By Laura
Updated: July 11, 2024
5 minutes
Hair removal methods for thick hair have gained popularity after the increase in hirsutism (thick hair growth in women) has become more common. Hirsutism is the growth of a higher-than-average amount of air on the face and body. This mostly occurs as a result of hormonal imbalance, weight gain, or as one of the many symptoms of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and, of course, family genetics. Due to our skin color and ethnicity, hair can be lighter or darker in color and density. Overall, there are many reasons why hair becomes denser and thicker in various parts of our body.
The maintenance and removal of hair is an important part of our hygiene and it should be done regularly to prevent harmful bacterial growth that can lead to itching and redness. Today, there are various hair removal methods for thick, dark, coarse hair. They all claim to be the best regarding the number of treatments required, their convenience, price, usage, and results, but which is the best? The following are the details of the top 5 methods of thick hair removal that we think work best.
Table of Contents:
- Part 1: IPL Treatment
- Part 2: Laser
- Part 3: Waxing
- Part 4: Sugaring
- Part 5: Electrolysis
- Part 6: FAQs
Part 1: IPL Treatment
IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light, and these devices are used to treat wrinkles, spots, and unwanted hair. The side effects of IPL for thick hair are minimal and mostly include discoloration of the skin, bruising, or swelling. IPL devices emit a concentrated beam of light focused on the hair follicles. This light heats the follicles and stunts the growth, which causes a reduction in the overall density of the hair in that part of the body. IPL works best for thick hair, and might not be as effective for thin hair.
Part 2: Laser
There are many cases where a laser for thick hair works best. Lasers work by emitting a wavelength of light that targets a specific color. The light targets the hair pigment melanin and damages the surrounding tissue, causing a decrease in the density of the hair, or may even permanently remove the hair.
Part 3: Waxing
Waxing is the use of a sticky material like wax that sticks to the skin and, when removed quickly, removes the hair with it. It is painful as each hair is pulled out of the skin. Waxing for thick hair is recommended by many as it is a semi-permanent method and in some cases, the hair may only grow back after 6 to 8 weeks. You may try waxing yourself or go to a waxing parlor for a professional experience. In any case, be prepared for the pain and eat something before your appointment.
Part 4: Sugaring
Sugaring is similar to waxing in that both remove hair by applying some substance and then swiftly remove it. However, sugaring for thick hair and other types differs from waxing because of the direction in which it is pulled. Generally, the sugary substance is applied in the opposite direction of hair growth and then removed in the same direction as hair growth. The sugaring results can last 6 to 8 weeks, much like waxing. Sugaring is also painful.
Part 5: Electrolysis
Electrolysis for thick hair works by individually removing the hair from any part of the body using chemicals or heat energy. The known side effects of electrolysis include a slight redness of the treated part of the body for a short time. Most of the body parts can be treated using electrolysis. For this procedure, you must go to a registered clinic, and your professional will decide what type of electrolysis would work best for you according to your skin color and hair type.
Part 6: FAQs
Can Thick Hair Be Permanently Removed?
Yes, thick hair can be permanently removed, but its removal depends on different factors. If the cause of thick hair is PCOS or a hormonal imbalance, it may be hard to remove the hair permanently, but the density of such hair can be drastically decreased by getting IPL or Laser treatments. If the hair is thick, without the possibility of any underlying imbalance, it can be permanently removed after several IPL or laser treatments. Waxing may also be useful in decreasing the density of thick hair in many cases.
What Is the Best IPL Device for Removing Thick Hair?
The Ulike Air 10 is the best IPL device for removing thick hair, and here is why: This device comes with various settings to cater to almost all types of hair. The Ulike Air 10 allows you to complete a full body treatment in less than 10 minutes. You can expect visible results from the Ulike Air 10 in just 2 weeks. Because of its exclusive ice-cooling technology that reduces the temperature of this IPL device, it is more skin-friendly.
Are There Any Medicines for Thining Thick Hair?
Unfortunately, no medicines work specifically to thin hair that might have become thick because of PCOS, hormonal imbalance, or any other underlying issue. In most cases, decreasing the severity of hormonal imbalance via decreasing weight and exercising has decreased the number of hairs. A few people also recommend religiously drinking spearmint tea to reverse the signs of hirsutism.
Conclusion
In conclusion, thick hair removal is a problem that cannot be solved by medications; it can only be solved through hair removal methods. IPL treatment, Laser treatment, waxing, sugaring, and electrolysis are the top 5 methods for removing thick hair from any part of the face and body. Before choosing any of these methods for your thick hair, we suggest scheduling an appointment with a dermatologist and getting their opinion because a few of these hair removal methods can cause discoloration. We wish you all the best on your journey to hairlessness!
