Milady Chapter 22 - Hair Removal

Hair Removal Terminology

• Hirsuties: Excessive hair growth in areas typically covered by fine downy hair, more common in women’s faces and men’s backs.
• Hirsutism: Condition of excessive hair growth primarily affecting women.
• Health screening form: A crucial questionnaire used in skin care services, disclosing medications and known skin issues or allergies.

Hair Removal Techniques

• Electrolysis: Permanent hair removal method that uses electric current to destroy hair growth cells.
• Photoepilation (IPL): Utilizes intense light to disrupt hair follicles; non-invasive and minimal side effects.
• Laser hair removal: Uses laser beams to target and disable hair follicles, particularly effective during the anagen (growth) phase. Requires darker hair than the surrounding skin for optimum results.
• Shaving: The most frequently used temporary hair removal technique, particularly for men’s facial hair.

Client Considerations

• Autoimmune diseases: Conditions like lupus can cause adverse reactions to hair removal methods.
• Skin conditions: Clients with rosacea or eczema may experience heightened inflammation post-treatment.
• Medications: Certain prescriptions, including antidepressants and topical treatments like Retin-A, may disqualify clients from hair removal services.

Hair Removal Tools and Methods

• Electric clipper: Used for removing hair in hard-to-reach areas such as the nape of the neck.
• Tweezing: Precision method mainly for shaping eyebrows or removing facial hair.
• Natural arch of the eyebrow: Defined by the orbital bone, with hair growth potentially occurring above and below this area.
• Depilatories: Caustic substances used for temporary hair removal; may irritate sensitive skin and require patch testing.

Epilation Techniques

• Epilator: Removes hair directly from the follicle; examples include wax, which can be hot or cold.
• Waxing frequency: Recommended every 4 to 6 weeks for optimal results.
• Hair length for waxing: Hair should be at least 1/4" long for effective waxing.

Skin Care Post-Hair Removal

• Post-treatment care: Aloe gel and cool compresses can soothe redness and swelling after waxing sensitive skin.
• Mole caution: Avoid waxing over moles to prevent trauma.
• Wax application restrictions: Do not apply wax to warts, moles, abrasions, or inflamed skin.

Techniques and Precautions

• Tweezing technique: Stretch skin taut using index finger and thumb before removing hair.
• Temperature check for wax: Always test the temperature of heated wax on the inner wrist before application.