Facial hair on women has many causes, some of which can be treated by addressing a medical condition or stopping certain medications, notes the Mayo Clinic. But excessive and noticeable facial hair, or hirsutism, often doesn't have an underlying cause. Women from certain ethnic backgrounds---Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and South Asian---may be more prone to facial hair. Sometimes female facial hair simply runs in families.
Step 1
Consider a temporary way to get rid of facial hair, especially if finances are limited. The American Academy of Family Physicians lists various treatments that can be performed at home or administered by an esthetician. These include waxing, plucking/tweezing, depilatory creams and bleaching, which lightens facial hair, allowing it to blend in with the skin tone. These methods may result in temporary irritation to the skin. However, they don't result in undesirable stubble left behind by shaving.
Step 2
Look into more expensive methods of facial hair removal, particularly those that permanently reduce the number of growing hair follicles (laser hair removal) or electrolysis, the only permanent way to get rid of facial hair. Laser hair removal directs a beam of pulsed light at clusters of hair to destroy the root, while electrolysis involves inserting a slim needle to the base of the hair, after which a jolt of electricity is delivered to kill the root. Laser hair reduction requires several treatments, as well as maintenance treatments to keep facial hair at bay. However, even though followup sessions are required to address regrowth, once hair is removed through electrolysis, it does not return.
Step 3
Ask your doctor if a prescription cream called eflornithine (Vaniqa) is appropriate for you. Eflornithine, which is approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for women over 12 years old, is applied to the part of the face where hair growth is present. Although it doesn't remove the hair, it does inhibit hair regrowth. Additional methods of hair removal, such as plucking or shaving, may be required to achieve desired results. You may not notice the effects of eflornithine for two months, and if treatment stops, facial hair grows back within eight weeks. Hairfacts.com notes that this treatment may not be covered by your health insurance plan.
Step 4
Eliminate the possibility of an underlying medical disorder that requires treatment. Excess facial hair on women can be caused by conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome, Cushing's syndrome and less commonly, tumors in the ovaries or adrenal glands. These result in high levels of androgen in the body that cause hair to grow excessively, not only on the face, but on other parts of the body. The AAFP advises seeking a medical consultation if you notice other changes aside from increased facial hair, such as a deepening voice or irregular menstrual periods.
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