FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health regulates electrolysis equipment and lasers. Chemical depilatories, waxes, and shaving creams and gels fall under the jurisdiction of FDA's Office of Cosmetics and Colors in the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. The practice of professional hair removal is generally regulated by state and local authorities. Here are some tips related to common methods of hair removal.

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การใช้ Laser เพื่อกำจัดขน

Laser จะให้ความร้อนกับต่อมขุมขนทำให้ทำลายต่อมขุมขน บางครั้งอาจจะต้องทายาชาบริเวณที่จะกำจัดขน องค์การอาหารและยาแนะนำว่าให้ปรึกษากับแพทย์ผู้รักษาถึงความจำเป็นในการใช้ยาชา หากจะใช้ต้องใช้ขนาดให้น้อยที่สุด เนื่องจากเคยมีรายงานถึงผลข้างเคียงของยาชา

Laser/Pulsed Light

How it works: A technician destroys the roots with strong beams of light. "Laser hair removal really is the most effective way to have long-term hair reduction," says dermatologist Cameron Rokhsar, MD. "It's as permanent as it gets."

Best for: Laser and IPL (intense pulsed light) work anywhere on the body. It's best for women with dark hair and light skin. It won't work on white hair and doesn't work well on blond hair either.

How long it lasts: It may take between 6-12 treatments to see results. You may need to go back every 6-12 months for a touchup.

Possible side effects: Swelling or redness. Because there's also a chance of burning and scarring, it's best to have laser treatments where there's a doctor on staff, Pariser says.

 

 

Laser Hair Removal

In this method, a laser destroys hair follicles with heat.

Sometimes it is recommended that a topical anesthetic product be used before a laser hair removal procedure, to minimize pain. In these cases, FDA recommends that consumers discuss with a medical professional the circumstances under which the cream should be used, and whether the use is appropriate.

Those who decide to use a skin-numbing product should follow the directions of a health care provider and consider using a product that contains the lowest amount of anesthetic drugs possible. FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research has received reports of serious and life-threatening side effects after use of large amounts of skin-numbing products for laser hair removal.

Side effects of laser hair removal can include blistering, discoloration after treatment, swelling, redness, and scarring. Sunlight should be avoided during healing after the procedure.

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Epilators: Needle, Electrolysis, and Tweezers

Needle epilators introduce a fine wire close to the hair shaft, under the skin, and into the hair follicle. An electric current travels down the wire and destroys the hair root at the bottom of the follicle, and the loosened hair is removed with tweezers.

Electrolysis

Medical electrolysis devices destroy hair growth with a shortwave radio frequency after a thin probe is placed in the hair follicle. Risks from these methods include infection from an unsterile needle and scarring from improper technique. Electrolysis is considered a permanent hair removal method, since it destroys the hair follicle. It requires a series of appointments over a period of time.

How it works: A trained expert places a tiny needle inside each hair follicle to destroy the root with an electric current.

Best for: Because it takes a long time, it's best for small areas like the upper lip or chin. Women with white or blond hair who can't get laser or IPL may see results from electrolysis.

How long it lasts: You'll likely need treatments every 1-2 weeks until the hair is mostly gone.

Possible side effects: Redness, swelling, and scarring

Tweezing

How it works: You pull out individual hairs by the root with tweezers.

Best for: Small areas of the face

How long it lasts: 3-8 weeks

Tips: Clean tweezers with rubbing alcohol before and after each use to lower your chance of infection.

Possible side effects: If the hair breaks off, it could grow back under the skin, causing an ingrown hair.

Tweezer epilators also use electric current to remove hair. The tweezers grasp the hair close to the skin, and energy is applied at the tip of the tweezer. There is no body of significant information establishing the effectiveness of the tweezer epilator to permanently remove hair.

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Depilatories

Available in gel, cream, lotion, aerosol, and roll-on forms, depilatories are highly alkaline (or, in some cases, acidic) formulations that affect the protein structure of the hair, causing it to dissolve into a jellylike mass that the user can easily wipe from the skin. Consumers should carefully follow instructions and heed all warnings on the product label.

For example, manufacturers typically recommend conducting a preliminary skin test for allergic reaction and irritation. Depilatories should not be used for eyebrows or around eyes or on inflamed or broken skin.

FDA's Office of Cosmetics and Colors has received reports of burns, blisters, stinging, itchy rashes, and skin peeling associated with depilatories and other types of cosmetic hair removers.

Over-the-counter creams

How it works: Depilatory creams or lotions dissolve proteins that make up hair.

Best for: Legs, underarms, and bikini area. There are special formulas for the face, but they sometimes don't work well on coarse hair.

