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Hafs (London, UK) on 07/12/2009
5 out of 5 stars

getting rid of excessive bodily hair: I found by using a good quality epilator on my body in 2 years I have almost totally eradicated my hair on arms and legs .I looked like a chimp before. My facial growth is really severe for that i've found ground powdered alum mixed with a good quality rose water rubbed on daily after I thread my facial hair. I rubb it in and leave on for about 1 hour reapplying if necessary .(if I don't thread daily I get a beard within 2/3 days) is finally making a difference .Aftr two month I can actually see a difference and now only thread every 2 or 3 days.This is a remedies used in Pakistan , i've seen many totally hairless women who swear by it.Works even on under arms etc. Apparently girls use it from the onset of puberty and within a couple of years are hairless on any part of the body. Best of luck to any one who suffers as I have since my teenage years.

Replied By Kay (The Valley, California) on 07/14/2009

Can you tell us if you made a paste out of the alum and rose water or just put a little alum in the rose water? Some approx. measurements of the ingredients would be very helpful. I'm not sure what you mean by 'reapply if necessary'. What would make it necessary? Thanks so much for sharing your experience, and I'm looking forward to learning more.

Replied By saf (London, UK) on 07/15/2009

Hi, Is Alum an indian spice AKA Fatakdi?? And can I purchase this from an indian grocery shop??? Do you make a paste and leave it on for an hour everyday?

EC: Per Wikipedia: "Alum powder, found in the spice section of many grocery stores, may be used in pickling recipes as a preservative to maintain fruit and vegetable crispness."

Replied By Hafs (London, UK) on 07/17/2009

Yeah that's the stuff, really mix it in the rose water well, powder if necessary. Alum can irritate so if you're sensitive leave for less time but make sure you're rose water is not the cheap grocery shop brand. It works, takes time i've got patches now where hair don't grow and the hair has became really fine in some places.

Replied By Hafs (London, UK) on 07/22/2009

Hi Kay I mix approx 1/2 tspn of ground alum powder with 2-4 tbspns rose water. Mix well till alum dissolves then apply to face with cotton wool or fingers as I do. Leave on for minimum 15 minutes to 1 hour.,or longer,if you're not too sensitive.It's more effective after hair removal when it penetrates the roots.Sometimes it dries powdery on your face within a few minutes then you could re apply it. Be careful of eyebrows or hairline or eye lashes because if it falls on those they'll disappear aswell. Best regards

Replied By Saf (London, Uk) on 08/13/2009

Hi there, I have tried to mix the rose water and alum powder together but the powder does not seem to dissolve at all. The powder sits at the bottom even after I have stirred it for a good few minutes. Any suggestions ??

Replied By Hafs (London, Uk) on 08/18/2009

Hi, I normally keep stirring eventually it dissolves .Otherwise rub into face and keep reapplying rosewater to stop it drying out but this can make your face sensitive and have a caustic effect. As long as you get the alum into your skin so it is absorbed with the rose water it's ok. I often wonder if adding alittle apple cider vinegar (IT MAY HELP TO ABSORB ALUM INTO HAIR FOLLICLES) would speed things up but am reluctant to try since for the first time in my life something is actually working on my hair problem. BEST REGARDS

Replied By Jocelyn (New York, New York, Usa) on 08/26/2009

I live in new york, the only alum powder i found was ammonium alum U.S.P powdered. Is it ok to use this?

Replied By Kelly (Ny, Us) on 08/28/2009

Thank you, for sharing with us all. Can i use the granulated alum ?, i can't find it in powdered form.

Replied By Naj (Birmingham, United Kingdom) on 08/29/2009

Hi, im so glad that other people have been in this position. having facil hair is affecting me really bad i feel really down al the time. i have brought that alum powder and some rose water, it's not the very cheap usual rose water but not the very expensive one either.

can i apply the paste directly onto my face where i want to remove hair from without doing anything else before such as threading? im a bit cautious to thread or wax etc from stories ive heard.

will it work the same if i dont thread and just directly apply the paste??

thanks

Replied By Phyl (Ocklawaha, Fl) on 08/29/2009

Where do I buy rose water? Looked today but I could not find it at different stores

EC: We've seen rose water sold in all Indian, Middle Eastern, and international grocery stores. Very cheap item! Otherwise, check Google or Amazon: http://www.google.com/products?q=rose+water&hl=en&aq=f

Replied By Tracey (Gainesville, Fl) on 08/31/2009

what is threading?

