Revisiting Perioperative Hair Removal Practices.

The standard of practice for perioperative hair removal is largely based on research that is outdated and underpowered. Although there is evidence to support the practice of clipping instead of shaving, current recommendations are to remove hair only when absolutely necessary. Human hair is bacteria-laden and challenging to disinfect, and clipping can be a safe method of hair removal that does not damage the skin. This article considers the removal of hair at the incision site with clippers, either before the patient enters the OR or in a manner that completely contains clipped hair, for every procedure, not just when absolutely necessary. There have been only two studies to date comparing clipping with no hair removal; more research is needed on this subject.

Hair removal-related injuries in the United States, 1991-2014.

BACKGROUND: Hair removal practices have changed in frequency and location on the body. Previous research on hair removal injuries has focused on a specific body region, age, or gender. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to take a broader perspective of hair removal-associated injuries in the United States which sought treatment at emergency departments. METHODS: Data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) from 1991 to 2014 were used to identify hair removal-related injuries. Incidence rates were determined for the overall population and stratified by gender and age category using US Census Bureau population estimates. RESULTS: From 1991 to 2014, there were an estimated 292 053 hair removal-associated injuries in the United States. The overall incidence rate was highest in 2013 (9/100 000). Those aged 65+ had the highest incidence from 1991 to 2010 with those aged 19-34 having the highest rate starting in 2011. When stratified by body region injured, males had highest injury rates to the face and females had highest rates to the lower limbs. Starting in 2010, those aged 19-34 had higher incidence particularly for pubic and trunk regions. CONCLUSION: The incidence of hair removal-associated injuries seen by emergency departments increased nearly ninefold between 1991 and 2013. Due to the increased incidence among 19- to 34-year-olds, caution should be taken particularly for this age group when undergoing depilatory practices. Overall, individuals should practice safe and acceptable usage of hair removal products to reduce the risk of injury.

Pubic lice: an endangered species?

UNLABELLED: The incidence of pubic lice infestations is estimated to be between 1.3% and 4.6%, with an average incidence of 2% worldwide. It is also estimated that 70% to 80% of adults now remove pubic hair in part or entirety, using a variety of methods. It is hypothesized that the destruction of this pubic hair habitat may account for the falling incidence of pubic lice and may possibly lead to its eradication or atypical presentation. AIM: To report the changing incidence of pubic lice infestation from our unit over the last 10 years and assess its association, if any, with pubic hair removal of any kind. METHODS: Assessment of medical records and questionnaires were used to identify the incidence of hair removal and pubic lice infestation over a 10-year period. Data were anonymized and analyzed to identify any correlation. RESULTS: A significant and strong correlation between the falling incidence of pubic lice infections and increase in pubic hair removal was observed, with a Pearson correlation r value of 0.9686 (95% confidence intervals, 0.88-0.992). The P value is less than 0.0001. CONCLUSIONS: The increased incidence of hair removal may lead to atypical patterns of pubic lice infestations or its complete eradication as the natural habitat of this parasite is destroyed.

Complications related to pubic hair removal.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the prevalence and correlates of complications related to pubic hair removal among a diverse clinical sample of women attending a public clinic. STUDY DESIGN: Women (aged 16-40 years) who received care from April to June 2012 at 2 publicly funded clinics completed an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire (n = 369). After excluding women with missing data, analyses were conducted on 333 women. Additional measures were retrieved through a medical chart review. A χ(2) and a multivariable logistic regression were used to analyze participant characteristics, pubic hair removal behaviors, and complications related to pubic hair removal. RESULTS: Most women (87%) admitted to current removal of at least some pubic hair, whereas the remainder responded that they had removed pubic hair in the past. Under- or normal-weight women were more likely to report total pubic hair removal than overweight or obese women. The majority (60%) had experienced at least 1 health complication because of the removal, of which the most common were epidermal abrasion and ingrown hairs. Black and Hispanic women were less likely than white women to report complications. Overweight or obese women were almost twice as likely to report a complication and almost 3 times as likely if they also had total hair removal. Only 4% had seen a health care provider for a complication related to hair removal and only 4% discussed safe removal practices with their doctor. CONCLUSION: Minor complications commonly occur as a result of pubic hair removal. Gynecological visits could provide a safe environment for women to discuss pubic hair removal practices.

