Facial hair growth is a cosmetic issue with which many women are forced to contend, especially when coarse, terminal hairs appear on the upper lip, chin and cheeks. A June 2003 "American Family Physician" article says that up to 8 percent of women suffer hirsutism, a harmless but embarrassing condition characterized by hair growth patterns commonly noted in men. Facial hair growth isn't always because of an underlying medical condition, though, says the Mayo Clinic, as it often runs in families. Consumer products can safely remove, inhibit or camouflage the growth of facial hair.
Depilatories
Depilatory creams dissolve the hair's protein structure with chemicals such as calcium hydroxide or sodium or calcium thioglycolate, explains skin care expert Paula Begoun. Depilatories are often specially formulated for removing hair on the face and chin but should not be used around the eyes or brow, Begoun cautions. Depilatory creams are applied to the face and left on for four to 15 minutes, after which a damp washcloth wipes the product away. These don't offer long-term benefits---a few days at most. Depilatories might cause skin irritation and burning. Don't use these on skin that's wounded, chapped or sunburned. Test a small bit of the cream on your arm to see how your skin responds before using it elsewhere, Begoun advises.
Topical Inhibitor
Topical eflornithine (Vaniqa) is a prescription cream that inhibits facial hair growth after hair is removed using another method, such as waxing, plucking or shaving. The Mayo Clinic says that this cream is approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for use on the face only---as well as only for females 12 years and older. Topical eflornithine can take up to two months before results are noticed. Treatment must be maintained to sustain them, says the clinic.
Side effects of using this topical medication include stinging or tingling upon application and skin rash. Other hair inhibitors might claim to work in the same way as Vaniqa. Consumer advocate Andrea James, administrator of HairFacts.com, suggests that the proliferation of nonprescription hair inhibitors offered on television ads and over the Internet were borne out of topical eflornithine's success. These products are ineffective, James says.
Cream Bleach
The "American Family Physician" suggests bleaching for mildly noticeable facial hair. Bleaching creams won't get rid of hair, but they can make dark, noticeable facial hair blend in with the skin's natural tone. Like depilatories, many cream bleaches are formulated for use on the face; they also cannot be used anywhere near the eyes. These products include separate tubes or jars of bleaching cream and cream activator that are mixed together shortly before use. Cream bleach is applied in a uniform layer to cover facial hair, left on for 10 minutes and wiped off or rinsed away.
Results last around three weeks; however, according to the "American Family Physician," cream bleaches might not work on dark hair growth. Cream bleach should not be applied to skin that's broken, chapped, sunburned or injured. Mild burning during use might occur; the treated area of skin might be temporarily reddened after the bleach is removed. These products can cause skin irritation. Cream bleach manufacturers suggest conducting a small test patch on the inner arm before using it on other body parts.
Other
Excessive facial hair growth in women might be caused by an underlying medical condition requiring treatment. The Mayo Clinic advises consulting a doctor if you experience rapidly growth of hair on your lip, cheeks, chin, chest, inner thighs and lower back, or if hair growth is accompanied by irregular menstrual periods, a low (male) voice, increased muscle mass and reduced breast size. Also see a doctor if hair growth becomes worse after you start taking medication.
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