How long it lasts: A couple of days to a couple of weeks.

Possible side effects: "They work by dissolving the hairs," Pariser says. "But they also can dissolve the skin if left on too long or [if] your skin is too sensitive." To avoid problems, follow directions carefully.

Prescription creams

How it works: Vaniqa is a cream you rub on every day. It doesn't remove hairs, but it slows down how fast they grow and makes them come in finer and softer.

Best for: It's often used together with laser or shaving, Rokhsar says. "It gives you a little more time in between treatments."

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Waxing, Sugaring, and Threading

Unlike chemical depilatories that remove hair at the skin's surface, these methods pluck hairs out of the follicle, below the surface.

With waxing, a layer of melted wax is applied to the skin and allowed to harden. (Cold waxes, which are soft at room temperature, allow the user to skip the steps of melting and hardening.) It is then pulled off quickly in the opposite direction of the hair growth, taking the uprooted hair with it. Labeling of waxes may caution that these products should not be used by people with diabetes and circulatory problems. Waxes should not be used over varicose veins, moles, or warts. Waxes also shouldn't be used on eyelashes, the nose, ears, or on nipples, genital areas, or on irritated, chapped, or sunburned skin. As with chemical depilatories, it can be a good idea to do a preliminary test on a small area for allergic reaction or irritation.

Waxing

How it works: A cosmetologist spreads sticky wax on your skin, then covers it with cloth strips. When the wax dries, the strips are quickly pulled off, taking the hair with them. Some types of wax can be pulled off without cloth strips.

Best for: Anywhere on the body, including the face, underarms, legs, and bikini area

How long it lasts: 3-6 weeks

Possible side effects: Redness and bumps. You could also get an infection around the hair follicles. The more often you wax, the less likely you are to have an infection.

Tips: Hair has to be at least 1/4 inch long for the wax to grab it. So let your hair grow for a few weeks before waxing.

Sugaring is similar to waxing. A heated sugar mixture is spread on the skin, sometimes covered with a strip of fabric, and then lifted off to remove hair. Threading is an ancient technique in which a loop of thread is rotated across the skin to pluck the hair. All of these techniques may cause skin irritation and infection.

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Shaving

Shaving hair only when it's wet, and shaving in the direction in which the hairs lie, can help lessen skin irritation and cuts. It's important to use a clean razor with a sharp blade. Contrary to popular belief, shaving does not change the texture, color, or growth rate of hair. Razors and electric shavers are under the jurisdiction of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

This article appears on FDA's Consumer Update page, which features the latest on all FDA-regulated products.

Shaving

How it works: Using a razor or electric shaver, you cut the hair very close to the skin. "There's a popular myth that shaving causes hair to grow back coarser," says dermatologist David Pariser, MD. "But that's not true. An unshaved hair has a tip that is tapered and soft. When you shave it, you shave off the soft tip, so it feels coarser."

Tips: If you use disposable razors or blades, wet your skin and use soap or shaving cream. Shave in the direction the hair grows. Replace your razor often -- you can cut yourself with a dull one.

Best for: It works anywhere.

How long it lasts: 1-3 days

Possible side effects: Ingrown hairs, especially in the bikini area

Updated June 30, 2010

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For Women Only: Best Choices for Hair Removal

By Mary Jo DiLonardo

Reviewed by Stephanie S. Gardner, MD

WebMD Feature

When hair removal is part of your regular beauty routine, you might use several methods on different parts of your face and body. You might even be thinking about permanent removal methods so you have fewer things to do in the morning. You have many choices, so you can try different ways to make your skin smooth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hormones

How it works: Sometimes menopause or conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome can cause extra hair growth. In those cases, your doctor might suggest a medicine like birth control pills to lower the amount of hormones that are linked to hair growth.

Hair removal, also known as epilation or depilation, is the deliberate removal of body hair.

Hair typically grows all over the human body. Hair can become more visible during and after puberty and men tend to have thicker, more visible body hair than women.[1] Both men and women have visible hair on the headeyebrowseyelashesarmpitspubic regionarms, and legs; men also have thicker hair on theirfaceabdomenback and chest. Hair does not generally grow on the lips, the underside of the hands or feet or on certain areas of the genitalia.

