Skin Care Products & Articles

Why does female facial hair cause concern? Number one for many women is embarrassment. Having unwanted body hair on the upper lip or chin can make them feel awkward. In extreme cases it can lead to a lack of self-confidence. With others their feelings of femininity are affected.

We’ll start our consideration of facial hair removal methods by looking at electrolysis and laser hair removal. These are the two methods most understand to be permanent.

Number 1: Some would say electrolysis is the ONLY really permanent hair removal method. Each hair follicle is treated so the procedure is very thorough. Heat is used to destroy the hair growth mechanism. Even then, there may be some stray hairs that reappear.

Number 2: Some say laser hair removal is very effective, others are disappointed after spending a lot of money and time over months. In view of the number of clinics offering this treatment, make sure you do your homework and go with a professional who has a good track record. Check testimonials and if possible, before and after pictures, as some clinics provide these. A test is essential first to see how you will respond to the treatment.

Number 3: Waxing and Sugaring. These popular methods are inexpensive and easy to do at home. Just apply a wax or sugar solution to the area and pull the strip back sharply to take the unwanted hair out by the root.

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. These may not work for everyone. In the early 1990′s a company in Canada pioneered the idea of having natural herbal substances get into the hair follicle and disable the mechanism of hair growth. After that, other companies developed similar products. Hair inhibitors need to be rubbed into the skin after a hair removal method like waxing, sugaring or tweezing.

Vaniqa is quite widely known. It is a hair inhibitor available on prescription which is rubbed into the skin twice a day for many weeks. Patience is needed with all hair inhibitors.

Number 5: Depilatories are another option although great care should be exercised with this one. Depilatories often contain strong chemicals so not everyone can use them without seeing severe results on the skin. Many are not recommended for the facial areas for that reason. You need to select ones that are specially formulated for the face and which are gentler, containing ingredients to help with the healing process. Depilatories basically melt the hair through strong chemical reaction so the resulting ‘gloop’ can be wiped off.

Number 6: Tweezers and Epilators. Tweezers are ideal for stray hairs and for women who have less of a problem with facial hair. It can be tedious if there are densely populated areas of skin with unwanted hair. Be sure to invest in a good quality pair and also a magnification mirror so you can do a good job. Electrical epilators are also popular although whether these will work for you may depend on your pain toleration level. They do rip hair out by the root so be prepared. Some have special settings for facial hair. Rubbing the area with an ice cube AFTER the hair removal, or spraying with a numbing lotion before, can help lessen the discomfort.

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.

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