Dear Diana, I have a somewhat embarrassing problem – facial hair. What can I do to disguise or rid myself of it? Pat Lowe…Lincoln
Dear Pat, there will be many readers who emphasize with you; millions of women have it but don’t like to talk about it. It can run in families, some women may have a genetic disposition towards it, or it may be caused by problems such as polycystic ovaries or testosterone which encourages hair growth. But there are effective ways to beat this embarrassing problem.
Shaving is quick and easy, but there may be unpleasant stubble. Regular waxing but may be painful and cause redness, or there is bleaching, which makes dark hair less noticeable short term. More long term solutions are hair removal creams which act on enzymes in the hair follicle.
Professional treatments include laser hair removal using powerful beams of light to destroy hair, but it lasts several months. Or electrolysis, which uses electricity to destroy hair cells and remove hair permanently, this may require many treatments over a period of time and can be painful. Treatments using new technology include IPL (intense pulsed light) devices are designed to help break the cycle of hair growth using light energy, which is absorbed by the melanin present in the hair follicle below the surface of the skin, disabling it, and preventing further growth. Hairs naturally fall out over 1-2 weeks.