Forms of hair removal are practised for various and mostly cultural, sexual, medical or religious reasons. Forms of hair removal have been practised in almost all human cultures since at least the Neolithic era. The methods used to remove hair have varied in different times and regions, but shaving is the most common method.[citation needed]

Cultural and sexual aspects[edit]

See also: Bikini waxing

Each culture of human society has developed social norms relating to the presence or absence of body hair, which has changed from one time to another. Different standards can apply to males and females. People whose hair falls outside a culture's aesthetic standards may experience real or perceived social acceptance problems. For example, for women in several societies, exposure in public of body hair other than head hair, eyelashes and eyebrows is generally considered to be unaesthetic, undesirable and embarrassing.[2] In Middle Eastern societies, removal of the female body hair has been considered proper hygiene, necessitated by local customs, for many centuries.[3]

A woman's unshaven underarm...
...and one that has been shaved

With the increased popularity in many countries of women wearing shorter dresses and swimsuits during the 20th century and the consequential exposure of parts of the body on which hair is commonly found, there has been an increase in the practice of women removing unwanted body hair, such as on legs, underarms and elsewhere.[4] In the United States, for example, the vast majority of women regularly shave their legs and armpits, while roughly half also shave their bikini lines.[5]

People may also remove some or all of their pubic hair for aesthetic or sexual reasons. However, some women in Western cultures choose not to remove hair from their bodies, either as a preference or as an act of defiance against what they regard to be an oppressive ritual.

Many men in Western cultures shave their facial hair, so only a minority of men have a beard, even though fast-growing facial hair must be shaved daily to achieve aclean-shaven or hairless look. Some men shave because they cannot grow a "full" beard (generally defined as an even density from cheeks to neck), because their beard color is different from their scalp hair color, or because their facial hair grows in many directions, making a groomed look difficult. Some men shave because their beards are very coarse, causing itchiness and irritation. Some men grow a beard or mustache from time to time to change their appearance.

Some men shave their heads, either as a fashion statement, because they find a shaved head preferable to the appearance of male pattern baldness, or in order to attain enhanced cooling of the skull – particularly for people suffering from hyperhidrosis. A much smaller number of Western women also shave their heads, often as a fashion or political statement.

Within the gay, bi and straight male cultures, some men are known to eliminate or trim the pubic hair especially from their nether region, a practice that is referred to as being a part of manscaping (portmanteau expression for male-specific landscaping). This custom can be motivated by reasons of potentially increased cleanliness and hygiene, heightened enjoyment during fellatio and analingus, and or the desire to take on the appearance of a developing, younger male.

Some women also shave their heads for cultural or social reasons. In India, tradition required widows in some sections of the society to shave their heads as part of being ostracized (see widowhood in Hinduism). The outlawed custom is still infrequently encountered mostly in rural areas. The society at large and the government are working to end the practice of ostracizing widows.[6] In addition, it continues to be common practice for men to shave their heads prior to embarking on a pilgrimage.[citation needed]

Other reasons[edit]

Religious reasons[edit]

Head-shaving is a part of some BuddhistChristianMuslimJain and Hindu traditions.[citation needed] Buddhist and Christian monks generally undergo some form of head-shaving or tonsure during their induction into monastic life[citation needed]; in Thailand monks shave their eyebrows as well[citation needed]. Brahmin children have their heads ritualistically shaved before beginning school.[citation needed] The Amish religion forbids men from having mustaches, as they are associated with the military.[7]

In some parts of the Theravada Buddhist world, it is common practice to shave the heads of children. Weak or sickly children are often left with a small topknot of hair, to gauge their health and mark them for special treatment. When health improves, the lock is cut off.[citation needed]

In Judaism, there is no obligation to remove hair; nor is there a general prohibition to removing hair. However, there is a prohibition for men using a razor to shave their beards or sideburns; and, by custom, neither men nor women may cut their hair or shave during a 30-day mourning period after the death of an immediate family member.[citation needed]

The Bahá'í Faith recommends against complete and long-term head-shaving outside of medical purposes. It is not currently practiced as a law, contingent upon future decision by the Universal House of Justice, its highest governing body. Sikhs take an even stronger stance, opposing all forms of hair removal. One of the "Five Ks" of Sikhism is Kesh, meaning "hair". To Sikhs, the maintenance and management of long hair is a manifestation of one's piety.[citation needed]

Muslim law (Sharia) puts hair in three categories: that which it is recommended and trim mustache. It is recommended to keep (the beard)[citation needed], and that which is the object of recommendation (foot, hand, back, and chest hair). A Muslim may trim or cut hair on head. The hairs on the chest and the back may be removed. In the 9th century, the use of chemical depilatories for women was introduced by Ziryab in Al-Andalus.[8]

Ancient Egyptian priests also shaved or depilated all over daily, so as to present a "pure" body before the images of the gods.

