How To Naturally Get Rid of Unwanted Facial Hair - This post will aid women in using natural methods to combat hirsutism.
File this under 'Embarrassing and Humiliating'.
This is not a 'typical' post for me.
While I love creating recipes, I also have a strong desire to share my thoughts and knowledge about other areas of health. For that reason, you may see a post like this from time to time, and I pray that you'll stick around and share your own thoughts and knowledge, as I love hearing from you!
Today, I'm diving right into something that I've dealt with since my late teens and continue to deal with to this day.
What is hirsutism?
Hirsutism is excessive and unwanted hair growth, and it typically refers to women, though men can experience this too. With the advent of products like the Finishing Touch, it appears to be an increasing problem.
It is typically related to a hormonal imbalance, namely excessive testosterone, but I believe a general imbalance in estrogen and progesterone can be at the bottom of it as well.
With the overabundance of xenoestrogens in our environment from pesticides, plastics, metal cans, cosmetics, and hormone-injected meat and poultry, is it any wonder that this is a problem?
As I stated above, I've been suffering from this since I was about 19. This is around the same time my dad passed away, and I went through a time of major stress and an unhealthy eating cycle, which most likely messed up any hormonal synchronicity I may have had.
Without focusing on the whys behind this unsightly condition, I'd like to share my knowledge and experience about possible treatments.
Avoidance
The most obvious plan of action is to avoid any hormonal disruptors.
- Buy organic and hormone-free meats/poultry.
- Eat a diet of primarily organic foods.
- Use natural bug/pest killers like this and natural weed killers like this one in place of detrimental pesticides.
- Avoid plastics by purchasing glass straws, food storage containers, and dishware. Even though a plastic container reads 'BPA free', doesn't mean that it's free of xenoestrogens, or endocrine disruptors, according to studies like these.
Liver Support
Everything we breathe, ingest, or absorb through the skin gets into the blood stream and eventually passes through the liver. Because the liver is the body's primary detoxifier, keeping it healthy is critical to your overall health, including proper metabolism and functioning of hormones.
Some effective (if only interesting) methods of cleansing the liver include the following:
- Herbs, such as milk thistle, dandelion root, and artichoke;
- Coffee enemas (eek!)...more info here;
- Hulda Clark's Liver Cleanse.
Conventional Treatments (none of which I do)
- Birth control pills.
- Electrolysis.
- Waxing.
- Medication.
- Depilatories.
Natural Remedies
- The most promising (internal) treatment I've come across is spearmint tea. It was found effective in this study, where women drank two cups of the tea a day on an empty stomach. They saw a significant drop in free testosterone in just five days. The tea was made by mixing one cup of boiling water with one heaping teaspoon of dried spearmint leaves for five to 10 minutes.
- Another supplement touted to help is saw palmetto. In both men and women, testosterone is converted into a more potent hormone called DHT (dihydrotestosterone). DHT is the hormone in your skin that stimulates hirsutism. Saw palmetto appears to reduce DHT in three different ways:
-
- Inhibits DHT production,
- Inhibits the binding of DHT to its cell receptors,
- Promotes the breakdown of DHT.
Non-Invasive Treatments
- Tweezing - Pretty self-explanatory. It's helpful to have a magnifying mirror to see up close and personal. I own this one and absolutely love it!
- Threading - In Japan, threading is a popular treatment for hair removal. It involves actually taking a string to the face in order to remove the hair. Ordinarily, this is done at a salon, but now you can do this in the privacy of your own home! I personally own, use, and love this tool:
- Shaving - This has become my go-to method for taking care of facial hair. I typically use a regular razor, but these disposable razors are very popular, and they simulate the dermaplaning trend that is a favorite salon procedure.
I hope this post has been of some help to anyone suffering from this problem. Please let me know your thoughts and experiences if you have any!
If you enjoy posts like these, check out my other beauty-related posts.
**I am not a licensed practitioner. The information included in this post is not meant to be medical advice, it is just based on my personal experience. Please consult your doctor for further information.
Shared with: Home Matters Party, Create, Bake, and Grow Party
Lindsay
I love you so much right now (fuh real). I had to double check that I was on the right site! I have this issue as well. Currently, I am on a medication that is technically a blood pressure medication, but I use it for cysitc acne and it helps control the unwanted hair.
Thank you for this! I'm really, really looking forward to trying some new avenues of controling the problem. Because, let's face it, when you brush your hand over your chin when you're out at a restaurant and you feel a little prickly hair...it's all you think about until you get home (no? just me? okay...).
