So I was happily preparing to do dilute bleach baths (derm recommended) for my resistant body acne for a couple months, twice a week. I havent done it yet. Then I came across a random post in which the person who tried bleach baths saw a decrease I’m body hair. Is this true? And I ask not because I want to try it for body hair but because I don’t want my body hair gone now that I’m growing it for electrolysis removal. any ideas?
I am not aware of any studies or conclusive data to support the claim that bleach baths decrease body hair. The hair producing components of a hair follicle are located at a depth (several millimeters) which liquid cannot penetrate. One must then ask: how did Tina Turner experience significant scalp hair loss from a permanent wave treatment early in her career? (the reason she wears wigs to this day). Hair salon products in the late 1950’s/early 60’s contained harsh chemicals (i.e. sodium hydroxide) that had the capacity to not only penetrate the skin but on rare occasions leave harsh and sometimes severe chemical burns. Tina Turner experienced burns and permanent hair loss from a solution that was left on her head too long.
^I’m not clear on your opinion. Are you saying that a dilute bleach bath is probably safe because it’s too dilute to have the harsh effect that Tina Turner’s treatment had?
My previous statement was NOT an opinion, but a scientific fact based on elementary physics and human anatomy. A bleach bath will have NO effect on hair growth unless you decide to increase the concentration to the point you risk serious injury. If you jump into the mouth of an active volcano it is certain to kill unwanted hair, but there are other side effects as well.
Tina Turner’s problem was not from bleach, but the lye in the products. I have a friend whose father burned the top of his scalp in this same way, leaving himself horseshoe bald from the age of 23 for the rest of his life.
Since I am not a doctor you can ignore my musings on the subject, however, I got to say here, if you have body acne, you should be treating it internally. Acne and excessive sweating are often signs of the body using the skin as a route of waste elimination instead of the normal channels. If you are dehydrated, have blockages in the liver, kidneys and bladders, (and the overwhelming majority of North Americans do) you need to hydrate, flush out the kidneys, bladders and liver, and increase the intake of Vitamin C, Magnesium, Calcium, and Zinc. Then watch as the acne diminishes in 6 to 12 weeks of diligent care to maintain the vitamin, mineral counts, and clear passages through the organs.
Ah, my fault. Please replace opinion with reply.
James, that’s horrifying!
Appreciate your reply, guys.
Correct me if I’m wrong -
I think part of zaphairzap’s question may be whether such baths will have a similar effect to hair removal cream i.e. weakening the part of the hair above the surface of the skin so that it breaks off.
Bleach destroys organic material. So yes, soaking in it would do the same thing on your hairs that it does to your clothing. Problem is, it would also be absorbed by one’s body during the process. Lots of bad side effects here.
Better to clear out the acne with diet, and inner hydration.
Yup Stoppit, you clarified my concern well. I’ll avoid the bleach baths, I guess.