There's a common misconception that shaving changes the thickness and growth rate of facial hair. But this is untrue. The only change that occurs is with the tips of shorn hairs. Shaving leaves the once-tapered hairs with blunt edges, making them appear thicker than normal and more noticeable when growing in, advises the American Academy of Family Physicians. This can be problematic for women, since the regrowth of shorn hairs can sometimes cast a 5 o'clock shadow on the face. Shaved facial hair can often be difficult, but not impossible, to resolve.
Step 1
Apply eflornithine to shaved areas of the face. Eflornithine is a prescription medication that inhibits the production of ornithine decarboxylase, the enzyme needed to generate hair. This can prevent the regrowth of shaved hair for up to eight weeks.
Step 2
Reduce facial hair with laser hair removal. If you're looking for a long-term resolution, laser hair removal may be a better option. The melanin responsible for the pigmentation of your hair absorbs the laser energy, which heats the follicle and causes it to go dormant. Treated follicles cease to produce hair for three to 12 months after a series of sessions.
Step 3
Undergo electrolysis. To permanently resolve shaved facial hair, electrolysis is really the best option. In this procedure, a thin probe is used to deliver an electrical spark directly into the follicle, explains the American Academy of Dermatology. This burns out the follicle, preventing the regrowth of unwanted facial hair.
Tips and Warnings
- Eflornithine doesn't actually remove hair, only slows its regrowth. A hair removal method must be used to get rid of unwanted facial hair prior to its use.
- An article published in 2002 in the American Family Physician cautions that laser hair removal can result in hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation. This is a lightening or darkening of treated skin. When done incorrectly, electrolysis can sometimes cause scarring and postinflammatory pigmentation, warns the 2002 article in the American Family Physician. It can also lead to infections, pain, redness and swelling.
Things You'll Need
- Eflornithine
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