Lauren
Hahahaha! Not just you girl! 🙂 I'm happy this was helpful for you.
Barbara
OMG me too!!!
Adrienne @ Whole New Mom
I don't have this issue---I don't think---I am just a little older and very occasionally I will get a stray hair. But it appears as I have done healing that they've all but vanished. I do have issues that my mirror doesn't pick them up sometimes so I end up not seeing it until it's too late. Any tips for that?
Rebekkah
I have to shave daily. I get a beard. I totally think of the hair on my face when I touch my chin and feel prickles. When I was a teenager, I would sit in front of a mirror for the better part of 3 hours a day to pluck all the hairs. I would love to try the no no, but the cost of it is out of my budget. I'm going to try the tool you said you use. Hopefully that will be easier than shaving.
My issues are caused by P.C.O.D. (poly cycstic ovarian disease) and WAYYYYY too much testosterone. I had a complete hysterectomy about 2 years ago (for other reasons) but the doc said it may help to slow the hair growth. WRONG! Its as bad as ever. Glad I'm not the only one with this issue.
Lauren
Oh Rebekkah, I feel your pain. I haven't heard very good things about the No!no! anyway, so it may be good that you didn't invest in it. I hope something in this post is helpful for you!
Cynthia Wilder
Hi, I have the same problem. Some of us are genetically predisposed to have facial hair. We carry genes from our parents that does not make our problem go away. I am in my 50s. I have tried electrolysis which clear one area but a new one form, which means you never stop spending money and the problem never really goes away. I have tried laser which also worked for a while but generated other issues like acne and hair in other areas. I have tried the No No and threaders with minimal results, Tweezing which caused dark spots and scars. I have tried creams and sprays and now I have resulted to old fashioned shaving using my husbands shaving cream which is simplest giving me smooth results when need. I hope someone discovers something as this trait I inherent from my mom, I have unfortunately passed to my daughter and she hates it too ☹️
Susan
I have the problem, too, but it's increased as I've gotten older (late 60s). I've always used tweezers, but the hairs I can feel but can't get drive me nuts, and sometimes I end up making my face look worse by trying to get hairs that aren't ready to come out. The threading tool sounds very interesting, and like a better solution than tweezing. I'll have to look into it. Thank you for sharing about this very personal issue. I like your courage as well as your recipes.
Lauren
I often have that issue as well. It's such a frustrating (and embarrassing) problem. Thank you for your kind words! I always enjoy hearing from you. 🙂
Heather
The threading tool looks helpful. Will have to see if it's available in Canada.
Lauren
Have you tried the auto immune protocol for paleo? It is for those with autoimmune diseases and thryoid is one of those and growing more hair is hormone/thryoid issue! I did paleo for a few months with not much difference but when I did the autoimmune paleo I noticed a difference in a week.
Lauren
I haven't heard of that!...I'll definitely look into it though, as I've had thyroid issues as well. Thanks for sharing!
freshlifefindings
Oh Lauren, I love you for posting this! SO informational and necessary. I have had this problem and have loved using the finishing touch trimmer for your face. It's great so the hair doesn't come back thicker/darker and is so easy to use. Only $10 at CVS. I may try that spearmint tea!
Lauren
Thanks Natalie! I'll have to check out your recommendation as well. 😀
sassygirl
thank you for this recommendation!
checked amazon on the trimmer and there
are over 88,000 reviews—and they are very positive!
best,
d
amber
Hi Lauren,
Well, as much as we would like life to only be about food, it is not...it's layered. And I VERY much appreciate it food bloggers address issues they are going through, holistic remedies that are helpful, and overall, LIFE. My blog is full of post related to a wide variety of topics...food just happens to be the chief topic, but I so enjoy sharing other parts of my life. So I say, bring it on...ESPECIALLY when holistic healing is involved. This is a great post and I thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with this issue..
xo,
-Amber
Audry
Great article! I saw the topic on Pennywise Platter Thursday and my 17 year old daughter was JUST saying today that she wanted to stop shaving, yes she shaves her face, drives me crazy because it's just peach fuzz, but she wants it to be smooth. She does follow most of the diet recommendations but hey - there's always room for improvement. I forwarded her this article and I have her drink spearmint tea for 2 weeks and see how she feels.
Thanks for the article and putting yourself out there like that, it's not easy to admit those kind of things.
