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PubMed1988

Biomedical versus cultural constructions of abnormality: the case of idiopathic hirsutism in the United States.

From an examination of (1) psychological and social stresses documented by the medical profession of women with amounts of hair departing from what is considered to be the "feminine" distribution of hair (idiopathic hirsutism), (2) biomedical information about male and female hair growth and distribution, (3) definitional influences of society, and (4) instrumental maneuverings of depilatory industries, this paper offers insights about the alteration of natural female facial and body hair to conform to a social construct of gender status. Although the hair problem is interesting in itself, its implications are much broader, for what lies behind conceptions of abnormality is a biological reality mediated by social constructs and classificatory schema.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Human hair growth in vitro: a model for the study of hair follicle biology.

The factors that regulate hair follicle growth are still poorly understood. In vitro models may be useful in elucidating some aspects of hair follicle biology. We have developed an in vitro human hair growth model that enables us to maintain isolated human hair follicles for up to 10 days, during which time they continue to grow at an in vivo rate producing a keratinised hair fibre. We have shown that epidermal growth factor (EGF) in our system mimics the in vivo depilatory action of EGF in sheep, and suggest that this occurs as a result of EGF stimulating outer root sheath (ORS) cell proliferation which results in the disruption of normal mechanisms of cell-cell interaction in the hair follicle. We identify transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) as a possible negative regulator of hair follicle growth and show that physiological levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) can support the same rates of hair follicle growth as supraphysiological levels of insulin. Furthermore, in the absence of insulin hair follicles show premature entry into a catagen-like state. This is prevented by physiological levels of IGF-I. Finally we demonstrate that the hair follicle is an aerobic glycolytic, glutaminolytic tissue and discuss the possible implications of this metabolism.

Aerobiosis↗
PubMed2002

Preoperative hair removal--a systematic literature review.

This article describes a systematic literature review on whether, how, and when to perform preoperative hair removal. By searching electronic databases and reference lists of relevant articles, team members identified 20 clinical studies that deal with preoperative hair removal. No strong evidence was found to advocate against preoperative hair removal. Furthermore, there was strong evidence to recommend that when hair removal is considered necessary, shaving should not be performed. Instead a depilatory or electric clipping, preferably immediately before surgery, should be used.

Hair Removal↗
PubMed1999

Methods of hair removal.

The methods of hair removal vary between simple inexpensive means of home treatment (shaving, plucking, depilatories) to expensive and potentially time-consuming means used by paraprofessionals, nurses, and/or physicians (electrolysis, lasers, x-ray). The ways in which these different methods induce hair removal, the duration of such removal, and the nuances between devices within the same category of methods are discussed.

Hair↗
PubMed2000

Gene expression in an intact ex-vivo skin tissue model following percutaneous delivery of cationic liposome-plasmid DNA complexes.

The skin represents an attractive site for the localised gene therapy of dermatological pathologies and as a potential antigen bioreactor following transdermal delivery. Potential also exists for the gene therapy of skin as a cosmetic intervention. The most exploited non-viral gene delivery system involves the complexation of cationic liposomes with plasmid DNA (pDNA) to form lipid:pDNA vectors that protect the DNA from nuclease-mediated degradation and improve transgene-cell interactions. Despite numerous studies examining the potential for these vectors in delivering genes to a variety of keratinocyte models, investigations into the topical application of such complexes to intact skin tissue is limited. This ex-vivo study, conducted with intact skin tissue derived from hairless mice, provides quantitative confirmation that topical administration of cationic lipid:pDNA complexes can mediate uptake and expression of reporter pDNA (33-fold higher compared with control) in viable epidermal tissue. The ex-vivo study design provides for intact skin tissue that has not been subjected to depilatory procedures of potential detriment to stratum corneum barrier function, and can be utilised for the quantitative and efficient examination of a potentially wide range of non-viral gene vectors designed for epidermal expression.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2000

Hair removal by lasers and intense pulsed light sources.

