How To Get Rid Of Unwanted Facial Hair For Women

Go for a more permanent solution with laser hair removal, which destroys the actual hair follicle. It takes several treatments—spaced four to six weeks apart—to kill about 75 percent of the follicles, and touch-ups are needed to wipe out all the hair roots. The cost is a few hundred dollars a session.

For a gentler light therapy than laser—albeit a less permanent one—consider IPL, or intense pulsed light. It weakens follicles so that hair grows back more slowly, as well as sparser and thinner. This method requires about six treatments.

Consider electrolysis, which destroys unwanted hair by electrocuting it. Hair removal is permanent, but the procedure is painful and 20 to 30 one-hour sessions are required to get rid of every hair.

If your facial hair is fine, try bleaching it. But be aware that it still will be visible in certain light, like bright sunshine.

If you can take pain, waxing is a fast option. Hot wax is applied to the skin, a piece of cloth is placed on top, & then it’s ripped off, taking the hair with it. You can get waxed at a salon or use a do-it-yourself kit. There’s some initial redness, then your face will stay smooth for 2-4 weeks; regrowth will be softer & finer with each waxing.

Avoid over-the-counter hair-removal creams and gels: The chemicals they contain can irritate sensitive skin, and you have to be very careful not to get them near your eyes, nose, or mouth. Plus, the hair begins growing back almost immediately.

If you have just a few stray hairs here and there, pluck them out. Disinfect the tweezers with rubbing alcohol before each use to avoid infection.