Lauren
Thanks for your comment Audry! I hope it the tea helps your daughter. 🙂
Gabby @ the veggie nook
Thank you so much for sharing this information Lauren! I'm so sorry you've had to deal with this issue, but I am so happy you've shared your wisdom! I am fascinated by natural therapies, particularly as it comes to supplements and food as medicine so this was so fun for me to read.
I really appreciate that you shared this, I know it probably wasn't easy. HUGS xoxo
Danielle @ Poor and Gluten Free
Saw this over on Fat Tuesday and had to check it out 😉 I've struggled with this, literally from puberty. I appreciate you putting yourself out there to talk about this! I have tried the spearmint tea, but perhaps not enough of it to see results. I've also tried laser, threading, waxing, plucking and whatever else you can think of. My 2 bits:
To the girl above who was thinking of getting a no no! - save your money! I've had it and it doesn't work. I'm currently using the Silk'n Flash and Go (it's like a low grade at-home laser hair removal) and am actually seeing very good results after a few uses. It's not cheap, and it's not a natural healing from the inside out remedy, but seriously, there may not be enough tea in the world to stop all the hair I've got 😉
Lauren
Thanks for the comment Danielle! I truly think this is becoming more and more of a problem among women, given all the pesticides, hormone-injected meats, etc. I'll have to check out the device you mentioned! 🙂
Libby
So happy to come across your blog! Great post Lauren!
I LOVE threading! It's clean, super fast and doesn't stretch your skin. I totally recommend it. So following you on twitter and FB 🙂
-Libby
Lauren
Thanks Libby! 😀
shelly
yes, thank you for this post! just my own opinion but I also think it's hereditary. I grew up watching my great grandma pluck, my grandmother, my mom & now myself. I've been taking the saw palmetto & black cohosh for 4 months & can't tell a difference. & I have the same issue as another post said, "I can make myself look worse." so i'm gonna try the threading. please update as u do more research!
emptynester
I'm so confused why within the last year(from age 50 to 51), I have peach fuzz around my mouth, chin and cheeks. Ick! I remember my grandma having an issue with this also. I'm the type of person who wants to get to the root (no pun intended) of the issue like why all of a sudden - this. I appreciate your thoughts, and I look forward to scouring your blog for more good information. Thanks!
Lauren
Thanks for your comment. I've also seen it prevalent in my own family, so heredity does play a role. I personally have been trying to figure out what causes it as well....multiple doctors, crazy therapies, numerous supplements and treatments...blah! I still won't go any of the conventional routes like electrolysis, but I definitely am at the point of wanting to mediate the problem as best I can in the meantime. 🙂
Amanda Klenner
This is a great post! I noticed when I stopped eating gluten my chin hair stopped showing up. My PCOS and other hormonal issues were directly linked to eating gluten. Now I get a errant chin hair here and there, but nothing like the lady beard my body was working on.
Congratulations! You were featured on Natural Living Monday! See you next week!
Kirsten
This is certainly an issue for me 🙁 In High School I had a fine, but extremely noticeable mustache and sideburns. My Grandmother, bless her heart..., made a big deal of it when she noticed the sideburn curls. Because of that my Mom paid for me to go have electrolysis done. It was painful and exceptionally noneffective. The lady doing it got a few (unnoticeable) hairs from my chin and neck--and now I've got extremely hairy patches there. I stopped going to her when I realized that she started getting it done when she was 17 ...and was STILL getting it done. Very painful and expensive for a temporary fix. I enjoyed the feel of my skin after waxing, but it was also prohibitively expensive 🙁 Hair removal creams are harsh and have nasty chemicals in them. I do have the threading device you've posted about here. But it pulls my skin a ton (I have really thick hairs) and I can't get my neck with it. My husband now spends about 10 to 15 mins twice a week tweezing my face 🙁 It's very kind of him, but I still hate that I have so much dark, thick hair on my face. If it's actually due to hormonal imbalance, I'm beginning to take Maca powder which is supposed to get your body to balance out. I hope it decreases the hair on my face 🙂 That would be a lovely side benefit. Thanks for posting about this!
Lauren
Thank you for sharing your experience as well Kirsten! I tried maca once, but it really didn't agree with me. I felt very angry when I took it, and, if I remember correctly, broke out on my face. I've read that it can increase libido, so it may possibly play a role in testosterone as well...? I hope you have better luck with it though!
