Hair Removal 123

The top 6 unwanted facial hair removal methods are:

1. Electrolysis


2. Laser Hair Removal


3. Waxing Or Sugaring


4. Depilatories


5. Hair Growth Inhibitors


6. Tweezing

Shaving is not in the list as it can cause stubble which many women find quite unacceptable.

Here is a brief overview of each method:

Electrolysis

This is regarded as the only true permanent method for unwanted facial hair removal. Each hair follicle is treated with an electric current which destroys the follicle's ability to form new hair.

There is mild discomfort and a qualified practitioner can do much to alleviate the anxiety and minimize the pain.

4 to 10 hours may be required to treat the upper lip and 2 to 12 hours for the chin depending on how much hair growth there is. Quotes range from $25 to $100 per hour so the total cost for the upper lip can be anywhere between $100 to $1,000 and between $50 and $1,200 for the chin area.

Laser Hair Removal

Laser is often regarded as a permanent unwanted facial hair removal method although there can be regrowth. Pulsed light is used to cover many hair follicles at a time and so the cost is obviously less than electrolysis. The upper lip can be treated in less than 1 minute and the chin in 2 to 3 minutes. 3 to 8 treatments may be necessary and a typical cost would be around $500 per hour.

Thorough consultations with the practitioner are necessary to establish whether this method will work for you. It is a good idea to have a test done on an area of skin not so visible.

Waxing Or Sugaring

This method of unwanted facial hair removal is extremely popular as it is quite inexpensive and easy to do at home. Numerous waxing or sugaring kits are available on the market, some with ingredients to soothe the skin and minimize redness, especially appropriate for the facial areas.

Wax adheres to the hair and skin whereas sugar pastes adhere only to the hair. When the strip is pulled back there is less pain with sugaring. Also many natural sugaring pastes are available so the skin is not so affected as with the chemicals in some waxing preparations.

Results may last for 3 to 6 weeks depending on the individual and rate of hair growth.

Depilatories

This is another very popular method of unwanted facial hair removal, again because it is very inexpensive and easy to do at home. Care should be exercised however as depilatories contain strong chemicals which dissolve the hair and there may be skin reactions. It is wise to test a small area first in a not so visible part of the body.

Be careful to observe the instructions to the letter, especially the time recommended so as to avoid burning the skin. Results can last up to 2 weeks or so.

Hair Growth Inhibitors

While hair growth inhibitors do not remove hair, they are included in this list as they can have a great effect on the rate of hair growth.

Two popular hair growth inhibitors are Vaniqa and Kalo.

Vaniqa is a prescription cream especially formulated for unwanted facial hair removal methods. When massaged into the skin twice a day the user will notice a difference in hair growth within about 2 months. As the amount of hair regrowth slows it becomes much easier to remove with other methods such as waxing, sugaring, tweezing, or threading.

Vaniqa is only available for women and for girls over the age of 12. It doesn't work for everyone - about 58% of women in the clinical trials noticed a reduction in hair growth.

Kalo is a natural herbal lotion which can work for men and women and even children. When massaged into the skin it begins to disable the mechanism of hair growth in the hair follicle. The hair that regrows is finer and easier to remove. In some cases, after a few months, hardly any hair regrows at all.

Tweezing

A quality pair of tweezers is needed to perform unwanted facial hair removal properly without risk of taking out chunks of skin as well. Use a magnifying mirror in good light and be sure to pull the hair in the direction of the growth. If you perform this procedure after a bath or shower you will find it easier.

Just rub an ice cube over the area afterwards to reduce redness and irritation.

Unwanted facial hair removal needn't be a great problem for women concerned about facial hair. If you are prepared to pay a larger one time fee you can have a permanent solution using electrolysis or laser hair treatment.

On the other hand, perhaps using waxing, sugaring, tweezing, or depilatories suits you due to the convenience of doing them at home at little cost. Added to that, combining a hair growth inhibitor with whichever unwanted facial hair removal method you use will make reduce the number of times you have to give it attention.