How to Prevent Unwanted Body Hair Growth

Unwanted hair growth in certain areas can be uncomfortable or embarrassing, but it’s a relatively common issue. Excessive body hair may be caused by genetics or other factors, such as high androgen hormone levels leading to hirsutism. Fortunately, you can try some remedies and lifestyle changes to slow down hair growth and reduce visibility. Before making drastic changes to your diet or taking supplements, consult a doctor to ensure these methods are safe for you.

Follow a healthy diet and exercise routine to lose weight and reduce body hair growth. A balanced diet and regular exercise can help you lose weight, which in turn can lower androgen levels that may be causing excessive hair growth. Aim for a balanced diet and try to exercise 3-4 times a week for at least 30 minutes to maintain healthy weight loss.

• Consult your doctor before making any sudden changes to your diet or lifestyle to ensure safety.
• Focus on lean protein sources like chicken and tofu, whole grains, along with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
• Avoid processed foods and sugary drinks like soda.

Drink peppermint tea. Studies have shown that peppermint tea can lower androgen levels in the body, a factor that can contribute to excessive hair growth. You can purchase peppermint tea or fresh peppermint leaves, steep them in a cup (240 ml) of boiling water for about 3-5 minutes, then strain the leaves and drink.

• Try drinking peppermint tea 1-2 times a day to see if it helps reduce body hair growth.

Eat more soy-based products. Soy contains phytoestrogens that mimic the role of estrogen in the body. Excessive body hair growth can result from low estrogen levels, so incorporating soy-based products like edamame (young soybeans), soy milk, or soy-based sandwiches may help increase estrogen levels.

• Try adding soy products to at least one meal a day.

Take birth control pills to lower androgen levels if you're a woman. Birth control pills, also known as contraceptives, have been shown to reduce body hair growth. Estrogen helps counteract androgen, a hormone responsible for excessive hair growth. If you’re considering birth control pills, consult a doctor for a prescription.

• Don’t take birth control pills without consulting a doctor to ensure they’re safe for you.

Consult your doctor about anti-androgen medication. Anti-androgen medications work by reducing androgen hormone levels, which in turn can reduce facial and body hair growth. Speak to your doctor to determine if anti-androgen drugs are safe and effective for you.

• If you’re a transgender woman, discuss with your doctor whether anti-androgen medications can help reduce body hair growth. The doctor will go over the best options for you.

Take vitamin D supplements. Research has shown that taking 50,000 IU of vitamin D every two weeks may help reduce body hair growth. Talk to your doctor about vitamin D supplements to ensure they’re safe and follow the recommended dosage on the bottle to avoid side effects.

• Side effects of vitamin D supplements include muscle weakness, confusion, extreme thirst, nausea, and fatigue.
• Vitamin D also affects blood sugar levels, so check with your doctor before using, especially if you have diabetes.

Try reducing androgen levels with peony supplement (peony extract). Peony has been used in traditional Chinese medicine and may help lower androgen levels in the body. The appropriate dosage of peony depends on age, health, and other conditions, so it's important to consult with a doctor before use.

• You can purchase peony supplements from health food stores or online, but be sure to consult your doctor for the right dosage.

Shaving for temporary hair removal. Shaving is a simple and effective way to remove body hair. While there are myths that shaving makes hair grow thicker and faster, there's no scientific evidence to support this. Apply shaving cream to the area you wish to shave and use a razor designed for body hair to minimize skin irritation. Shave in the direction of hair growth to cut the hair more easily and reduce the risk of cutting yourself.

• Shaving will reduce the amount of hair on your skin while you wait for other hair removal methods to take effect.
• Shaving can sometimes cause ingrown hairs, but you can prevent this by applying soap or shower gel to your skin before waxing or shaving to help pull the hair from the follicle.

Waxing to remove hair and reduce hair regrowth. Waxing can be painful, but it's an effective method for reducing body hair growth. The hair is removed from the root, meaning it will grow back thinner, lighter, and more slowly. You can purchase wax for at-home hair removal or visit a salon for professional waxing.

