5 Tricks To Keep Hair From Growing Back So Quickly

(For those who want smooth, sexier skin and feel happier when hair-free)

Medically reviewed by Alisha D. BS Pharmacy, PharmD — Written by The HealthJournalist Editorial Team and Mandy French — Updated on June 5, 2025

⚠️Attention

This article might look long and scientific

But don’t worry.

I’ll keep it simple to the point.

Many people ask why body hair exists or why some hair removal methods don't work.

The truth is, MOST PEOPLE DON’T REALLY KNOW HOW HAIR GROWS.

They skip the basics and go straight to treatments.

Learning how hair grows is TOTALLY WORTH IT.

Just spend 2 minutes learning how hair grows. It can SAVE YOU THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS by helping you choose the right treatments.

Be patient and smart!

I'll break it down in a straightforward way so you can actually understand how hair works....easy like eating!

Then, i’ll show you the 5 best solutions to treat unwanted hair.

No time wasted.

Let’s get started!

..............Alisha D

Why do we have so much body hair?

Hair shows where we came from - our bodies still carry TRACES OF APES.

Humans evolved from hairier ancestors. Hair wasn't just for looks. It helped us survive.

One main reason was temperature control.

👉In cold places, body hair helped keep heat in.

👉In hot places, it blocked heat and sunlight.

This helped early humans stay comfortable in changing climates like the African Savanna.

As humans evolved, we lost most of body hair.

Actually, humans still have a lot of hair follicles, about 60 hairs per square centimeter, similar to apes.

But our hairs became smaller, lighter, and much less visible.

This change wasn’t random. It was a SMART TRADE-OFF!!!

Less hair meant SWEAT COULD EVAPORATE FASTER.

This helped the body COOL DOWN and LESS ODOR more easily.

In short, sweating turned out to be a better survival tool (than thick hair), the environment pushed humans to adapt.

Now that we’ve developed clothing and shelter, thick body hair has become less necessary.

But some areas (like underarms, legs, and pubic region) still grow hair.

Actually, they SERVE NO PURPOSE.

It’s all due to HORMONES and GENETICS.

These two factors are the main reason why it's so hard to find a method that removes hair PERMANENTLY.

Androgen (a group sex hormones) are the main culprit behind hair growth

This group includes testosterone and a stronger type called DHT.

These hormones control how human hair grows, especially thicker body hair.

When puberty hits, the body starts making more androgens.

The soft, light hair you had before, called vellus hair or "peach fuzz" starts turning into thick, dark hair.

Androgens tell the hair follicles to grow stronger and bigger hair.

This is why puberty leads to more visible body hair.

In women, androgen levels are lower than men. So the biggest changes usually happen in the armpits and pubic area.

HOWEVER.....if androgen levels in women rise too much, those facial hairs can keep growing and get darker or thicker. This can lead to a condition called hirsutism or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), where women grow hair in areas more typical for male patterns.

Why genetics?

Your genes decide your hair color, texture, growth speed, and thickness.

For example, a gene called MC1R affects how much melanin you have.

(The more melanin, the more effective IPL treatments can be)

Hair texture and thickness are still being studied, but scientists know they come from a mix of many genes, not just one.

Genes also affect hair loss. In androgenetic alopecia (like male or female pattern baldness), the scalp hair follicles are genetically wired to shrink when exposed to certain hormones like androgens.

Why does hair never stop growth?

(Pay close attention to this part. Understand this to choose the right method with long lasting results.)

Hair growth is a simple process. It goes through four stages.

First is anagen phase. This is the growth stage. Hair cells multiply and turn into keratinocytes, which build the hair shaft.

The new hair then pushes out and appears on the surface of your skin.

Anagen phase decides HOW LONG THE HAIR CAN GROW and is the LONGEST ONE.

👉On your head, it lasts for YEARS.

👉On your body, it lasts for WEEKS or MONTHS.

(Remember how long it lasts, it connects to how certain methods do their job)

Next is catagen phase. Hair STOP growing.

The hair follicles SHRINK

And hair growth SLOW.

The hair also separates from the bottom of the hair follicle yet remains in place during its final days of growing.

Then, telogen phase. Hairs DON’T GROW during this phase, but they don’t usually fall out, either.

The hair follicle is INACTIVE, and no hair shaft growth occurs.

Simultaneously, A NEW HAIRS START TO FORM in that follicle

(That’s why unwanted hair ALWAYS COMES BACK because THIS CYCLE NEVER STOPS)

Finally, exogen phase (Anagen restart).

It's essentially an extension of the telogen stage of hair growth.

This is when hair falls out, often while you wash or brush.

At the same time, new hairs are already grown in the same follicles.

SO...

If you want smooth skin, don’t wait for this cycle to end...... It won’t.

👉You’ll need a real solution.

Before we move on, quick reminder of the 4 stages.

Trust me, remembering the right ones will help you choose what works

Which individuals are MORE PRONE to excessive hair growth?

Women of Mediterranean, North America, and Middle Eastern ancestry

These ethnic groups have a higher likelihood of developing hirsutism compared to others, even without an identifiable cause, likely due to genetic predisposition.

Individuals with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS):

It throws off hormone levels, increases androgens, and triggers excess hair growth.

It ruins millions of women in North America.

With today’s tough beauty standards, that takes a real toll on confidence. Most hirsutism cases come from this one condition.

