Depilation is a generic term for hair removal which affects the part of the hair above the surface of the skin. The most common form of depilation is shaving. Another popular option is the use of chemical depilatories, which work by breaking the disulfide bonds that link the protein chains that give hair its strength, making the hair disintegrate. Young Girl Fixing her Hair, by Sophie Gengembre Anderson Hair is a filamentous outgrowth skin found only in mammals. ... A razor shaving some stubble off the underside of a chin. ... Chemical Depilatories are cosmetic preparations used to remove the hair from the skin on the human body. ... A disulfide bond (SS-bond), also called a disulfide bridge, is a strong covalent bond between two sulfhydryl (-SH) groups. ...

Epilation is removal of the entire hair, including the part below the skin. Some individuals may use waxing, sugaring, epilation devices, lasers, intense pulsed light or electrology. Hair is also sometimes removed by plucking. Waxing is a temporary method of hair removal which removes the hair at the root. ... Sugaring is a method of hair removal that has been in use for thousands of years. ... Epilation performed by laser was performed experimentally for about 20 years before it became commercially available in the mid 1990s. ... A human arm, four hours after IPL treatment. ... Electrology is either of two electrical depilation (often spelled epilation in this context) methods for the permanent removal of human hair. ...

Reasons for removing hair

Hair removal has been practiced for centuries in almost all human cultures. The methods used vary among times and regions, but shaving is the most common method. Trinomial name Homo sapiens sapiens Linnaeus, 1758 Humans, or human beings, are biologically classified as bipedal primates belonging to the mammalian species Homo sapiens (Latin for wise man or thinking man) under the family Hominidae (the great apes). ... The word culture, from the Latin colo, -ere, with its root meaning to cultivate, generally refers to patterns of human activity and the symbolic structures that give such activity significance. ... A razor shaving some stubble off the underside of a chin. ...

Medical reasons

Patients' body hair was once shaved before surgery for reasons of hygiene; however, this turned out to be counter-productive, and as a result patients are no longer shaved in many hospitals. The shaving of hair has sometimes been used in attempts to eradicate lice or to minimize body odor due to accumulation of odor-causing micro-organisms in hair. Some people with trichiasis find it medically necessary to remove ingrown eyelashes. A typical modern surgical operation For other uses, see Surgery (disambiguation). ... Hygiene is the maintenance of healthy practices. ... Suborders Anoplura (sucking lice) Rhyncophthirina Ischnocera (avian lice) Amblycera (chewing lice) Lice (singular: louse) (order Phthiraptera) are an order of over 3000 species of wingless parasitic insects. ... Body odor, Bromhidrosis or body odour is the smell of bacteria growing on the body. ... A microorganism or microbe is an organism that is so small that it is microscopic (invisible to the naked eye). ... Trichiasis is a medical term for ingrown eyelashes. ...

Social, cultural, or sexual reasons

An utterly hairless female body combined with luxuriant tresses was a 19th-century fixation: Birth of Venus by William-Adolphe Bouguereau, 1879.

Hair is normally removed for social and sexual reasons related to the social role of hair in human society. Many cultures have an aesthetic "ideal" amount of hair for males and females. People whose hair violates such standards may experience real or perceived problems with social acceptance. Venus, classical personification of femininity. ... Venus, classical personification of femininity. ... William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905), self-portrait (1886) Dusks, 1863 William Adolphe Bouguereau (November 30, 1825 - August 19, 1905) was a French academic painter. ... 1879 (MDCCCLXXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... For the Brian Yuzna film, see Society (film). ...

Many men in Western cultures shave their facial hair, so only a minority of men have a beard, even though fast-growing facial hair must be shaved daily to achieve a clean-shaven or hairless look. Some men shave because they cannot grow a "full" beard (generally defined as an even density from cheeks to neck), because beard color is different than scalp hair color, or because it grows in many directions, making a groomed look difficult. Some men shave because their beards are very coarse, causing itchiness and irritation. Some men grow a beard from time to time to change their appearance. A man with a full beard A beard is the hair that grows on a mans chin, cheeks, neck, and the area above the upper lip (the opposite is a clean-shaven face). ... A clean-shaven beard is one that has been totally removed, usually by shaving or other more radical means of depilation. ...

