Preferred methods of excess hair removal in pediatric patients with lung transplantation.

Fisher Emily J, Berk David R, Greene Riley E, Shaner Pegi, Sweet Stuart C, Mallory Susan Bayliss

Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Dermatology, Washington University School of Medicine, USA.

J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006 Aug;55(2):320-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2006.03.031.

BACKGROUND

Hypertrichosis is common among recipients of lung transplantation taking cyclosporine and it poses a special psychosocial problem in children. Children and parents frequently inquire about methods of hair removal.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to determine preferred methods of hair removal in this population.

METHODS

We distributed a questionnaire to 104 pediatric recipients of lung transplantation. A total of 56 questionnaires (54%) were completed.

RESULTS

Of respondents, 91% (51 of 56) experienced hypertrichosis, 75% (38 of 51) of whom attempted treatment. Depilatory cream was the most common hair removal technique (79%, 30 of 38). Shaving, particularly with an electric razor, received the highest ratings of both satisfaction and likelihood of future use.

LIMITATIONS

Generalizability is limited by the response rate. Preferred methods according to different hair locations were not evaluated.

CONCLUSION

In our pediatric transplantation population, depilatory cream was the most commonly used treatment for hypertrichosis whereas electric shaving had the highest ratings of satisfaction and future use.