Drugs For Excess Hair

Waxing can be used to remove hair from the face, arms, or legs. Unlike other temporary methods of hair removal, the effects of waxing are long lasting. It may take some three to six weeks before unwanted hairs start growing again. Repeated waxing, however, can damage the hair bulb and cause trouble. That's why this technique should be done by a professional beautician.

"On the negative side, waxing may be painful and cause skin irritation, particularly when heated waxes are to hot when applied. Hairs must be long enough to become embedded in the wax, so for a short time the presence of some visible hair must be endured before the next waxing can be performed," said Linda Schoen, editor-in-chief of The AMA (American Medical Association) Book of Skin and Hair Care.

Hair removers or chemical depilatories are substances that weaken and break hair at the skin surface. They do this by dissolving hair protein. Depilatories are available as foams, creams, or lotions. After they are applied on the underarms or legs, they must be left on the skin for about 10 to 15 minutes before unwanted hair can be scraped off.

"Their effectiveness varies according to the type of hair growth. For instance, thin hair is destroyed in shorter time than thick hair. Depilatories may not be effective on some people and in some body areas without remaining on the skin for so long a time that skin irritation follows," Schoen warned.

For your safety and comfort, it pays to test these products on a small area of your skin first. If the skin becomes irritated, discard the product. Don't use it on injured or inflamed skin.

Several drugs are available to control hairiness. Although none of them have been specifically approved for that purpose, they may help in some cases. All work by blocking the production of androgens that stimulate hair growth in different parts of the body.

The oldest of these is cortisone that can help up to 50 percent of women with hirsutism. This powerful steroid should be taken for months for it to effectively control excess hair. However, long-term treatment with cortisone can increase the user’s risk of bone weakening, acne outbreaks, and renal problems.

"Use of cortisone is usually reserved for women who have a condition called congenital adrenal hyperplasia in which cortisone is valuable for controlling many problems of the disorder, thus justifying the risk of steroid treatment," said Deborah Chase in The No-Nonsense Beauty Book.

Birth control pills are another option. They are more effective than cortisone and can reduce hairiness in up to 75 percent of cases. They also protect the user from ovarian and endometrial cancer, pelvic infections, and breast cysts. But these benefits must be weighed against the pill's many side effects like weight gain, irregular bleeding, headaches, and vomiting.

The more serious side effects of the pill are blood clots and breast cancer. Low-dose pills can reduce these risks but if you’re over 35, smoke, and have a family history of heart disease or cancer, this method is not for you.

"Birth control pills with the highest amount of estrogen seemed to work best (for hairiness), but new studies linking high estrogen pills with heart disease, blood clots, and possibly, breast cancer have made most obstetricians and dermatologists extremely reluctant to use these compounds. The lower dose estrogens and progesterones also are seemingly effective for discouraging hair growth, but many women do not want their side effects or just feel uncomfortable about using such preparations," Chase said.

Another drug for hirsutism is spironolactone. How is it used and what are its side effects? Find out in the fourth part of this series. For beautiful skin use Lumnaderm, a whitening cream that eliminates freckles, unsightly age spots, sun spots, blemishes and hyperpigmentation. When used as directed, Lumnaderm will balance uneven skin tones and illuminate your skin. For more information, visit http://www.lumnaderm.com/.