Individuals who are overweight or obese: Being overweight can contribute to increased androgen production, which can worsen hirsutism.

Individuals with certain medical conditions:

Cushing Syndrome: A condition characterized by high levels of cortisol, which can lead to increased hair growth.
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: An inherited condition where adrenal glands produce abnormal levels of certain hormones, including androgens.
Androgen-secreting tumors: Although rare, tumors in the ovaries or adrenal glands can produce excessive androgens, causing rapid onset of hirsutism.
Severe Insulin Resistance: This can lead to hyperandrogenism, potentially contributing to hirsutism.
Thyroid Disorders: In rare instances, imbalances in thyroid hormones can lead to excess hair growth.

Congratulations!🎉🎉Now that you know how hair grows

Below are 5 simple tricks will keep your skin smoother, longer.

#1 is most effective and long lasting result

#2 is safe, affordable, and works surprisingly well.

#3 is the Meta choice for girls with PCOS or hirsutism.

Let’s dive in!

#1. At-Home IPL Hair Removal

IPL doesn’t use a single laser beam.

Instead, it sends out a WIDE RANGE OF LIGHT. That light hits the melanin in your hair, turning into heat.

The heat then WEAKENS OR DAMAGES THE HAIR FOLLICLE, slowing down its ability to grow new hair.

This process is called selective photothermolysis.

IPL isn’t for instant results.

It’s made for long-term hair reduction.

That means THINNER hair, SLOWER growth, and EVENTUALLY ZERO HAIR

Here’s a key thing to remember if you’re thinking about using IPL:

IPL DOESN’T REMOVE HAIR COMPLETELY AFTER ONE SESSION.

Why?

Remember those 4 stages of hair growth?

(+) Anagen (active growth)
(+) Catagen (transition)
(+) Telogen (rest)
(+)Exogen (anagen restart)

This cycle matters.

IPL ONLY WORKS on hairs in the anagen phase, because that’s when the hair is RICH IN MELANIN and most active.

But not all hairs are in that phase at the same time, which is why YOU NEED MULTIPLE SESSIONS.

Each treatment targets a new batch of active hairs.

Depending on the area, a full cycle can take 18 to 24 months.

Stick with it, and most of your unwanted hair will be gone.

After that, just do touch-ups at home to stay smooth and in control. No more full regrowth.

Some people complaint seeing “no result” after 6 weeks doesn't mean the IPL isn’t working.

It just means most of their hairs haven't cycled into the treatable phase yet.

#2. Cyperus rotundus - Hair Growth Inhibitors oil

Cyperus rotundus (CR) essential oil is getting a lot of attention as a natural way to slow down hair growth.

Clinical research by Ghada Farouk Mohammed (2014) shows it may work just as well as laser hair removal.

Even better, it’s effective on white hair, which most light-based treatments can’t handle.

Some of Cyperus rotundus compounds, especially flavonoids, have antiandrogen effects.

(Yep, androgens again - the big reason behind hair growth i talked about earlier.)

Flavonoids SLOW DOWN THE HORMONES (LIKE DHT) that make hair grow thicker and darker.

Moreover, Cyperus rotundus can block the enzyme 5α-reductase, which turns testosterone into DHT. That’s a big deal in fighting hair growth linked to hormone imbalance, like in PCOS or hirsutism.

Bonus: Cyperus rotundus does all this without messing with your body’s overall hormone levels, making it safer than many oral meds.

#3. Hair removal Creams

You’re probably already familiar with this classic method.

It doesn’t give permanent results like at-home IPL,

But lately, it’s become the go-to choice for almost women, especially for bikini, kitty, and butt areas.

Why? Simple:

(+) It works
(+) Saves time
(+) Safe (Yes, safe. it’s 2025. Most creams now have way fewer harsh chemicals)
(+) No burns or ingrown hairs like razors
(+) No stubble or dark spots like trimmers
(+) Some new 👉 natural-based creams include Cyperus Rotundus 👈 can remove hair + keep it from growing back for up to 3 months!

#4. Plucking/Tweezing

Plucking pulls the entire hair out from the root.

That means your body has to rebuild the whole hair from the anagen phase, which takes more time than just trimming the surface.

The hair follicle also enters a resting phase after plucking. It takes a while before it starts growing a new strand.

If you pluck regularly, the follicle can weaken, making the hair grow back slower, finer, or sometimes not at all.

That’s why plucking keeps things smoother for longer.

Plucking hair one by one eats up your time. But hey!

if you still love that method, 👉this tool 👈 makes it way easier

#5. Pro 2 in 1 Body shaver

This Pro 2 in 1 Body shaving tool isn’t the best option for stopping regrowth, but it gets you smooth fast, no ingrowns, no dark spots.

Perfect for vacations or when you're in a rush.

This type of tool uses two heads.

👉One trims longer hair close to the skin.

👉The other smooths out fine hairs for a clean finish.

That combo leaves your skin smoother, and stubble takes longer to come back, no need for a separate trimmer or razor.

Even better, pair it with Cyperus rotundus .

That boost helps slow regrowth and gives even smoother results.

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5 Tricks To Keep Hair From Growing Back So Quickly

Medically reviewed by Alisha D. Sellers, BS Pharmacy, PharmD — Written by The Healthline Editorial Team and Mandy French — Updated on June 5, 2025

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