Do's & don'ts for facial hair removal

You are suffering from the problem of errant stray hair on your face that has made you conscious of your appearance and has led to low self-esteem. You are inundated with advice and tips to do something about it and tackle the problem, but you are unable to figure out the right ways and methods to remove facial hair. We share some effective methods with do's and don'ts to help you fight the problem and have a beautiful face that is free from facial hair.

The most common cause of facial hair on women is a hormonal imbalance. With the onset of puberty, hormones transform some hair to a coarse pigmented variety called excessive growth of facial or body hair in women that is called hirsutism.

However, an inherited tendency, over-production of male hormones (androgens), medication, or disease can also cause it to appear at any age. Another common cause of facial hair in women is too much testosterone. If a woman suffers from PCOS - polycystic ovary syndrome then she may well have elevated levels of testosterone.

Here's what you need to know about each possible method. There are many methods starting with facial hair waxing, threading, plucking, home remedies, electrolysis, thermolysis, mesotherapy, and laser. These available methods should be used according to the extent or thickness, location, and rate of growth.

Some methods to remove facial hair may not be very pleasant but removing them is not very difficult as long as you choose the right way as per your preferences, hair type, and needs.

Home remedies, scrubs, and exfoliation can help you get rid of very thin hair on the face and discourage growth for some time if used regularly. You can make a thick paste of sugar, lemon juice, and water and apply in the direction of hair growth. Wash off when it dries. Apply it once or twice a week. You can also use Ubtan made with Besan, lemon juice and honey applied on the area in the opposite direction of hair growth.

Rub it off after 15 minutes. You need to do this on a regular basis. These remedies come without side effects with promising results, you might have to use them for effective and long-lasting results.

There is another recipe made with besan and coconut oil prepared in a dough-like consistency. The pack can be applied on face avoiding eyebrow and eye area, use it on the chin too, rub the mask, make sure to do it in opposite direction in an upward motion against the growth of hair.

Threading

Threading is one of the most commonly used methods for removing hair on the chin, upper lip, sidelocks, forehead, nose, and cheeks. Crisscross action of the thread is used to remove hair. The procedure is repeated periodically. Its apt for eyebrows, those with sensitive skin can experience rashes, pimples or acne on the area. It's advised to use zinc ointment or ice pack to soothe the skin.

Plucking

Plucking is another common method that is very easy, and you must be familiar with, but plucking is recommended for eyebrows and near the brow area. Plucking is done with tweezers and regrowth takes time; this method removes hair from the follicles. Therefore, re-growth takes time. Use antiseptic cream if you have to use it.

Bleaching & Shaving

Bleaching is very famous for school, collage girls and teenagers. You can't remove but change the colour of your hair with skin colour. Always do a patch test before going for bleaching as this should suit your skin type.

Shaving is another option used by girls for facial hair removal, this method is not advisable at all as you will see very hard, coarse manly hair coming back. Since hair follicle gets cut in half so it feels pricklier

Epilation

This is another method to root out hair with the help of a small gadget, its effect only lasts for four to six weeks.

Waxing

Waxing is another very common method, you can use soft wax and Katori wax. You can use it for cheeks, brows, chin and upper lips This method is painful and can't assure removal of hair permanently. It's good for the time being but people with sensitive skin may not be very happy with this method.

Waxing can also cause irritation on the skin and lead to ingrown hair. The procedure is simple and normal, but you must get this done by your professional beauty expert. Hot and cold wax is applied, and the wax strip is pulled in the opposite direction of the hair growth. Apply chilled rose water, aloe vera gel or do cold compression if you have sensitive skin.

Depilatory creams

Depilatory creams can be used for unwanted facial hair, these creams use chemicals for weakening hair.

Topical prescriptions

These are over the counter or in-salon methods, you must consult your dermatologist before applying them, these tropical methods may reduce the growth of facial hair but again this depends on your skin type and how your skin takes the treatment. If your skin is sensitive, then you must avoid them.

Electrolysis

Another permanent option is electrolysis that uses concentrated heat to destroy hair follicle one at a time

Laser hair reduction & removal

The Laser technology used is the latest ND-YAG, its wavelength is 1064 nm which is far better than the conventional Diode laser. After proper cryotherapy and preparation, laser hair removal is done by selective heating of the hair follicle, the beam passes through the skin and reaches its target in depth.

Each treatment produces a subsequent significant reduction in hair growth, selectively targeting hair. The number and time period depend on the area of unwanted hair growth. people experience almost no sensation of pain and successive treatment is well tolerated. Laser treatments rejuvenate the skin.

(The writer is a founder, Persona salon & makeovers academy and done make-ups for renowned Bollywood actresses, models, and celebrities)