Facial Hair in Women

There is no doubt about the fact that facial hair in women is an embarrassing problem. In this article we are talking about the possible causes behind this problem and ways to get rid of it.

Growth of thick facial hair on chin, upper lip of a woman's face is quite unusual. This condition of unwanted facial hair in women is known as hirsutism. It is a rare occurrence and around 10-15 percent of women have this problem. The worst part is that it badly affects the self-image of a woman and she suffers from low self-esteem. Most women start getting excessive facial hair growth either during puberty or menopause.

Facial Hair in Women Causes

In many cases, it is a genetic problem and it runs in the family. However, it could be symptom of some underlying health problem as well. Woman's body produces some male hormones along with female hormones. When an imbalance occur and there is an overproduction of male hormone, then it can trigger the growth of facial hair. If sudden facial hair growth in women is accompanied by irregular menstruation, then it could be a symptom of polycystic ovarian disease. Abnormal functioning of adrenal gland or thyroid gland can also be responsible for this. Diabetes, obesity, side effects of medicines, eating disorder like anorexia are the other causes of facial hair on women.

Facial Hair Removal for Women

Those who have an abnormal growth of facial hair should visit the doctor to ascertain the underlying cause. If there are any medical issues then it has to be treated properly. As far as facial hair removal in women is concerned, there are a whole lot of options available with you. They are:

Tweezing: This is the simplest and safest way of facial hair removal for women at home. Take a clean pair of tweezers and pull the hair in the direction of its growth. If you find it painful, then apply some ice on the face before tweezing. The drawback of this method is that it is time consuming.

Waxing: For a quicker action, you should opt for waxing. Take some wax in a bowl and heat it in microwave till it turns liquid. Let it cool down a bit and then apply it on the facial skin with a spatula. Put a waxing strip in the applied wax and then pull off in the direction of hair growth. This can be a painful affair if the facial hair is coarse and thick.

Depilatory Creams: The component of these facial hair removal creams will dissolve the hair shaft. Read the instructions provided on the label of the cream before using it. Apply a layer of the cream on the skin and keep it untouched for few minuted as per the guidelines provided on the label. Then wash it off by gently by rubbing a warm washcloth. Do not use any depilatory cream for facial hair if you have a sensitive skin.

Electrolysis: The options we have discussed above for facial hair removal in women provide a temporary solution to the problem and you have to repeat them again and again after every few weeks. If you are looking for a more permanent solution, then you should go for electrolysis. Here, a needle is inserted into the skin and electricity is passed through it in order to destroy its root. Then the hair is pulled off. You need more than one sitting to get rid of facial hair completely. It is an expensive treatment and should be done by an experienced professional only.

Laser Hair Removal: This is the latest technique used for facial hair removal in women permanently. Here, the facial hair pigment is exposed to laser in order to eliminate the hair completely. Just one sitting is required for the treatment. It does not cause any pain but minor swelling or redness may occur. This treatment is not suitable for people with dark colored skin as the pigment of their skin and hair is similar. The drawback is that it is the most expensive of all permanent facial hair removal methods.

All the methods discussed in this article are equally effective in removing facial hair in women. Still, before taking a final decision you must ascertain whether the treatment is suitable for your skin or not. Before using any of the facial hair removal products for women, make sure you test them on the small area of the elbow to find out if it suits your skin or not. If you are seeking professional help for removing unwanted facial hair, then you must have a thorough discussion with them about what you can expect from the treatment.