Facial hair removal

According to a survey of 1,000 women carried out as part of a recent health and beauty campaign, 95% agreed that the removal of facial hair is a necessary step for improving quality of life. Almost one-third of women with unwanted facial hair are said to suffer clinical depression, 1 in 4 believe it has stood in their way of a promotion, and more than 40% say it has been a stumbling block for continuing a relationship.

The appearance of excess hair on the chin and around the lips, and to a lesser extent the chest, is a condition known as hirsutism, which affects a considerable number of women in the UK. This female condition has a variety of causes, most of which relate to excess androgen production and hormonal imbalance.

Facial hair removal may be a necessary choice if it starts to grow through during and after treatment for other health conditions. Medications that use testosterone, anabolic steroids, danazol and metryrapone can cause excessive facial hair growth in women. You may also experience this problem as a result of the following health issues:

• Genetics
• Ovarian/adrenal tumours
• Cushing's syndrome
• Hyperthecosis
• Puberty
• Pregnancy
• Metabolic disorders

When considering facial hair removal you should ask if it is economical, pain-free, safe for use, convenient and long-lasting before making a purchase. Below are five of the most frequently used procedures.

Laser therapy

A technique employed to destroy the follicles beneath the skin surface to stop hair from growing. The average course of treatment consists of 6 to 8 sessions, after which the problem may be completely eradicated.

In between treatments, you must shave rather than pluck or wax the affected area of skin, which may be painful. Laser is not effective on blonde, white or grey facial hair.

IPL

IPL is short for Intense Pulsed Light, which involves various light wavelengths instead of a single wavelength (laser therapy). This too must be continued for at least six (and up to ten) treatments, with a duration of one to three months in between.

After the full course of treatment hair should cease to return, or at worst, come back finer.

Though a less painful procedure than the laser, IPL is costly (£300+) and cannot guarantee results.

Electrolysis

During electrolysis treatment the hairs receive an electric shock through a fine, sterile needle that is inserted carefully into the follicle. This is a permanent solution as the supply of blood and oxygen to the hair is eliminated, killing it.

It too has its drawbacks; you will need more than 12 sessions, which could prove to be costlier than other treatment methods depending on the severity of your problem. Hair in sensitive areas of the face such as the upper lip can take up to ten hours to clear and may cause extreme pain.

Facial hair removal cream

Cream formulas can be applied topically twice daily to significantly halt the growth of unwanted hair. Thousands of women use topical cream in addition to the permanent methods to increase results.

Vaniqa is the only FDA approved treatment for hair reduction in women. This topical cream is developed specifically for slowing the production and severity of facial hair problems, usually around the lips and on the chin.

If you are in need of a reliable, medically approved facial hair removal treatment, then Vaniqa may be the right choice for you. It can be prescribed to you by a UK doctor at 121doc and your treatment can be delivered directly to your door with our free next day delivery. Complete a simple online consultation and our doctors will review it to ensure you're suitable for this treatment. Once you're approved, the prescription is sent to our pharmacy and the order is processed for delivery.

Click to find out more about the benefits of this topical formula.