Chapter 11: Hair Removal

Importance of Hair Removal

• U.S. consumers spend millions on hair removal annually.
• Salons offer various hair removal methods: waxing, tweezing, laser hair removal, electrolysis, IPL.
• Hair removal is popular for aesthetics and sports performance.
• Essential knowledge for estheticians: benefits, risks, techniques.
• Proficiency in waxing is crucial for salon success.
• Preparation and infection control are vital in hair removal services.

Structure of Hair

• Trichology: Scientific study of hair and its diseases.
• Human skin has approximately 5 million hair-producing units.
• Understanding hair structure helps provide the best hair removal service.

Hair Follicle and Appendages

• Hair follicle: Mass of epidermal cells forming a small tube.
• Includes the hair root, bulb, papilla, shaft, erector pili muscle, sebaceous glands.
• Hair Root: Anchors hair to skin cells, located at the follicle's bottom.
• Hair Bulb: Thick structure of epithelial cells surrounding the papilla.
• Hair Papilla: Cone-shaped elevation with capillaries and nerves.
• Hair Shaft: Part of hair above skin surface.

Types of Hair

1. Lanugo: Soft, downy hair on a fetus.
2. Vellus Hair: Fine hair, not recommended to tweeze or wax.
3. Terminal Hair: Longer, coarser hair found on certain body areas.

Hair Growth Cycle

• Hair grows in three stages: Anagen, Catagen, Telogen.
• Anagen: Growth stage, important for hair removal.
• Catagen: Transition stage, short duration.
• Telogen: Resting stage, hair ready to shed.
• Hair growth affected by age, genetics, health, and drugs.

Excessive Hair Growth

• Hypertrichosis: Excessive terminal hair growth in unusual areas.
• Hirsutism: Excessive hair growth in women, often hormonal.
• Causes of excessive hair growth: genetics, ethnicity, hormonal changes.
• Medical conditions like PCOS can affect hair growth.

Temporary and Permanent Hair Removal

• Temporary: Waxing, sugaring, threading, depilation, epilation.
• Permanent: Electrolysis (FDA approved), laser, IPL.
• Depilation: Removes hair at skin surface (e.g., shaving, chemical depilatories).
• Epilation: Removes hair from the root (e.g., waxing).

Tweezing, Shaving, and Chemical Depilatories

• Tweezing: Pulls hair out by the root, used for eyebrows.
• Shaving: Removes hair at skin level, can cause stubble.
• Chemical Depilatories: Dissolve hair at skin surface (e.g., Nair).

Threading and Sugaring

• Threading: Uses cotton thread to remove hair, known as banding.
• Sugaring: Uses sugar paste, less irritating, suitable for sensitive skin.

Waxing Methods

• Hard Wax: No strip needed, used for sensitive areas like face and bikini.
• Soft Wax: Uses strips, common for larger areas like legs and back.
• Wax formulas may include additives for different skin types.

Permanent Hair Reduction

• Electrolysis: Only method recognized as permanent hair removal.
• Laser/IPL: Considered permanent reduction, targets pigment.
• Different methods of electrolysis: thermolysis, galvanic, blend.

Waxing Techniques

• Hard Wax: Applied with a spatula, removed without strips.
• Soft Wax: Applied in a thin layer, removed with strips.
• Proper technique involves applying and removing wax in specific directions.

Waxing Precautions

• Test wax temperature before application.
• Avoid waxing over broken or irritated skin.
• Consult and obtain client consent before waxing services.