Preparing for Your Unwanted Facial Hair Appointment

Seeking treatment for unwanted facial hair growth is very common, especially among women. The problem may be caused by hormonal changes during menopause, or by certain conditions such as hirsutism. Hereditary factors may also play a role in unwanted hair growth so talking to a trained skincare professional or physician is strongly encouraged.

Who Should Seek Treatment?

Anybody concerned or bothered by unwanted facial hair. The problem is most prevalent in women, as facial hair on men is expected and normal. Facial hair may be vellus hair (peach fuzz) or terminal hair (coarse, thick hair). Many women with fine hair on chin, cheeks or the upper lip may not be bothered by its presence. These women may choose to live with the hair and decide against treatment. Others, however, are extremely bothered by the presence of facial hair, fine or coarse, and are very much interested in removing it.

Who Should You Speak To?

A skincare professional at a medical spa or clinic is a good start for patients interested in waxing, tweezing or laser hair removal treatments. Some choose to speak with a dermatologist or other trained physician. Whoever you decide to speak with should be trained and experienced in the field, and should have some familiarity with facial hair growth.

Understand Your Condition

Going into an appointment without a general understanding of the condition or what may be causing it may require the skincare professional to spend a good deal of time explaining the condition. This may waste time that could otherwise be spent discussing more specific topics or asking more specific questions about your particular case. Before an appointment, read up on facial hair growth, its possible causes and treatments. Also try to determine if you have a family history of facial hair growth on women.

Asking Questions

Asking questions is always a good idea during any appointment with a doctor or skincare professional. They are the best resource for information relating to hair growth and patients should take advantage of the opportunity to ask questions. Patients should ask questions about the cause of their treatment; if other, possibly more serious conditions may be causing their hair growth; what treatments are available to them; or if there are alternative treatments to the skincare professional's recommended treatment. In preparing for your appointment, also be prepared to answer questions about your medical and family history, as well as various questions about your facial hair growth.