In many cultures, women frequently remove some or all of their body hair, believing it is unattractive and/or not feminine (see gender role and hirsutism). Women may also remove some or all of their pubic hair for aesthetic or sexual reasons. Men may also practice this. In a sexual context, pubic hair removal is done to increase visual exposure of the genitalia and/or facilitate access to the genital area by removing the barrier of hair. Complete pubic hair removal can give the genitals the appearance of pre-pubescent genitalia, especially in women. This can either be erotic or disturbing to sexual partners. A bagpiper in Scottish military clan-uniform. ... Hirsutism is defined as excessive and increased hair growth in women in locations where the occurrence of terminal hair normally is minimal or absent. ...

Some men shave their heads, either as a fashion statement, to cover up male pattern baldness, or to attain enhanced cooling of the skull (particularly for people suffering from hyperhidrosis). A much smaller number of women also shave their heads as fashion or political statements. Baldness (formally alopecia) is the state of lacking hair where it usually would grow, especially on the head. ... Primary hyperhidrosis is the condition characterized by abnormally increased perspiration, in excess of that required for regulation of body temperature. ...

For religious reasons

Head-shaving is a part of the Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Jain and Hindu traditions. Buddhist and Christian monks generally undergo some form of head-shaving during their ordination. Brahmin children have their heads ritualistically shaved before beginning school. Buddhism is a religion and philosophy focusing on the teachings of the Buddha Śākyamuni (Siddhārtha Gautama), who probably lived in the 5th century BCE. Buddhism spread throughout the ancient Indian sub-continent in the five centuries following the Buddhas death, and propagated into Central, Southeast, and East Asia... Christianity is a monotheistic[1] religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recounted in the New Testament. ... Islam (Arabic: ; ) is a monotheistic religion based on the Quran. ... Jaina redirects here. ... Hinduism {Sanskrit/Hindi - Hindū Dharma, also known as Sanātana (eternal) Dharma, and Vaidika (of the Vedas) Dharma} is a religion originating in the Indian subcontinent, based on the Vedas and the beliefs of other people of India. ... A “Monk” is a person who practices asceticism, the conditioning of mind and body in favor of the spirit. ... Ordination is the process in which clergy become authorized by their religious denomination and/or seminary to perform religious rituals and ceremonies. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

In some parts of the Theravada Buddhist world, it is common practice to shave the heads of children. Weak or sickly children are often left with a small topknot of hair, to gauge their health and mark them for special treatment. When health improves, the lock is cut off. Theravada (Pali; Sanskrit: Sthaviravada) is one of the eighteen (or twenty) Nikāya schools that formed early in the history of Buddhism. ...

The Bahá'í religion explicitly prohibits head-shaving. In Judaism certain parts of the head(peot) are forbidden. Sikhs take an even stronger stance, opposing all forms of hair removal. One of the Sikh Five Ks is Kesh, meaning "uncut hair". To Sikhs, the maintenance and management of long hair is a manifestation of one's piety. Seat of the Universal House of Justice, governing body of the Baháís in Haifa Israel The Baháí Faith is a global religion founded by Baháulláh, a 19th century Persian exile. ... The Golden Temple is a sacred shrine for Sikhs Sikhism (IPA: or ; Punjabi: , , IPA: []) is a major religion that found its genesis in sixteenth century northern India with the teachings of Nānak and nine successive GurÅ«s. ... Sikhs are bound to wear five items, known as the Five Ks, on them at all times. ... Shahrisabz or Shahr-e Sabz (from the Persian meaning green city), also known as Kesh, is a city in Uzbekistan approximately 50 mi. ...

