HairFacts | Hair Removal Information
For consumers, by consumers
For some people, privacy is their utmost concern. For others it’s convenience of treating yourself when time is available. Others do their own to save money. These are methods available for those who want to remove hair on their own. How to read this chart Methods that can work cost speed pain lasting skin injury … Continue reading “At-home hair removal”
Everyone has different reasons for wanting hair removal, so each of us will weigh the pros and cons of each method differently. Here are some highlights. Men Most questions I get from men are about back and chest hair. I usually recommend Waxing as the safest option. Those with lighter skin tones and dark hair … Continue reading “How to choose the best hair removal method”
Nerve photo (Schuster, 1992) James Schuster is a Wisconsin dermatologist who has prepared several videos and slide presentations on hair removal. Dr. Schuster performed several controlled tests of electric tweezers to demonstrate that the devices cannot perform as claimed. The reason tweezing, waxing, laser, and electrolysis are sometimes painful is because each hair has a … Continue reading “Pain (nerve photo)”
Omicron class action excerpts, 1973 In 1973, PhotoEpilator manufacturer Omicron Systems was sued in California Superior Court by ten dissatisfied owners. The case was settled out of court by Omicron. The ten owners purchased and used Omicron machines in 1971 and 1972, but quickly found the device did not perform as promised. The plaintiffs in … Continue reading “Omicron Lawsuit excerpts, 1973”
Photoepilator medical data Photoepilators were first developed in 1969. In 30 years, there has been no published medical data on the effectiveness of the device. The limited testing of these devices was merely uncontrolled, unreviewed, unpublished in-house reports on a handful of subjects observed for 12 weeks. The original Omicron PhotoEpilator was taken off the … Continue reading “Photoepilator medical data”
Gior, 1972 In 1971, Fino Gior, then president of the International Guild of Professional Electrologists, purchased an Omicron PhotoEpilator for evaluation. Gior treated 49 areas in an uncontrolled study: 20 upper lips 15 chins 11 sets of eyebrows 3 male backs All areas received three hours of treatment. After six months of observation, Gior concluded, … Continue reading “Gior, 1972 (unpublished)”
Nerve photo (Schuster, 1992) Ever wonder why hair removal hurts so much? Here’s why! Look at all those nerves in this microscopic photo of a hair root! The reason tweezing, waxing, laser, and electrolysis are sometimes painful is because each hair has a bundle of nerves surrounding the lower follicle. Plucking a hair tears the … Continue reading “Why is hair removal painful?”
Electric tweezer medical data Electric tweezers have been available since 1959. In 40 years, there has been no published clinical data demonstrating these devices can achieve permanent hair removal as claimed. The only published medical paper demonstrated temporary results. Because of the lack of legitimate data on these devices, I have included in-house reports prepared … Continue reading “Electric tweezer medical data”
Special Product Engineer Paul Ruggera of the Food and Drug Administration was assigned to evaluate the GHR electric tweezer in the course of their 510(k) review. Stephens 1990 After verifying the device’s output was within stated parameters, Mr. Ruggera performed a test of the amount of energy being delivered to a hair. He tested hairs … Continue reading “Ruggera memo, 1991 (unpublished)”
Konnikov, 1990 Title: Evaluation of the effect of radio frequency energy delivered by the Removatron hair removal device on hair regrowth. Author: Konnikov N Journal: unpublished, 1990 (commissioned by manufacturer) PMID: This unpublished report was included with Removatron’s 515(i) submission to FDA, and was dismissed by FDA as "only suggestive" of permanent hair removal. Dr. … Continue reading “Konnikov, 1990 (unpublished electric tweezer report)”
