What would you do if the hair on your face is white and very long

[unclear]

It seems to be growing fast, very fast, some are a 1/8 to 1/2 inche long on my ears also. I am starting to get lesions on my forehead and by my ears. The hair there is very long also, afraid to do much there because of don't want them to go into my ears. I do have them in my right ear lobe hurts bad. I am soaking in eco vie. Now should I use a very easy and gentle wax remover to get the white hairs off my face and chin area. If you try and pluck them they come out very easy, so I know I won't be pulling the skin. Taking my bathes every night. Hair is a bit better, but still I have the fibers now that are the red ones and very nasty. Thanks Unclear

[ladycolorado]

unclear think best thing to soothe the skin after waxing would be aloe gel. well can call me i know some about depilitories as i attended cosmetology school a nosehair trimmer might be okay for the ears. the stricky wax works some, but the hard beeswax pulls more hair i hope when i suggested that it did not hurt you, you have to make sure cool enough and that you lean back with a mirror when doing it. if lean forward hair not to be removed can get in there and make a mess. please call me soon and let me know how doing, if too sick i can talk to hubbie as long as he does not mind. i am going to post on some wax options too if that better here: http://www.1bodycare.com/guide.html . when using wax. make sure skin is pulled TAUT, IN AREA TO BE PULLED AND JUST A SMALL AREA . with hard wax, (like the beeeswax, make sure cools to where still pliant but not burn you) it should be warm. in the case of doing brows, use wax spread in directionh of hair growth when applying to an area must be hard, then uull outer part of brow skin taut towards outside of brow with fingers of left hand. once skin pulled taught, then with right hand, grasp area of wax at outer edge, and pull very quiclkly the area will be red after you can apply withc hazel (preferably pure or other type of skin toner to soothe but do not get in eyes) so to apply hard wax, melt it, let cool until warm and pliant, use a toothpick to apply, to an area about two inches long and an inch wide IN DIRECTION OF HAIR GROWTH , then pull area of skin taut on side will pull, pull hair WITH SKIN TAUT AGAINST THE GRAIN, then apply something like pure witch hazel to soothe or gentle toner. can use an astringent but will burn more. the cheaper witch hazel has some rubbig alcohol in it. you can use the softer wax, but tends to make more of a mess grabs less hair. i somtimes shave face , but with the grain (or with the growth pattern) , not against so i do ot look like fred flintstone. they also have depilitories, but have to do a spot test to see if allergic, usually will advise that on the product if no reaction after twenty four hours then should be okay. this should be for body ot face and a sensitive skin forula be better. sometimes i wonder if more anoying then helpful but i shall try and i am sure some folks can post in this thread too, (LC). p.s. going to see what pages pull up on hair removal subject. but if comes out easy can try the soft wax, you know you body best but make sure put something o to sothe after some other ideas ALOE VERA GEL, gold bond lotion, aveeno lotion. i will reply with page post now hope i am ot a pest, i do care uclear, and sorry if did ot tell morw about pulling skin tight and soothing skin after. i feel like a dork . forgive me.

[ladycolorado]

Hair Removal Methods
From Heather Brannon, MD,
Your Guide to Skin & Beauty.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board
Bleaching, Shaving, Plucking, Waxing, and Sugar Waxing

The desire to remove excess or dark hair usually begins in adolescence and seems to continue until the day we die. Whether it is hair on the face, armpits, legs, bikini line, or other body parts, many women AND men are intent upon having the hair on their scalp be the only visible hair on their bodies. With the emphasis on smooth, hairless skin, it is interesting to note that excess hair, especially in women, is still a taboo subject.

There are many options available to remove unwanted hair, but few options to get rid of hair permanently. The different methods of hair removal from the old stand-by, shaving, to the new treatments, lasers and Vaniqa, are discussed here. Each person should chose a method or combination of methods that works best for them depending on cost, time available, skin type, and the desired hair-free area.

Hair Growth
Understanding how hair grows helps us understand how to keep hair from growing. Each hair is contained in a pilosebaceous unit, which consists of a hair shaft, hair follicle, sebaceous gland, and erector pili muscle. Hair growth and shedding is a continuous cycle through 3 phases. The anagen phase is the growth phase, the catagen phase is a transitional state, and the telogen phase is the resting phase. Hairs spend a variable amount of time in each phase determined by genetics, hormones, and area of the body. Hair in the anagen phase is more susceptible to injury than hair in the telogen phase. All of these factors must be considered when choosing a method of hair removal.

