Amongst the multitude of beauty peeves that require some extra grooming time, facial hair can be a real bane. Although all women have some degree of facial hair along the upper lip, brow and jaw line, also known as ‘peach fuzz’ for it’s extremely light colour and fine texture, some of us have it thicker and coarser than we would like.
The hair follicles are located just below the skin. They’re responsible for producing new strands of hair. There are some removal techniques that can stop growth at the follicle level, giving longer-lasting results, while others only superficially remove hair from the surface of the skin.
LASER HAIR REMOVAL
Laser therapy uses high-heat laser beams as a mild form of radiation. During the process, they heat up and damage the hair follicles. This treatment works best with darker hair colours on light skin tones. This is because the lasers targets hair melanin (colour). Even if some hairs aren’t removed, the lightening of their colour can reduce their prominence. Some of the hairs may also shed within a few days of your first session.
PROS: Laser hair removal is a relatively quick process. Smaller areas, such as the upper lip, can take just minutes.
CONS: The process results in hair reduction, as opposed to permanent removal. Hair follicles eventually heal and start producing again. Multiple treatment sessions are required, followed up with annual maintenance sessions, which can be quite expensive.
Where to Go: Royal Bahrain Hospital
ELECTROLYSIS
This is another hair removal technique that is carried out by professionally trained aestheticians or dermatologists. It disrupts hair growth by the insertion of an epilator device into the skin. It uses shortwave radio frequencies in hair follicles to stop new hair from growing. This damages the follicles and causes existing hairs to fall out. Multiple follow-up appointments give the best results.
PROS: Electrolysis can help inhibit new hair growth for all skin and hair types. It can be effective and is safe anywhere on the body, including the eyebrow area. No future maintenance is required with electrolysis.
CONS: It can be painful, leaving skin irritated and red for a day. Possible severe side effects include infection from unsterile needles used during the procedure, as well as scars. Follow-up sessions every once or twice a week can help achieve optimal results.
Where to go: Profile Beauty Salon, Adliya
WAXING
This popular method can result in hair-free skin on the upper lip, cheeks, brows and chin with ease. It is done using soft wax that needs to be warmed up, spread on the skin and pulled off with a disposable strip, or hard wax which is smoothed over the skin and pulled off on its own.
PROS: It is a relatively cheap option and is widely available in Bahrain.
CONS: It needs to be repeated often; depending on hair growth. Waxing can cause irritation in sensitive facial skin. An incorrect technique causes breakage of the hair shaft, leading to inflammation of the surrounding skin.
Where to go: Dessange, Adliya
THREADING:
A thin, doubled cotton thread stretched tight is rolled over the skin to pluck out hairs. Like waxing, it is important that this is done with the right skill. It works best on smaller areas like the chin, upper lip and eyebrows.
PROS: Cheap and effective
CONS: Short-term solution, depending on type and texture of hair
Where to go: Joz Salon
DEPILATORY CREAMS
Depilatory creams use chemicals such as calcium thioglycolate or potassium thioglycolate, which break disulfide bonds in keratin, thereby dissolving the hair shaft. It’s important to do a patch test before first- time use.
PROS: It is time saving and can be done at home.
CONS: The cream can have an unpleasant smell and removes hair only superficially.
Where to go: Available at pharmacies and supermarkets
