Ams Skinner

Female Facial Hair - What Can You Do About It? | Print View | PDF View

Embarrassment is probably the number one reason many women are concerned with female facial hair. Hair on the upper lip, chin or neck is viewed by some as unfeminine, so it can have an impact on how a woman feels about herself, even leading to a lack of self-confidence.

So let's get started in our brief overview of female facial hair removal methods by examining the two methods generally considered to be permanent - electrolysis and laser hair removal.

Number 1: Electrolysis is probably the only true permanent method of hair removal as each hair follicle is treated individually and heat is used to destroy the hair growing mechanism. Even then, stray hairs can reappear with some clients.

Number 2: There seems to be a greater variation of viewpoint when it comes to the results of laser hair removal. Some find it works very well for them, others spend lots of time and money and end up disappointed. Make sure you go to a professional and you will of course want to see evidence of successful treatments. Testimonials from others are helpful and some clinics maintain a photo library showing before and after shots to give you some idea. It is essential to get a test done before signing up for treatments.

Number 3: Waxing and Sugaring. These are probably the most popular of all the methods. They are inexpensive and can be done easily in your own bathroom. Simply applying wax or a sugaring solution to the area to be treated and sharply pulling back removes the hair.

Wax comes either hot or cold. You can heat up a wax preparation or buy pre-coated cold wax strips. They stick to the skin and remove the top layer of dead skin cells along with unwanted hair when pulled back. This can leave the skin feeling silky and smooth. Sugaring pastes on the other hand just adhere to the hair so these can cause less problems for individuals with sensitive skin as it is just the hair that is removed.

Number 4: Hair inhibitors. The early hair inhibitors were made of herbal solutions containing ingredients and enzymes which disabled the mechanism of hair growth. Results vary and they may not work for everyone. There are many now on the market to choose from. Generally, they only work well in conjunction with hair removal methods that take the hair out by the root like waxing, sugaring, or tweezing.

Vaniqa is perhaps the most famous hair inhibitor. It comes as a prescription cream which is rubbed into the skin twice a day. As with all hair inhibitors, results are seen after two or three months.

Number 5: Depilatories were not recommended for the facial areas at one time due to the strong chemicals they contain and the possibility of adverse skin reactions. These days however there are depilatory products on the market especially designed for a woman's facial areas and they contain ingredients to lessen the trauma on the skin. The chemicals in the depilatory melt the hair so it can be wiped off.

Number 6: Tweezers and Epilators. Get a good quality pair of tweezers that firmly grip the hair and pull sharply to make sure you take the hair out by the root and don't break it. A magnification mirror can also help. This method is good for a small number of unwanted hairs. If you have a wider area to be treated, perhaps an electrical epilator will suit you. With rotating discs, the hairs are plucked out by the root. Some of special settings for the facial areas. Lessen the discomfort by using a numbing spray beforehand or rub an ice cube over the area afterwards.

So what's the best method? Only you can decide. No female facial hair removal method is ideal or universally popular. Everyone is different when it comes to what they are prepared to spend, their pain toleration level, and what they consider to be convenient. One thing is sure though, many women agree it is worth all the time, effort, and discomfort to maintain a clean, hairless facial appearance. They enjoy the confidence it gives them in social settings and they can go about their daily lives without feeling embarrassed in the close up zone.

Comments (1)  |   Wed, 29 Apr 2009   |  

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