How do I deal with chin hairs?

There are many solutions, The Kit’s editor-at-large says, but the most effective one might surprise you

Now that I’m middle aged (how I hate that term!) I seem to have all kinds of new chin hairs popping up. Am I crazy? My skin is so sensitive that I have just left them alone, for fear of a rash or having more grow as a result, but they really bother me. What should I do? — Joyce, Toronto

I interviewed Gwyneth Paltrow a few years ago in London in a posh hotel suite. She was just as poised as you’d expect, radiating a measured charm that managed to make her seem both appealing and unattainable. Simply put, it’s difficult to feel your best when sitting next to her — more difficult still when you return to your hotel room afterward and notice a giant wiry chin hair had sprung forth, seemingly overnight. Did she notice it? I wondered. (A Goop-acknowledged whisker would surely be the chicest of all facial hairs, though.)

My point? You’re not alone. A friend of mine cringed as she told me how her husband recently reached over to brush what he thought was an errant hair off her neck, before realizing the inch-long follicle was firmly rooted there.

And you’re also most certainly not crazy: These unwelcome errant hairs often crop up with increasing frequency as we approach menopause. “There is a drop in estrogen produced by ovaries around the time of menopause, which leads to bothersome signs and symptoms,” explains Dr. Lindsay Shirreff, who is an obstetrician and gynaecologist in the mature women’s health and menopause clinic at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto.

“Estrogen is usually what contributes to the production of thinner or lighter hair,” Shirreff continues. So as that peters out, it leaves a larger proportion of testosterone in the body.

There are other times when hormonal fluctuations might occur: Your estrogen levels fall right after you have a baby, for instance, and your hormones can become unbalanced for a variety of health reasons. “So before you attribute your hair growth strictly to menopause,” Shirreff cautions, “it’s important to make sure that hair changes aren’t due to medical conditions or medications, so you should see your doctor before seeking any hair removal treatment.”

An endocrinologist should advise you on more complex hormone issues, but Shirreff says they often counsel their patients around hair removal plans, like waxing or laser, once any complicating factors have been ruled out. “And only those women who are bothered by the hair,” adds Shirreff, explaining that many of her patients are so annoyed by hot flashes and night sweats that they are focused on getting those under control before they bother tackling pesky chin hairs.

But as Shirreff mentions, there are as many ways to remove hairs as there are chin hairs themselves. I’ll zero in on a few that I think are most feasible for you, given your history of sensitive skin. Electrolysis is a popular and well-established option, in which each individual hair is zapped to destroy the follicle — the downside is that it requires several sessions and isn’t permanent. Laser, according to most of the dermatologists I’ve spoken with over the years, is a goldstandard hair-removal solution. It is expensive and requires several appointments — but in the hands of a skilled professional, laser will remove most of the hair for good. The main issue, however, for these in-office options is that they don’t address the reality that some chin hairs will likely continue sprouting as you age.

Plucking, of course, is an established option for people who need to occasionally yank out a few errant hairs. But if you’ve ever tried, you know it can be hard to see under your own chin and harder still to make sure you’ve gotten every last one.

So, I’m going to suggest you opt for the most skin-sensitive option: shaving. You don’t need to reach for your husband’s disposable Bic. There are now a range of sleek, big-in-Japan facial razors for women. Some even say it helps exfoliate and leaves glowing skin behind. Sure, hairs will grow back after a few days, but shaving only takes a couple of seconds and could easily be rolled into your regular weekly skin care routine without too much drama.

Alovely friend of mine has been devoted to her cute little razor for ages. “After decades of making appointments at a salon or trying at-home waxes, I realized that shaving is incredibly simple and fuss-free,” she explained. “There’s no mess and no redness after. It’s like a beauty secret men have been hoarding for years.” Send your pressing beauty and fashion questions to Kathryn at ask@thekit.ca