Overview and trends in male grooming.

The use of cosmetics and medical cosmetic procedures by men has been widely ignored in dermatological research in the past, but it is finding increasing attention. As men are changing their habits and increasingly tend to use cosmetic products, the dermatologist will be asked for expert advice regarding efficacy and safety of cosmetics for male skin. For this service, dermatologists need to be aware of anatomical and physiological differences between male and female skin, about specific environmental stress factors affecting male skin, about cosmetic practices and product use especially regarding shaving, and about the counselling needs in men relating to protective cosmetic use.

[Photoepilation: state-of-the-art]. / Photoepilation: State-of-the-Art.

The field of dermatological laser medicine consists of four main areas: therapy for blood vessels, therapy for pigmented lesions, ablation of tissue, and photoepilation. The first tests were carried out in 1993, and since 1996 there has been a growing demand for "permanent hair removal." This strong demand and the rapid development of devices call for extensive knowledge in terms of current technical innovation or affirmation of proven procedures. This article gives a general survey of the different systems that can be used for "permanent hair removal" [ruby laser, alexandrite laser, diode, Nd:YAG laser, so-called intense pulsed light (IPL) systems, and combined radio frequency/IPL systems], including their inherent advantages and disadvantages. Physical and biological aspects necessary for photoepilation are pointed out. Furthermore, we emphasize new methods concerning removal of depigmented and therapy-resistant hair, as well as the treatment of female patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Laser- and light-based hair removal: an update.

A variety of laser technologies are now able to successfully remove unwanted hair. Successful removal is based on an understanding of laser physics and appropriate wavelengths, pulse durations and cooling of the skin. Although ruby lasers were among the first to be used, alexandrite, diode and neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:YAG) lasers, as well as a variety of broad-spectrum intense pulsed light sources, are currently more commonly used for the treatment of unwanted hair. Darker skin types are more difficult to treat but can also be treated. Complications can occur after laser hair removal but can be reduced through an understanding of the fundamentals of laser removal. These complications include the obvious, such as scarring and pigmentary changes, and the not so obvious, such as reticulate erythema and uveitis. Laser hair removal is now widely accepted as a successful approach to remove unwanted hair in both men and women. The future will involve office-based laser and light source hair removal, as well as a variety of laser and light-based home devices.

Foliculitis postdepilación por mycobacterium chelonae / Postdepilation folliculitis due to mycobacterium chelonae

Mycobacterium chelonae es una micobacteria atípica, no productora de pigmento, perteneciente al grupo IV de la clasificación de Runyon. En pacientes inmunocompetentes suele producir lesiones aisladas y localizadas, con antecedente traumático; sin embargo, en pacientes inmunodeprimidos suele producir lesiones múltiples. Presentamos el caso de una infección por Mycobacterium chelonae en una mujer inmunocompetente de 32 años que desarrolló lesiones nodulares múltiples en extremidades inferiores, simulando los casos de diseminación hematógena en inmunodeprimidos. El único antecedente relacionado fue la depilación con cera. La foliculitis por M. chelonae debe incluirse en el diagnóstico diferencial de las foliculitis postdepilación, ya que la sospecha diagnóstica hace posible una terapéutica precoz y eficaz que impedirá la aparición de cicatrices importantes (AU)

Cabelo em neurocirurgia: é necessária a tricotomia? / Hair in neurosurgical: is necessary the hair removal?

Este trabalho relata a nossa experiência que conclui ser desnecessária a tricotomia do couro cabeludo no preparo pré-operatório das craniotomias. No Hospital Nove de Julho, desde o final do ano de 1992, foi abolida a tricotomia do couro cabeludo como rotina nos procedimentos neurocirúrgicos

Tricotomia: um fator determinante de infecçäo em ferida cirúrgica / Trichotomy: determinant factors of infection in surgical wounds

Neste artigo procura-se demonstrar através de referências bibliográficas como uma técnica simples e rotineira como a tricotomia pode levar à ocorrência de infecçäo, ao tempo em que säo apresentadas sugestöes de medidas a serem adotadas visando contribuir para diminuir os fatores determinantes de infecçäo em cirurgia.