EC: From: http://hairremoval.about.com/od/threading/f/facialthreading.htm

"Facial hair threading, a technique using a string to remove hair passed down through generations in eastern countries is becoming extremely popular here for many reasons, like being chemical-free and gentle to the skin."

"The process uses a cotton string using a twisting motion, to trap hair in a mini lasso that pulls up each hair right out of the follicle as it passes along the skin."

Replied By Hafs (London, Uk) on 09/01/2009

Hi, you don't have to remove all the hair beforehand it still works but i'm told it's a little slower.

I got alum as crystalls just grind them to a fine powder using a coffee grinder or soice grinder. If you get alum as a rock do the same. Break down to small pieces using a hammer then grind.

Replied By Leah (Nyc, NY) on 09/02/2009

And then after the 15 minutes to 1 hour, you wash it off with tap water? Thanks!

Replied By Leah (Nyc, NY) on 09/02/2009

Hi, I couldn't find alum powder, but I read that it's used in pickling. So I went into a spice store and I asked for fatakdi. He didn't know what it was. So I said, it's from India and it's used for pickling. So he gave me a yellow powder which looks like turmeric and he said it's called tourshi.

Does this sound like it's the same stuff? Is alum a mustard-yellow color?

What do you do after the 15 minutes, wash it off with water?

Thanks,
Leah

EC: Looks like Tourshi is an Armenian pickle dish! Here's a recipe: http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1636,153174-242193,00.html

Replied By Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca) on 09/02/2009

Hi Leah, We found ours in an East Indian food store. It came in large chunks and is clear so we just used a mortar and pestle and crushed it. Try going there because you can also find rose water there at a very low price. Hope this helps.

Replied By Leah (Nyc, Nyc) on 09/02/2009

LOL! Oh boy, I've been rubbing my legs with an Armenian pickle dish. YIKES!

EC: Hilarious!!

Replied By Leah (Nyc, Nyc) on 09/06/2009

Thank you very much, Lisa.

Replied By Leah (Nyc, Nyc) on 09/06/2009

CAUTION: I just found this:

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/archive/index.php/t-228711.html

Apparently alum powder is a dangerous substance. Can someone (like Ted) please comment on this? Today I was given crystals that I ground by hand into powder and now I don't know if I want to keep it around.....

Thanks,
Leah

Replied By Sheryl (California, Us) on 09/11/2009

So once you use it and see effects, do you have to use it all your life or stop when you achieve what you want? Thanx

Replied By Saima (London, UK) on 09/17/2009

saima78627 // @ // hotmail.co.uk is my email. Hafs could u please tell me which type of rosewater maybe brand name or where to buy. i do know that grocery shops one is not recommended

Replied By Kvt (Palo Alto, Usa) on 09/22/2009

Hafs, are you still noticing improvements with the facial hair? How long was it before you saw hairless patches?

Replied By -eaasdd (Bristol, Uk) on 01/12/2010

how often do you have to apply it ? everyday ?

Replied By Katya (Chandigarh, India) on 07/26/2010

Hey HAFS. . . . I just want to know- is this alum rose water mixture helpful for body hair and for how long do we have to use it? Do we have to use it life long?

Replied By C (Calgary, Alberta) on 08/03/2010

Does anyone know if this alum is the same that is sold as a natural deodorant stick? I would imagine it is but I want to make sure before I go out and buy it. There are no Indian stores where I live.