In military institutions

A close-cropped or completely shaven haircut is common in military organizations. In field environments, soldiers are susceptible to infestation of lice, ticks, and fleas. Also, due to hectic operations schedules, time allowed for personal hygiene and grooming is highly curtailed or even absent. Some have also noted that the practice of head-shaving serves to remove exterior signs of individual identity, which can be helpful in the process of cultivating a team-oriented environment. In many militaries, head-shaving is mandatory for males upon induction training. However, even after the initial recruitment phase, when head-shaving is no longer required, many soldiers maintain a completely or partially shaven hairstyle (such as a "high and tight" or "flattop") for personal convenience and an exterior symbol of military solidarity. Head-shaving is not required of females in military service, although they must have their hair cut or tied to regulation length. Suborders Anoplura (sucking lice) Rhyncophthirina Ischnocera (avian lice) Amblycera (chewing lice) Lice (singular: louse) (order Phthiraptera) are an order of over 3000 species of wingless parasitic insects. ... Families Ixodidae- Hard ticks Argasidae- Soft ticks Nuttalliellidae Tick is the common name for the small arachnids that, along with mites, constitute the order Acarina. ... Families Tungidae- Sticktight and Chigoe fleas(Chiggers) Pulicidae- Common fleas Coptopsyllidae Vermipsyllidae- Carnivore fleas Rhopalopsyllidae- Marsupial fleas Hypsophthalmidae Stephanocircidae Pygiopsyllidae Hystrichopsyllidae- Rat and mouse fleas Leptopsyllidae- Bird and rabbit fleas Ischnopsyllidae- Bat fleas Ceratophyllidae Amphipsyllidae Malacopsyllidae Dolichopsyllidae- Rodent fleas Ctenopsyllidae Flea is the common name for any of the small... High and tight is a term used to denote any of several very short hair styles most commonly worn by men in military service, predominantly in the United States. ... This article is about the hairstyle. ...

Many militaries also require males to maintain clean-shaven faces because facial hair can prevent an air-tight seal between the face and apparatus of emergency air breathing masks or protective masks such as gas masks; however, the concerns of personal hygiene apply as above. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into respirator. ...

As punishment

In some situations, people's hair is shaved as a punishment. After World War II, this was a common punishment in France for women who collaborated with the Nazis during the occupation. In Arab countries, shaving off beards and eyebrows is sometimes used to shame and humiliate male prisoners. Combatants Allies: Poland, British Commonwealth, France/Free France, Soviet Union, United States, China, and others Axis Powers: Germany, Italy, Japan, and others Casualties Military dead: 17 million Civilian dead: 33 million Total dead: 50 million Military dead: 8 million Civilian dead: 4 million Total dead: 12 million World War II...

Body areas where hair is often removed

Hair grows on all areas of the human body except for the palms of the hands, the lips, certain areas of the genital structure and the soles of the feet. But hair is most noticeable in most people in a small number of areas that are most commonly waxed, trimmed, plucked, or shaved. These areas are the:

• Face
• Head
• Eyebrows
• Eyelashes
• Chest
• Abdomen
• Pubic Area
• Legs
• Armpits
• Back hair

A typical full beard and mustache. ... Young Girl Fixing her Hair, by Sophie Gengembre Anderson Hair is a filamentous outgrowth skin found only in mammals. ... The eyebrow is a bony ridge above the eye that protects the eye and bears a tuft of facial hair in most mammals. ... A closed eye, displaying lashes The eye now open — lashes less visible An eyelash or simply lash is one of the hairs that grow at the edge of the eyelid. ... The term chest hair is generally used to describe hair that grows on the chest of human males, the region between the neck and the abdomen. ... The term abdominal hair refers to the hair that grows on the abdomen (belly) of humans and non-human mammals, in the region between the pubic area and the thorax (chest). ... Pubic hair is hair in the frontal genital area, the crotch, and sometimes at the top of the inside of the legs; these areas form the pubic region. ... Female legs Leg shaving is the practice of removing leg hair using a razor. ... Armpit Hair Media declaring female armpit hair as a scandal Armpit hair is the composition of hair in the underarm area. ...

Hair removal methods

Many products on the market have proven fraudulent. Many other products exaggerate the results or ease of use.