Unwanted pigmented hair is a common problem for many patients. Traditional methods of hair removal have included shaving, bleaching, plucking, waxing, use of chemical depilatories, and electrolysis. These techniques have been limited by their pain, inconvenience, and poor long-term efficacy. Only electrolysis has offered the potential for permanent hair removal. However, the technique is tedious, highly operator-dependent, and impractical for the treatment of large numbers of hairs. Recently, a number of lasers and other light sources have been developed specifically to target hair follicles. These include ruby, alexandrite, diode, and Nd:YAG lasers and an intense pulsed light source. These devices offer the potential for rapid treatment of large areas and long-lasting hair removal. This article explains the mechanisms of using light to remove hair, examines the attributes of specific laser systems, and explains the importance of patient selection and treatment protocol for the various systems in order to provide a safe and effective treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Effects of internally administered N-[5-(4-aminophenoxy)pentyl]phthalimide on wool follicles and skin of sheep.

When N-[5-(4-aminophenoxy)pentyl]phthalimide was administered to sheep in sufficient quantities to permit manual removal of the fleece (400 mg/kg body weight orally, or 75 mg/kg body weight intravenously during a period of 48 h), cell division ceased in the wool follicle bulbs within 1 day. Dark-staining bodies (autophagic vacuoles) developed concomitantly in the cytoplasm of the bulb cells. The nuclei of cells in the keratogenous zones of the fibres became pycnotic 2 days after dosing and subsequent keratinization of these portions of the fibres was impaired. All the follicles retrogressed prior to day 7 after dosing, and the root ends which formed on the fibres moved towards the skin surface, reaching the level of the sebaceous glands by day 7. At this time mitotic activity recommenced around the dermal papillae in about 50% of the follicles. A small number of tips of new fibres emerged from the skin surface of some of the depilated sheep by day 14. The root ends on the fibres in the fleeces harvested at days 7-15 were fragmented with various degrees of taper. By 21 days, most follicles were growing emergent fibres. Thickening of the epidermis, increase in sebaceous gland size and decrease in skin thickness occurred in some of the depilated sheep. Smaller doses of the compound (200 mg/kg body weight orally or 40 mg/kg body weight intravenously during 24 h) produced weakness in the wool. Fewer autophagic vacuoles were present in follicle bulbs 1 day after dosing and not all follicles regressed. The weakened region of the fleece contained a mixture of shed fibre ends and continuously growing fibres with thin regions proximal to poorly keratinized lengths of fibre. No change was observed in other components of the skin of the sheep with weakened wool. The follicular changes produced by this compound are similar in some respects to those produced by other depilatory compounds or that occur during natural cyclic hair growth.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Some effects of dexamethasone on nucleic acid metabolism in skin of Merino sheep.

The effects of 8-day intravenous infusions of dexamethasone on deoxyribonucleic and ribonucleic acid metabolism have been examined in the skin of the Merino sheep. In two separate experiments, depilatory doses of dexamethasone (8.4 mg kg-0.75 body weight) were shown to inhibit the [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA in the skin by about 80%. In the presence of excess thymidine the amount of radioactivity in DNA at the end of infusion decreased to about 50% of the pretreatment values. The incorporation of [3H]uridine into RNA in the skin was not affected. Decreases in the wet weight, DNA and RNA contents of skin were observed at the end of the dexamethasone infusion. In two experiments, wool growth was reduced to 36 +/- 9% (s.e.m.) and 52 +/- 8% of the respective pretreatment values. The results suggest that the dexamethasone caused a reduction in the wool growth by inhibiting DNA biosynthesis of wool follicle cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Morphological changes in the skin and wool fibres of Merino sheep infused with mouse epidermal growth factor.

Intravenous infusion of 4.5-4.7 mg of mouse epidermal growth factor (mEGF) into nine castrated male Merino sheep for 26 h resulted in complete casting of the fleeces 6-8 days later. The morphological changes which occurred in the skin were studied in skin samples taken before infusion and at intervals between 1 h and 42 days after the infusion had begun. Wool fibres from the shed fleeces were examined with the scanning electron microscope. Increased cell proliferation occurred in the epidermis and sebaceous glands, whereas the wool follicles regressed. Transient dermal haemorrhages occurred during the first 3 h of infusion. The fibre and inner root sheath in the keratogenous zone of 30-40% of the follicles were partially disrupted within the first 6 h of mEGF infusion; catagen began in all follicle bulbs within 24 h. Fibre and inner root sheath production, although markedly reduced, continued in about 60% of follicles which had partially regressed, but production ceased in the remainder in which tapered ends formed on the fibres prior to shedding. Follicles began to regenerate asynchronously 4-8 days after the beginning of infusion and completed their development during the next 3 weeks. The follicle regression and fleece casting induced by mEGF infusion, and subsequent follicle regeneration were completed more rapidly than observed previously with other depilatory agents, and, except for prolonged epidermal thickening, there was no lasting cutaneous abnormality.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Intense pulsed light treatment of hirsutism: case reports of skin phototypes V and VI.

