If you’re a woman coping with unwanted facial (or body) hair growth, we feel your pain. While there’s certainly nothing wrong with female hair growth, when you’re trying to get rid of it, it can be an embarrassing and exhausting process. Whether you deal with it via hair removal cream, waxing, or shaving, upkeep can be a hassle, and it can start to effect your self-esteem and confidence. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to combat that undesired hair growth — many of them are a result of simply changing your diet.
What causes female facial hair growth?
- Hirsutism, or excessive hair growth, is caused by a number of factor. This can include:
- PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)
- Insulin resistance
- Menopause
- An imbalance of hormones
How improper diet leads to excessive hair
Beyond these factors, your diet can also be a major source of excessive hair growth. Many processed foods are filled with synthetic vitamins, since natural vitamins are ruined when the food is processed. If you eat too many processed foods or have a diet that’s too high in sugar, carbs, or refined flour. Perhaps start by cutting out the fried foods and junk food.
Reduce the amount of Omega-6 and increasing the amount of Omega-3 in your diet will make a major difference.
Foods to treat hirsutism/excessive hair growth
1. Green Tea
This is an overall miracle drink for so many health issues, including female hair growth. Green tea contains polyphenols, which can reduce hormones leading to hirsutism. It also prevents the action of testosterone. Consider adding a lemon wedge to your tea, as it increases the potency of its benefits.
2. Cinnamon
If your hair growth has been caused by insulin resistance, look no further than cinnamon for a solution. This is a versatile spice to add into meals, drinks, and baked goods. It can increase natural sensitivity to insulin, keeping your blood sugar regulated and keeping sugar cravings to a minimum.
3. Crimini Mushrooms
A vitamin powerhouse (B2, B3, and B5 to be precise) that works to fight against unruly hair that won’t go away. B2 keeps your metallic function and thyroid happy, while B3 regulates blood sugar and B5 promotes weight loss. Just add this ingredient into your weekly diet and experience results.
4. Spearmint
By reducing the amount of free active testosterone in your blood, spearmint helps to keep unwanted hair to a minimum. Consider drinking spearmint tea a couple of times a day, or chewing on leaves to experience benefits.
5. Licorice root
If you’re drinking licorice root tea for hair growth, you might experience it positively impacting other aspects of your health. This root helps to reduce testosterone, and it also contains a compound called glycyrrhizin, which inhibits the production of enzymes required to make testosterone.
6. Skinless chicken
While some of these foods might be tough to work into your daily diet, chicken breast is a fantastic protein source that’s rich in B Vitamins, helping to keep your hormones balanced. Just remember to remove the skin, as it can make your chicken less healthy.
7. Spinach
Eat it raw in a salad or sauté it as a side — spinach is a food that removes excessive hair growth by providing a whopping amount of magnesium. Those deficient in magnesium may also have increased insulin resistance, so by getting your daily fix of magnesium should be easy if you start including spinach in your diet.
8. Lettuce
This low calorie, crunchy food doesn’t have an invasive flavor — it can be added to salads, sandwiches, and more. Romaine lettuce specifically contains the mineral chromium, which helps maintain normal blood glucose levels and stop cravings. It also contains Vitamin C which helps the body absorb chromium. If you eat a lot of processed foods, you probably have a chromium deficiency, so stock up on romaine.
9. Sunflower seeds
As we’ve discussed, magnesium and B vitamins are an effective method of fighting hair growth.Sunflower seeds are high in both. However, they’re also high in fat and calories, so moderation is key when consuming this snack, although they can be easy to binge. Consider eating them roasted with the shell on, or raw and peeled.
10. Apply turmeric powder and sea salt paste
If you find that these foods don’t have an effect on your body when consumed internally, applying a popular home remedy from India can help you naturally remove facial hair. Rub a paste of sea salt and turmeric powder onto the problem areas and leave it on for 20 minutes. You may want to use plastic gloves, as turmeric is known to stain.