Permanent

Permanent hair removal involves several imperfect options. A number of methods have been developed that use chemicals, energy of varying types, or a combination to target the areas that regulate hair growth. Permanently destroying these areas while sparing surrounding tissue is a difficult challenge.

Permanent hair removal for most

• Electrolysis

Permanent hair reduction for some Electrology is either of two electrical epilation methods for the permanent removal of human hair. ...

• Laser
• Flashlamp (also called Intense Pulsed Light or IPL)

Lasting hair inhibition for many (requires continuous use) Epilation performed by laser was performed experimentally for about 20 years before it became commercially available in the mid 1990s. ... A human arm, four hours after IPL treatment. ...

• Prescription oral medications
• A new method of epilation is to use enzymes that inhibit the development of new hair cells. Hair growth will become less and less until it finally stops, normal depilation/epilation will be performed during that time. Products include the presciption drug Vaniqa (active ingredient eflornithine hydrochloride inhibiting the enzyme ornithine decarboxylase).

Neuraminidase ribbon diagram An enzyme (in Greek en = in and zyme = blend) is a protein, or protein complex, that catalyzes a chemical reaction and also controls the 3D orientation of the catalyzed substrates. ... Vaniqa (eflornithine hydrochloride) is a topically applied agent to slow hair growth. ... Eflornithine is a drug developed by Aventis, which has various uses. ... The enzyme ornithine decarboxylase (PDB 7odc, EC 4. ...

Temporary

Depilation lasting several hours to several days can be achieved by:

• Shaving or trimming (manually or with electric shavers)
• Depilatories (creams or "shaving powders" which chemically dissolve hair)
• Friction (rough surfaces used to buff away hair)

Epilation lasting several days to several weeks can be achieved by: A razor shaving some stubble off the underside of a chin. ...

• Waxing (a hot or cold layer is applied and then removed with porous strips)
• Plucking (hairs are plucked, or pulled out, with tweezers)
• Sugaring (similar to waxing, but with a sticky paste)
• Threading (also called fatlah or khite, in which a twisted thread catches hairs as it's rolled across the skin)
• Rotary epilators (devices which rapidly grasp hairs and pull them out by the root)

Some methods are still in the experimental stage or have been banned for most uses due to adverse effects. Waxing is a temporary method of hair removal which removes the hair at the root. ... Sugaring is a method of hair removal that has been in use for thousands of years. ... Threading is an ancient method of hair removal that is still used in parts of the Middle and Far East. ...

• X-ray (banned in the United States)
• Photodynamic therapy (experimental)

In the NATO phonetic alphabet, X-ray represents the letter X. An X-ray picture (radiograph) taken by Röntgen An X-ray is a form of electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength approximately in the range of 5 pm to 10 nanometers (corresponding to frequencies in the range 30 PHz...

Doubtful methods

Many methods have been proposed or sold over the years without published clinical proof they can work as claimed.

• Electric tweezers
• "Transdermal electrolysis"
• "Transcutaneous hair removal"
• Photoepilators
• Microwaves
• Foods and Dietary supplements
• Nonprescription topical preparations (also called "hair inhibitors," "hair retardants," or "hair growth inhibitors")

See also

• Bikini waxing
• Brazilian waxing
• Hairdressing
• Bearded women
• Pubic hair
• Trichotillomania

Bikini waxing is a type of hair removal in the pubic region. ... Brazilian waxing is a type of waxing involving the bikini area. ... Street haircut in Harbin, China. ... Hirsutism is defined as excessive and increased hair growth in women in locations where the occurrence of terminal hair normally is minimal or absent. ... Pubic hair is hair in the frontal genital area, the crotch, and sometimes at the top of the inside of the legs; these areas form the pubic region. ... Trichotillomania (TTM) or trich is an impulse control disorder characterised by the repeated urge to pull out scalp hair, eyelashes, beard hair, nose hair, pubic hair, eyebrows or other body hair. ...

External links

• Hair removal facts for consumers