Medical reasons[edit]

Body hair on an unusually hirsutemale

The body hair of surgical patients may be removed before surgery. In the past this may have been achieved by shaving, but that is now considered counter-productive, so clippersor chemical depilatories may be used instead.[9] The shaving of hair has sometimes been used in attempts to eradicate lice or to minimize body odor due to accumulation of odor-causing micro-organisms in hair. Some people with trichiasis find it medically necessary to remove ingrown eyelashes. Shaving against the grain can often cause ingrown hairs.[10]

Many forms of cancer require chemotherapy, which often causes severe and irregular hair loss. For this reason, it is common for cancer patients to shave their heads even before starting chemotherapy.[citation needed]

In extreme situations people may need to remove all body hair to prevent or combat infestation by licefleas and other parasites. Such a practice was used, for example, in Ancient Egypt.[citation needed]

By trans women[edit]

This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed(November 2012)

Designated male at birth trans women often decide to remove their facial hair, typically either by electrolysis or laser removal, or a combination of the two procedures, in an effort to better align their appearance with their gender identity.

In addition, some surgeons recommend that a part of the pubic hair be removed prior to sex reassignment surgery as well, usually by electrolysis. Since the new vagina is created using the skin of the penis and part of thescrotum, which usually has active follicles, the hair is removed from these areas prior to surgery, in order for the genitals to be fashioned without the concern of hair growth inside of the new vagina. In some cases, the surgeon scrapes the underside of the skin to remove the follicles at or near the beginning of the surgery, eliminating the need for post-surgical hair removal.

In the military[edit]

A close-cropped or completely shaven haircut is common in military organizations. In field environments, soldiers are susceptible to infestation of liceticks, and fleas. In addition short hair is also more difficult for an enemy to grab hold of in hand-to-hand combat, and short hair makes fitting gas masks and helmets easier.

The practice serves to cultivate a group oriented environment through the process of removing exterior signs of individuality.[citation needed] In many militaries head-shaving is mandatory for males when beginning their training. However, even after the initial recruitment phase, when head-shaving is no longer required, many soldiers maintain a completely or partially shaven hairstyle (such as a "high and tight", "flattop" or "buzz cut") for personal convenience and an exterior symbol of military solidarity.[citation needed] Head-shaving is not required and is often not allowed of females in military service, although they must have their hair cut or tied to regulation length.[citation needed]

Armies may also require males to maintain clean-shaven faces as facial hair can prevent an air-tight seal between the face and breathing or safety equipment, such as a pilot's oxygen mask, a diver's mask, or a soldier's gas mask.[citation needed]

In sport[edit]

It is a common practice for professional footballers (soccer) and road cyclists to remove leg hair for a number of reasons. In the case of a crash or tackle, the absence of the leg hair means the injuries (usually road rash or scarring) can be cleaned up more efficiently, and treatment is not impeded. Professional cyclists as well as Professional Footballers (soccer) also receive regular leg massages, and the absence of hair reduces the friction and increases their comfort and effectiveness.[citation needed]

It is also common for professional swimmers to shave hair off their legs, not to prevent drag with the water from slowing them down as is commonly believed, but to remove a dead layer of skin, providing a heightened 'feel' for the water.[11] Some professional soccer players also shave their legs. One of the reasons is that they are required to wear shin guards and in case of a skin rash the affected area can be treated more efficiently.

As punishment[edit]

In some situations, people's hair is shaved as a punishment or a form of humiliation. After World War II, Betty Crick head-shaving was a common punishment in France, the Netherlands, and Norway for women who had collaborated with the Nazis during the occupation, and, in particular, for women who had sexual relations with an occupying soldier.[12]

In the United States, during the Vietnam War, conservative students would sometimes attack student radicals or "hippies" by shaving beards or cutting long hair. One notorious incident occurred at Stanford University, when unruly fraternity members grabbed Resistance founder (and student-body president) David Harris, cut off his long hair, and shaved his beard.

During European witch-hunts of the Medieval and Early Modern periods, alleged witches were stripped naked and their entire body shaved to discover the so-called witches' marks. The discovery of witches' marks was then used as evidence in trials.[13]

Head shaving during present times is also used as a form of payment for challenges or dares lost involving the removal of all body hair.

Inmates have their head shaved upon entry at certain prisons.

Forms of hair removal[edit]

Depilation is the removal of the part of the hair above the surface of the skin. The most common form of depilation is shaving or trimming. Another option is the use of chemical depilatories, which work by breaking thedisulfide bonds that link the protein chains that give hair its strength.

