title: Preoperative hair removal.
abstract: This study compares the efficiency, safety and cost of hair removal before surgery, with a safety razor, an electric clipper and a depilatory. It was found that both the razor and the clipper damaged the surface of the skin, while the depilatory caused a mild lymphocytic reaction in the upper dermis. The depilatory was expensive and may cause sensitivity reactions in a few individuals, but was found to be the easiest and most efficient method of removing hair. It was concluded that if hair has to be removed a depilatory is the agent of choice.
mesh_terms: D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006197:Hair / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006204:Hair Removal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000592:standards*; D012867:Skin / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*