Plucking, Medications and Procedures

And there is always the option of plucking. Most women would have had a go at plucking their eyebrows at some point in their life, and for many once is enough! Plucking can be a bit painful, especially in sensitive areas. It is also not an easy task if the hair covers a large area – you would need the patience of a saint to pluck an area larger than an eyebrow!

Medications For Excess Hair

The most common medication used to help control excess hair growth in women is the oral contraceptive. They are effective because they reduce the production of androgen in the ovaries.

Anti-androgens are another type of medication that blocks the androgens from attatching to the receptors, thereby reducing hair growth. If you do decide to use this medication you must be on contraception as there is a risk of birth defects.

Eflornithine is a topical cream that is developed and prescribed specifically for facial hair growth in women. Although it doesn't get rid of the hair, application of the cream regularly reduces the rate of growth.

Hair Removal Methods

The most effective form of removing excess hair is by laser hair removal and electrolysis. These two methods need to be performed by a professional. Laser treatment is only effective on darker hair, so if you are a blonde or a redhead it won't be as effective. This is because the laser works by removing the melanin or dark color in the hair.

Electrolysis involves the use of an electrical current which damages the individual hair follicles permanently. This is the most effective method of hair removal, however, it often requires multiple sessions and is very expensive. There are also risks of swelling and irritation of the skin.

Is One Method Enough?

Usually, to treat hirsutism, you'll require a combination of medications, home remedies and professional treatments. The treatment plan will depend on a number of factors, such as underlying cause, amount of hair that needs to be removed, and the costs associated with professional treatments. But for women afflicted with excess unwanted hair, any option that will be helpful will normally be considered. A woman's face is what is normally noticed first in a social environment, so any form of disfigurement, or disorder, can have a major impact on self esteem and confidence. Excess hair growth can affect going to job interviews, dating, socialisation, and other aspects of day to day life.

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If you suffer from excess hair growth the first thing you should do is talk to your doctor about it. Examinations and tests may be required to try and determine the underlying cause, which will affect which treatment would be best for you. If the growth is sudden, then this definitely needs to be investigated so any potential nasty causes can be ruled out. An important thing to remember is that this affects a lot of women, many more than you could possibly imagine, so there is no need to be embarrassed or feel ashamed. There is a treatment out there that can help, it is just a matter of finding what would be best for you.