Removal of unwanted hair is a common cosmetic concern. For hirsute women, treatment often requires drug therapy and various methods to physically remove the hair. Traditional methods of hair removal include shaving, waxing, tweezing, depilatory creams and electrolysis. Hair removal methods based on light technology, such as lasers and intense pulsed light systems, are alternative methods for longer-term hair removal. Intense pulsed light has been used in our clinic during the past 2 years to treat light-to-dark skinned patients, including skin types V and VI. We present here the treatment, using an intense pulsed light source, of three dark skinned patients with hirsutism. Patients were treated during multiple sessions (five to seven) for unwanted facial hair. Sessions were conducted monthly and patients were evaluated at follow-up sessions 2-7 months after the final treatment. Successful clearance of unwanted hair was achieved in all three patients with no pigmentary changes observed during the final follow-up sessions. Folliculitis and hyperpigmentation from tweezing were also treated by the intense pulsed light source. These results suggest that intense pulsed light is an effective source for hair removal and may, with proper parameter selection, be useful in the treatment of very dark skin types.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Photo-assisted epilation--review and personal observations.

The perception of unwanted hair is culturally dependent, and its removal is a multibillion-dollar business in North America each year. Examples of hair removal techniques on the market today include shaving, depilatories, wax, epilation, electrolysis and photo-epilation. Electrolysis, or electrothermolysis, was the only known permanent hair removal modality to date. However, long term or permanent hair removal with lasers is becoming a reality for treatment of hirsuitism or unwanted hair. Laser hair removal is an exciting new field with improvements occurring continually, making it difficult to stay abreast of the newest treatments and their effectiveness. This review provides an overview of hair follicle anatomy, mechanisms of photo-destruction to hair follicles and physics of lasers and the skin. The different types of lasers used for hair removal, their mechanisms and clinical research are reviewed.

Equipment Design↗
PubMed2001

Epilation with a long-pulse 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser in facial hirsutism.

BACKGROUND: Facial hirsutism and hypertrichosis are common problems and a methods are available to clinicians for the unwanted hair in a large number of patients. Several depilatory laser systems are now available and one of these modalities is the long-pulse Nd:YAG laser. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of the long-pulse Nd:YAG laser in removing unwanted facial hair. METHOD: In all, 29 patients completed their treatment course with a long-pulse (4 ms) Nd:YAG (1064 nm line) with fluences between 56 J/cm(2) and 70 J/cm(2). The average reduction in hair density was assessed using hair count on digital photographs at removal 3, 6 and 9 months postoperatively. The hair-free interval was variety of also evaluated. RESULTS: The average reduction of in the hair count (the same diameter as the baseline for the criterion) was 43% at 3 months, 36% at 6 months, and 46% at 9 months. The hair-free interval with laser was two- to sixfold longer than with self-applied methods. No significant complications were observed in the range of skin types treated, even in the darker skin types. CONCLUSION: The long-pulse Nd:YAG laser is an effective and safe method for long lasting hair removal in all skin types. The delay in hair regrowth most likely explains patient satisfaction.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Hair removal with a combined light/heat-based photo-epilation system: a 6-month follow-up.

BACKGROUND: A variety of lasers and light sources have been used for hair removal. A novel flashlamp-based device, with a mechanism of action mixing a combination of light and heat, has recently become available. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy, side effects and long-term results of this new light/heat-based system for photo-epilation. METHODS: A total of 21 patients (six male, 15 female), skin types II and III, with dark, coarse hair mainly on the back or chest for males and the bikini/axilla area for females, were reviewed after having been treated during the previous 18 months with this system. Each patient had at least four sessions with a maximum of nine. No depilatory treatment except shaving was allowed during the time of follow-up. The percentage of hair reduction was measured clinically or by comparing "before and after" photographs. RESULTS: After four to nine sessions, depending on the anatomic location, all patients showed hair reduction as well as hair thinning. The percentage of reduction varied depending on the anatomic location and number of sessions, the bikini/axilla area responding better than the back. Transient side effects were limited to a stinging sensation during the session and to redness, which lasted for up to 2 days. No chronic side effects were observed. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates that this device is safe and effective for hair removal with a long-term effect.

