At home hair removal injuries are on the rise

At home hair removal injuries are on the rise.

Learn how to avoid them & about hair removal alternatives

Hair removal-associated injuries in U.S. hospital emergency rooms are up; nearly nine-fold between 1991 and 2014, according to a report published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology this fall.  More than 60% of the injuries occurred at home.

The study from the School of Public Health at the University of Alabama was spurred by a PhD student’s curiosity. He wondered whether the growing trend of shaving one’s pubic area led to an increase in injuries. “We found that it absolutely has,” says professor and study co-author Gerald McGwin, PhD, MS. “We discovered that, particularly for females, the rate of injury dramatically increased.”

More than 50% of injuries were lacerations, occurring most commonly on the face for men and on the lower limbs for women. However, injuries to the trunk and pubic region also increased. The age groups affected also shifted. Before 2011, the highest rate of injury was among people 65+ but they were surpassed by the 19- to 34-year-olds who experienced more injuries in the trunk and pubic areas.

One key piece of advice from the study is to avoid dull razors. A majority of these injuries happen at home so another message for consumers is consult a professional if you want to pursue extensive hair removal.

The good news is Olympic Dermatology offers the newest, most effective technology available for permanent hair removal. We use the Vectus Laser because it’s faster, more cost-effective and comfortable for our patients. It’s ideal for many body parts including face, underarms, arms, legs, back, bikini area and chest. Learn more about this great alternative to shaving at home and read testimonials from patients who love their results.