Tips to get rid of unwanted facial hair and keep that mo in tow

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Article by BR Natalie

Peach fuzz.  As nicknames go this is quite cute - and yet unwanted (yet common) facial hair seldom makes a lady feel cute.  As hair topics go, it's safe to say talking about facial hair is more embarassing than discussions about maintaining our 'lady garden'.

There are many reasons as to why you might have facial hair - It might be due to problem such as polycystic ovaries, which encourages hair growth; testosterone can cause it; or many simply have a genetic disposition towards it (AKA Blame your mother!).  Aging is a significant cause, as we age, our bodies lose estrogen; which leaves testosterone unopposed.  It causes us to grow more hair where men have it, on our faces (and to grow less on our heads).

So what can we do about it?

Depilatory Cream

Hair removal creams use chemicals to dissolve the keratin in the hair.  They are applied to the face and left for a few ­minutes before removing, at which point the hair comes away, too. ­

The regrowth, like with shaving is anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.  The regrowth may be slightly stubbly and sensitive skin my be irritated by the chemicals  But it is cheap, effective and can be done at home. 

Electrolysis

Hairs are given an ‘electric shock’ through a fine, sterile needle that is inserted into each follicle. This cuts the supply of blood and oxygen to the hair rendering it dead.

It might take a few sessions, but the end result is permanent.  Results are ­guaranteed. Every treated ­follicle will die and hair can’t grow back.  However - it's a labourious process and it can take in excess of a dozen appointments.  It's a little painful and quite pricey.

IPL

Intense Pulsed Light (does this make anyone else think of a rave?!) is similar to laser treatment, but uses various light wavelengths which reduces the risk of burning and pigmentation. 

You'll need 6 - 10 treatments on each area, and you'll need to leave a gap of 1 - 3 months in between appointments.  A qualified IPL specialist will be able to advise you on this. After a full course of treatments hair should not grow again.  IPL is said to be less painful and unlike laser treatment is suitable for dark skin and lighter hair.  

Laser

 Sounds a bit Star Trekky but basically a laser beam focused on the area of hair growth. The ­follicles beneath the skin surface are destroyed, stopping hair from ­growing. 

It can take up to 8 treatments to destroy all the follicles and hair growth is permanently reduced - it may not stop altogether.  It's really important to protect your skin from the sun afterwards as there is an increased risk of hyperpigmentation.  It's pretty expensive and in between sessions you have to shave any remaining hair.  It's also more effective on those with dark hair and pale skin - the energy from the laser is absorbed by pigment, so this isn't going to work on white hair and will be much less effective on blonde or grey hair.  

Threading

 Although threading seems like a new trend, it's actually an ancient method of hair removal that originated in the middle east. 

Essentially the 'threader' will use a cotton thread and manipulate it into knotting.  When it's run over the skin it will pull the hair out from the roots.

It lasts anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks.  It's cheap and quick and uses no chemicals at all. but it can be quite painful.

Waxing

Warm wax is applied to the area with a spatula (hair must be around 1/2cm).  Fabric strips are applied and then pulled off, bringing the hair with it. 

Like threading the regrowth time is 2 - 6 weeks.  It's quick and cheap and can be done in a salon or at home. 

It is probably better for fine hair than coarser hair and isn't ideal for darker skins because ­waxing can cause skin discolouration.

But if I remove it, will it grow back thicker and coarser?

We've all heard regrowth myths.  If you wax it will grow back thicker and darker.  If you pluck a hair, 10 more will show up to it's funeral.  And yet, surprisingly not a well-studied topic and the conclusions are, well not very conclusive.

Some studies suggest that the repeated trauma hair removal inflicts on fine hairs can convert them to thicker ones.  Others studies demonstrate that the thickness and texture of the hair is influenced more by hormonal factors than by the removal method.  And just to add more confusion, some studies show that repeated trauma to a follicle, such as tweezing, can cause it to permanently decrease hair growth (as seen in women who over-tweeze their eyebrows and lose that hair altogether )

What we do know for sure is that shaving and depilatories, which remove the hair at the surface and not the root, cannot change the essential character or growth rate of the hair, so if you're concerned about regrowth and can't afford a more expensive, permanent option, then these are probably your best bet.

So there we have it, the Beauty Review guide to removing unwanted facial hair - hopefully we've proved the point that it's a common concern among women and there is no need for our ladies to be embarassed by it!