You may maintain a strict beauty regimen, but there’s one thing that just refuses to be controlled. We are talking about unwanted facial hair. Sometimes we suffer from excessive growth and we find ourselves at a loss as to how to get rid of the (usually coarse and dark) facial hair permanently. Needless to say, facial hair can take an emotional toll; studies show that women who suffer from excessive facial hair often report clinical levels of anxiety. A 2006 study, carried out in the UK, shows that on an average, women with facial hair spend more than one and a half hours a week trying to manage the problem. So, what are the simple and effective ways of how to getting rid of facial hair permanently? Here's a lowdown.
1. What Is Hirsutism? How Do You Get Rid Of This Excessive Facial Hair?
First things first; you need to know what hirsutism entails. Hirsutism is nothing but excessive hair growth on your face or on other parts of your body. Generally, it affects women; studies show that one in 14 women has hirsutism. You can have excessive hirsutism if the growth of hair is thick and black, and not fine and thin. Sometimes, the concomitant symptoms of hirsutism may include erratic menstruation, oily skin and pimples. The first step to dealing with hirsutism is consulting a doctor who may ask you to undergo several medical tests to check what's causing hirsutism in the first place. Knowing the degree of hirsutism will help you plan how to get rid of facial hair permanently.
Tip: Consult a doctor in order to know the degree of hirsutism you are suffering from.
2. What Are The Causes Of Excessive Facial Hair Growth?
Generally speaking, hirsutism is attributed to a surplus of male hormones called androgens. Hormonal imbalance is often blamed for this kind of hair growth. The other causes include congenital adrenal hyperplasia (a hereditary medical condition that affects adrenal glands), obesity or a rapid weight gain and intake of anabolic steroids that are normally consumed by people who want to build muscles. But PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is said to be the most common cause of excessive hair growth on your face or on other parts of your body.
Tip: Before you opt for any extended treatment against facial hair, know what is causing you the problem. That can help you in chalking out a strategy for getting rid of facial hair permanently.
3. Is Dealing With A Medical Condition That Causes Excessive Hair Growth The First Step To
Getting Rid Of Facial Hair Permanently?
If you have a medical condition that is leading to excessive hair growth, you should make all the effort to contain the disease first. Studies show that PCOS accounts for about 72 to 82 per cent of excessive hair growth cases. So, if you have been diagnosed with PCOS, you should deal with the problem on a war footing. There are several ways the medical condition can be addressed. If you are overweight and have been diagnosed with PCOS, losing weight by adopting a healthy lifestyle can help regularise your menstrual cycle. Experts say that losing weight reduces your insulin levels, resulting in lower testosterone levels, which in turn not only improves fertility but also reduces visible symptoms such as excessive hair growth and acne.
Oral contraceptive pills are widely prescribed for PCOS. Apart from this, hormone medications to reduce testosterone and stimulate ovulation and drugs, such as metformin, to treat diabetes are also prescribed. Surgery to remove large cysts and destroy the tissue that produces androgens is usually considered the last option.
Tip: Exercise, eat healthy and fight obesity to control PCOS problems.
4. Can DIY Home Remedies Get Rid Of Facial Hair Permanently?
Chickpea flour mask
In a bowl, mix half a cup of chickpea flour, 2 tsp of turmeric powder, half a tsp of fresh cream and half a cup of milk to form a paste. Apply to the area where hair growth is quite visible and wait for 20-30 minutes. Rub gently in the opposite direction of hair growth and rinse with lukewarm water. For best results, use this pack at least twice a week.
Papaya and turmeric mask
In a bowl, mix 2 tbsp of papaya paste, ½ tsp of turmeric powder and 5 tbsp of aloe vera gel to form a paste. Apply the paste to the area showing unwanted hair growth. Leave it on for 20 minutes until dry. Remove this by rubbing in the opposite direction of the hair growth.
Gram flour and rose water
ake 3 tbsp of green gram flour, one tbsp of rose water and one tsp of lemon juice and mix them well in a bowl. Apply on the areas where the hair growth is most visible. Wait for 30 minutes or so or until it's completely dry. Rub the mask off in circular motions.
Honey lemon mask
Mix the juice of an entire lemon to half tbsp of honey to form a smooth paste. Apply the mixture to the affected area and leave it on for 20-25 minutes. This will help lighten the unwanted hair as lemon has bleaching properties.
Banana and oatmeal scrub
Mix one mashed banana with three teaspoons of oatmeal in a bowl. Massage it on to your face for 15-20 minutes in circular motions and wash it off with water. For best results, use the mask twice a week.
Rice flour, turmeric and milk
Take 3 tbsp of rice flour, one tbsp of turmeric powder and 2 tbsp of milk. Mix all the ingredients together. Add water, if necessary. Apply this mask on affected areas and wait for 30 minutes. Once it's completely dry, wash off with lukewarm water.
Rose water, olive oil and alum Take a little bit of alum, one tbsp of rose water and one tbsp of olive oil. Mix all – make sure that alum (turn it into a powder) dissolves in the rose water. Apply on affected areas with a cotton ball. Wait till it dries off completely. Apply another layer and wait until dry. Repeat this 6 times. Wash off and hydrate the skin with a moisturiser or a few drops of olive oil.
5. Can Electrolysis Help In Getting Rid Of Facial Permanently?
Electrolysis is quite a popular method of getting rid of facial hair permanently. Basically, during electrolysis, an epilator device is inserted into the skin and shortwave radio frequencies are deployed to damage hair follicles and prevent new hair from growing. You can't get long term hair removal benefit from electrolysis in just one sitting; you would need several follow-ups to get rid of facial hair permanently. But if you have patience, and the money to boot, electrolysis can give you the desired results, according to experts. What's more, it's a low maintenance procedure.
But do not go for electrolysis without consulting a proper expert. You need a certified dermatologist for this process. If unsterilised needles are used, this procedure could lead to severe infections.
Tip: A certified dermatologist is needed for electrolysis.
