Hair Removal: An Expanding Market

Implications: Hair used to be something we all accepted.  Now, unwanted hair is viewed as unacceptable.  The market for hair removal is almost endless.  Men want hair removed from the nostrils, neck, back, and chest.  Women want hair removed from the upper lip, chin, sideburns, arms, legs, and bikini area.  Treatment options are as varied as the types and colors of hair that exist.  Patients will subject themselves to many different treatments, including shaving, plucking, bleaching, waxing, threading, lasers, intense pulsed light, electrolysis, and medications.  Recently, lasers have become more popular due to their effectiveness in achieving the goal of permanent hair removal.  However, their use is not without risk.  Patients can get burned or lose skin pigment.  Therefore, such treatments should only be administered by licensed healthcare professionals with proper training and experience. 

Analysis: Some people will stop at nothing to get hair removed.  Hair can negatively impact one's self-esteem, resulting in social and psychological harm.  It can also adversely impact one's professional performance.  People that fall into these categories include teenagers, swimmers, models, professionals, housemoms, adult entertainers, and anyone with a heartbeat.  The market demand is huge, which is why hair removal is offered in many different environments, from doctors' offices to salons.  Unfortunately, some states do not require a license to perform hair removal.  This subjects patients to tremendous risk of permanent injury such as burns, scars, and altered skin pigmentation.  Patients need to know the credentials and background of the person performing hair removal.  Requiring a license to remove hair would improve patient safety, minimize the risk of permanent injury, and restore confidence in the general public.