We live in a culture where social norms dictate the amount of hair considered 'normal' and it is commonplace that excessive bodily hair can be seen as unattractive. Be it due to your genetic make-up, ethnic heritage or simply because you have more body and facial hair than others, you may be prone to stronger hair growth. One area where unwanted hair tends to flourish is between the eyebrows; this is often referred to as a unibrow or monobrow. Essentially this is an abundance of hair lying between your eyebrows forming one single, continuous eyebrow. If you have decided that your furry friend is more of a foe, then read on to discover how to solve your unibrow.
1. Tweezing or Plucking – This method is often the easiest and you can do it in the comfort of your own home. Depending on the amount of excess hair you have, this method is not advised for your first hair removal session, but it is definitely the best way to maintain your brow and keep it under control. It is a good idea to between other treatments.
2. Waxing or Sugaring – This is the most quick and effective way to remove hair, if not a tad on the painful side, and unless you are a glutton for pain you would be advised to visit a salon to have this treatment performed. The process involves applying hot wax or sugar paste to the desired region and laying a muslin strip over the wax or paste, patting the strip and ripping it off in one quick action. Waxing has become a popular option for many men as it is quick and inexpensive. It does not however offer permanent hair removal.
3. Electrolysis – Electrolysis is likely to offer you permanent hair removal, so in the case of the unibrow it is considered to be the most effective. The process involves a sterilized needle which is inserted into each hair follicle. The hair growth cells are then destroyed as a small electrical current is passed to the base of the hair follicle. This process is carried out by a professional and should render the hair unable to re-grow, however there is no guarantee and effectiveness varies from man to man. For optimal results the treatment will require weekly appointments which can be costly and timely. As electrolysis weakens hairs from the root, growth should eventually be eliminated.
4. Laser Treatment – This involves a laser beam that essentially kills the hair follicles. The results of laser treatment depend on your skin pigmentation and the colour of your hair, i.e. dark hair absorbs the laser energy, so it is easier to treat. This means that you will need to find out if you’re hair type is suitable for this treatment. Laser Treatment is the most costly of hair removal procedures and the number of treatments required will depend on the desired body part, hair density, skin tone, and even sun tan. Consulting with your practitioner or dermatologist first will help you decide if it’s the right course of treatment for you.
Once you have decided on your removal method you will still be required to carry out routine maintenance on your brows. If carried out regularly, this should be a manageable procedure, but if your brows grow out of control again, it is recommended you have them reshaped. The following list will help you prepare for the maintenance tweeze.
1. Plan your route – It is recommended that you decide which hair you want to get rid of before you start hacking away, as you may come to the realisation halfway through that a) you’ve completely destroyed your eyebrows, or b) they are in no way equal proportion. Either situation is not a desirable one to be in, so make sure you plan your pluck!
2. Use an expensive pair of tweezers – Don’t underestimate the importance of using a decent pair of tweezers, take our advice and invest in a good pair. A good set should cost no more than £20 max – an investment that is guaranteed to pay dividends. If your eyebrows grow horizontally outwards then trimming them as well as tweezing would be advised.
3. Get a decent magnifying mirror – Again, this is of the utmost importance. A good magnifying mirror could mean the difference between a wonky brow (which will do no favours for your face) and a perfectly shaped defined brow line. In addition a good magnifying mirror will ensure that you catch every stray hair thus reducing the frequency of when you pluck.
4. Pluck after showering – By plucking after showering you will cause yourself less pain as when skin is hot, it is softer and thus less resilient to the removal of hair.
5. Do NOT over-pluck – This is really a warning more than a tip, either way take note. It just takes one pluck of a clump of hair and boom; you’ll have a zig-zag brow for a week. So remember, pluck one hair at a time, and under no circumstances should you over-pluck. If you do find yourself with the odd bald patch then the best thing to do would be to lightly pencil in the bald patch with an eyebrow pencil (available at your local chemist) of a colour that resembles your eyebrows.
6. Clean up – A quick sweep around the face with an antiseptic wipe will leave the area clean and help to close pores while helping to ensure any stray hairs have been removed from your face. Once you have given your face a little wipe you should (fingers crossed) reveal some furry little beauts!
Good luck!
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