8 Ways To Treat Unwanted Hair
If you are looking for the best ways to remove unwanted hair you have eight (8) options that range from the expensive to the free, painful to the painless. With some options having permanent or permanently reduction of hair you should do a little research before you choose how you are going to treat that unwanted hair.
Here are your hair removal options.
- Laser Hair Removal
- Electrolysis
- Topical Prescription Cream – Vaniqa
- Waxing
- Shaving
- Depilatories
- Tweezing
- Oral Contraceptives
Laser hair removal is the most popular form of treating unwanted hair due to its permanent hair reduction, low cost and low pain factor, plus, having no drawbacks. It can be done anywhere on the body. The best candidates are women with dark hair and light skin.
Cost: $75-$500 depending on number of treatments and body part treated.
Treatments: Typically 5-7 sessions with touch up once a year after that.
Like other forms of hair removal, it is safe to do electrolysis anywhere on the body, though the most popular place for women is the face.
Potential Drawback: Electrolysis can cause tiny scars where the needle is inserted. Though for most people they heal unnoticed, for people with dark skin it means an increased risk of hyperpigmentation and formation of keloids. Thus, it’s not recommended for this skin type.
Cost: $40-$90 per treatment
Treatments: 10 to 25 treatments (or more) sometimes necessary for permanent, lasting results.
3) Vaniqa Tropical Perscription Cream
Vaniqa works best for facial hair growth on the upper lip, chin, and cheeks.
Because of the cost, and difficulty and feasibility of applying it to large areas, it’s not recommended for hair removal in large areas of the body, such as the legs or arms.
It is an effective way to remove white or non-pigmented hair, which does not respond to laser treatment.
Cost: Vaniqa costs between $80 and $225 per tube.
Treatments: NA
Waxing can remove hair anywhere on the body, including the upper lip, chin, eyebrows, arms and legs. A bikini wax removes hair that might show when you’re wearing a skimpy bathing suit bottom, while a Brazilian wax removes all hair from the genital area.
Potential Drawback: Because soy waxing removes the entire hair — the root, bulb and shaft it is vital to use an antibacterial lotion afterwards. Because the follicle is so open you need to take some precautions to prevent infection. Done incorrectly waxing can lead to a nasty skin infection.
Cost: The cost of waxing runs from about $10 for an upper lip, to $70 for upper and lower legs or a Brazilian wax.
Treatments: The procedure must be repeated every few weeks.
Whether done with an electric or straight razor, shaving is akin to cutting hair – only it does so ultra-close to the skin. Shaving does not remove hair at the root, nor does it disturb the follicle. That means the effects are temporary, lasting anywhere from a few hours to a few days.
Potential Drawback: If hair is coarse – particularly in the bikini area – shaving can cause ingrown hairs. This occurs when the cut hairs curl back into the skin instead of growing out. This can be especially problematic for black women, who are prone to infections caused by the ingrown hairs.
Cost: $1-$20/month for razors and cream
Treatments: 2-4/week
6) Depilatories (http://www.depilatorys.com/)
Products like Nair are best used for hair on the face, arms, and legs, many depilatories are not recommended for eyebrows or for use in the genital area.
Cost: Cost is between $5-$10 per tube or bottle.
Treatments: 1-3/ Month
Tweezing is best used to remove hair on small areas of the face – such as the upper lip, chin, or eyebrows.
8) Oral Contraceptives and Hormonal Treatments
For women whose hair growth is hormone-related — most often caused by a condition known as polycystic ovary syndrome — medications can help. The condition is known as hirsutism. Treatment includes drugs designed to reduce levels of androgens, the hormones linked to excess hair growth.
Medications commonly include birth control pills and/or anti-androgens, such as spironolactone, cyproterone acetate, and flutamide.
Cost: $100-$500
Treatments: NA
