From Woman's World · Allison Nemetz · · 2m
5 ways to tackle chin hair after 50
From spearmint tea to laser treatments, dermatologists explain what actually works for unwanted facial hair.
In brief
From spearmint tea to laser treatments, dermatologists explain what actually works for unwanted facial hair. Chin hair worsens with age as estrogen drops, but you have options ranging from cheap DIY fixes to professional treatments like laser or electrolysis. Originally reported by Woman's World.
Why chin hair gets worse with age
As estrogen drops, your adrenal glands and ovaries keep producing androgen hormones that trigger peach fuzz to turn into coarse, dark hairs on your chin and upper lip.
Drink spearmint tea twice daily
A British study found that women with excess androgen hormones who drank spearmint tea twice daily showed significant changes in hormone levels and reported less hair growth.
Check if you're zinc deficient
Women with PCOS who took 50 milligrams of zinc daily for eight weeks experienced six times greater reduction in excess hair growth than those who didn't supplement.
Get zinc from food sources
Oysters pack 50 mg of zinc in just two ounces. Beef, shellfish, pork, beans, nuts and seeds are also good sources. Only use supplements under a doctor's care.
Try cyperus rotundus oil
A small study found this TikTok-famous essential oil reduced hair as much as laser treatments, and worked better on gray hair. But no follow-up studies exist, and consumer versions may be diluted.
Use eflornithine cream
This prescription cream, once sold as expensive Vaniqa, is now available through telehealth providers like Musely and Wisp for thirty to forty-five dollars monthly. It slows hair growth but regrows if you stop.
“It's a great option to slow the rate of hair growth. It's effective.”
Consider laser hair removal
Laser treatments remove many hairs at once and typically require six to eight sessions costing at least fifty dollars each. They work best for light skin and dark hair, but don't work on gray or white hair.
Try electrolysis for permanent results
Electrolysis treats hair follicles one by one and requires a minimum of fifteen to thirty sessions at twenty-five dollars each. It takes longer than laser but works on all hair colors.
Budget-friendly daily options
Shaving, careful tweezing, threading and facial depilatories provide safe and effective daily control if professional treatments are out of reach.
You're not alone in this
Even actress Sandra Bullock deals with chin hair. The good news: you now have multiple strategies to minimize growth, from cheap DIY hacks to professional treatments.
“My sister and I have an agreement. Should one of us be in a coma, the other one has to come to the hospital and always pluck the chin hair.”
The big picture
Chin hair worsens with age as estrogen drops, but you have options ranging from cheap DIY fixes to professional treatments like laser or electrolysis.