Epilation is the removal of the entire hair, including the part below the skin. Methods include waxingsugaringepilation deviceslasersthreadingintense pulsed light or electrology. Hair is also sometimes removed byplucking with tweezers.

Hair removal methods[edit]

Many products in the market have proven fraudulent. Many other products exaggerate the results or ease of use.

Temporary removal of hair to the level of the skin lasts several hours to several days and can be achieved by

  • Shaving or trimming (manually or with electric shavers)
  • Depilatories (creams or "shaving powders" which chemically dissolve hair)
  • Friction (rough surfaces used to buff away hair)

"Epilation", or removal of the entire hair from the root, lasts several days to several weeks and may be achieved by

  • Tweezing (hairs are tweezed, or pulled out, with tweezers or with fingers)
  • Waxing (a hot or cold layer is applied and then removed with porous strips)
  • Sugaring (hair is removed by applying a sugar paste to the skin and removed in the direction of hair growth)[citation needed]
File:Threading in Wenchang.ogv
Threading in Wenchang, Hainan, China
  • Threading (also called fatlah or khite in Arabic, or band in Persian) in which a twisted thread catches hairs as it is rolled across the skin
  • Epilators (mechanical devices that rapidly grasp hairs and pull them out).
  • Powder (weakens the root ends of hair and halts hair production).
  • Prescription oral medications
  • Use of thanaka powder along with kusuma oil.
  • Drugs that directly attack hair growth or inhibit the development of new hair cells. Hair growth will become less and less until it finally stops; normal depilation/epilation will be performed until that time. Hair growth will return to normal if use of product is discontinued.[14] Products include the prescription drug Vaniqa, with the active ingredienteflornithine hydrochloride inhibiting the enzyme ornithine decarboxylase, preventing new hair cells from producing putrescine for stabilizing their DNA.

Permanent hair removal[edit]

For over 130 years, electrology has been in use in the United States. It is approved by the FDA. This technique permanently destroys germ cells responsible for hair growth by way of insertion of a fine probe in the hair follicle and the application of a current adjusted to each hair type and treatment area. Electrology is the only permanent hair removal method recognized by the FDA.[15]

Permanent hair reduction[edit]

  • Photoepilation
    • Laser hair removal (lasers and laser diodes): Laser hair removal technology became widespread in the US and many other countries from the 1990s onwards. It has been approved in the United States by the FDA since 1997. With this technology, light is directed at the hair and is absorbed by dark pigment, resulting in the destruction of the hair follicle. This hair removal method sometimes becomes permanent after several sessions. The number of sessions needed depends upon the amount and type of hair being removed. Equipment for performing laser hair removal at home has become available in recent years.
    • Intense pulsed light (high-energy lamps)
    • Diode epilation (high energy LEDs but not laser diodes)

Clinical comparisons of effectiveness[edit]

A 2006 review article in the journal "Lasers in Medical Science" compared IPL and both alexandrite and diode lasers. The review found no statistical difference in effectiveness, but a higher incidence of side effects with diode laser based treatment. Hair reduction after 6 months was reported as 68.75% for alexandrite lasers, 71.71% for diode lasers, and 66.96% for IPL. Side effects were reported as 9.5% for alexandrite lasers, 28.9% for diode lasers, and 15.3% for IPL. All side effects were found to be temporary and even pigmentation changes returned to normal within 6 months.[16]

Experimental or banned methods[edit]

  • Photodynamic therapy for hair removal (experimental)
  • X-ray hair removal is an efficient, and usually permanent, hair removal method, but also causes severe health problems, occasional disfigurement, and even death.[17] It is illegal in the United States.

Doubtful methods[edit]

Many methods have been proposed or sold over the years without published clinical proof they can work as claimed.

Advantages and disadvantages[edit]

There are several disadvantages to many of these hair removal methods.

Hair removal can cause some issues: skin inflammation, minor burns, lesions, scarring, ingrown hairs, bumps, and infected hair follicles.

Some removal methods are not permanent, can cause medical problems and permanent damage, or have very high costs. Some of these methods are still in the testing phase and have not been clinically proven.

One issue that can be considered an advantage or a disadvantage depending upon an individual's viewpoint, is that removing hair has the effect of removing information about the individual's hair growth patterns due togenetic predisposition, illness, androgen levels (such as from pubertal hormonal imbalances or drug side effects), and/or gender status.

Another disadvantage of permanent (laser, electrolysis) hair removal is a decrease in regeneration ability of human skin, since hair follicles contain stem cells which help with healing.[18]

as you browse the aisles of your local drugstore, you may feel a little dizzy. Next to the dozens of products devoted to making the hair on your head thicker or shinier, you’ll see dozens more promising to get rid of unwanted hair. So which hair removal methods work best? And do you need any of them?

