Outworking the Challenges of Menopause

One of the funny anecdotes about menopause is it’s the period of sequential hermaphroditism for women. It must be that biological phenomenon, for how else would you explain the cessation of monthly periods, increased facial hair, and the lowering of the voice?

However, humor aside, menopause is a different biological occurrence, and it is a serious matter. Therefore, it helps to be armed with the right information to understand the changes it brings. For instance, when it comes to the concern about increased facial hair when hair seems to be thinning everywhere else, women should know that it’s all about the intricate workings of the hormones.

Hormones and Facial Hair During Menopause

As estrogen levels decrease during menopause, testosterone somehow takes over. The small amount of testosterone that women naturally have in their bodies does not get affected, and it manages to turn into dihydrotestosterone.

Dihydrotestosterone or DH is responsible for the coarser and darker facial hair in a male-pattern distribution (upper lip, chin, and jawline) in menopausal women.

The Nuisance that is Menopause Scruff

There’s no denying that facial hair is not something to be happy about. Women, understandably, would not want to suddenly have masculine features — especially those who have long been committed to a beauty routine.

Also, the need to get rid of the scruff is undoubtedly time-consuming. It’s another step for personal maintenance, which needs to be done every day because the growth is evident every morning.

Hair Removal Solutions

To get rid of unsightly facial hair, there are different solutions available to consider. For those who do not mind the daily maintenance, the hair removal solutions to try are:

• Shaving
• Depilatory creams

These hair banishing systems can get rid of hair above the skin. Both are effective; however, they can cause skin irritation that gets aggravated as you continue to shave or use a depilatory cream on a daily basis.

Meanwhile, for those who prefer a rest period before the reappearance of new facial hair, the options are:

• Plucking
• Threading
• Waxing
• Laser hair removal

These hair removal solutions pull hair from the roots. Therefore, it takes a few days to about a week before regrowth takes place.

However, for those who want to banish the dark facial hair associated with menopause permanently, electrolysis is the only solution.

Electrolysis or Permanent Hair Removal Basics

If you are unfamiliar with the term and the procedure, below is a detailed discussion on the pros and cons of electrolysis.

Pros

Permanent hair removal is an excellent idea if you are tired of the frequent upkeep required to prevent you from turning into a bearded lady. Electrolysis hair removal ensures that, after a number of sessions, you no longer have to worry about hair sprouting on your face.

Electrolysis destroys hair from the roots and also the roots themselves so hair will not grow anymore. When you have completed the required sessions, you will get hair-free and smooth skin on your chin, jawline, and upper lip.

Cons

Of course, electrolysis as a hair removal treatment costs way more than other solutions. There is also a bit of discomfort that comes with it, and the healing time between sessions is roughly about three weeks.

Electrolysis also takes quite a while to complete as the procedure and a number of sessions depend on the amount of hair that needs to be removed and from which parts of the body. But for your convenience and the health of your skin, the amount you will spend and the waiting period are definitely worth it.

Turn to the Best When It Comes to Permanent Facial Hair Removal

If you are sold to the idea of permanent hair removal, make sure to find a reputable hair removal center with highly trained electrologists. In the hands of trained experts, you can rest assured that you will not get overtreated.

Before performing the procedure, a consultant will study the coarseness of your hair, and other biological factors. Doing this enables them to accurately determine the appropriate intensity to use per session, as well as how many sessions you will need for the entire treatment.

The electrolysis machine is a vital consideration as well. You want to make sure that the establishment uses the latest technology for electrolysis. Why? Because it is more time-efficient and can reduce the discomfort of the treatment by as much as 50 percent.

And lastly, the establishment should include after-care for the electrolysis program.

Cataphoresis or a post-depilation treatment should be provided to disinfect the treated area, tighten the pores, and reduce redness and swelling.