Facial Hair Removal For Women

It may not be a popular topic of conversation, but the truth is that many women fight this battle on a daily bases. For most, facial hair is a frustrating and embarrassing problem that just won’t quit. In this article, you will learn about the causes, treatment options, and costs associated with facial hair removal for women.

An unavoidable fact of life is that hormonal changes will happen throughout a woman’s lifespan. A lot of these fluctuations could very well be accompanied by outward manifestations such as how hair is produced.

Prior to puberty, facial hair is known as "vellus," a very fine and thin type of hair. With the advent of puberty, hormones cause hair in certain regions to become course and pigmented. After this transformation, hair is called "terminal.”

The appearance of hair in the axillary (under the arm) and pubic areas is brought about by male hormones produced during puberty. These regions are especially prone to terminal hair growth. For some women, terminal hair begins to replace vellus hair on the face rather than just in these areas.

In a culture obsessed with flawlessly supple, hair-free skin, having even a hint of fuzz (let alone terminal growth) can make you feel downright terrible. Fortunately, there are many options available to ease the anxiety that can result. Let us tackle the “why it happens,” the “what to do about it,” and the “how much will it cost” concerns that accompany facial hair removal for women.

Hirsutism: A medical disorder caused by overproduction of androgens from either the ovary or adrenal gland that stimulates excess hair growth.

Lineage: Genetics dictate how thickly hair follicles are distributed throughout the skin. If your mother or even your grandmother have a good amount of facial hair, chances are that you too will experience some level of growth.

Menopause: The ratio of male hormones -- androgens -- to estrogen may change during the process of your menstrual cycle ending, and this could result in a mild increase of facial hair.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A female endocrine disorder categorized by chronically abnormal ovarian function. Approximately 10% of women are affected and up to 75% of women will experience abnormal hair growth on their upper lip and chin.

Pigment: A substance that gives color to skin, eyes, and hair. Some fair-skinned women may have a high concentration of pigmentation which may make facial hair appear both darker and thicker.

Bleaching: The easiest and cheapest of all methods of hair removal, bleaching helps to make hair appear less noticeable by lightening the shade of hair. Results can last anywhere from 2-6 weeks, can be done from the comfort of your own home, and won’t cause pain or ingrown hairs. Expect to spend anywhere from $4-$10.

Depilatory: A cream applied to the undesired hair that eats away at the hair’s shaft, making it easy to wipe away after just a few minutes. Be on the lookout for irritation after use as this may be a sign of sensitive skin on your part. Expect to spend anywhere from $6-$15.

Electrolysis: Said to feel like a stinging and pricking sensation, this process involves an electric current being directly applied to each hair follicle with a fine needle-shaped electrode. This treatment has the best track record for doing away with unsightly hair. Expect to spend about $45-$60 per 30 minute session.

Laser Hair Removal: A hand-held device sends out pulsed light on to the skin. It seeks out the dark pigment of hair, causing the hair follicle to become impaired and fall out within 10 - 14 days. Cost depends on the size of the area being treated and the number of visits. Expect to spend anywhere from $200-$900.

Threading: A process in which a cotton thread is pulled along the unwanted hair in a twisting motion, lifting the hair right out of the follicle. It is sanitary, exact, sans harsh chemicals, fast, and relatively painless. Expect to spend anywhere from $12-$50.

Tweezing: A perfect solution for ridding yourself of those pesky stray hairs, this method only requires a pincer tool and a minute or two of your time. There is a small amount of pain but you will surely get use to it. Expect to spend anywhere from $3-$25.

Waxing: A highly popular method of hair removal despite its pain factor, waxing involves the application of cloth strips atop hot wax which is then pulled off once the wax cools. If performed correctly, this method should remove the hair by its roots. Expect to spend anywhere from $10-$30.

Just as we are all unique, so too are our choices for what works best. Try a method or three and find your preferred hair removal technique.