CHIN UP!

Okay, ladies: let’s get real. We don’t talk about it, but it’s often there for everyone to see — chin hair. Sometimes, it arrives solo. Other times, the dreaded hairs show up in pairs or (gasp!) groups. Either way, they are unwanted — and irritatingly determined. Here are a few surefire ways to get them out of your life.

Determine the cause 

There’s a reason for everything and depending on what it is, we treat the condition differently. A common cause of chin hair in women is hormonal imbalance, which can be caused by everything from polycystic ovary syndrome to thyroid problems or menopause. Sometimes, growth can even be triggered by certain types of medication, so it’s important that we pinpoint what’s causing the issue in the first place. 

Medication 

Certain medications, including birth control pills, can help prevent chin hair growth, but bear in mind that oral medication taken over long periods of time can also have other side effects and therefore requires careful monitoring. Topical prescription creams can be an option, but — depending on how they interact with your skin — can also have contraindications. Over-the-counter creams thin hair to the point where it eventually disappears, but some of them have been known to cause burns, so must be used carefully. 

Plucking, shaving or waxing 

Any of these will get the job done, but they are temporary fixes. Tweezing, while satisfying, can be painful and in some cases, the hair proliferates. Shaving lasts even less time and you run the risk of stubble, and waxing has to be repeated often for it to keep pace with the appearance of facial hair. Other bug bears: the possibility of ingrown hairs, folliculitis, and hyperpigmentation.

Electrolysis

Depending on the type of chin hair issue you’re having — and how much of it there is — this is a good option for a permanent solution. A needle delivers electrical current into the hair follicle, zapping the root and preventing new hair from growing. For large amounts of hair, however, it can be both time consuming and painful, so it’s recommended to start treatment before the hair gets out of hand, and apply a numbing agent over the area to minimise discomfort during the process. 

Laser treatments 

The most modern permanent hair removal solution available, lasers used at special wavelengths destroy the hair follicle by targeting the melanin it needs to grow. They’re fantastic, but people with darker skin may experience hyperpigmentation, and women who are pregnant should not do laser treatments. They are also not recommended for patients who are on certain types of acne medication or have skin that is prone to keloids. 

As always, come in and talk to us and we’ll help you design the best treatment approach for your particular situation.