Open AccessComparison of the efficacy and safety of three different depilatory methods
Author(s) -
Bjerring Peter,
Egekvist Henrik,
Blake Thomas
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
skin research and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.521
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1600-0846
pISSN - 0909-752X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0846.1998.tb00110.x
Subject(s) - computer science , data science , information retrieval , medicine
Background/aims: Three methods of electrical energy‐based depilation were compared for safety and efficacy. Methods: Ten volunteers had one treatment with each device followed by weekly observations up to 9 weeks. The protocol used was basically that of the International Guild of Professional Electrologists, which is used to define “permanent” hair removal. Results: Radio frequency tweezers, direct current tweezers and needle based electrolysis all demonstrated statistically significant reductions in hair counts after 9 weeks of 60.3%, 65.8% and 55.9%, respectively. The differences between the treatments were not statistically significant. However, large differences in side effects and pain scores existed. Both tweezer type epilators induced pain rated at 13/100 on a visual analogue scale while the needle based depilator induced significant pain at 59/100. Furthermore, acute inflammation and late scarring was seen only following treatment with the electrolysis needle. Conclusion: The tweezer‐type epilators are as effective as needle‐based electrolysis but without the pain and side effects of the latter.