Different Types of Hair

Before removing hair, it helps to know about the different types of hair on our bodies. All hair is made of keratin, a hard protein that's also found in your fingernails and toenails. Hair growth begins beneath the surface of your skin at a hair root inside a hair follicle, a small tube in the skin.

You have two types of hair on your body. Vellus hair is soft, fine, and short. Most women have vellus hair on their chest, back, and face. It can be darker and more noticeable in some women than others, especially those with darker complexions. Vellus hair helps the body maintain a steady temperature by providing some insulation.

Terminal hair is coarser, darker, and longer than vellus hair. It's the type of hair that grows on your head. Around puberty, terminal hair starts to grow in the armpits and pubic region. On guys, terminal hair begins to grow on the face and other parts of the body such as the chest, legs, and back. Terminal hair is there to provide cushioning and protection.

In some cases, excess hair growth, called hirsutism (pronounced:hur-soo-tih-zum), may be the result of certain medical conditions. In girls, polycystic ovary syndrome and other hormonal disorders can cause dark, coarse hair to grow on the face, especially the upper lip and chin, as well as on the chest, belly, and back. Some medications, like anabolic steroids, also can cause hirsutism.

getting Rid of Hair

Shaving

How It Works: Using a razor, a person removes the tip of the hair shaft that has grown out through the skin. Some razors are completely disposable, some have a disposable blade, and some are electric. Guys often shave their faces, and women often shave their underarms, legs, and bikini areas.

How Long It Lasts: 1 to 3 days

Pros: Shaving is fairly inexpensive, and you can do it yourself. All you need is some warm water, a razor, and if you choose, shaving gel or cream.

Cons: Razor burn, bumps, nicks, cuts, and ingrown hairs are side effects of shaving. Ingrown hairs can happen with close, frequent shaving. When the hair begins to grow, it grows within the surrounding tissue rather than growing out of the follicle. The hair curls around and starts growing into the skin, irritating it.

Tips: You'll get a closer shave if you shave in the shower after your skin has been softened by warm water. Go slowly, pulling looser areas of skin taut before running the razor over them. Change razors often to avoid nicks. Using shaving cream may also help protect sensitive skin, like the skin around the genitals. If you’re nervous about cutting yourself, you can try an electric razor instead.

Although most people shave in the opposite direction from the hair growth, if you want to avoid ingrown hairs it can help to shave in the direction the hair grows.

Dealing With Ingrown Hairs

Plucking

How It Works: Using tweezers, a person stretches the skin tightly, grips the hair close to the root, and pulls it out.

How Long It Lasts: 3 to 8 weeks

Pros: Plucking is inexpensive because all you need are tweezers. But it can be time-consuming because you can only remove one hair at a time. Devices called epilators, which cost around $25 to $70, can pull out multiple hairs at once.

Cons: Plucking can be painful. If the hair breaks off below the skin, a person may get an ingrown hair. After plucking, you may notice temporary red bumps because the hair follicle is swollen and irritated. Epilators aren't a good idea for use on areas like eyebrows because they pull out a bunch of hairs at once and don't give you precise control.

Tips: Make sure you sterilize your tweezers or other plucking devices with rubbing alcohol before and after use to reduce the chance of infection.

Getting Rid of Hair (continued)

Depilatories

How They Work: A depilatory is a cream or liquid that removes hair from the skin's surface. They work by reacting with the protein structure of the hair, so the hair dissolves and can be washed or wiped away.

How Long They Last: Several days to 2 weeks

Pros: Depilatories work quickly, are readily available at drugstores and grocery stores, and are inexpensive. They're best on the leg, underarm, and bikini areas; special formulations may be used on the face and chin.

Cons: Applying depilatories can be messy and many people dislike the odor. If you have sensitive skin, you might have an allergic reaction to the chemicals in the depilatory, which may cause a rash or inflammation. Depilatories may not be as effective on people with coarse hair.

Tips: Read product directions carefully and be sure to apply the product only for the recommended amount of time for best results. Before using a depilatory on pubic hair, read product labels to find one that says it's safe to use on the "bikini" area or genitals.

Waxing

How It Works: A sticky wax is spread on the area of skin where the unwanted hair is growing. A cloth strip is then applied over the wax and quickly pulled off, taking the hair root and dead skin cells with it. The wax can be warmed or may be applied cold. Waxing can be done at a salon or at home.

