Hair Removal Theory Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering temporary hair removal methods, permanent hair reduction techniques, hair growth cycles, and related hair types and conditions.

Epilation

The process of removing hair from the follicle.

Depilation

The process of removing hair at or near skin level.

Anagen

The active growth stage or phase of hair.

Catagen

The transition stage or phase of hair growth.

Telogen

The dormant or shedding stage or phase of hair growth.

Vellus Hair

Fine, short hair that covers the majority of the face and body.

Terminal Hair

Hair that is longer, darker, and stronger than vellus hair, found on eyebrows, underarms, bikini area, and men's beards.

Hirsutism

A condition typically affecting women characterized by excessive dark hair growth in male-pattern areas due to increased androgen levels.

Hypertrichosis

A genetic condition causing excessive hair growth anywhere on the body in both men and women, uninfluenced by androgen production.

Shaving

A form of depilation using a wet razor with shaving cream/gel or a dry electric shaver to cut hair at the skin level.

Dermaplaning

A skin resurfacing procedure performed in salons/spas that involves shaving vellus hair off the face with a razor.

Chemical Depilatory

A painless hair removal product containing a thioglycolic acid derivative with an alkaline pH that chemically softens and dissolves hair protein structure at skin level.

Patch Test

A sensitivity test recommended before using a chemical depilatory product to check for adverse reactions like itching, burning, or inflammation.

Abrasive Mitts

Gloves with an abrasive surface rubbed in circular movements to exfoliate skin and snap hair off at the surface.

Tweezing

An epilation method where individual hairs are grasped with tweezers and extracted from the base of the follicle in the direction of hair growth.

Soft (Strip) Wax

A professional wax formula (also known as classic or warm wax) applied in a thin layer and removed using fabric or paper removal strips.

Hard (Non-Strip) Wax

A professional wax formula (also known as hot wax) applied to encapsulate hair and removed without strips, adhering only to hair and not skin.

Sugaring

A temporary hair removal technique using a paste of sugar and lemon juice applied via strip or rolling methods that can remove hair as short as $1/8\text{ inch}\,(0.3\,\text{cm})$.

Threading

An ancient hair removal method (also known as banding) utilizing 100% cotton thread twisted and rolled along the skin to entwine and pull hair from the follicle.

Electrolysis

A permanent hair reduction method using electrical current delivered through a needle or probe inserted into the hair follicle to damage papilla cells.

Galvanic Method

An electrolysis technique (also called the multiple-needle process) using direct current to cause a chemical reaction that decomposes the dermal papilla.

Thermolysis

An electrolysis technique (also called electrocoagulation or short-wave process) using high-frequency alternating oscillating current to coagulate cells and destroy tissue.

Blend Method

An electrolysis technique combining galvanic direct current and thermolysis high-frequency current for treating resistant hair follicles.

Laser Hair Reduction

A light-based permanent hair reduction method using a constant collimated laser beam targeting melanin to diminish or destroy hair bulbs.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

A light-based permanent hair reduction technique creating a broad spectrum of pulsed light with multiple wavelengths to destroy hair bulbs across large body areas.