‘Abdominal hair’ – the scariest two-word story ever! Nothing could be more upsetting for a female than finding a trail of hair going down her stomach while fighting desperately against the typical hair loss problem. But ladies, you are not alone. The issue of belly button hair is also quite common, and the good news is that there are multiple ways to get rid of those pesky hair strands. So if you are interested in learning about the most effective at-home techniques for abdominal hair removal, go through this article till the end.
Why Is Abdominal Hair Growth Abnormal?
As women, we love the long, thick, and luscious locks on our heads. We also have ‘peach fuzz‘ on most parts of our body, which is considered normal. But we don’t like when we get thick hair in areas where it is not supposed to grow. Our abdominal area (known as ‘happy trail’ or ‘treasure trail’) is one such place. Even the most delicate hair sprouting up in this region can become our nightmare. Though fine hair in this area is considered normal, many can get visibly thicker and darker strands. This abnormal growth is not only highly appalling but also pretty inconvenient.
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Why Do You Get Abdominal Hair?
Why Do You Get Abdominal Hair?An abnormal trail of hair below your belly button can indicate something serious undergoing beneath the surface. Here are the possible causes: (1)
- Genetics (either of the parents could be the carrier) could be responsible for abdominal hair.
- ‘Hirsutism‘ is a condition in which women experience male-pattern hair growth in unwanted areas of the body (including the abdominal area) due to the increased levels of male hormones (androgens) in their bodies.
- PCOS or ‘Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome’ is one of the most common hormone abnormalities that cause menstrual irregularities and abdominal hair growth due to increased testosterone in the body.
- Abdominal hair growth can be a symptom of a condition called ‘Cushing’s syndrome’ in which the body produces an excess amount of cortisol hormone, thereby making the tissues react abnormally.
- Coarse abdominal hair can crop up in menopausal or postmenopausal women as estrogen levels go down in their bodies significantly.
Why Try At-Home Abdominal Hair Removal Methods?
Well, why not? Abdominal hair comes in your way every time you want to flaunt your favorite cropped top or semi-transparent top. You always feel awkward about wearing swimsuits during the summer months and wish you had a smooth and fuzz-free belly. And above all, envisaging yourself in an elegant dress with a hairy stomach is not at all satisfying, isn’t it?
But ‘Laser Therapy’ and ‘Electrolysis’ – the two most common methods recommended by experts for removing abdominal hair permanently are super expensive. They also come with more than a few side effects. Moreover, you may not even feel comfortable visiting a salon for this purpose. Hence, it is always a good idea to try at-home techniques. There are both hair removal tools and natural remedies that can make your stomach hair-free without being harsh to its delicate skin.
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At-Home Methods For Abdominal Hair Removal
Hair removal from your abdomen is similar to hair removal from your arms or legs. However, the abdominal skin is a little more sensitive since it is less exposed to the environment. Hence, be gentle while trying any of these methods.
1. Waxing
Waxing is painful, but it will surely leave your stomach fuzz-free for one good month. It is a lasting solution to the problem and will reduce hair growth over time. But if not done correctly, waxing can give you ingrown hair and be very messy. If you are trying it at home, make sure you are quick and right with your strokes.
Also Read – Waxing Vs. Epilators – Which Is A Better Method Of Hair Removal?
2. Sugaring
Sugaring is a natural alternative to waxing in which sugar, lemon juice, and water are used in place of ‘wax’ (containing resins and chemicals) for removing hair strands. Start with boiling the ingredients together for half an hour and prepare a thick sticky liquid. Apply it to your hairy abdominal skin and remove hair using a cloth piece. Make sure that you pull the cloth in the direction of hair growth to prevent ingrown hair.
3. Depilation
Hair depilatories or hair removal creams are great for removing abdominal hair as they work fast and in a pain-free manner. However, remember that the commercial creams are, after all, chemical-laden products and can harm your skin in the long run. Also, make sure that you are not allergic to depilatories by doing a patch test before use.
4. Shaving
If you can shave your hairy legs, you can shave your hairy belly too. But consider it as your last option as the hair will grow back prickly. If you do it anyway, ensure complete safety by using a foaming liquid before shaving and applying coconut oil as a natural aftershave lotion. Also, be extremely careful not to nick yourself during the process.
Also Read – Try These Simple Natural Ways To Remove Underarm Hair (Know Other Alternatives Too!)
Natural Remedies For Abdominal Hair Removal
Some natural home remedies can slow down your abdominal hair growth and eventually cause strands to fall off. Check them out below.
Spearmint Tea
Drink a cup of freshly brewed spearmint tea every day. It reduces the amount of androgen – the primary source of abdominal hair growth – in the body, thereby making your stomach hair-free over time. (2)
Onion And Basil
Make a paste by pounding a few basil leaves, and the thin translucent membranes present inside onion petals. Apply it to your abdominal skin in the direction of hair growth. Once it dries, wipe it off in the opposite direction. Doing this regularly will reduce belly button hair to a large extent. (3)
Turmeric And Neem
Turmeric is another magical ingredient that helps remove unwanted hair and curb hair growth. Apply a paste made of turmeric and neem leaves to your abdomen and wipe it off after half an hour. Repeat it every day during bath time, and your hair will fall off in a week. (4)
Egg White, Sugar, And Cornflour
Make a mixture by combining an egg white with 1 teaspoon of sugar and 1 cornflour. Apply this in a thin layer to your abdomen. Once it dries, peel it off in the opposite direction of hair growth. Repeat twice a week, and you will notice your abdominal hair falling off quickly.
References:
- “Causes of unwanted hair growth (hirsutism)” – medicalnewstoday.com
- “11 Surprising Benefits of Spearmint Tea and Essential Oil” – healthline.com
- “5 Effective Ways To Remove Unwanted Facial Hair” – doctor.ndtv.com
- “Turmeric for Hair Removal” – healthline.com