Bleaching
Bleaching is actually not a hair removal method, but rather a way to make the hair less noticeable. This is especially useful for areas that already have thin but dark and therefore noticeable hair like the arms, face, or neck. Bleaching is performed by applying a chemical to the desired area, which removes the pigment from the hair.

Hair Removal with Shaving
Shaving is the most temporary method of hair removal because it merely cuts the hair off at the skin surface. Shaving does not make the hair shaft thicker, darker, or grow faster or slower. However, the short hair shaft may be more noticeable as it grows out because it has a blunt tip instead of the normal tapered tip. Shaving should be done after applying some type of moisturizer to the skin to help the razor glide over the skin, not cut or scrape it. Common moisturizers include water, shaving cream, hair conditioner, or body wash.

Physical Hair Removal
Physically pulling the hair out of the follicle is a common and fairly inexpensive method of hair removal. None of these methods changes the color, texture, or density of the hair. The hair takes longer to grow back because it must grow to the surface of the skin before it is noticed. Because hair grows at different rates, some of the hair that has been physically removed may take more time to grow back in. Repeatedly pulling hair out of the follicle may damage the follicle enough over time to keep it from producing more hair.

Physical Hair Removal - Plucking
Plucking hair with tweezers is an effective way to remove hair but can be very time consuming. The hair shaft must be long enough to grasp with tweezers.

Physical Hair Removal - Waxing
Waxing is an effective method of removing large amounts of hair at one time. In this method wax is warmed to allow it to be spread easily over the skin in the direction of hair growth. The hair becomes embedded in the wax, which cools and firms up grasping the hair. The wax is then quickly pulled off in the opposite direction of the hair growth, pulling the hairs out of the follicles. Cold waxes are available usually attached to strips, which are patted onto the skin. Wax that is still left on the skin must be peeled or scratched off. Caution must be used when heating wax so as not to burn the skin.

Physical Hair Removal - Sugar Waxing
Sugar waxing is a popular form of hair removal that works in the same way traditional waxing does. A thick sugary substance similar to caramel is spread on the skin in the direction of hair growth. The hair becomes embedded in the caramel. A cloth or paper strip is patted onto the caramel and then pulled off quickly in the opposite direction of the hair growth, pulling the hairs out of the follicles. The advantage of this method over traditional waxing is the clean up. The sugar substance is water-soluble and can be removed easier than wax by rinsing with water.

[ladycolorado]

From Heather Brannon, MD,
Your Guide to Skin & Beauty.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board
(Continued from Page 1)
Depilatories, Electrolysis, Laser, and Vaniqa
Hair Removal with Depilatories
Depilatories use a chemical called thioglycolate mixed with sodium hydroxide or calcium hydroxide to literally melt the hair away. Thioglycolate disrupts disulfide bonds, which are chemical bonds that hold skin and hair cells together. The disulfide bonds that hold hair together contain more of the protein cystine than do the disulfide bonds that hold skin cells together. Thioglycolate is more effective on disulfide bonds that contain cystine. The major side effect of a depilatory is skin irritation because the chemical can melt away skin cells.

A depilatory is applied to the area with unwanted hair and left on for 3 to 15 minutes. During this time the chemical dissolves the hair and the resulting jelly-like substance is wiped or washed off after the appropriate time.

The chemical should be tested first on a small skin area at least 48 hours before applying it to a large area. Applying a hydrocortisone cream after hair removal may help decrease irritation.

Hair Removal with Electrolysis
Electrolysis involves inserting a fine needle into the hair follicle and applying an electrical current to the follicle root. This procedure actually burns the hair root theoretically preventing it from producing more hair. Each hair follicle must be treated individually and may take several treatments to destroy the follicle. Electrolysis is a permanent form of hair removal but it has several drawbacks. First, there are no standardized licensing guidelines for electrolysis so finding an experienced, effective technician is difficult requiring talking to clients who have experienced permanent results. Second, this method requires repeated treatments for up to 12 to 18 months. Hair follicles that are in the telogen phase are more difficult to destroy than hair follicles in the anagen phase. Shaving approximately 3 days before an electrolysis treatment ensures that the hairs that are visible are in the anagen phase. Finally, side effects can include pain, infection, keloid formation (for people who are susceptible), hyperpigmentation, or hypopigmentation.