How Long It Lasts: 3 to 6 weeks

Pros: Waxing leaves the area smooth and is long lasting. Waxing kits are readily available in drugstores and grocery stores. Hair regrowth looks lighter and less noticeable than it is after other methods of hair removal, such as shaving.

Cons: Many people say the biggest drawback to waxing is the discomfort: Because the treatment works by pulling hair out at the roots, it can sting a bit as the hair comes off — luckily that part is fast. People may notice temporary redness, inflammation, and bumps after waxing.

Professional waxing is more expensive than other hair removal methods. However, it can help to get a first waxing treatment done in a salon to watch how the professionals do it (because salon staff are used to waxing all parts of the male and female body there's no need to feel embarrassed!).

Teens who use acne medications such as tretinoin and isotretinoin may want to skip waxing because those medicines make the skin more sensitive. People with moles or skin irritation from sunburn should also avoid waxing.

Tips: For waxing to work, hair should be at least ¼ inch (about 6 millimeters) long. So skip shaving for a few weeks before waxing. Waxing works well on the legs, bikini area, and eyebrows.

Getting Rid of Hair (continued)

Electrolysis

How It Works: Over a series of several appointments, a professional electrologist inserts a probe into the follicle and sends an electric current through the hair root, killing it. A small area such as the upper lip may take a total of 4 to 10 hours and a larger area such as the bikini line may take 8 to 16 hours.

How Long It Lasts: Intended to be permanent, but some people have regrowth of hair

Pros: Some people have permanent hair removal.

Cons: Electrolysis takes big bucks and lots of time, so it's usually only used on smaller areas such as the upper lip, eyebrows, and underarms. Many people describe the process as painful, and dry skin, scabs, scarring, and inflammation may result after treatment. Infection may be a risk if the needles and other instruments aren't properly sterilized.

Tips: Talk to your doctor if you're interested in this method. He or she may be able to recommend an electrologist with the proper credentials.

Laser Hair Removal

How It Works: A laser is directed through the skin to the hair follicle, where it stops growth. It works best on light-skinned people with dark hair because the melanin (colored pigment) in the hair absorbs more of the light, making treatment more effective.

How Long It Lasts: May be permanent, but people often need to return every 6 months to a year for maintenance

Pros: This type of hair removal is long lasting and large areas of skin can be treated at the same time.

Cons: A treatment session may cost $400 or more. Side effects of the treatment may include inflammation and redness.

Tips: Using cold packs may help diminish any inflammation after treatment. Avoiding the sun before a treatment may make results more effective.

Prescription Treatments

A cream called eflornithine is available by prescription to treat facial hair growth in women. The cream is applied twice a day until the hair becomes softer and lighter — more like vellus hair. Side effects may include skin irritation and acne. Talk to your doctor or dermatologist if you are concerned about hair growth and removal.

Antiandrogen medications are another method that doctors prescribe to reduce the appearance of unwanted hair in women. Because androgen hormones can be responsible for hair growth in unwanted areas, these medications can reduce hair growth by blocking androgen production. Doctors often prescribe oral contraceptives in conjunction with these medications to enhance their effect, avoid pregnancy (since antiandrogens can be harmful to a developing fetus) and help regularize the menstrual cycle in girls who need it.

Deciding to remove body hair is a personal choice. Getting rid of body hair doesn't make a person healthier, and you shouldn't feel pressured to do so if you don't want to. Some cultures view body hair as beautiful and natural, so do what feels right to you!

Reviewed by: Patrice Hyde, MD

วิธีการกำจัดขนในคนสุขภาพดีมีหลายวิธี เช่น การโกนทิ้ง เป็นวิธี ง่าย สะดวก ราคาถูก รวดเร็ว
เหมาะกับขนบริเวณขา รักแร้และแนวบิกินี่ ควรเลือกใช้ใบมีดี่โกนที่สะอาดและคม สุภาพสตรีควรใช้
มีดโกนสำหรับผู้หญิง ก่อนโกนควรทำให้เส้นขนเปียกโดยการแช่น้ำและใช้สบู่หรือเจลหรือครีมสำหรับ
โกนขนก่อนโกน

ข้อเสียของการโกนคือ ทำให้รู้สึกว่าผิวไม่เรียบนุ่มนวลอันเนื่องจากปลายขนที่เพิ่งขึ้นใหม่ ทำให้
ต้องโกนทุกวันและบางครั้งการโกนชิดผิวมากจะทำให้เกิดผิวหนังอักเสบตามมา ไม่ควรโกนขนก่อน
ออกกำลังกาย เล่นน้ำทะเล หรืออาบแดดเพราะจะทำให้ผิวหนังที่เพิ่งผ่านการโกนเกิดระคายเคืองได้ หลังการโกนขนอาจทาโลชั่นที่ไม่มีแอลกอฮอล์ตามด้วยแป้งเด็กเพื่อเพิ่มความนุ่มนวลแก่ผิว นอกจาก
การโกนขนด้วยใบมีดแล้วเครื่องโกนหนวดไฟฟ้าก็ใช้ได้ดีและสะดวกแต่ไม่ควรใช้บริเวณแนวบิกินี่ เพราะเครื่องอาจจะกินเนื้อได้

