How to Stop Unwanted Hair

As you get older you usually grow more hair in places you do not want it, such as on your face, back, nose, eyebrows, chest, legs and bikini line. There are many reasons that a person would want to get rid of unwanted hair. Facial hair on the chin or upper lip on women, called hirsutism, can be unsightly and cause ingrown hairs from plucking or shaving. Excessive hair between the eyebrows or bushy eyebrows can be unattractive for men and women. Some men would like to get rid of excessive back hair and women may get tired of shaving their legs. There are temporary methods of getting rid of unwanted hair, and ways to stop hair from growing for longer periods of time or permanently.

Things You'll Need

• Dermatologist
• Hair Removal Technician
• Laser Hair Removal
• Electrolysis
• Eflornithine Topical Cream
• Hair Waxing Kit

Instructions

Hair Removal

1. Have laser hair removal done by a dermatologist or qualified technician to remove hair permanently. The procedure involves a laser sending a beam of light through the skin that heats up the hair follicle and destroys it. Laser hair removal is normally not very painful, but you will need about six treatments over a year's time to get rid of up to 80 percent of the hair follicles in that area. Each treatment takes between 15 minutes to an hour and can be fairly inexpensive if you consider it permanently reduces hair growth.

2. Get electrolysis done to remove hair permanently by a qualified dermatologist or technician. Electrolysis is done with an electric current that passes through the hair follicle, destroying it. A tiny metal probe is placed into each hair follicle that will pass the electric current into the base of the hair follicle. This is a time consuming method, as the probe will need to be placed in each individual hair follicle. Since hair grows in cycles it is also a long-term process with many treatments over many months time, and can be an expensive procedure.

3. Get a prescription for eflornithine topical cream to reduce hair growth. This cream stops the growth of hair with the active ingredient eflornithine hydrochloride that interferes with the chemical make up of the hair. For most people, the hair will stop growing in the area the cream is applied in approximately two months. The hair will grow back after you stop using the product.

4. Get the unwanted hair waxed off. Waxing involves rubbing hot wax on the area where the hair is and pulling the wax off quickly removing the hair at the roots. The hair will normally not grow back for up to six weeks. This method of hair removal is semi-permanent; in some cases if a hair is pulled completely out by the roots enough times it may never grow back. You can do hair waxing at home by yourself, or you can get it done by a beautician that offers these services. If you are doing the waxing by yourself, purchase a wax kit at the store. Follow the directions on the box.

Tips & Warnings

• It is very important to find qualified technicians to do these procedures. Laser hair removal, electrolysis and waxing can result in burns if not done properly. The prescription cream should not be used by pregnant or nursing mothers as the effects on the baby are not known.

References

• American Academy of Dermatology: Laser Hair Removal
• Mother Nature: Hair Removal
• Women Fitness: Hair Removal