All women possess facial hair; however, a small percentage of women are troubled by dark, male-patterned hair growth on the face. When facial hair growth is particularly dark, thick or coarse, the growth is considered excessive. Excessive facial hair, also called hirsutism, affects about 8 percent of the female population, according an article entitled “Evaluation and Treatment of Women with Hirsutism,” which appeared in the June 15, 2003 issue of the American Family Physician.
Electrolysis and Laser Therapy
Electrolysis and laser therapy treatments destroy hair follicles with pulses of energy. Electrolysis directs an electrical pulse of energy directly into the hair follicle through a tiny needle. Laser therapy destroys follicles with a high-intensity laser beam that passes through the skin to reach the hair-growing structures contained within. Both treatments successfully halt hair growth for extended periods. Regrowth is possible, but it usually becomes softer, finer and lighter in color with each subsequent treatment.
Oral Contraceptives
Birth-control pills contain the female hormones estrogen and progestin, which counterbalance excessive male hormone production in the ovaries, according to MayoClinic.com. The use of oral contraceptives can prevent future hair growth caused by excessive male hormones. Birth-control pills will not reverse hair growth that has already occurred.
Anti-androgens
Anti-androgens block male hormones, or androgens, from attaching to hormone receptors. The American Family Physician reports that up to 75 percent of women have seen improvement from anti-androgen medications when combined with oral contraceptives.
Topical Creams
Eflornithine, a topical growth inhibitor, was recently approved by the Federal Drug Administration for the treatment of excessive facial hair. The cream slows and inhibits future growth and takes approximately two months to work, according to MayoClinic.com. While effective on preventing growth, the cream does not reverse growth that has already occurred.
Cosmetic Treatments
Since most treatments only address future growth, cosmetic treatments are combined with other types of treatments to completely remove facial hair. Cosmetic treatments include waxing, tweezing, bleaching and using depilatories. Some women also shave their facial hair; however, a beauty tips site called Free Beauty Tips strongly advises against it due to stubbly regrowth and shadow. Cosmetic treatments temporarily remove or reduce the appearance of unwanted hair and must be repeated periodically. Some forms of cosmetic removal such as waxing and tweezing thin growth over time, meaning that if you repeatedly wax and tweeze in a certain area, you will see less and less growth in the future. This is because the process damages some hair follicles.
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