Hair can grow anywhere on the body where a healthy hair follicle is present. Unfortunately, hair follicles are often present on areas of the body where you may not want hair to grow, such as the face, back, chest, legs and armpits, especially if you are a woman. Luckily, there are several ways to stop hair growth in these unwanted places.
Step 1
Slow down the growth of new hair by using a prescription strength cream such as eflornithine hydrochloride, commonly sold under the brand-name Vaniqa. Eflornithine hydrochloride works by blocking an enzyme called ornithine decarboxylase, states the New Zealand Dermatological Society. This enzyme is responsible for helping hair grow. Blocking the enzyme slows down the hair growth process making hair removal less necessary over time.
Step 2
Schedule a laser hair removal appointment with your dermatologist or local laser clinic. Laser hair removal targets the hair follicle with laser energy, damaging the hair follicle's ability to grow new hair strands. This process results in permanent hair reduction.
Step 3
Schedule an electrolysis appointment to remove hair with electrical energy. During this treatment a small needle-like device is inserted into the hair follicle to deliver a safe current of electricity to the hair root. This process disrupts the ability of the follicle to grow new hair strands, resulting in permanent hair removal.
Step 4
Schedule follow up appointments as necessary. Both electrolysis and laser hair removal may require multiple sessions before full results are seen. Laser hair removal typically requires several treatment scheduled four to six weeks apart to ensure that all hair follicles have been treated while in their active growing phase. You may also need periodic maintenance every six to 12 months, states the MayoClinic.com.
Tips and Warnings
- Start wearing sun protection months before you plan on having the laser hair removal procedure performed to keep the skin as light as possible. Do not pluck or wax the laser hair removal area for at least two weeks before the procedure. These methods of hair removal disturb the hair follicle which can make the laser hair removal procedure less effective, suggests the MayoClinic.com.
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