Hair Removal with Laser
Laser treatment of various skin conditions has blossomed, as laser technology has become more understood. Hair removal is a common application of laser technology, but it is not permanent and not for everyone. Lasers work by emitting light at various wavelengths, energy output, and pulse widths. The wavelength used determines the skin structure it will affect such as veins, melanin, or water. Most lasers used for hair removal target melanin and are therefore designed to burn structures that contain melanin. The more melanin, the more damage. It makes sense that laser hair removal works best for light-skinned people with dark hair. As with electrolysis, hair follicles in the anagen phase are more easily destroyed than those in the telogen phase. Therefore, laser treatments for hair removal must be repeated. At this time it appears that laser treatment, while not causing permanent destruction of all hair follicles, does retard the regrowth of new hair.

Hair Removal with Vaniqa
Vaniqa is a prescription-only topical cream that has been FDA-approved for reducing and inhibiting the growth of unwanted facial hair. The active ingredient in Vaniqa is eflornithine hydrochloride, which has been used to treat African sleeping sickness and certain cancers. Vaniqa works by inhibiting an enzyme that is needed for cell reproduction and other cell functions necessary for hair growth. Vaniqa is applied twice a day to areas of unwanted facial hair. Noticeable results are usually observed after 4-8 weeks of therapy. Application must be continued for as long as inhibition of hair growth is desired. Vaniqa continues to reduce facial hair growth for up to 8 weeks after discontinuing treatment.

References for this article.

[Lizette45]

When a boyfriend said something about the hair on my face about 15 years a go-and it was baby fine and I am light skinned-freckles-I decided that it had to go-so ever since then I have shaved my face and ear lobes-it keeps my face looking feminine and from what I know it is a good skin exfoliator. Works for me-no one has made any bad comments since!

[unclear]

Thanks taking the eco vie baths have lesson the hairs it is also because I am very hyper thyroid now and have been since june, did not hear the doctor right, so that makes it more hairy, but it is going away every day, I tape some of it off, but most is falling off from soaking in eco vie. Thanks I have always shave before this, but afraid to leave the pores to open, Thanks UNclear.

[rae]

Originally Posted by unclear

It seems to be growing fast, very fast, some are a 1/8 to 1/2 inche long on my ears also. I am starting to get lesions on my forehead and by my ears. The hair there is very long also, afraid to do much there because of don't want them to go into my ears. I do have them in my right ear lobe hurts bad. I am soaking in eco vie. Now should I use a very easy and gentle wax remover to get the white hairs off my face and chin area. If you try and pluck them they come out very easy, so I know I won't be pulling the skin. Taking my bathes every night. Hair is a bit better, but still I have the fibers now that are the red ones and very nasty. Thanks Unclear

Back when I dealt with this issue (when I was pretty ill), I too had dealt with this. I would use a bikini trimmer to get rid of it. My fear was that I would have to start shaving my face with my husband. Haha That never happened though. I recall when I used that bikini trimmer, the hair that came off of my face was sticky and kind of piled up on the trimmer. Just odd. Gross too. But I'm thankful it is not an issue anymore. (Herbal diet was all it took)...eating right and went from 2 pots of coffee a day down to 2 cups max.

[Kritters]

Sorry...can't resist. I'll burst if I don't write it. I'm so immature.

Buy a red suit and get some reindeer?

I know...corney. gotta laugh sometime.

Kritts

brain fog...going to bed before I say something even worse.

[ladycolorado]

well i did have a few years on depo provera so even a few years before ill the hormones made my have one ugly chin hair and some whiskers on either side of mouth face has some peach fuzz i shave with the grain mach 3 but not against, so i do not have fred flintstone look. change in hormones i guess. but with disease still do this shave under brows too. yep, the ecovie baths kill the adult fibers and even spraying face with spray bottle one fifth ecovie, warm water lills them and spray hands wipe they will come out. but spray the hands to protect them as well, (LC).

[carla]

Your a killer Kritts but you make me laugh .