Epilation

Epilation, epilatio (from Latin pilus - hair), removal of hair, widely used in treating certain common skin diseases: in trichophytosis (see), microsporiasis (see), and favus (see) of the hairy part of the head, in vulgar sycosis (see), and in hypertrichosis. In dermatomycoses and in sycosis, for the purpose of temporary hair removal, X-rays are used, or else epilation is performed manually with an epilation forceps. After X-ray irradiation, hair begins to fall out on the 11-14th day, epilation is completed by the 21-28th day, and hair grows back in 65-70 days. With manual epilation, hair grows back in 20 days. The acetic acid thallium (see) per os, proposed by Buschke for epilation purposes, did not find wide application due to its toxic properties. In hypertrichosis, for radical epilation, electrolysis and diathermocoagulation (see Cosmetics) are used.