Shaving is the most common form of hair removal. However, it's a very short-term solution and can cause razor bumps or ingrown hairs in African-Americans. These bumps are most likely to affect people with curly or kinky hair. They can become irritated and inflamed and scar your skin. Some hair removal products can reduce these problems and keep hair away for longer.
Depilatory Creams
Available in cream or liquid form, depilatories dissolve hair so you can wash or wipe them away. Susan C. Taylor, author of "Rx for Brown Skin," states that these products are best for small areas of skin that aren't easily irritated, such as the upper lip and chin. Depilatory creams can keep hair away for several days or up to two weeks. But, the harsh chemicals in these products can burn or irritate skin. Do a skin test before using the product to check for any adverse reaction. Always use it as directed.
Waxing Kits
Waxing kits come with jars of wax and fabric strips to remove the hair, or pre-waxed strips. This procedure can be done with cold or hot wax and removes hair from the roots. Although it can be uncomfortable, waxing produces results that can last for weeks, according to Taylor. When using hot wax, always do a skin test first to ensure that the wax is not too hot. It's best to wax areas that do not have extremely kinky or coarse hair.
Vaniqa
Also known as eflornithine HCl, this cream is the first prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to prevent the growth of women's facial hair. It blocks a hormone that causes hair to grow and is effective for about 58 percent of women, notes Taylor. Apply a thin film of the cream once in the morning and once at night. It takes about eight weeks for Vaniqa to be effective, so keep using your usual hair removal method in the meantime.
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