Bleaching

Chemically lightening the hair to make it less noticeable. This is an inexpensive treatment with immediate results.

Bleaching needs to be done frequently, depending on how quickly the hair grows. Bleaching may leave skin red, cause rash/skin irritation, can be uncomfortable and is time-consuming.

Epilator

A form of plucking that uses an electrical device to rapidly grab multiple hairs and pluck them out from the root. An epilator can be purchased at a reasonable cost in many stores selling beauty products.

This is a simple, do-it-yourself technique that needs to be done frequently. An epilator may leave skin red, cause rash/skin irritation, and can be painful.

Hair removal cream

(a.k.a. depilatory cream) Creams that dissolve hair above the surface of the skin. Applying a hair removal cream is easy and the results are immediate. The treatment needs to be done frequently. These creams may cause irritation to the skin.

Plucking

(a.k.a. tweezing) Using tweezers or fingers to pull out hair from the root is perhaps the simplest way to deal with unwanted facial hair.

The results are immediate. Plucking needs to be done frequently. Plucking large areas of the face may leave skin red, cause rash/skin irritation, can be painful, and is time- consuming.

Shaving

Cutting off the part of the hair above the surface of the skin with a razor. Shaving is quick and easy and the results are immediate. It needs to be done quite frequently.

Sugaring

(a.k.a. sugar waxing or Persian waxing) Similar to waxing, but instead uses a paste that sticks to hair and pulls it out from the root. Results are immediate.

Unlike wax, the paste only adheres to the hair, not the skin, so some find it causes less irritation. It needs to be done frequently and the hair must be allowed to grow long enough before the procedure can be repeated.

Threading

(a.k.a. fatlah or khite) A twisted thread is rolled across the skin to catch hairs and pull them out from the root. The results are immediate.

Threading needs to be done frequently and the hair must be allowed to grow long enough before the procedure can be repeated.

Waxing

Hot or cold wax is used to stick to hair and pull it out from the root. The results are immediate.

Waxing needs to be done frequently and the hair must be allowed to grow long enough to be able to repeat the procedure. Waxing may leave skin red, cause skin irritation and lead to ingrown hair.

Electrolysis

Applying electricity at the root of each individual hair to permanently destroy it. This is intended as a permanent solution for unwanted facial hair. This takes a considerable amount of time since only a small area is treated every few weeks. Electrolysis treatment is meant to permanently damage individual hairs so they are removed and do not grow back. If the person performing the procedure is not skilled, the treatment may cause scarring. This technique requires multiple treatments.

Laser therapy

(a.k.a. IPO, phototricholysis or photoepilation) Different laser systems exist, but all target melanin, the pigment that gives hair its colour. The intense light from the laser is absorbed by the melanin, rapidly heating the root, and thus destroying the hair without damaging surrounding tissue. Laser treatment permanently damages individual hairs so they are removed and do not grow back. Because lighter colours (blonde, red and grey) do not absorb light effectively, this technique only works on brown- or black-coloured hair. The ideal candidate will also have light skin, but a highly-trained professional with the appropriate laser device can treat darker skin types. Significant improvement is usually achieved after a minimum of 5 – 7 sessions (depending on the laser or light source type, colour of hair, skin, etc.), and the benefits are long term. Some people will experience a burning, stinging sensation and/or pain. Sessions are usually performed every 4 – 8 weeks to enable the hair follicle to enter a new growth phase. Several treatments are often required.

Introduction

This section covers, in alphabetical order, medical treatments which cannot be used in the UK without the supervision of a doctor. They require a doctor’s diagnosis and prescription. Some medicines which are occasionally used in the treatment of unwanted facial hair are not necessarily licensed for the treatment of hirsutism. They are primarily used for the treatment of other conditions, but may also be considered by doctors in the treatment of hirsutism. All have been researched to discover how they work and the medical diagnoses for which they are suitable. All of these treatments have some side effects, so be sure to ask your doctor about them. Some of the treatments should not be used by women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Discuss this point with your doctor if it applies to you. To find patient information leaflets (PILs) and summaries of product characteristics (SPCs) on these treatments, visit http://medicines.org.uk/.

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Bicalutamide

(Casodex®) A pill taken orally that contains an anti-androgen that blocks the peripheral androgen receptor. In the UK, it is licensed for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Cyproterone acetate

(e.g. Cyprostat®, Androcur®) A pill taken orally that contains an anti-androgen to suppress the action of the primary male sex hormone testosterone in the body. Cyproterone acetate is licensed in the UK for the treatment of prostate cancer and over-active libido/sexual aggression in men.

Eflornithine

(e.g. Vaniqa®) A cream which is applied to the area of unwanted facial hair. Eflornithine acts beneath the skin to block the enzyme required for growth at the hair root. Eflornithine is licensed in the UK for the treatment of
facial hirsutism in women.

Ethinyl estradiol/ cyproterone acetate

(e.g. Dianette®) A pill taken orally that contains a type of estrogen (ethinyl estradiol). It is the primary female sex hormone and commonly used in birth control pills. It is combined with an anti-androgen (cyproterone acetate) that suppresses the action of the primary male sex hormone testosterone in the body. It is also a female contraceptive. In the UK, it is licensed for the treatment of hirsutism and acne in women.

Ethinyl estradiol/ drospirenone

(e.g. Yasmin®) A pill taken orally that contains a type of estrogen (ethinyl estradiol). It is the primary female sex hormone and commonly used in birth control pills. It is combined with a synthetic progestagen (drospirenone) that is also found in some birth control pills and has effects in the body similar to the hormone progesterone which is involved in the female menstrual cycle. In the UK, this medication is licensed for use as a female contraceptive.

Finasteride

(e.g. Propecia®, Proscar®) A pill taken orally that contains an enzyme inhibitor that lowers the levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a physiological androgen that is also responsible for hair growth. In the UK, it is licensed for use in the treatment of male pattern baldness and to treat an enlarged prostate gland in men (benign prostatic hyperplasia).

Flutamide

A pill taken orally that contains an anti-androgen that blocks the peripheral androgen receptor. In the UK, it is licensed for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Metformin

(e.g. Glucophage®, Metsol®) A pill or solution taken orally that helps the body make more efficient use of insulin. It has been shown to be beneficial in treating some of the symptoms associated with PCOS. In the UK, it is licensed for the treatment of diabetes (diabetes mellitus).

Spironolactone

(e.g. Aldactone®) A pill taken orally that acts as a diuretic. It also has some anti-androgen properties that suppress the action of the primary male sex hormone testosterone in the body. In the UK, it is licensed for use in the treatment of oedema (water retention), often caused by liver disease, kidney problems or heart failure.