Having unwanted body hair can make you uncomfortable and uncomfortable, but it's a relatively common problem. The excess can be the result of genetics or a medical condition such as hirsutism, which is caused by a high level of male hormones, the androgens. Luckily, there are treatments and lifestyle measures that can be taken to limit hair growth and make it less obvious. Before making any sudden decisions regarding eating or taking supplements, it is important to consult a physician to confirm that the measures will not be harmful.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Avoiding Excess Body Hair
Step 1. Eat a healthy diet and be physically active
Both measures cut a few pounds from the body, decreasing levels of androgen hormones and hair. Eat a balanced diet and try to perform at least half an hour of exercise for three to four days a week, losing weight in a healthy way.
- Remember that it is important to see your doctor before suddenly changing your diet so as not to harm your health.
- Prioritize lean proteins such as chicken and tofu, whole grains and fruits and vegetables.
- Stay away from processed foods and sugary drinks like sodas.
Step 2. Drink mint tea
Studies have shown that consumption of this tea decreases the body's level of androgens, which in turn slows down hair development. You can buy brewed tea or mint leaves, which should be soaked in 1 cup of hot water for about three to five minutes, then filtered and removed.
Drink the tea once or twice a day and see if the hair growth is slowing down
Step 3. Eat more soy products
They have phytoestrogens, which act like estrogen; as the excess of body hair can be a consequence of the reduced amount of this hormone, consume edamame and soy hamburger, in addition to drinking soy milk, to increase the levels of estrogen in the body.
Add a soy product to at least one of your daily meals
Step 4. Women can take contraceptives to reduce androgen levels
Oral contraceptives have been shown to slow hair growth throughout the body, as estrogen counteracts androgen in the body. Go to a gynecologist to find out what medication can be taken.
Again, consult a doctor before taking contraceptives as they may not be good for the body
Step 5. At the gynecologist, find out about antiandrogens
These drugs act to reduce the male hormone, reducing hair growth on the body and face. As always, only an expert will be able to confirm that they are completely safe for you.
Antiandrogens can be prescribed for trans women who want to reduce hair growth. Consult a doctor so that he can indicate the best option
Step 6. Vitamin D supplements may also work
Studies indicate that consuming 50,000 IU of vitamin D every two weeks limits hair growth. Ideally, these supplements should be prescribed by a doctor, however. Follow the instructions regarding dosage - from the specialist or from the package insert - so as not to suffer from side effects.
- Some of the side effects of vitamin D supplements are muscle weakness, confusion, severe thirst, nausea, and fatigue.
- Vitamin D can also alter blood glucose levels. Diabetics should not take it under any circumstances if it was not medical advice.
Step 7. Peony supplements can reduce androgens
Used in traditional Chinese medicine, the flower has a reducing action on male hormones; the amount that can be consumed depends on the age, health and other health conditions of the patient. Before anything else, go to the doctor.
Such products are available at nutrition and health food stores and can be purchased on the internet. The doctor will indicate the proper dosage for your case
Method 2 of 3: Removing Body Hair Permanently
Step 1. Give yourself electrolysis to stop the hair from growing
In this procedure, a small needle is placed in a hair follicle, which experiences a small electrical current discharge and is damaged. These treatments are best suited for small areas, but over several sessions, they can also cover larger parts of the skin. Look for qualified specialists in the application of electrolysis to start treatment.
- An electrolysis session can cost from R$100 to R$300 per hour, and depending on the case, 8 to 12 treatments are needed for the hair to stop growing completely.
- The skin may be swollen and tender after the procedure, but it should get better after two or three days. Aftershave lotions can relieve irritation and prevent skin dryness.
- People with hormonal disturbances such as hirsutism or polycystic ovary syndrome may even notice a better start, but stopping treatment may cause hair to re-appear.
