How to get rid of unwanted hair naturally

In both men and women, one of the most classic and well-known hair removal methods is shaving. Surveys have shown that 93-99% of women shave their body hair regularly.

Around 93-99% of women shave their body hair on a regular basis.

Shaving involves slicing the hair down to the skin level, using a razor or bladed implement. You can shave across the body using a shaving gel or cream to keep the skin moisturised.

It’s a cheap, easy and quick way to remove unwanted hair. However, if you have sensitive skin or you do it incorrectly, it can cause irritation and injury. Shaving your pubic hair can also increase your risk of getting an infection if not done carefully.

Two similar hair removal methods are plucking & threading. Plucking involves individually pulling hairs using tweezers. Threading is similar but plucks the hairs using a twisted cotton thread. They are best for small areas of hair such as your eyebrows or those pesky stray hairs across the body.

Similarly to shaving, they are cheap and easy ways to remove hair. However, for some, it is painful and can irritate the skin - especially around the eye area. They are also not preferred methods for large areas of body hair like on your legs.

Epilators are small devices that you hold in your hand. They work by pulling out multiple hairs from the root.

Epilators can be as painful as waxing. You may want to relax your skin with a hot bath or use numbing cream if you don’t like the sensation. The devices can also be quite expensive. However, they are one of the more reliable methods of long-term hair removal as they target the hair at the root.

Sugar waxing, sometimes known as sugaring, is a more natural alternative to traditional wax strips.

The method originated from Ancient Egyptian techniques. It involves a vegan sugaring paste which is made up of lemon juice, sugar and water. The mixture is rolled onto the skin before being peeled off to remove the hair. You can go to a clinic that specialises in sugar waxing or you can make the mixture yourself and do it at home.

Unlike regular waxing, sugaring is less painful and more gentle on the skin. It also can have some exfoliating benefits, leaving your skin smooth. The mixture is also used at skin temperature, meaning there is no risk of burning.

The main downside, however, is that people who use certain acne treatments are not suitable for sugar waxing until after 1 - 6 months of stopping it.

Pumice is a rock that forms when lava and water mix. They are great exfoliators for dead or dry skin because of their abrasive but gentle texture. But, they are also good for removing hair.

A pumice stone is easy to use and cheap to buy.

1. Start by soaking your skin in warm water.
2. Take the pumice stone and rub it gently across your skin in circular motions.
3. Continue doing so for 2-3 minutes to remove the hair and dead skin.
4. Repeat two or three times a week, allowing for a 1 to 2-day gap between each treatment.
5. Moisturise the area deeply after using a pumice stone.

You should also ensure the stone is clean each time you use it to prevent getting an infection.

A pumice stone isn’t for quick results. It will take days, sometimes weeks, to see improvements in hair growth. It may not also be suitable if you have sensitive skin, as it can cause some redness and irritation.

Home remedies can remove unwanted hair. Before trying any of these, make sure you patch test on a small area of skin before using it, to make sure you are not sensitive to any of the ingredients.

Below are some of the most popular homemade hair removal recipes.

Turmeric

The orange spice has been used for centuries because of its health benefits. For example, turmeric is very good at reducing inflammation. It can also be used to remove hair.

While many hair removal recipes use turmeric, the simplest one uses milk and turmeric.

1. Mix one teaspoon of milk with three teaspoons of turmeric powder until it becomes a thick paste.
2. Spread the paste evenly over the desired area and leave for 20 minutes or until dry.
3. With a clean cloth, wash off the paste using gentle circular movements.

Scrubbing off the paste should take the hair off with it, pulling the hairs out from their roots.

Papaya paste

Papaya can be used as a hair removal ingredient. It contains an enzyme that makes hair follicles weaker. This prevents the follicles from growing back over time.

The recipe contains turmeric powder.

1. Combine 1-2 tablespoons of mashed papaya flesh with half a teaspoon of turmeric powder.
2. Leave for 15 minutes before rinsing with warm water.
3. Repeat 1-2 times per week to see long-term results.

This method is not for instant hair removal, so don’t use it if you need your leg hair gone in a hurry.

Lemon and honey

One of the best ways to remove excess facial hair, which is common for women with hirsutism, is to use lemon and honey. Lemon also helps to lighten and reduce the appearance of hair.

1. Blend four tablespoons of honey with two tablespoons of lemon juice.
2. Using a cotton pad or cotton ball, dab the mixture into the desired areas.
3. Let the mixture sit on your face for 10 minutes.
4. Remove with water and repeat the steps twice a week.

It also makes for a relaxing face mask.

Oats

If you thought porridge oats couldn’t be more versatile, you are wrong. This oat remedy is also perfect for facial hair removal.

The recipe also calls for lemon juice and honey.

1. Mix ½ a tsp of coarsely ground oats with one tablespoon of honey and 6-8 drops of lemon juice.
2. Apply the mixture and leave it on areas of hair growth for 15-20 minutes.
3. To remove, scrub the mixture a few times in a circular motion before rinsing with a warm flannel.

The oats act as a natural exfoliator, which removes dead skin cells and unwanted hair. However, it can dry out your skin so apply a moisturiser after removing the mixture.

Potato and lentils

Another surprising recipe for hair removal is potatoes and lentils. This is because potatoes have bleaching properties, and when combined with lentils, can help pull out the hairs.

1. The night before, soak a cup of lentils in water and leave overnight.
2. Next morning, grind the lentils into a paste.
3. Grate the potato and extract the juices using a spoon or clean cloth.
4. Mix the juice with the lentil paste then add a tablespoon of honey and lemon to it.
5. Apply the paste to the desired areas and leave for 20 minutes.
6. Once it has dried, gently rub the paste into your skin with your fingertips then wash it off.

While having dark or coarse hair is not uncommon for some women, for others it may be a sign of hirsutism. Hirsutism (excessive hair growth) can be a sign of an underlying hormonal imbalance like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). So, it's always worth getting it checked out.

For hirsutism on the face, you can get prescription hair removal cream online here at euroClinix. After completing a quick online consultation, our doctors will review your request. If approved, the treatment will be sent straight to your door.