Treatments for Unwanted Facial Hair

Unwanted facial hair affects many women going through menopause. Women with a condition known as hirsutism are also affected. Facial hair may either be vellus (fine and light) or terminal (thick and coarse). Whether to seek treatment for vellus hair varies among women, although most women consider terminal hair embarrassing and seek treatment to remove it.

Range of Treatments

There are several treatment options to relieve unwanted facial hair. These may range from the inexpensive to the very expensive, so exploring all options is encouraged. Do it yourself options tend to be less expensive, but results may not last as long as certain cosmetic treatments.

Waxing, Tweezing and Shaving

These are common do it yourself options that women use to get rid of unwanted facial and body hair. Waxing or tweezing may be performed by a cosmetic specialist or skincare professional at a clinic or medical spa as well. Buying razors, tweezers or strips for waxing may cost patients between $1 and $20. Waxing at a clinic or medical spa may run about $10 to $25 per session, although this may vary. These options provide temporary solutions to unwanted facial hair and women must keep up with them to prevent unwanted facial hair from becoming noticeable. Waxing and tweezing offer results that may last a few weeks or even months, while shaving is a much more temporary solution. Certain gels and creams are also available that promise success.

Laser Hair Removal

Lasers are now used in the medical and cosmetic industries more than ever. They offer exceptional precision and if performed properly are especially safe. In laser hair removal, the laser energy is directed to the hair follicle, which is destroyed on contact. Hair that grows back will be finer and lighter and, therefore, much less noticeable. An ideal candidate for laser hair removal is described as a fair skinned, dark haired individual. Those with darker skin or blonde, red or white hair may not find treatment as successful. Laser hair removal treatment may cost patients a few hundred dollars per session.

Electrolysis

Electrolysis is a procedure that utilizes an electric current to destroy hair follicles on the face. The procedure is said to be permanent, although it may be painful for some patients. Multiple treatments may be required to reach optimal results and may cost about $150 to $300 per treatment. Before choosing any treatment, patients are encouraged to explore all of their options. Skincare professionals provide further information about each of these treatments to help patients make a decision.