Baylor Health Care System
 

Depilatories

Definition

Depilatory is a chemical used to remove unwanted hair. Depilatory poisoning occurs when someone swallows this substance.

Alternative Names

Hair removal agents

Poisonous Ingredient

  • Alkalis (sodium or calcium hydroxide)
  • Barium sulfide
  • Thioglycollates

Note: This list may not include all poisonous ingredients.

Where Found

  • Various depilatories

Review Date: 1/23/2008
Reviewed By: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission. URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit.

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