Vdot wants to know…The Epilar System claims to be a topical product that, when used in a series of 8-12 treatments spaced 5-6 weeks apart, can inhibit hair regrowth. Looking at the ingredients, I think the jury is still out on whether Trypsin (it’s an enzyme, right?) is a hair growth inhibitor. Thoughts on the ingredient combo here, and is it junk or worth a try for those of us who have to keep up with our girl ‘staches weekly?
The Right Brain responds:
We have an answer for you Vdot, sort of. While we haven’t had a chance to research Trypsin as a hair growth inhibitor we did just come across an article describing the discovery that licorice extract can effectively inhibit hair growth.
Hair growth inhibitor
According to the Dermatology Times, a study conducted at University Hospital, J. W. Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany has shown that an active compound extracted from licorice (glycyrrhizic acid) stopping hair growth in rats. Do you girls realize what this means??? That’s right, the garbage dumps and sewers in large urban areas will soon be over run by bald rats! And then they’ll need some sort of Mouse Minoxidil to counteract their rodential smoothness. And, oh yeah, it might also mean that Vdot can stop shaving her “girl ‘stache.”
All kidding aside, this discovery could be a breakthrough in controlling unwanted hair. The researchers found that after only three days of treatment the rats showed some reduction in hair growth and after a week or two their skin was almost as smooth as a baby’s butt. Better still, there was no sign of skin irritation or other side effects that hair removal/growth inhibiting products can cause. The scientists theorize that licorice extract works by causing the hair shaft to detach from the follicular wall. Only time will tell if this discovery is better than the Epilar system. In the meantime, watch out for those hairless rats!
How do YOU deal with unwanted hair? Leave a comment and share your tricks and tips with the rest of the Beauty Brains community.
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Hope it’s true.. And safe as well.
I’m going to sleep with Twizzlers taped to my armpits tonight. I’ll let you know how it goes.
I’d love to try this, but upon further research I’ve found that licorice not only acts as a skin lightener, but the results aren’t permanent. (http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Cosmetic+Dermatology/Licorice-extract-proves-helpful-in-hair-removal/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/666288)
This makes me wonder how much licorice would have to be applied to achieve good results, and whether or not that much licorice would also produce the (undesired) effect of bleaching my skin. If you have any info on this, I’d greatly appreciate it!
@ Rina — so they mixed the licorice extract with urea and ethanol.
How to replicate at home: get licorice root from Natural Foods store, make tea with it, then mix with pee and vodka. Hmmmm… maybe now I understand why the Brains aren’t too fond of home remedies.
Don’t think I’ll be putting THAT on my girl ‘Stach anytime soon.
@Angel: Twizzlers in your armpits – LOL!
haha sleeping with twizzlers under your arms! Too funny.
Wonder where this research will lead though… so many amazing things they can do as one discovery leads to another.
I’d volunteer to test this stuff if I knew where to do it. I’m sick and tired of constantly tweezing and waxing. And the ingrown hairs are driving me insane.
I actually ordered licorice root extract with 20% glycyrrhizic acid powder. It’s supposed to arrive in 1-2 days. Maybe more. I’m expecting the latter. I’ll dissolve some in water and rub it on…everywhere. Haha, I’ll let you guys know how it goes.
I’m curious, but would it also reduce/affect head hair?
I think it would affect head hair, since the glycyrrhizic acid detaches the hair follicle. It isn’t just a hormone thing.
The package should be coming tomorrow or Tuesday! Can’t wait.
is facial waxing harmful even if we use the specific facial hair removal wax?
does it change the face tone or the complexion? Should we avoid waxing???
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