วิธีที่สามคือการใช้สารเคมีถอนขน สามารถสลายโปรตีนในเส้นขน ทำให้เส้นขนบวมหัก ควรใช้
เฉพาะบริเวณแขนขาเท่านั้น ไม่ควรใช้บริเวณใบหน้า บริเวณที่ทาสารเคมีไม่ควรมีบาดแผล สารเคมี
อาจมีทั้งชนิดผง เจลโลชั่น แอโรซอล โรลออน หรือครีม ให้ทาทิ้งไว้ประมาณ 4-15 นาทีจึงล้างหรือ
ขัดออก ข้อเสียประการแรกของวิธีนี้คือมีกลิ่นเหม็น และเนื่องจากขนและผิวหนังมีความคล้ายคลึงกัน
สารเคมีที่มีผลต่อขนจึงมีผลต่อผิวหนังบริเวณนั้นด้วยอย่างหลีกเลี่ยงไม่ได้ สารเคมีเหล่านี้กระตุ้นให้
เกิดการแพ้ได้บ่อย ก่อนใช้สารเคมีกำจัดขนควรทำการทดสอบอาการแพ้สารเคมีชนิดนั้นก่อน วิธีที่สองคือการใช้ขี้ผึ้งดึงขนก็เป็นวิธีการที่ใช้ได้ดี ปัจจุบันมีสารที่ใช้สำหรับดึงขนหลายชนิด
เช่น พาราฟินบีแว็กซ์ (paraffin beewax) น้ำมัน หรือไข หรือ เรซิน ซึ่งมีให้เลือกทั้งแบบร้อน
แบบเย็นและแบบแผ่นใช้สารเหล่านี้ตรึงขนแล้วดึงย้อนทิศทางของขน เหมาะกับขนที่ขา แนวบิกินี่ 
และขนคิ้ว ข้อดีของการใช้ขี้ผึ้งกำจัดขนคือหลังทำ ผิวจะเรียบและนุ่มนวล
กว่าการโกน แต่เจ็บและอาจมีขนใหม่งอกเข้าไปในเนื้อ ผลอยู่นาน 6-8 สัปดาห์ โดยเหตุที่วิธี
การนี้ทำให้เส้นขนขาดเกือบถึงรากขนจึงไม่ต้องทำบ่อย แต่หลายรายมีการอักเสบและระคาย
เคืองตามมา บริเวณแนวบิกินี่ควรโรยแป้งเด็กก่อนใช้ขี้ผึ้งกำจัดขน

วิธีที่สี่การทำลายขุมขนโดยการจี้ไฟฟ้าเป็นวิธีการที่ต้องใช้เครื่องมือเฉพาะ จะใช้ลวดเส้นเล็กๆ 
แหยงลงไปตามขุมขนดังนั้นถ้าทำลายได้หมดจะไม่มีขนใหม่ขึ้นแต่ผู้ทำต้องมีความชำนาญมาก เป็น
วิธีการที่ใช้เวลานาน ราคาแพงและก่อให้เกิดอาการระคายเคืองของผิวหนัง ถ้าทำลายเนื้อเยื่อข้างเคียง
ของขนมากไปก็จะทำให้มีแผลเป็นเล็กๆ และจุดด่างดำตามมา บางรายมีการติดเชื้อโรคแทรกได้ ขนเส้นหนาใหญ่จะทำลำบากปัจจุบันมีการพัฒนาวิธีการทำลายรากขนด้วยแสงเลเซอร์การควบคุม
ปริมาณแสงและกำหนดตำแหน่งจะแม่นยำกว่ากระแสไฟฟ้าแต่ก็เกิดภาวะแทรกซ้อนลักษณะคล้าย
กันได้สรุปวิธีการกำจัดขนสามารถเลือกวิธีใดก็ได้ตามความพอใจของผู้ใช้โดยพิจารณาจากขนาด
เส้นขน ปริมาณขน บริเวณที่เป็น และกำลังทรัพย์ และสิ่งสำคัญคือต้องทำความสะอาดผิวหนังและ
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