Replied By R (Pune, India) on 09/17/2010

Are there any side effects of using alum and rose water? I am 25 years old and had very fine facial hair and after getting laser treatment from kaya, the hair have become darker and more visible. I have already had 15 sittings for laser. But the situation is not improved. (Also all the harmonal tests are normal). I am to get married soon. I dont know what to do??? Can someone please help!!!!!

Replied By Nausheen (Ad Doha, Qatar) on 02/28/2011

Hey I was just wondering if alum is called fitakri in hindi ? also can I use it on my face? is it necessary to shave before using it?

Replied By Butterfly (Singapore) on 03/07/2011

Yes, alum is called fitkari in hindi. You can use it on your face to keep away pimples.

Replied By American Ed (Silver Spring, Md) on 04/12/2011

Third world countries have often used remedies that are dangerous. Due to the lack of medical access, extreme poverty, and the absence of social programs and agencies that protect people from toxic substances; home remedies have evolved that while they may work in some cases, they also have lethal or serious side effects. One recurring problem on the internet is the magnitude of misinformation, myths, old wive's tales, ignorance, economic conditions and desperation of persons who will try or believe anything. Alum is toxic and on a continued basis accumulates in the body.

threading and epilation are just fancy tweezing methods. The hair is ripped from the follicle causing damage each time. If this cycle is repeated often enough to the same hair follicle(this is the trick-more than one follicle may grow from a site and hair must be in the active phase to be effectively destroyed so multiple rounds will be required to destroy it. )regrowth will be inhibited. Women from India and the Middle East are very hairy-it is genetic. North Americans are next in terms of body hair, while sub-saharan Africans and persons from the Orient(Chinese, Japanese, Thailand etc. have the least amount of facial and body hair. Of course many people are a mixture of different ethnicities and reflect the combination of genes in regards to amount of hair. Women with serious excess should have medical evaluations done and the next groups for whom it is genetic, familial or socially undesirable (fashion has now decided that hair anywhere is to be removed) have a variety of methods. The only permanent method in the hands of a trained and capable operator is electrolysis. All other methods- laser, even waxing of large areas, threading, are temporary.

Laser does not work on light -colored hair or grey hair and special lasers afre required if you have pigmented skin and dark hair. All of these methods are expensive and time-consuming. If you wax, shave, pluck, tweeze, epilate or remove hair forcibly from the follicle, you need to exfoliate to prevent ingrown hairs especially if you have thick hair, textured hair or curly hair.

One problem with laser removal is that it can stimulate hair that might never become a problem. It will make these hair darker and coarser and it will appear that the laser it not working when it in effect is causing other hair to grow and thicken. We have millions of hairs and most of it will not grow to any visible degree unless stimulated-you can see this when you take a cast off after many weeks. To the woman who grew hair after laser, you probably want to use electrolysis especiall from a person who works on males transitiong to females because these operators are very good at getting at the follicle. If you have been epilating the hair using any of the above-mentioned methods, then electrolysis will take longer.

The other alternative for those who have no real problem but are victims of fashion, maybe it is time to rebel against the imposition of fashion nonsense and simply love ourselves. this does not apply to women who have hirsuitism or real excess that is socially and or psychologically disabling.

One treatment I forgot are creams that are available from your doctor that are effective in inhibiting hair growth. They work, but must be used on a regular basis and if stopped, the hair grows back. It would be a good alternative for some people who do not mind having to use a cream everyday.

Replied By Jan (Australia ) on 07/12/2020
Hi American Ed,

Do you know specifically what creams you can get from the doctor to inhibit hair growth?

Regards,

Jan

Replied By Sunshine77 (Stockton, Ca) on 05/17/2011

Sir, while I understand that much of what you say is true, you have never suffered as a female with excess hair growth. And even after everything you do.... waxing for ten years, laser treatments, etc.. the hair always grows back; nothing works. So this natural remedy may just be a miracle for some of us. I don't know yet as I haven't tried it, but I plan to, and I hope with all my heart that it works because no one, NO ONE, should ever have to feel like this.

