Unwanted facial hair growth is an everyday problem that women experience and is rarely addressed in the primary care setting. While facial hair in men is regarded as attractive and normal, it is non- acceptable in women. Hirsutism is a term that describes excess facial or body hair growth in women. It is a condition generally associated with hormonal changes that prompt the hair follicles in the areas where hair doesn’t grow. It may also be caused by disturbances in the genetics too. This excess facial hair growth is an obstruction to a hair-free, smoother complexion of the females making them eliminate hair using different techniques.
Excessive facial hair growth in women can be emotionally distressing. Many women feel self-conscious about having unwanted hair on their faces. In some cases, women develop depression due to hirsutism. If you have irregular periods and hirsutism, you may experience polycystic ovary syndrome, which can affect your fertility. Furthermore, women who take specific medications to stop hirsutism should not conceive because of the associated risk of congenital disabilities.
What Causes Facial Hair Growth in Women?
Hirsutism genetically runs in families. However, it is essential to understand the causes of unwanted facial hair in women to know how to eliminate its growth permanently. Here are some of the possible causes of hirsutism:
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome: Hirsutism is typically caused by high levels of androgens (male hormones). It’s normal for women to produce these hormones, and low levels of this hormone don’t cause unwanted facial hair growth. But when androgen levels are too high, they can lead to hirsutism and other associated things, such as acne, small breasts, and a deep voice.
- Ethnicity and Genetics: Genetics determine the physical characteristics, including facial hair. So, Mediterranean and South Asian women are likely to grow more facial hair than in other parts of the world.
- Obesity: According to a study published by the US National Library of Medicine, excessive women’s body hair (hirsutism) was more predominant among women who were obese than those with a lower body mass index (BMI).
- Medications: Certain medications can cause the growth of excessive facial hair including testosterone, anabolic steroids, phenytoin, and danazol.
- Cushing Syndrome: This happens when your body is exposed to excessive cortisol hormone levels. It can occur from your adrenal glands producing excess cortisol or from consuming medications like prednisone over an extended period.
Excessive Hair Treatment in Women
Several options for eliminating excessive facial hair include tweezing, waxing, or shaving. Some techniques provide longer results and help stop facial hair growth for several months or weeks.
Hirsutism treatment option depends on your preference. The decision to reduce or remove hair varies from one person to another. Methods to reduce or eliminate hair include:
1. Waxing
Waxing refers to the process of eliminating hair from the roots. It involves wax produced from extracts from beeswax, tree sap or other natural ingredients, that when applied to your skin, glides smoothly over your hair and later clings upon drying. You can use wax (cold or hot) to your skin and then instantly remove it, which helps to pull out the unwanted facial hair.
On top of having smooth, hair-free skin immediately, you will not have to worry about premature regrowth signs the next day. In that regard, waxing is a more worthwhile approach to removing unwanted facial hair than shaving, which only removes hair from the surface of your skin. Plus, you can bid goodbye to razor cuts, chicken skin, and burns!
2. Hot Sugaring
Hot sugaring is a technique of excessive body hair removal. It involves utilizing a paste, which is a combination of lemon juice, water, and sugar (hence the name). The paste is later applied to your skin toward facial hair growth.
When it comes to sugaring, you apply the paste in the opposite direction and later pull the hair in the direction it grows. As the paste is sticky, it adheres to your facial hair and pulls it out as it’s eliminated. The length of every appointment varies based on the extent and area of hair being treated.
3. Threading
Threading is normally used at beauty salons for eyebrow shaping and hair removal. This facial hair removal option involves rolling twisted cotton threads over the excess hairs, which pulls them out. Because threading eliminates only the undesired hair, it’s a great option for areas, like your eyebrows where you want to maintain some hair.
There are several advantages associated with threading as a facial hair removal method. For instance, it is relatively fast, painless and inexpensive. Threading is also suitable for types of skin and the results can last for two or four weeks.
4. Shaving
Shaving is one of the easiest and fastest way to eliminate unwanted facial hair and continue with your day. You can eliminate excess facial or body hair easily with an electric shaver or a razor. You may need to shave at least daily to stop stubble growth. Some people experience razor burns for shaving too often, but applying a soothing cream can help.
For the best results, apply a layer of shaving cream or soap and clean your face. This promotes a smooth surface and minimizes the likelihood of razor cuts. Glide the electric shaver over your face in the direction your hair grows.
5. Laser
Laser is a cosmetic hair removal procedure that utilizes a great laser or intense pulsed light to eliminate unwanted hair. Common areas to treat are the arms, legs, chest, bikini line and face. This procedure is highly recommended for women with hirsutism.
So, if you are not happy with hot sugaring, waxing or shaving to eliminate undesired hair, laser hair removal method may be an option worth considering. Lasers are effective for getting rid of undesired hair from the back, underarm, bikini line, leg, and other areas. Some of the benefits of lasers as a facial hair removal method include: predictability, speed and precision.
How To Stop Facial Hair Growth in Females Permanently
Some remedies that can be utilized to prevent facial hair from growing in women include laser, waxing, hot sugaring, and threading. Facial hair removal is no easy fete! And so, you need to select the right technique that’s less painful and easy but will also offer you a long-lasting result.
Facial hair removal is so personal, and the method you select depends on various factors, including your skin type and hair, plus how much money and how much time you are willing to invest in and your desired results.
If you want to be sure that you are making the right facial hair removal option, it is always worth consulting an experienced esthetician to help design a plan that fits your lifestyle, budget ,and skin requirements.
At Skin pH, we help our clients look and feel their best with effective, safe & non-invasive aesthetic procedures such as waxing, laser, threading, sugaring and more.
Schedule an appointment with Skin pH Murfreesboro, for the finest unwanted facial hair removal services. Our experienced estheticians are committed to assisting you through the whole process. Call us at 615-653-0281 or book your facial hair removal appointment online today.