Female↗
PubMed2000

A review of the ruby laser with reference to hair depilation.

There is a clinical need in the fields of reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery for a safe, simple, and effective method of hair depilation. Depilatory clinics have been established throughout the country, commonly using the ruby laser, to treat a cohort of the population, estimated to be between 6% and 10%, recognized as being hirsute. Clinical trials performed to date have not established a protocol that suits the previously mentioned criteria and have been, usually, small in number and short in follow-up. With the increased use that this form of laser treatment will inevitably undergo, it is the belief of the authors that the only way of ascertaining whether the treatment is safe, simple, and effective is first to establish how the ruby laser works. This review relates the knowledge that is currently available regarding the function of the ruby laser to a number of the clinical studies that have been undertaken, including three that have used other types of laser. Using this information, future areas in which research is required can be defined, ultimately to improve the clinical efficacy of ruby laser-assisted hair removal while lessening the current side effects (namely, superficial burning, and hypo- and hyperpigmentation).

Hair Follicle↗
PubMed1987

Apoptosis in wool follicles during mouse epidermal growth factor (mEGF)-induced catagen regression.

Depilatory infusions of mouse epidermal growth factor (mEGF) induced regressive involution (catagen) in the wool follicles of Merino sheep. The follicles were examined by transmission electron microscopy prior to infusion and at intervals during catagen regression in order to determine the mechanism(s) involved in follicle involution. Cell deletion by apoptosis occurred in all cell types in the proximal region of catagen follicles between 12 h and 6 days after the beginning of infusion. Apoptosis also occurred in the basal layer of involuting sebaceous glands at 2 and 3 days, following earlier mEGF-induced proliferation. This process involved nuclear chromatin condensation and margination in single, scattered cells which subsequently fragmented and were ultimately phagocytosed and degraded by adjacent unaffected cells. It was concluded that during mEGF-induced catagen, wool follicle involution was accomplished largely through cell death and deletion by apoptosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

The guinea-pig: an animal model for human skin absorption of hydrocortisone, testosterone and benzoic acid?

14C ring-labelled hydrocortisone, testosterone and benzoic acid dissolved in acetone were applied to the backs of guinea-pigs (4 microgram/cm2). Percutaneous absorption was quantified by following the excretion of tracer in urine and faeces for 5 days. Absorption of hydrocortisone and benzoic acid was 2.4% (s.d. = 0.5; n = 3) and 31.4% (s.d. = 9.1; n = 3) of the applied dose respectively, similar to published human absorption data. Testosterone was absorbed to a greater extent in guinea-pigs (34.9% +/- 5.4; n = 5) than man. A thioglycollate based depilatory cream significantly increased the skin absorption of testosterone, while the absorption velocity was unaltered. Two analytical methods were compared, direct counting versus wet ashing; results were in the same range for the three compounds. Two methods of quantifying skin absorption were compared; urine recovery corrected for incomplete urinary excretion after parenteral administration versus the addition of urine and faecal recovery. For benzoic acid, excreted mainly in the urine (88.1%), the two methods gave similar results; for testosterone, excreted in the urine to a lesser extent (46.8%), the method of addition of urine and faecal recovery appeared to be more correct.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

The use of thioglycolic acd in hair-bearing skin inlay urethroplasty.

Thioglycolic acid, in commercially available spray, lotion or cream, was used to remove the hair from the scrotum, pubis and perineum in 45 patients, with minimal discomfort in only 11 patients and wound infection in only one. Eighty-five per cent of these patients said they preferred the depilatory cream to the routine pre-operative shave with a razor. In 3 of 4 patients where it was instilled intraurethrally to remove hairs from skin-inlay urethroplasties it was successful in removing hairs; in the fourth patient most of the hairs were removed. None of these patients had anything more than a short-lasting irritation afterwards.

Hair Removal↗