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Treatment
of hirsutism
The treatment of hirsutism can be divided into medical
treatments, which reduce the effect of androgens on the skin,
and mechanical treatments, which physically remove unwanted hair.
Medical treatment. A visit to a medical specialist such
as an Endocrinologist or Ob-gyn, can provide reassurance to women
about normal patterns of hair growth, investigation to rule out
serious underlying problems and a discussion of medicines which
can be combined with removal methods to reduce the amount of hair.
Mechanical treatment. There are more choices of hair
removal methods on the market today than ever before and there
is no one method that is "best" for everyone. Temporary
methods include waxing, tweezing, shaving, sugaring, threading
and depilatories. These methods are usually inexpensive and readily
available in salons or in drug stores for home use. They do not
permanently remove hair. Continued home use of these products
or salon appointments are necessary. Each of these methods has
associated pros and cons which any consumer should consider. Temporary
methods which remove hairs by the roots (waxing, sugaring, threading)
are considered risky by some professionals due to the possible
induction of bacteria into the blood stream. Sanitary procedures
should always be followed to avoid infection.
Manufacturers advertising permanent hair removal solutions abound.
For our purposes, we will only consider those methods cleared by
the FDA for labeling as "permanent hair removal/reduction".
The methods currently classified as permanent are as follows:
- Needle Electrolysis
Needle epilators were "grandfathered in" when the FDA
enacted the statutes in 1976. With "120 years of proven results",
the FDA determined that needle epilator manufacturers did not
need to submit clinical studies to prove efficacy. All needle
epilator manufacturers are allowed to advertise their devices
as permanent hair removal.
- Laser Hair Removal
To date (1/99), only one laser manufacturer has obtained clearance
from the FDA to label their device as permanent hair reduction.
Laser technology, used for hair removal, is a recent advance and
more clearances should be upcoming. Again, all laser manufacturers
must submit clinical studies to the FDA in order to obtain clearance
to market as permanent hair removal/reduction.
There is much debate among professionals as to the effectiveness
of each of these methods. Many prefer to disregard the rulings of
the legislated authority in the U.S., the FDA, and argue in favor
of their favorite method and against all others. Consumers, bombarded
by conflicting statements and misleading information, opt for "magic
remedies" which promise them "fast, cheap and painless"
permanent hair removal. Televisions and web pages hawk devices for
less than $100.00 which manufacturers claim will deliver all three
(3) of these goals. 30 day guarantees are offered (useless when considering
the length of the human hair growth cycle) and consumers are willing
to take the risk because the promise of "pie in the sky"
is too tempting to resist. The address of the FDA website is http://www.fda.gov
and information abounds there. Hair removal devices are located in
the "Medical Devices/Radiological Health" section and listings
are available in each category (KCW-needle, KCX-tweezer, GEX-laser).
Each consumer must take the initiative to research equipment available
and determine which product, service or equipment will be the best
solution for them individually because the hair removal industry,
as a whole, is not forthcoming with this information.
Male
hair removal
As an assortment of types of businesses have started offering hair
removal services, more and more males are taking advantage of these
services. In fact, 30% of all hair removal consumers are male. Again,
society dictates beauty and lots of body hair is simply not in vogue.
Males opt to take advantage of hair removal services for an assortment
of reasons. These reasons include lack of adequate time to shave,
job requirements (body building, weight lifting, wrestling, etc.),
sports activities (wet suits and hair do not compliment each other
- ouch!), aesthetic preferences of sexual partners, sexual transition,
and others. Males no longer need to go to traditional "beauty
salons" or even to female hair removal practitioners to get
the services they want. Barber shops, spas, and laser centers now
offer these services as well as an increasing number of doctors
and medical facilities. They can additionally purchase home-use
electrolysis equipment for private, personal and sometimes even
painless hair removal.
Conclusion
Do your homework before you purchase any equipment or practitioner
services. Sadly, hair removal equipment manufacturers and practitioners
are not willing to accept responsibility for your lost moneys and
emotional distress. There are laws in place to force these manufacturers
to comply to advertising standards and avoid product misbranding
and adulteration. The FTC enforces these laws even on the Internet.
If permanent hair removal is your goal, do not purchase equipment
or services that do not have clearance unless you personally know
someone who has had successful results. Ask the manufacturer to
mail you a copy of their 510(k) clearance letter from the FDA or
to supply you with their 510(k) number so you can look it up at
the FDA website. The FDA website also includes a list of local offices
that you can contact for information. Although you may feel embarrassed
and even desperate to remove the unwanted hair, do not allow these
feelings to make you an easy target for unscrupulous manufacturers
and uncaring practitioners. Consumer... Beware!
Acknowledgments
Information, Images & text furnished by: Katherine
Cook of Kitty's Consumer
Beware ©1999 • Do not
reprint without permission of author.
The following references were used in compiling the above information:
"Manual of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism", 1982;
"General Endocrinology", 1971; "Encyclopedia and
Dictionary of Medicine and Nursing", 1972; "Stedman's
Pocket Medical Dictionary", 1987; "Modern Electrology:
Excess Hair, Its Causes and Treatments", 1987; "Taber's
Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary", 1987; "Dermatology"
by Moscella, Dermascope Magazine, Cutis Magazine,
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology,
FDA Almanac, FDA Consumer Magazine.
This information is designed for educational purposes only. Contents
are not intended to diagnose, treat, or provide a second opinion
on a health problem or disease. See your health care professional
for specific medical assistance.
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