Products promise to slow facial hair growth

Nov 2007

Some things in life are unavoidable. Some are nuisances. Shaving is both.

If the average man spends 5 minutes each day shaving from the time he is 18, he will spend about 10 weeks of his lifetime in front of a mirror with razor in hand.

Several companies have found ways to postpone the unfortunate but inevitable growth of facial hair.

Skin-care products have bombarded the market in recent years, promising the business-savvy a break from the monotony of shaving.

Clarins 'Men Skin Difference', Origins for Men 'Fire Fighter Plus' and Clinique Skin Supplies for Men: Post-Shave Soother Beard Control Formula all promise to slow the growth of facial hair.

These products have been proven to delay the growth of hair, pushing the "5 o'clock shadow" back until nearly midnight for some.

Users of Clarins 'Men Skin Difference,' which promises to improve skin texture, say they have fewer ingrown hairs after using the product.

For men with thick beard growth, laser hair removal is an option.

"Most people [who use hair removal products] end up deciding to use the laser hair removal to permanently get rid of the hair, rather than just to slow down its growth," Jerry Aronberg, dermatologist, said.

Manufacturers state that the key ingredients in hair retardants are plant extracts that interfere with growth in the follicles that produce facial hair.

One such plant extract, saw palmetto, has been used for years to facilitate a thick growth of head hair. When applied to the face, it inhibits enzymes responsible for regulating hair growth.

Alex Khadavi is a board-certified dermatologist and CEO of Advanced Skin and Hair, Inc. Khadavi also developed Revivogen, an anti-DHT solution for the treatment of hair loss.

"In people with hereditary hair loss, the hair follicles are sensitive to a normal body hormone called DHT," Khadavi said.

Khadavi explained that the growth of head and facial hair work in opposite ways.

"Anything that helps grow the scalp hair also slows the growth of body hair," Khadavi said.

Vaniqa is the only hair retardant prescription medication available to-date. Applied as a cream, Vaniqa is often used by women to remove unwanted facial hair.

Men have experienced patchy beard re-growth after using Vaniqa, but many experts still recommend hair treatment products as an alternative to expensive laser hair removal.