If there is one blemish more than another that gnaws out our very heart
supports and gives a good hard case of nervous chills, it is this. What
woman can look at another so afflicted without a feeling of deep pity?
There is something so masculine and altogether impossible in a bearded
lady, even if she be merely a poor imitation of the real exhibited
thing.
Unless proper means are taken to abolish it, superfluous hair should be
left religiously alone. The more it is pulled out or irritated the
lustier and heartier will be the growth that follows. As for cutting
it--well! who does not know what the result is sure to be? A
challenging Kaiser William mustache, maybe, or perchance a Herr Most
style of hirsute trimmings. In applying creams of any sort to the face,
it is wisdom to leave the upper lip untouched with the cosmetic,
although one may feel perfectly safe in using home-made emollients
which do not contain animal fats. Heat, rubbing and friction are all
conducive to the pests, and such oils and fats as vaseline, glycerin,
olive oil and mutton tallow or suet should never be used. Depilatories
likewise should be shunned. The powdered preparations are usually
composed either of sulphite of arsenic or caustic lime, and merely burn
the hair off to the surface of the skin. It seems quite impossible for
any such powder to kill or dissolve the hair roots without injury. The
sticky plasters, made of galbanum or pitch, and which are known as
"heroic" measures, are equally undesirable, since they are not
permanent cures any more than the depilatory powders. The worst feature
of these cures is that for every hair pulled out or burnt off a coarser
one takes its place, and for every tiny, downy growth a fully developed
hair appears. Of course, the plaster removes this soft lanuginous
growth with the hardier one, and for that reason should be left
severely alone. The tweezers are therefore less objectionable than the
plaster, but this is such a painful way of getting happiness that I
cannot advise it.
There is no doubt but that electrolysis is the best cure. The only
objection to this is that an incompetent operator will cause her patron
considerable pain, and will also be likely to scar the skin. A dainty
little woman who has been an expert in this work for years tells me
that it is not at all necessary for the beauty patient to hold the
little handles--I know not the technical term--of the battery, although
this causes a little more careful work on the part of the operator. At
the same time, it makes the operation less painful, and really not at
all hard to endure. The general desire to have the work done quickly
causes the scars. If the hairs are picked out here and there and not
close together the skin can heal and the rest of the horrors be
destroyed at the next sitting. To remove a very prolific growth several
"seances" will be necessary. But the result will be clear, unscarred
skin, and no future chance of the wee worries coming back to bring
heart-hurts and mental agony.
To those who have any timidity at all about the electric needle, there
is peroxide of hydrogen and diluted ammonia. Use one as a lotion one
night and the other the next. This will often prove a permanent cure,
while a better, less noticeable state is certain. The remedy is one,
however, that will take time and patience. The superfluous hair will
gradually become light-colored and almost white, and the ammonia will,
if used persistently, deaden the growth. Do not expect the bleach to
take effect right away, for it won't. If the skin is at all irritated
rub on pure, thick cream.