Jones Lincholn
Thanks For Sharing Such An Informative Things In Your "Health" blog which will really helpful for all.And Many people who are facing such kind of problems as well they want to remove unwanted Hair from there face or some where in their body.
vito andolini
My wife have this problem and its weird...have tried many solutions but it didn't worked. Will try this one for sure! Thank you for sharing
Kathy
I also have this problem. It started in my early twenties. I used to pluck every evening. Eventually I was plucking about 10 hairs a day. Electolysis was the thing that helped. I tried naturopaths, conventional medications, etc. The scariest part was to stop plucking. once all the hairs started growing in at once it was astounding how many there were. I went to electrolysis weekly for about a year (15 years ago). It was painful. I used a cream called EMLA under my neck where it hurts more. That along with ice and a really good electrologist got me through it. I can tell you that some electrology is good, and some isn't. I've moved around quite a bit and have been to about 5 different people. The method the first one used was definitely most effective. I haven't been to an electrologist in about 2-3 years. And honestly, after the first year my sessions were infrequent and much shorter. I still have some coarse hairs. But very little. I honestly shave those 4-5 off every few days. Electrology was truly the best $$$$ I have ever spent. I think electrolysis along with healthy lifestyle and acupuncture is what helped me. My understanding is that you can balance your hormones and prevent more hair follicles from being stimulated, but once a hair follicle starts producing coarse hair, there isn't much you can do about it other than destroy the follicle. On the other hand, if you use electrolysis but don't correct the underlying cause, more hair follicles will continue to be stimulated. I hope this info is helpful to someone else. Good luck!
Stephanie
Hello Lauren! I'm curious as to whether you've tried the spearmint tea, (drinking 2 cups daily), & have had positive results? I'm definitely ordering a threader, (like the one you posted), as I have unwanted facial hair & so does my 13 yr old daughter. 🙁 I am most certain I have a hormonal imbalance, and I'd love to find a natural way to bring them back in to balance. Thank you so much for your post! Stephanie
Lauren
I have tried (not that much though), but haven't noticed a significant difference. My hair growth differs depending on where I'm at in my cycle, and I've even noticed that what I apply topically can have effects! The threader is great, but I actually just started shaving my face, lol.
Stephanie
Lol! I’ve been shaving mine, too (hubby’s razor is better than mine!) I’ve tried essential oils, too...no huge difference if any...I DO have a dr. appt. at the end of June, so maybe I can find out exactly what the imbalance is & go from there. 🙂 Thank you!! I can’t wait to try your avocado chocolate shake!! Yum!!
Ford
I've been taking Swanson Spearmint Capsules and noticed a lessening of fine hair around my lip area, but it did not help my folliculitis and ingrown hairs on my right lip area. The Spearmint also helps with digestion. Did notice that I gained weight, so now only taking one per day. The Maca Powder has also helped (about 1.5 tsps per day, but nothing has helped the aforementioned problems.
Yesenhia Diaz
Hi and thanks for your advise, I was fortunate to have hair on my face of course when I was younger it was peach fuzz and very noticeable dark hair on my upper lips.. I dislike it so much more now that I’m in my 40’s as now I have some thick black hairs. I have tried the tea and yes it works. I constantly pluck, and I used to bleach my cheeks before too. I have developed acne on my cheeks and I want to blame the hair on my face. I just bought some Daily Maca Plus for women. My eyelash technician advised me to use it telling me it can be hormonal changes in my body. Well I was diagnosed with a fibroid this summer. The fibroid is outside my uterus and it’s not that big.
I’m in total denial of menopause (which I say out of mind out of sight) I’m thinking that if I don’t think about it effects won’t come my way. (it won’t hit me) I will start the maca today along with session of laser soon. I will keep y’all updated on my results.
Yesenhia Diaz
Oh yeah and I have purchased the threader and I have personally threaded my own face, but for some odd reason I break out when the hair is growing back. Same with the wax , I also used to wax here and there but as I have got older it burns my skins so easily so I have stopped waxing., and I have dark spots on my face just from constantly trying to get rid of all this hair on my face. Recently I have been just shaving it off micro blading sometimes professional or I do it myself.
Shaina Beil
I have dark facial hair on my upper lip and chin. Although I have hormone issues, I don't have excess testosterone. In my case, it seems to be genetic, as women of Scandinavian (as in my case) and northern European descent tend to have more of these traits naturally. I use a scissor on my upper lip and other areas but tweeze my chin.