• If waxing at home, use hard wax for sensitive areas like the face, underarms, and bikini area. Soft wax can be used on other areas like the legs, back, chest, and arms.
• Wax can be warmed in the microwave, and fabric strips can be purchased from larger stores. You can also buy pre-waxed strips if you prefer not to melt wax yourself.
• Wax every two weeks for best results.
• Do not wax over broken skin. If you have open wounds, acne, or skin infections, wait until the skin has healed.
• Waxing may lead to skin discoloration if you have darker skin.

Plucking hair with tweezers. Use tweezers to remove individual hairs or visit a salon or esthetician for professional hair removal. This method removes hair from the root, slowing hair regrowth and improving the appearance of body hair.

• Plucking can cause pain and skin irritation.

Apply hair removal cream to dissolve and lighten hair. Hair removal creams contain chemicals that break down hair on the skin’s surface. Although hair may grow back a little faster than after waxing, it tends to grow back finer and lighter due to the bleaching effect found in many hair removal products. Follow the instructions on the packaging to remove body hair.

• This method is much less painful than waxing and doesn’t irritate the skin as shaving can.
• Popular hair removal cream brands include Nair, Veet, and Neomen. You can find these creams at department stores or purchase them online.
• You can also buy formulas designed for specific areas of the body, like the face, bikini line, and legs.

Lighten hair for a less visible appearance. Use a specially formulated hair lightening kit designed for body hair, and be sure to select the one that matches your skin tone and hair type. Mix the ingredients and apply the lightening solution as instructed on the packaging to fade the hair color, making it less noticeable.

• The bleach can cause skin irritation when applied but can be alleviated with moisturizing lotion for a few days afterward.
• Focus the bleach on areas with darker hair, such as the arms or legs.
• Avoid hot showers after lightening your hair to prevent skin dryness.

Use electrolysis for permanent hair removal. Electrolysis is a method where a tiny needle is inserted into the hair follicle to destroy it with an electric current, preventing future hair growth. This treatment is typically suitable for small areas but can also be used for larger areas with multiple sessions. Find a skilled practitioner in your area and schedule an appointment to start treatment.

• In the US, a single electrolysis session costs around 50-125 USD per hour, and you may need 8-12 sessions to completely remove the hair.
• The skin may swell and feel sore after the procedure, but this will subside within a few days. Moisturizing lotion can soothe the skin and help prevent dryness.
• If you have hormonal disorders like polycystic ovary syndrome or hirsutism, this method can help, but hair may regrow if you stop treatment.

Laser hair removal as a less painful and more affordable alternative. Laser hair removal is a faster process than electrolysis, but hair can still grow back between sessions. Typically, you will need 4-6 sessions spaced a few weeks apart to see noticeable and long-lasting results. You can search for a dermatologist or skincare specialist who offers laser hair removal services or ask your doctor for a recommendation.

• The average cost of a single laser hair removal session in the US is about 285 USD, and it typically takes 4-6 sessions to remove 80% of the hair.
• During the laser treatment process, your body’s natural hair growth will be reduced, but you may experience side effects like dry skin, skin irritation, or soreness. However, most side effects resolve on their own after a few days.
• Laser hair removal can permanently remove hair from certain areas of the body, but in some cases, hair may regrow after treatment stops.

Apply eflornithine cream to prevent hair growth. Eflornithine is a medication that slows down hair growth by inhibiting the natural enzyme production in the skin that triggers hair growth. This action can result in slower hair growth and cause existing hair to become finer and lighter. Regular use of the cream can reduce the development of body hair.

• Eflornithine cream costs approximately 200 USD and is available only with a prescription.
• Side effects of eflornithine cream include: redness, rash, headaches, skin irritation, or itching.

• Adopting healthy lifestyle changes, such as a balanced diet and regular exercise, can help reduce unwanted body hair and provide additional health benefits.

• Do not use supplements without first consulting with a doctor to ensure safety.