Electrolysis. Electrolysis, in which an electrical current is used to destroy hair follicles, “is the one true permanent way to remove hair,” Davis says. Like lasers, it requires several treatments; unlike lasers, it requires no maintenance visits and works on light hair, according to the dermatology academy.
Waxing is probably the most effective for removing facial hair, but other alternatives are laser hair removal or creams. Laser usually is very expensive, so creams could work.
Electrolysis can permanently remove unwanted hair. Once your hair is gone, you won't need maintenance treatments. It works on all hair types, including light-colored hairs, which lasers cannot remove. There's no downtime.
Laser treatments
If you're willing to put in the time and money, laser treatments can reduce hair growth permanently. The treatments are done by dermatologists, professionals they oversee or other operators, depending on state laws. Lasers work by targeting pigment in the hair follicle.
Electrolysis is considered a more permanent solution than laser hair removal (it stops hair growth completely while laser hair removal slows and reduces hair growth), but it requires more individual sessions (closer to 14), and the sessions can take longer. You might not see full results for nearly 18 months.
things you can do at home to remove or lighten the hair – such as shaving, waxing, plucking, hair removal creams or bleaching. a prescription cream to slow hair growth on your face (eflornithine cream) taking a contraceptive pill if you've not been through the menopause yet – this can help control hormone levels.
Key Takeaways. Tweezing facial hair can cause hyperpigmentation, inflammation, and potential scarring. Pulling facial hair out near moles, acne, and ingrown hairs can be make inflammation and potential scarring worse. Alternatives range from creams and waxing to laser removal and electrolysis.
Epilators are more of an investment than shavers, but the thorough and long-lasting results give you value for your money. Pros: Enjoy two to three weeks of perfectly smooth skin.
Traditional techniques like threading, shaving, and waxing are still used; however, innovative techniques like electrolysis and laser hair removal promise more permanent results.
Dietary supplements that contain vitamins B6 and E are also believed to help get rid of unwanted hair growth in the facial areas. For one, vitamin B6 is thought to help lower testosterone in women and inhibit prolactin hormone production.
Tweezing/Epilating
Tweezing is an effective and inexpensive way to remove facial hair, but it's hard to use this for a large skin area. Epilation works similar to tweezing, but the tool will remove multiple hairs simultaneously and remove them right from the root.
Jacobs says laser hair removal is the most frequently recommended hair removal process by dermatologists. You can also achieve professional results with some at-home laser removal devices if you want a more affordable option.
Plucking and waxing are both effective ways to remove hair. Generally, plucking is better for removing small amounts of hair. If you're looking to remove large areas of dense hair, waxing might be the better choice.
Cons: After shaving, the hair will start to grow back with a blunt tip, which makes it look more noticeable than naturally tapered hair growing in. Also, because the hair cuts above the skin, new hair growth can be seen sooner. Nicks and cuts may be a possibility if shaving with an old, dull, or poor quality razor.
Intense pulsed light therapy (IPL) can get rid of chin hair with more long-lasting results. This method targets melanin in the hair and works best if you have light skin and dark hair. IPL offers longer-lasting results than traditional methods but is still not fully permanent.
Some examples include eating a healthful diet, stopping smoking, and getting regular exercise. Doctors can also prescribe treatments to reduce chin hair in females. For example, birth control pills can help balance hormone levels by reducing androgen production.
“The data we have right now doesn't support castor oil as an effective hair growth treatment, but that doesn't mean it's not true.”
Electrolysis Cons
It's a time-consuming procedure requiring multiple sessions. Skin discoloration is a possibility. The electricity in the device can actually destroy the capillaries in the surrounding areas. It can be very painful.
On average, electrolysis facial hair removal can cost anywhere from $25 and $75 per session at Laser by Aleya. While laser hair removal prices vary by treatment area, electrolysis is priced based on time, as the procedure is labor-intensive and traditionally billed this way.
You do not want to have both electrolysis and laser done on the same area of your body at the same time; however, some people start their hair removal process with laser, wait a few months to see what growth remains, and finish the process with electrolysis.