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How to Choose Permanent Facial Hair Removal Options

As with any cosmetic procedure, you should think carefully before removing your facial hair permanently. Procedures can be costly and occasionally painful, and if you're male, it means never being able to grow a mustache or beard. However, for many people the benefits of not having to constantly shave, wax or bleach their facial hair is worth it. A number of options for permanent facial hair removal exist, and by comparing them, you can pick the one that's right for you.

  1. Laser Hair Removal

    • Laser hair removal is one of the newest procedures for permanently removing facial hair; it is also one of the most effective. It usually takes several trips to the clinic, but the actual number depends on each case. Typically, you do not scar, and clinics can match the procedure to your own type of skin and hair. However, while prices vary from clinic to clinic, this procedure is costly, and you should plan to spend several hundred dollars on treatment, depending upon the number of visits and the areas you want to treat. While this procedure is generally effective, some patients find that a few hairs may still linger after it is completed. This treatment is not always permanent, as a few hairs may grow back over time, meaning that you may need to return periodically. For the area above your lip, the procedure can be completed in a few minutes, but the rest of your face will take longer.

    Electrolysis

    • Electrolysis is another method for permanent hair removal; it involves sending a small electric pulse to your hair follicles. This method, in practice since the late 1800s, is the most effective method of permanent hair removal. However, since each hair must be treated individually, it can take more than 25 treatments until removal is completed. Since you are charged by the session, costs can add up. In addition, this procedure is not recommended for people with darker skin color as they may develop skin disorders.

    Semi-Permanent Methods

    • If the thought of a medical procedure makes you queasy, you should talk to your doctor about oral medications or topical ointments that can help remove your hair. However, unlike laser surgery or electrolysis, these medications are only permanent as long as you use them continuously. These medications work by augmenting hormone production to inhibit the growth of hair. Although initially cheaper than the other two options, the cost of medication can add up over time. However, this may be your best option if you live in a rural or more isolated area where it's difficult to locate a clinic. Medication is gender-specific. Other methods such as waxing will also help you maintain a hairless face as long as you continue to perform that procedure. Waxing is painful, but will inhibit the growth of hair for long periods of time.

    Problematic Methods

    • While a number of methods are effective for permanent hair removal, some procedures are less effective, and in some cases, illegal. Methods such as X-ray removal are banned in the United States, while proponents of electrical tweezers for permanent hair removal may be making promises they can't keep. Websites such as Quackwatch (see Resources) list effective and ineffective methods of hair removal. If you encounter a treatment you're unsure of, consult with your doctor before proceeding.

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