Facial hair: the facts

Facial hair is still one of the last taboos for women, which makes life even harder for those who suffer from it.

Waxing Electrolysis Laser The unwanted hair often appears on the upper lip, chin and sides of the face. Before you decide on the proper removal method, first determine that the cause of the hair growth is not hormonal. If you are experiencing an abnormal growth of hair on these facial areas, or if the hair is very thick, you should consult your doctor to determine the underlying causes before you embark on a removal regime.

If the hair growth isn't caused by hormonal abnormalities, you have a number of different options for removal. Using tweezers is fine for eyebrows, but a no-no for facial hair.

Repeated plucking can cause irritation in the hair follicle and, on darker-skinned women, can also result in scarring. Unless you have just a few stray hairs that occasionally pop up, leave the tweezers in the bathroom cabinet.

Depilatory creams dissolve the hair at the base of the follicle. They are ideal for widespread areas (like the legs), but can be problematic when used on the face because they irritate the skin and usually don't remove all of the hairs. On the plus side, depilatory creams are a relatively inexpensive option. On average, results will last for one to two weeks.

waxing
Waxing is one of the most popular solutions. Generally, it is an effective method to remove hair on the upper lip and fine hair on the side of the face, but it is not recommended for the chin area, where hair tends to be more coarse.

Waxing can also be problematic for darker-skinned women, who sometimes experience discoloration due to irritation and inflammation . Depending on the type of hair you have, waxing results should last from two to six weeks.

Electrolysis
Electrolysis uses low-level electricity to kill the hair follicles. On the positive side, results last longer than with waxing and depilatories - but the process can be time consuming and costly.

It's essential to find a reputable practitioner (ask around your friends to see if they can recommend anyone), because electrolysis performed incorrectly can cause scarring. Before you begin treatment, ask for referrals from former clients, and make sure that a new needle is used for each session. Electrolysis is generally recommended for women with white or very blonde hair and for women who have areas with isolated hairs.