Who doesn’t yearn for flawless skin that radiates a healthy glow, even on those less-than-perfect days? Unfortunately, only a handful of individuals are naturally blessed with such skin, as our urban environments are often saturated with pollution, making our skin susceptible to breakouts and irritations. The challenges can be more complex for women with dark facial hair.
Hence, most of us constantly seek a more permanent solution, relying on high-end cosmetic treatments. But these treatments have side effects, too, and are often not pocket-friendly, so everyone should consider them an option. This article will help you find ways to treat facial hair at home without digging a hole in your pocket. Read on to know more.
Unwanted Hair Growth in Women
All women have facial hair; however, some have excessive growth on their faces. This is nothing spooky but a hormonal imbalance known as hirsutism that leads to unwanted hair growth on the face. Higher than normal levels of androgens, including testosterone, are the main factor for excessive hair growth.
Also Read – How To Remove Facial Hair Safely For A Younger Look?
Also, certain medical conditions lead to increased production of androgens in a woman’s body – Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one common cause of hirsutism, followed by Adrenal gland disorders and certain kinds of medication that lead to the production of artificial testosterone in the body. This kind of excessive hair growth can be treated medically or with the help of creams and cosmetic treatments (1).
Women with hirsutism can still try out home remedies and there are high chances of them getting a good result with these.
Kitchen Magic
Our kitchen is the best place to go hunting for solutions to any skin-related problem. For centuries, women have depended on readily available items from the kitchen shelf to get rid of health-related ailments.
- Turmeric has the best anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and can also help fight symptoms of depression and arthritis in people (2).
- Cinnamon lowers blood sugar levels and has a solid anti-diabetic effect.
- Ginger relieves nausea.
- Basil improves immunity and controls the growth of bacteria, yeasts, and molds.
- Garlic boosts your heart health, and adding it to your everyday meal benefits the entire body.
- Cayenne pepper, a chili pepper, reduces appetite and helps burn fat.
- Fenugreek is known to lower blood sugar levels.
Home Remedies
As mentioned above, our kitchens have the best quality ingredients to help fight infections and diseases. These same ingredients, much more readily available in our homes, can also help work wonders on facial hair. Here, we have listed some easy methods to help you get rid of light facial hair.
Honey and Sugar Wax
Honey is known for its healing powers and for nourishing the skin. On the other hand, sugar exfoliates the skin and removes dead skin cells and facial hair. A mask made with this can solve the problem of facial hair. It is much like the waxing you get in salons, except there are no chemicals. Here’s how you prepare the mask.
Method
- Mix a tablespoon of honey, two tablespoons of sugar, and a tablespoon of water in a bowl.
- Now microwave it for 30 seconds until the sugar dissolves.
- Apply this paste to areas with excessive hair using a wooden spoon or spatula.
- Take a strip of cloth and place it over the paste.
- Let it cool down a bit, and like you do when you wax, quickly pull the strip in the opposite direction of your hair growth.
- It is best not to repeat the process on the same surface twice unless there is still prominent hair visible, as the skin of the face is very sensitive and can turn red fast.
Lemon and Sugar Scrub
Lemon has many skin-friendly properties and is an ideal ingredient for any skin treatment. Lemon juice naturally contains Vitamin C, which is the best antioxidant possible. In addition, due to its high pH levels, lemon can decrease oil on the skin. Lemon also has certain acids that lighten the skin and remove scars. A scrub made with these will surely help you in multiple ways.
Method
- Mix one tablespoon of sugar with a teaspoon of lemon juice.
- Add a few drops of water and mix it all.
- Once the sugar has dissolved, apply this scrub on your face and let it air dry.
- Your skin will begin to feel stretchy after a while.
- Now, with gentle fingers, scrub the mixture off your face. This action will pull off the hair and leave you with radiant skin.
3. Gram Flour and Rosewater Paste
Gram Flour is a great exfoliator and helps remove dead skin cells. It removes tan when mixed with lemon juice and curd and applied on the face. Rosewater has cooling effects and leaves your skin scented.
Method
- Mix two tablespoons of gram flour, rosewater, and one tablespoon of lemon juice.
- Mix it all to form a paste.
- Apply it on your face and let it air dry.
- Once it has dried out completely, rub it off with your fingers.
- This scrub removes all the extra facial hair, making you feel lighter and fresher.
- You can repeat this three to four times a week.
Also Read – 5 Homemade Facial Bleach Recipes
4. Oatmeal and Banana Pack
Oats are now a standard ingredient in all our homes. While it is an excellent source of fiber when consumed as a meal, its grainy texture makes it a perfect agent to remove dead skin cells and facial hair.
Method
- Add two tablespoons of oatmeal to a bowl and mash one ripe banana.
- Apply this paste on your face and gently massage it into your skin.
- Now let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Then, wash your face with lukewarm water.
- This pack is suitable for all skin types and can be used once a week for good results.
5. Papaya and Turmeric Paste
Papaya contains an enzyme called papain that helps remove facial hair. Turmeric is known for its many skin benefits, one of which is radiant skin. Try this pack, and you’ll be asking for more.
Method
- Take a big slice of papaya and mash it to form a paste.
- Add half a teaspoon of turmeric to it and apply it to areas where you have hair growth.
- Massage briefly and let it sit on your face for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Now wash it off with water.
- You can see an instant glow on your face and a definite reduction in facial hair.
- You can repeat this process twice a week for effective results.
How do you remove hair from the upper lip?
For women, the issue is not always facial hair, but upper lip hair can often be exceptionally bothersome. Here are some quick DIY methods to remove upper lip hair at home:
Egg White and Sugar Mask:
– In a bowl, combine one egg white with half a teaspoon of cornflour and one tablespoon of sugar.
– Mix until the sugar dissolves. Using a wooden popsicle stick, apply this mixture to your upper lip and let it dry.
– Once dry, peel off the mask in the opposite direction of hair growth and rinse your face with cold water.
Gelatin and Milk Peel-Off Mask:
– Mix one tablespoon of unflavored gelatin, one and a half teaspoons of milk, and a few drops of lavender essential oil.
– Heat the mixture in the microwave until the gelatin dissolves. Allow it to cool slightly.
– Apply the mixture to your upper lip using a popsicle stick. Once dry, peel it off in the opposite direction of hair growth.
– Finish by washing your face with cold water.
Summary
For centuries, women have been using their knowledge of kitchen spices and other ingredients to fight illnesses and diseases. Our grandmothers have been the biggest advocates of using milk and spices like turmeric on the face for radiant skin. By using simple ingredients such as gram flour, lemon, sugar, and banana, you can make amazing packs that can help you cut down your monthly salon expenses. These pocket-friendly mixes are not laden with chemicals that harm the skin. So forget about the bleach that you’d get done every 15 days, or the wax to remove unwanted hair from your face, simply dig into these methods to remove that pesky hair and give way to radiant skin.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it safe to use lemon juice on the face?
Although lemon is highly acidic and can cause skin irritations and dryness, people with sensitive skin should be wary of it. Also, whenever you use lemon juice in a pack, use a small quantity of it.
Can women shave their faces?
Women have susceptible facial skin, and shaving can irritate them. Therefore, women should stick to facial hair removal methods instead of shaving.
Can I use a gram flour pack every day?
Yes. Gram flour with curd can be applied to your face daily. But if your skin is sensitive to the sun, wear sunscreen before leaving.
References
- “Why do women grow excessive or unwanted hair?” – healthline.com
- “Everything you need to know about turmeric” – medicalnewstoday.com
