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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 reactions and irritation. Depilatories should not be used on eyebrows or around the eyes or on inflamed or broken skin. FDA's Office of Cosmetics and Colors have received reports of burns, blisters, stinging, itchy rashes, and skin peeling associated with depilatories and other types of cosmetic hair removers.
Disadvantages:
- The cream contains chemicals that could possibly affect the skin.
- Allergic reaction might be triggered.
- This treatment has to be repeated every few days.
- People with very dark-colored hair may have a shadow show on the area where the cream was applied.
- This is a very time-consuming method of hair removal.
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Photoepilators
Photoepilation is the precursor to laser hair removal, though it is still available in a few places. The original system used a fibre optic probe, which was inserted into the hair follicle. An intense, filtered light pulse, was then able to be directed straight to the hair follicle. As with other light treatments, the heat is absorbed by the melanin in the hair, and the follicle damaged as a result. The hair is then removed by the use of tweezers.
The process had several problems, the first being that it was difficult to manufacture a probe which was both strong enough to withstand the process, without breaking in the follicle, and be small enough to fit. This was solved by using a large probe, and holding it above the surface of the skin. A second problem is that the probe is non-replaceable. This meant it has to be sterilized for an hour, using both heat, and chemical pros=cess, before it can be reused.
The process was dropped by the original developers, because it turned out that the process wasn’t permanent like it was originally thought. Another company now manufactures the photoepilator system, and they continue to assert that it is permanent hair removal system, even though they have no data to back up that claim, and they have even been warned by the FDA. It is recommended that you don’t use this system as all evidence points to the system as being only as effective as straight tweezing, but takes a lot longer to do.
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Laser Hair Removal Source
