From waxing to electrolysis to threading to shaving and plucking, women have been determined to remove unsightly hair from various areas of their bodies. Now that hair growth inhibitors have hit the market, everyone wonders, How do they work?
The last thing we want is to be 50 years old and shaving our chin hairs. No matter what method we use, it just seems to keep growing back and usually worse than ever.
That’s where hair growth inhibitors become useful.
What is a hair growth inhibitor?
In general, it is a topical treatment used in conjunction with laser hair removal or waxing to slow or inhibit the regrowth of new hair.
It does not remove the hair; you must remove it before applying the inhibitor.
It can come in the form of creams, sprays, gels, foams, or lotions. Some inhibitors have strong chemicals, and some are made with natural ingredients. The best part is that you can use any of them in the privacy of your home.
Hair growth inhibitors are not hard to use. Just a few steps and you are out the door.
The first step requires the use of depilatories, waxing, or laser treatments. These work best because they completely remove the hair and roots.
The inhibitors must be applied right after hair removal to work faster.
To avoid any other reactions, it’s wise not to apply any other ointments or creams to the treated areas.
How Do They Work?
Hair growth inhibitors like Stop Grow work by disrupting the natural hair growth cycle at the follicular level, especially after hair removal methods like waxing, plucking, or threading.
Here’s my answer to the question: how do they work?
Targeting the Anagen (Growth) Phase
Hair grows in cycles:
- Anagen (active growth)
- Catagen (transition)
- Telogen (resting/shedding)
Hair growth inhibitors work best during the anagen phase, when the hair is actively growing and the follicle is most vulnerable. By applying inhibitors right after hair removal (when follicles are empty), the active ingredients penetrate deeper into the follicle.
Disrupting Cellular Signals
Ingredients like Decelerine®, Telocapil®, and Pilisoft™ interfere with the biochemical signals that stimulate hair growth. Specifically, they may:
- Inhibit IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor), a key growth trigger for hair
- Reduce keratinocyte activity in the follicle, slowing hair fiber production
- Inhibit enzymes like tyrosine kinase, which are involved in hair shaft development
The result is fewer, finer, and slower-growing hairs over time.
Softening and Thinning New Growth
These products don’t just slow regrowth – they often change the texture and thickness of new hair, making it:
- Softer
- Finer
- Less pigmented
This makes future hair removal easier and less frequent.
Conditioning the Skin
Most modern hair growth inhibitors also contain soothing agents (like allantoin, aloe, panthenol) that:
- Reduce post-removal redness or inflammation
- Help maintain skin health
- Prevent common issues like ingrown hairs
Results Over Time
You won’t see overnight results. Hair inhibitors work best with consistent use, typically showing noticeable reduction in hair regrowth in 4-8 weeks when applied daily after hair removal.
Summary: How Do They Work?
| Mechanism | Effect |
|---|---|
| Inhibits IGF-1 & hair growth enzymes | Slows regrowth at the follicle source |
| Works best post-waxing/plucking | Allows deep follicle penetration |
| Reduces hair density & thickness | Leads to softer, finer, lighter hair |
| Includes skin-soothing botanicals | Prevents irritation and ingrown hairs |
So while they don’t “permanently” remove hair, hair growth inhibitors like Stop Grow offer a long-term, non-invasive solution to reducing unwanted hair without lasers, harsh chemicals, or shaving every day.
So, Do They Work?
People are usually quick to say hair growth inhibitors do not work when, actually, they just need to ask themselves: how do they work?
Hair growth inhibitors work by making coarse hair finer and finer until it is barely noticeable or even gone completely. It is not an overnight process. But they all require continuous use, sometimes taking a month or so, before any noticeable changes are seen.
In the Wall Street Journal, dermatologists were asked if hair growth inhibitors work, to which they responded that some do actually work.
These same doctors also advised against buying products from sites that did not list the active ingredient in their products. This makes sense considering some do have side effects.
That brings us to the next subject: Price.
How much do Hair Inhibitors cost?
Price is always a determining factor in anything we buy, especially if it means a long-term buying process.
Prices vary with different products. Remember, though, cheaper is not necessarily better.
Do your homework and check the reviews first of any product you are considering purchasing.
What is the best hair growth inhibitor?
Personally, I like the Stop Grow products. The part that appealed to me was the use of natural herbs and plant extracts in the ingredients.
Like many women, I have very sensitive skin. For some other inhibitors, you have to be careful when using some depilatories with the inhibitors because of possible side effects.
Stop Grow has no known side effects because it is all-natural. The reviews for it on Amazon and the official retailer are pretty good, too.
Click here for my full Stop Grow review
How Do Hair Growth Inhibitors Compare to Laser and IPL?
If you’re deciding between topical hair growth inhibitors and more high-tech options like laser or IPL (intense pulsed light), it helps to understand the differences.
Laser and IPL treatments use light energy to damage or destroy the hair follicle, targeting the melanin (pigment) in the hair shaft. Over time, this leads to a significant, long-term reduction in hair regrowth. It sounds good, but in reality, it’s costly, can be painful, and often requires 6 to 8 sessions or more, followed by maintenance treatments.
In contrast, hair growth inhibitors don’t destroy the follicle. Instead, they gradually slow down hair production at the cellular level, especially when applied after waxing or plucking. This makes them an appealing choice for people who want to avoid the risks, expense, or discomfort of laser treatments.
While the results are not truly permanent, they are gentle, safe for all skin tones, and much easier to integrate into your daily skincare routine.
How to Choose the Right Hair Growth Inhibitor for You
Not all hair growth inhibitors are created equal, so choosing the right one depends on your goals, skin type, and preferences. Here’s how to narrow it down:
- Formulation matters: Creams tend to be richer and more hydrating, making them ideal for sensitive areas like the bikini line or underarms. Sprays are great for quick, even application on larger areas like legs or back. Roll-ons offer precision for spot treatments like the face or upper lip.
- Skin sensitivity: If you have easily irritated skin, look for products with soothing ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile, or panthenol. Avoid anything heavily fragranced.
- Ingredients to look for: Clinical-grade actives like Decelerine®, Telocapil®, or Pilisoft™, like in Stop Grow, are more likely to deliver noticeable results in 4-8 weeks. Cheaper products may lack these and produce minimal effects.
- Budget-conscious options: Store-brand or generic inhibitors can still be effective if they contain the right actives. Always compare the cost per ml/oz to assess real value.
Think of a hair inhibitor as part of your long-term routine. If you’re consistent with use, the right product can make a huge difference in how often and how much you need to remove hair.
Natural Alternatives: Do They Work?
For those who prefer a natural approach, a few ingredients are traditionally used to slow down unwanted hair growth, but results may be subtle and take longer to appear.
- Turmeric: Used in South Asian beauty rituals, turmeric pastes are believed to weaken hair follicles when applied regularly. While it may help lighten or thin hair over time, its effects are mild and inconsistent.
- Spearmint tea: Drinking two cups a day may help reduce excess androgen levels, which can contribute to facial hair growth in women, especially in cases of PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome).
- Saw palmetto or soy isoflavones: Found in some herbal supplements, these ingredients may reduce the activity of DHT (a hormone linked to hair growth), though evidence is limited.
While natural remedies are gentle and widely accessible, they typically don’t match the speed or effectiveness of scientifically formulated inhibitors. However, they may offer supportive benefits when used alongside topical products.
Last Updated on July 17, 2025 by Aileen
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