Hair growth on the face is a daily issue for both men and women. Depending on your heredity, you may find yourself having to remove the hair more often than you wish. Choosing the method that gives you the longest-lasting results will help you deal with this "hairy" situation.
Shaving
Shaving is a common method of removing facial hair. Men find themselves buying numerous shaving products including shaving cream, razors with disposable heads and even electric razors. Using an electric razor for facial hair removal prevents nicks that may be associated with using a disposable head razor and may cost more initially to purchase, but in the long run saves money because you won't have to keep purchasing new disposable heads. Shaving is fast and convenient, but does not keep the facial hair gone for long.
Tweezing and Waxing
The eyebrow area and sometimes the upper lip are common places where women grow facial hair. Tweezing could be very damaging to the hair follicles and the skin if not done properly. With waxing, a layer of melted wax is applied to the desired hair removal spot, and shortly becomes hardened. Then a thin strip of cloth is placed on the hardened wax and pressed down hard, then quickly pulled off in the opposite direction of the hair growth. The treated area is often red and irritated for a short time, and hair regrowth will occur within a week or two after tweezing and waxing.
Depilatories
Depilatories are available in gel, cream, lotion, aerosol and roll-on forms. They work by causing hair to dissolve into a jellylike mass that can be then wiped from the skin. This method removes the hair from the surface of the skin, but does not remove the actual hair follicle. This method is not recommended to be used around the eyebrow area.
Electrolysis
"Electrolysis gets rid of hair permanently by delivering a small electrical current through a needle placed into the hair follicle," according to FamilyDoctor.Org. Electrolysis can be expensive and may need multiple treatments to remove the hair for good. Common side effects from this treatment may be redness, swelling and scabbing of the area. More serious side effects may be discoloration of the skin.
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal uses a highly concentrated beam of light, that is passed over the area in which you want the hair removed. The heated laser kills the hair follicle and prevents it from growing back. "Sometimes it is recommended that a topical anesthetic product be used before a laser hair removal procedure, to minimize pain," according to The U.S. Federal Drug Administration. This procedure is not as permanent as electrolysis, and may need retreatment. Side effects include swelling, redness and itching. It may cause discoloration of the skin.
