By Andi Douglas, nwaMotherlode.com beauty editor
Dear Andi,
I’ve started developing dark hair on my upper lip! This is so embarrassing and I need help. Any suggestions for the best way to get rid of it?
When I first read this question, I was suspicious that one of my friends sent it in as a hint for me to take a good look at my own upper lip. I’ve had a problem with facial hair since early adulthood, but since Lexi was born have been neglecting my own Fu Manchu mustache. So, if this was a friend, hint taken…if not, then take comfort in the fact that you are not alone!
Other proof that this is a common problem is the multitude of ways to remove unwanted facial hair.
- Shaving: Even though technically you could do this, DON’T. It is too harsh for a woman’s delicate skin and the re-qrowth will be coarse and fast.
- Tweezing: Plucking from an area with tight skin, like your brow bone, is effective, but trying to tweeze from the softer skin around your mouth hurts way worse (trust me) and the softer hair makes it harder to grip.
- Waxing every 4-6 weeks: Even though I have always thought this would be the best method, I have never done it myself. I’ve always been too embarrassed to ask (which is silly) and since I usually run several errands at once, the thought of walking through the store with bright red evidence of my embarrassing problem slapped on my upper lip is more than I can handle.
- Electrolysis: The only hair removal process allowed to make the claim of a permanent solution, electrolysis destroys the hair follicles individually with an electrical current. Youch! Definitely the most costly and it can require several treatments where you’re not allowed to tweeze or wax the remaining hairs while you wait, but the idea of permanent hair free skin is alluring, if you can swing it.
Depilatory cream: This is my preferred method for a couple of reasons. Convenience rules my life and since I usually don’t think about removing my mustache until I’m getting ready to go somewhere nice, being able to take care of it at home in 10 minutes is ideal. Also, I find that when it does start to come back in, the hair is soft and less noticeable, not to mention dealing with it in the privacy of my own bathroom. I use Sally Hansen Crème Hair Remover for Face available at the drugstore. Just apply to a clean face and get dressed. When 8 minutes has passed, gently wipe off with a cotton ball, moving against the hair growth and then rinse off any remaining crème. The kit comes with lotion to apply after you’re done, but your normal moisturizer will work fine. Warning: If you miss any hairs and are tempted to reapply, wait 24 hours to avoid a bright red splotch where the cream was.
Overall, you have a lot of options and a lot of company, when it comes to dealing with hair on your lip. Just another wonderful part of womanhood…seriously, don’t we have enough to deal with already?
Have a question for Andi, beauty blogger and fellow mama? E-mail it to mamas@nwaMotherlode.com. *This post originally published on nwaMotherlode in 2010.