Step 2. Perform laser hair removal
It is far less painful and cheaper than electrolysis; although faster, hair may grow between each treatment. Overall, four to six treatments, every two to three weeks, provide remarkable and lasting results. Look for dermatologists and clinics specializing in laser hair removal.
- The average cost of a session varies between R$ 200 and R$ 400, requiring four to six treatments to remove 80% of hair from the chosen region.
- During treatment, the body's natural production of hair decreases, but there may be side effects such as dry, irritated or painful skin. Still, most of them disappear without any intervention after a few days.
- Although it is possible to stop hair growth in certain areas using the laser method, they can grow back when you stop the treatment.
Step 3. Apply an eflornithine cream (Vaniqa)
This compound blocks the production of a natural enzyme in the skin, slowing down hair growth; they will still emerge, but slowly and perhaps lighter and thinner. Continuous application makes hair reduction great.
- The cream costs around R$ 600 and can only be purchased with a medical prescription.
- Some of the possible side effects are: redness, rash, headache, and burning or itchy skin.
Method 3 of 3: Limiting Body Hair Growth
Step 1. Shave your hair to get rid of it for a while
This is the simplest method for those who don't want to worry about wires; there is a myth that this causes them to grow back even faster and thicker, but there are no scientific facts to support this thesis. Apply shaving cream to the spot and use special razors to shave the body, minimizing the chance of skin irritation. Movement should be in the direction of hair growth to facilitate removal and lessen the risk of cutting yourself.
- By shaving a region of the body, you buy time to decide what other method you can use to limit hair growth and, for the next few days, be calm about the appearance of hair.
- Scraping can cause ingrown hairs. To avoid this, massage the area with soap or a cleanser before shaving or shaving, so that the hair comes out of the follicle.
Step 2. Get waxed to remove hairs and slow down hair growth
Waxing can be quite painful, but it works very well both for getting rid of hair that has already grown and for retarding growth. This is because the hairs are removed at the root, causing them to grow thinner, smaller and slower. You can try applying the wax yourself or go to a beauty salon to have a specialist perform the procedure.
- At home, it is recommended to buy wax based on aloe vera or rosehip for more sensitive areas, such as the face, armpits and groin area. For legs, back, chest and arms, you can use coconut wax.
- There is also microwave wax, which is heated and placed on depilatory sheets, available in most supermarkets. There may be products in which the wax is already “glued” to the sheet, just being heated.
- Get a hair removal once every two weeks for best results.
- Avoid shaving broken, cut, infected or pimpled skin. Wait until she recovers.
- Black-skinned people may suffer from discoloration after waxing.
Step 3. Pluck hairs with tweezers
They are very useful for removing “loose” hairs that have grown on their own in certain parts of the body. This can also be done in beauty salons or even with cosmetologists for better results. When you pull the hair out by the root, the growth will slow down all over the body.
Removing them with tweezers can be painful and cause skin irritation
Step 4. Apply depilatory creams to “dissolve” the hair on the skin, leaving it smaller and thinner
Although they grow faster than after epilation, the hair can get thinner and smaller, due to the chemical components and the bleaching property of these products. Follow the instructions that come with the cream to remove body hair.
- This method is much less painful than waxing and there is no risk of causing skin irritation when shaving.
- Look for Depiroll, Depil Homme and Veet depilatory creams. They can be found in supermarkets, pharmacies and perfumeries.
- Look for a cream specifically aimed at certain parts of the body, such as the face, bikini line and legs.
Step 5. Discolor body hair to make it thinner and less visible
However, use a body hair product that matches your hair and skin type. Mix the ingredients and apply the solution as indicated in the instructions; the strands should acquire a lighter color so that they are not so apparent.
- The process may cause a little sting when the product is in contact with the skin, causing irritation. Use a moisturizing lotion for a few days to relieve discomfort.
- Concentrate on applying the dye over the spots where the strands are darker, such as on your legs and forearms.
- Do not take hot baths after bleaching the hair so as not to overdry the skin.