It’s one thing no one tells you about ageing but it can make you feel very self conscious – female facial hair. What is a symbol of manliness and testosterone in men is a complete nightmare for women. So why do we get more facial hair once we have menopause and how can we get rid of it?
Your hair on your head will start to thin but it’s almost as if those hairs have transplanted onto your face.
Half of all women have thinning hair by age 50, while up to 15 per cent of women experience hair growth on their chin, upper lip, or cheeks after menopause, according to the North American Menopause Society.
Changes in oestrogen and androgen levels during menopause are to blame for these changes in our body hair. There are a number of solutions for getting rid of unwanted facial hair:
They’re the tried and true methods for hair removal but if you have only a couple of stray hairs, they can be just the ticket. The downside though is they can be painful and temporary, plus you have to let the hair grow out between treatment, which can heighten the embarrassment. Waxing also can irritate the skin, particularly on your face. Creams can be better to remove hair but you do still need to wait a while between applications.
There are razors specifically made for shaving your face, and they are a quick way to get rid of a hair in a flash. The only problem is that it is a very temporary fix and you will need to constantly shave if you have multiple hairs. It is great, though, for peach fuzz as you can barely see it when it grows back.
Aside for your HRT, you can ask your doctor for something that can help to act against the hormonal changes in your body. A topical cream such as eflornithine can slow the growth of facial hair but can take four to eight weeks to see results.
By far the most effective treatment, laser damages the hair follicle to slow down hair growth. The problem is that if you have grey or light hairs, the treatments won’t be effective. Dark hairs are optimum.
This can be performed in beauty salons and involves inserting a needle into the hair follicle and passing an electric current through it to destroy the hair. It can be fairly uncomfortable and time-consuming but will work well on all types of hairs.
Every woman will approach thinning hair and facial hair differently. For some, it isn’t a big deal, but others feel very self conscious. Wherever you sit, know it’s a completely normal part of ageing and menopause, and talk to your doctor about your options if you’re concerned.
Do you have any tips for removing unwanted hairs?