Hair Regrowth or Removal: FSA Eligibility

Hair Regrowth or Removal: reimbursement is not eligible with a Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Hair regrowth or removal is not eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA) or a dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA).

What is hair regrowth or removal?

Hair regrowth and hair removal are cosmetic medical procedures and are therefore ineligible for reimbursement with a consumer-directed healthcare account. Hair regrowth is typically a medication that stimulates the regeneration or activity of a hair follicle. In very limited circumstances, regrowth of hair loss considered a deformity due to a medical condition could be eligible with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN). Hair removal may be conducted through a variety of functions including electrolysis, waxing, sugaring, epilation, and threading. Electrolysis is a well-known permanent hair removal technique.

What is electrolysis?

Electrolysis is the act of removing a human hair through the use of a metal probe that does not puncture the skin, but merely enters the hair follicle. The probe delivers electricity to the follicle, causing localized damage that prevents hair regrowth. Various methods of electrolysis cause this damage in different ways via Emancipated Electrolysis:

Electrolysis methods:

Galvanic Method

Galvanic electrolysis delivers up to 3 milliamperes of electricity which creates sodium hydroxide at the site of the hair follicle.

Thermolysis Method

Thermolysis hair removal is also known as radio frequency (RF), shortwave or diathermy. The probe is effectively a radio transmitter with an output of up to 8 watts at a specific frequency, which causes RF energy to emanate from the probe tip to the human tissue within about one millimeter. The hair cells are heated to between 118 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit, preventing future hair growth.

Blend Method

The advantages of thermolysis and galvanic methods are combined by the "blend" method, which uses both technologies in the metal probe.

Hair Regrowth

Hair regrowth is commonly achieved through several medications including propecia or finasteride, a pill that limits hair loss and occasionally stimulates hair regrowth.

Hair regrowth methods also include liquid applications that are rubbed on to the scalp. There are also hair transplants as a form of hair regrowth.

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