What Causes Excess Facial Hair?
All women have hair on their bodies; however, it is typically light and fine. Various factors can cause some women to have excessive and unwanted hair growth, also known as hirsutism, such as:
- Conditions that raise testosterone levels, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Those with a higher body mass index (BMI)
- Certain medications may trigger facial hair growth in women
- Genetics
If you experience any sudden hair growth in unusual areas, you should speak to your GP or a pharmacist so any potential underlying conditions can be ruled out.
Symptoms of Excess Facial Hair
Excess facial hair is more common in females, causing darker hair growth, which appears in the following areas:
- Upper lip
- Chest
- Chin
- Back
- Abdomen
Although these symptoms can cause some distress, they are easily preventable with various treatment options.
Best Facial Hair Removal Treatment Options
There are many effective treatment options to prevent or stop excess hair growth; some of these treatment options include:
Shaving
Regular shaving is a simple and cost-effective way of managing excess hair growth; however, it can cause irritation and stubble.
Waxing
Waxing removes more hair in one go compared to shaving and removes it from the root, delaying regrowth for longer. However, some can find waxing painful, and it may cause temporary skin irritation.
Epilation
Similar to waxing, epilation removes hair from the root for longer-lasting results. It uses an epilator device to pluck hairs as you glide it over your skin.
Bleaching
Bleaching lightens the colour of your hair, which can delay the time between shaving or waxing.
Electrolysis
Electrolysis involves inserting a thin needle into hair follicles and applying an electrical charge to destroy the hair root. However, this method can be painful but offers long-lasting results.
Laser Treatments
Laser hair removal targets excess hair; however, it often requires several sessions to achieve the best results, and there can be risks such as scarring and skin discolouration.
The Contraceptive Pill
For premenopausal women, the contraceptive pill can help control excessive facial hair by addressing any hormone imbalances, leading to reduced hair growth.
Facial Hair Removal Creams
Facial hair removal creams are a convenient and effective treatment option, as most can be bought online or over the counter for temporary hair removal. Alternatively, you can purchase prescription products, like Vaniqa, online from our UK-registered pharmacy.
Vaniqa Facial Hair Removal Cream
Vaniqa is a medication known as a hair growth inhibitor that helps slow down unwanted facial hair growth in women over 18. Vaniqa’s active ingredient, eflornithine, blocks the natural chemicals needed for hair growth, effectively reducing hair growth in the treated area in as little as 8 weeks.
