Is That a Caterpillar?
It might look like one, but we are here to tell you that the caterpillar on your forehead is never going to wrap itself in a cocoon and emerge as a beautiful butterfly. It will however repel potential love interests and add to a Neanderthal appearance (let it be known that Foreman is not an advocate of the Neanderthal look), so if that's what you are going for, read no further... just kick back and wait for the next Ice Age. However, if you do not relish your caveman attributes, allow us to offer some advice:
A unibrow or monobrow is known in the medical community as a synophrys, an abundance of hair in between the eyebrows that gives the appearance of one long eyebrow. It is just natural that some genetic lines and ethnic heritages are just more inclined to have more body and facial hair than others, but with regular grooming and maintenance you don't have to live with it.
Shaving & Depilatories
Shaving is not a recommended re-mediation because the maintenance is extremely high and one slip with the razor could leave you with a lopsided brow.
Also, stay away from using depilatories (i.e. Nair). Most depilatories remove hair by using a harsh chemical called calcium thioglycolate, which weakens the hair and causes it to break off where it emerges from the hair follicle. This substance will seriously irritate the sensitive skin on your face and should never be used near the eyes.
Tweezing
Tweezing is the simplest method of elimination. It will be a little more painful because you have to pull each hair one by one, but you can perform this yourself in the comfort of you own bathroom.
Start by getting yourself a nice pair of tweezers
that will get a good grip on the hairs you'll be plucking. Always pluck after a nice warm shower. The warm water will soften the hair and open the pores for easier removal. Before you start, make sure you have a plan for how much hair you will remove because once it’s gone it will take a few weeks to come back (in fact, you may want to seek the help of a professional for your first attempt because maintenance is much easier once you have the proper area defined). Start from the center and work your way outward until you have created the clear separation you wish to achieve.
Follow with cold water to close the pores and dab on some
aftershave balm or other
antiseptic
to cleanse and soothe.
Waxing
Waxing is another popular method of removing unwanted follicles. This technique removes the hair and hair root and is generally longer lasting than plucking. It is also a bit painful, but many hairs can be removed at one time, providing shorter pain duration. We suggest you seek professional help on this one because you don't want to take chances with your face and waxing is very easy to mess up if not performed correctly. If you do not wish to make regular visits for re-waxing you can always maintain the area with plucking after the initial mass removal.
Electrolysis and Laser Removal
Electrolysis and laser hair removal are two more solutions available that will rid you of unwanted hair permanently. They are more costly and may require repeated visits up front, but may be the answer if you're looking for a maintenance-free solution. Consult your local Yellow Pages for a reputable practitioner in your area.
Two brows are better than one!
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