How To Slow Facial Hair Growth In Women

Women sometimes experience what's often referred to as male pattern hair growth. They begin to grow an excessive amount of hair on the upper lip, chin and cheeks. Hormones, genetics and medical conditions can all contribute to this hair growth, making diagnosis an important component to treatment. After your doctor determines what's causing the unwanted hair, he may prescribe eflornithine, a medication known to slow facial hair growth in women, according to the Mayo Clinic. Eflornithine inhibits the enzymes needed to produce hair, thereby reducing the rate of growth along application sites.

Step 1

Remove the unwanted facial hair. Since eflornithine doesn't detach the hair from your skin, remove the unwanted growth by waxing, shaving, epilating or using other hair removal techniques prior to application.

Step 2

Wash your face. You won't be able to wash your face for at least four hours after application, so cleanse and dry your face as you would normally.

Step 3

Apply a thin layer of the topical medication to the hair removal sites. Allow the area to dry completely before applying any moisturizers, sunscreens or cosmetics.

Step 4

Reapply a thin layer of eflornithine eight hours after your previous application. Remove any moisturizers, sunscreens or makeup with warm, soapy water prior to application.

Tips and Warnings

Instead of slowing hair growth, you can remove unwanted hair with electrolysis or laser hair removal. Both hair removal techniques provide long-term results. Laser hair removal usually prevents hair growth for around 12 months, whereas electrolysis prevents hair growth permanently. If your doctor determines that hormonal changes are causing the facial hair growth, she may prescribe an oral contraceptive to elevate female sex hormones. Elevated hormone levels can stop the unwanted growth and eliminate the need for eflornithine.
Eflornithine should be used only on the face. Other areas of male pattern hair growth in women must be treated by other means. Do not apply another layer of eflornithine before eight hours have passed.