Turmeric is one of the most essential herbs that has long been used in home remedies for various purposes ranging from the treatment of medical conditions like arthritis to cosmetic concerns like dull skin.
Also, do you know that herbs were used in ancient times to deal with excessive facial hair and turmeric was the top herb when it came to controlling hair growth? With the invention of more effective methods, turmeric became a part of the past.
However, women in some parts of the world like India still use it to get rid of unwanted hair [1]. Now, you will wonder, if it really works, how it works, and how to use it.
Well, let us answer it all for you in this article dedicated to turmeric for hair removal.
9 Frequently Asked Questions Related to Turmeric for Hair Removal
We chose the 9 most asked questions related to turmeric for hair removal. Let us discuss all in detail one by one.
1. Can You Use Turmeric for Hair Removal at Home?
Yes, you can use turmeric for hair removal at home. Actually, it is one of the spices and herbs that has been used for reducing hair regrowth and slowing the rate of unwanted hair growth on the face and body.
One of the major components of turmeric is curcumin, a naturally occurring chemical that has been advocated to slow down unwanted hair growth in some studies. It does so by weakening the hair roots and making hair removal easier.
A study published in ELSEVIER demonstrated the effect of curcumin essential oil in slowing reducing unwanted hair and lighting the skin in the axilla [2]. Thus, it is clear that you can use it on your unwanted hair with no worries.
Furthermore, it offers several other health benefits as mentioned in 20 Benefits of Turmeric: For Skin, Hair, and More.
2. How to Use Turmeric for Hair Removal?
There are several methods of using turmeric on your body and face for hair removal. You can use both turmeric essential oil and DIY masks for removing facial hair. Here are the 3 turmeric hair removal masks.
- Mask No. 1: Take 1 tablespoon of turmeric, add 2 tablespoons of chickpea flour, 3 tablespoons of milk or curd, and half a tablespoon of honey to make a uniform mixture.
- Mask No. 2: Take 1 tablespoon of turmeric and add equal amounts of aloe vera gel and rose water to make a paste.
- Mask No. 3: Take 1 tablespoon of turmeric and add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk or curd in it. Mix it well and your DIY hair removal mask is ready.
Once you are done making the facial masks, follow these steps to remove the unwanted hair.
- Wash the treatment area like the face, legs, or arms thoroughly to remove makeup, dirt, oils, and other impurities.
- Let the treatment area air dry.
- Use a facial mask spatula or brush to cover the desired area having unwanted hair with turmeric paste.
- Wait for the paste to dry.
- Damp your fingers and rub the mask on the skin in circular motions.
- The hair will come out.
- Once the mask is removed, rinse the treatment area with lukewarm water.
- Repeat this procedure every week to reduce hair growth in the long run.
3. What are the Benefits of Turmeric for Hair Removal?
Let us talk about some reasons why you should use turmeric for hair removal.
- It helps in opening the hair follicles and removing hair from them gently.
- Turmeric is a natural antimicrobial that can reduce the risk of acne by killing bacteria and cleansing your skin.
- It adds a healthy glow to the skin after hair removal.
- In addition to the hair, turmeric removes uneven areas of hyperpigmentation on the skin.
- Turmeric is an inexpensive home remedy for hair removal.
4. How Many Days Does Turmeric Take to Remove Hair?
Turmeric takes almost 20 minutes to dry completely and 5 more minutes for you to rub and remove it.
You need to apply a turmeric mask on your body/face every day or on alternate days for it to be effective in removing unwanted hair. Although useful, turmeric does not provide super fast results.
Application of turmeric on the face for approximately 3 months is required to reduce hair regrowth significantly. Even after achieving the desired results, you need to keep applying it for maintenance of the results. During this time, you can reduce the frequency of using turmeric.
5. Does Turmeric Remove Hair Permanently on the Body and Face?
Turmeric removes the hair from the roots by pulling them out mechanically. It offers results lasting for a few days and gradually reduces hair growth as well. However, it cannot be the permanent solution to unwanted hair removal.
Women who use it every day for years might assume that turmeric works for permanent hair removal. But in such cases, removing hair every day is not equal to permanent hair removal.
Therefore, you can expect turmeric to remove unwanted hair from your face or body for the time being and not permanently.
6. What are the Turmeric Hair Removal Before and After Results?
First of all, you should be aware of the fact that one hair removal method might work for some women while it won’t be as effective for others. Moreover, consistency and patience are essential to see results with DIY masks for hair removal.
Let us talk about some before and after results of turmeric here.
The picture given above shows the results of turmeric hair removal on the face of a beauty influencer Tanya Chuadary belonging to India. Many women from other parts of the world have seen similar results as well.
Another Indian YouTuber applied Turmeric paste on her upper lips and you can see that most of the hair is removed while leaving some strands behind.
Thus, the results of turmeric for facial or body hair removal are variable.
7. What are the disadvantages of Turmeric for Hair Removal?
The disadvantages of using turmeric on the skin are given.
- Some people might be allergic to turmeric and topical application of turmeric can aggravate itching and skin redness.
- It might not be effective in removing coarse and thick hair from the body.
- Turmeric can leave a hard-to-remove yellowish tinge on the skin and it can be embarrassing if turmeric is applied on the face.
- It also has a distinctive smell that feels pleasing to a few people. But it is irritating to most women.
8. Which is the Best Turmeric for Hair Removal?
The best turmeric for facial hair removal is the authentic one. Turmeric powder is easily available in grocery stores. You only have to pay attention to see if it is pure turmeric or contains any additives.
Also, the purest and most organic form of turmeric is often found in an Indian or Middle Eastern grocery store as turmeric is a basic part of their cuisine.
Additionally, you can buy turmeric in raw form and make powder from it by yourself. Lastly, curcumin oil which is an extract of turmeric is also effective for hair removal.
9. What is the Better Alternative to Turmeric for Hair Removal?
As you can see turmeric is not the best choice when it comes to removing unwanted hair at home. It is time-consuming, daily application can irritate and stain the skin, and you cannot give it up even after the hair growth is reduced.
That is why, let us introduce a hair removal method that does not require high maintenance, the . Moreover, its treatment is not time-consuming or harsh on the skin.
You only need to use it 2 to 3 times a week for 4 to 10 weeks, depending upon the thickness, density, and rate of hair growth. In approximately 2 months, most of your unwanted hair will be gone.
Moreover, its results last for many months, and follow-up treatments are also feasible.
Conclusion
Turmeric can be used for hair removal and reducing the rate of hair regrowth. You can make a variety of turmeric masks to acquire hair-free and glowing skin. But always remember that you have to use turmeric for months or years for the desired results.
Therefore, using IPL hair removal might serve as a better option. Lastly, if you are still confused about which hair removal method you should try, check out How to Choose the Right Hair Removal Method for Your Body.
Reference:
- Chapter 13 Turmeric, the Golden Spice. Sahdeo Prasad and Bharat B. Aggarwal. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92752/
- Curcuma aeruginosa Roxb. essential oil slows hair growth and lightens skin in axillae; a randomized, double-blinded trial. Jukkarin Srivilai, Preeyawass Phimnuan, Jirap*rn Jaisabai a, Nantakarn Luangtoomma a, Neti Waranuch b, Nantaka Khorana, Wudtichai Wisuitiprot. 15 February 2017. Phytomedicine. ELSEVIER. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0944711316302549
