disorders, nutritional disorders, porphyrias, drugs and tumors.       2. hirsutism: refers to increased hair growth in androgen-dependent areas in women, initially on the face, and can be primary or secondary to endocrine disorders, medications or masculinizing tumors. Some areas of the body respond only to high levels of androgens, including the chest, abdomen, back, thighs, upper arms and lids. The presence of terminal hair in these areas is characteristic of males, while the presence of terminal hair in women in these areas is pathological and is called hirsutism, i.e., the distribution of terminal hair in women presents a male pattern, accounting for 5-10% of women. Nowadays, hair removal surgery is a boon for such patients. Nowadays, due to the changes in fashion, modern women are exposing more and more of their clothing, and some of the physiological hairs located in normal areas are also required to be removed to avoid indecency and embarrassment in certain situations.  The traditional hair removal methods are plucking and electrolysis, plucking is painful and will continue to grow, electrolysis is the use of electric needles inserted into the hair follicle to destroy the follicle. Intense pulse light or laser hair removal is more efficient and destroys the hair follicle with less pain, less cost and better results. The principle of action is that the melanin located in the hair follicle absorbs the laser or intense pulsed light energy and destroys the hair follicle, and since the epidermis also contains melanin, it is accompanied by epidermal cooling technology to protect the epidermis. Therefore, the best candidates for hair removal treatment are light-skinned black hairs, i.e. the greater the difference between skin color and hair color, the better the results. Hair from any part of the body can be applied. Since hair in the anagen phase is sensitive to hair removal treatment, multiple hair removal treatments are required since all hair in the same area is in different growth cycles. Generally 3-4 sessions are needed for underarm and bikini areas, 7-8 sessions on average for lip hair, and about 5-6 sessions for other areas, each 6-8 weeks apart.  There is a slight discomfort during the treatment, similar to the sensation of a tightly stretched leather band springing back onto the skin, and there may be redness and edema around the hair follicle for a few hours after the treatment. Rarely, blistering occurs. After hair removal treatment, the treated area is smooth, as if a layer of wax has been applied, but there can be residual hair roots that look like a small black spot, which can be gently wiped away in the shower, after all the hair has fallen out, the treated area can be hair-free for 3-4 weeks. After hair removal, most of the hairs fall out, or the hairs become fine and insignificant. In a few patients, the hair will grow back, and some people do not respond well to hair removal.