Permanent removal of unwanted hair.

BACKGROUND Currently available methods for permanent removal of unwanted body hair are either slow or may result in painful side effects or scarring. OBJECTIVE The authors investigated the safety and effectiveness of galvanic current by patch and probe technique as a method of permanent hair removal. RESULTS Microscopic evidence confirmed that galvanic current treatment using either a probe or patch technique induced alopecia through perifollicular fibrosis. Hair counts indicated that this treatment was equally or more effective than wax-only or electrolysis treatments at 12 and 15 weeks after commencement of treatment. Clinical observation suggested that it caused less irritation or discomfort to patients. CONCLUSIONS Preliminary investigations indicate that galvanic current treatments are a fast, safe, and effective means of permanent hair removal. Further evaluations of longer-term treatment effectiveness are underway.