Excessive growth of dark hair on women, or hirsutism, typically occurs on the face, back and chest, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center website. Causes include heredity, ethnicity, hormonal imbalance, as well as certain medical conditions and medications. If your hair growth does not relate to illness, consider one of these procedures as a cosmetic fix. The American Academy of Family Physicians deems electrolysis and laser technology the best options for permanent hair removal.
Electrolysis
According to the Washington University St. Louis School of Medicine website, galvanic electrolysis uses a fine needle to pass a direct electrical current into individual hair follicles. A chemical reaction produces lye that destroys the base of the follicle, preventing future hair growth in 80 percent of hairs receiving treatment. Women sometimes choose electrolysis to remove smallish sections of hair due to the discomfort involved and the considerable amount of time required per session. MayoClinic.com reports that electrolysis may necessitate the use of a topical anesthetic, depending on the patient's pain threshold.
Thermolysis, known as high-frequency or short-wave method, also employs a needle-like instrument to treat individual hair follicles. The Electrologist's Consumer Fact Sheet published on the Massachusetts Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation website describes thermolysis as a process using "high frequency radio energy" to kill the hair root with heat.
The American Electrology Association website recommends the blend method of electrolysis as combining the best attributes of galvanic and thermolysis to permanently remove body hair. This dual action uses both direct and alternating electrical currents to impair hair follicles.
Laser
MayoClinic.com defines laser hair removal as using a beam of intense light directed through the skin to disable hair follicles. Laser beams target and heat the melanin, or hair pigment, deep within the hair follicle. Each type of laser works better with specific skin types, according to the Laser Hair Removal website.
The Doc Shop website points out that ruby lasers, the first used for body hair removal, are best suited for those with light skin tones and dark hair. This laser can cause areas of lightened or darkened pigmentation if used on individuals with dark complexions.
The Medic8 website reports that light to medium skin tones experience positive results with the Alexandrite laser. This laser proves successful in removing finer, thin hair. As with the ruby laser, use of the Alexandrite on dark skin may result in permanent changes in skin pigmentation.
The diode laser provides deeper penetration into the skin, offering effective results for darker skin tones. This type of laser hair removal often falls short for individuals with fine, light-colored hair, according to the Skin Care Guide website.
The Nd:YAG laser provides safe hair removal for a variety of skin tones, especially dark complexions and tanned skin. The Hair Removal Journal website indicates this laser works best on a combination of dark skin and dark hair.
Intense Pulsed Light
The New Zealand Dermatological Society website considers intense pulsed light, or IPL, systems similar to lasers. Much like lasers, the intense pulsed light disrupts the hair follicle by targeting melanin. However, IPLs have the distinction of transmitting hundreds of wavelengths in a single surge of light. An abstract on the PubMed website entitled, "Hair Removal With Intense Pulsed Light" concludes that "IPL is very effective and safe for hair removal." The study cites an 80-percent hair reduction among 210 patients with "no side effects and minimal complications."
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Hirsutism
- MayoClinic.com: Hirsutism Treatment and Drugs
- Washington University St. Louis School of Medicine: Hirsutism
- Massachusetts Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation: Electrologists Consumer Fact Sheet
- American Electrology Association: Frequently Asked Questions About Permanent Hair Removal
- MayoClinic.com: Laser Hair Removal
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