Unwanted facial hair can be troublesome and embarrassing. Fortunately, there are several ways to remove facial hair in the convenience of your own home. Remember that newly developed excessive facial hair in women can be a sign of an underlying disease or condition. Always visit your doctor when you experience unusual changes in facial or body hair to discover the source of the changes and what treatments are available.
Methods
Choose from several methods of home removal. What works best for you will depend upon the amount of time you wish to spend on the task as well as the sensitivity of your skin. You can remove unwanted facial hair at home by shaving, plucking, waxing or using depilatory creams. You can also consult with a physician for prescription methods of managing or removing unwanted facial hair at home.
Time Frame
For quick hair removal, shaving is undoubtedly the first choice. Waxing follows a close second, although redness on the skin may occur, so it may not be wise to wax just before leaving your home. If you have just a few stray hairs to remove, plucking is a quick option. Depilatories require some time to dissolve and remove unwanted facial hair and they can also result in redness if you have sensitive skin.
Regrowth
Take regrowth rates into consideration when choosing a method for removing facial hair at home. Shaving can be problematic because regrowth can happen quickly, leading to stubble. Depilatories can reduce the appearance and rough feel of stubble, but since the hair root remains intact, rapid regrowth is still a factor. Plucking or waxing removes the entire hair shaft and often the root, making it the best choice for slow regrowth. Some prescription medications can greatly reduce or even eliminate regrowth.
Causes
Unwanted facial hair can be caused by something as simple as aging or a genetic predisposition. However, there are more serious conditions that can lead to increased facial hair. According to the National Institutes of Health, polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, is a common cause of increased facial hair in women. Tumors or cancer of the adrenal glands or ovaries can also cause unwanted facial hair. Certain medications, particularly prednisone, can lead to a temporary increase in facial hair that should go away once you stop taking the medication--but don't stop treatment without consulting your prescribing physician first.
Considerations
Time spent removing hair and the rate of regrowth are certainly part of the decision-making process when choosing a method of home removal for facial hair. However, you may also want to consider other issues. Skin sensitivity can be a major consideration, as each method does have a risk of causing redness, scarring or rashes. Consider also the cost of supplies and cost per treatment of home removal methods.
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