Replied By T (Phoenix, Az Usa) on 05/24/2011

I'd love to know just how toxic this alum is. I really want to try it. I've been shaving my face since I was 14 - I am now 32. As mentioned before, and it's totally correct, NO ONE should have to live like this. I have to shave every single morning, and by nighttime I am prickly again. It sucks. Google isn't being too helpful in the possible alum danger department ><

Replied By Ana (Ny) on 07/16/2011

im using alum and rose water for 1 month. I can say its a miracle. When it drys I apply rose water every 5 min so it dosent fall. If u live in usa, u can find alum at any big food store (spice aisle) and im using rose water cortas brand

Replied By K (San Jose, U.s) on 08/04/2011

is this alum and rose water mixture only for facial hair?? I have hair all over, can I use it on my chest area n stomach.... ?? suggest....

Replied By Deepti M (Schaumburg, Il, Usa) on 01/20/2012

As already asked, although ALUM and ROSE WATER and experiences of other with this sounds promising but can anyone (MAYBE TED) please please comment if ALUM is toxic because some sites over the internet have some scary comments on even POTASSIUM ALUM.... Please help as I really want to try this....

I am suffering from excessive hair on face and body from a long time and really getting depressed because of the problem.... All my tests related to my hormones are normal and my mother and father are not hairy at all so I have no idea what's wrong with me.... please help.

Replied By Winnie (Hampshire, Il, Us) on 02/17/2012

To Deepti from Schaumburg - From what I've read, the adverse reactions people had to alum came from either ingesting it, or inhaling the powder, which, like talc, is very fine. When added to the rose water, there is no powder to be inhaled. But, I wouldn't snort it, or sprinkle it on popcorn!

Replied By Dan (S.s., Md.) on 03/09/2012

My wife, who is Filipino, introduced me to Alum. So, if you know of a Filipino grocery store (and there are a few around where I live in Silver Spring, Maryland) you can find it in it's rock, crystalline form..... It looks likke a chunk of ice. It is also called 'TAWAS' in Tagalog (one of the Filipino languages).

I actually used it for a bout of gingivitis..... A mouth wash. Now, my subsequesnt understanding is that there is a DIFFERENCE between the naturally occurring Alum and the synthetic version..... I have no idea, which is which.... Other than I have been getting the natural version from the Filipino grocery. It is also reputed to be good for all types of skin issues.... Like athletes foot. I believe the natural version is Potassium Alum.

If you look closely at the ingredients in a lot of toothpastes, you will see that Alum is often an ingredient. It is also a common ingredient of underarm deodorants.

What I do is mash it with a hammer, put it in a coffee mug of water, about 2 tablespoons (which makes it about a 5-1 mixture) and then HEAT IT UP. Put it in the microwave oven about the same time you would to re-heat a cup of coffee.... It will DISSOLVE, but it has to be hot to do so! ..... then, let it cool down before you apply to your skin (but stir it up each time you use it), or use as a mouth wash.

Now, I used this recipe for the mouth wash.... I don't know what one needs to do for hair removal. My wife tells me that if you use it for your feet, you make a footbath out of it. Fill a large pot/bowl and soak your feet for 20 minutes.... that sort of thing.

Good Luck! ... I sincerely hope some of this helps some one.

Replied By Winnie (Hampshire, Il, Us) on 03/09/2012

in response to Dan from S. S. , Md: Alum will dissolve in hot water as well; but, when cooled, it will reconstitute itself back into crystals, and settle in the bottom of the glass. It's amazing that alum doesn't do that when dissolved in the rose water. I'm thinking the rose water keeps the dissolved solution suspended. When I first stumbled on this post, I wondered "why rose water? what's so magic about that?" But, now, I think this is the reason why: it's a skin-friendly medium where the alum can stay dissolved.

I microwaved the rose water in a pyrex measuring cup, and dissolved the alum in that. I put the solution in a small applicator bottle (I emptied out my 'anti-puff Eye Roller' by ______ which has a steel roller on the top for the applicator. I never realized any benefit from this goofy thing anyway, so I figured I may as well make use of the container. ) This is the perfect solution for small areas such as the face. It's small, convenient and no mess, which is what it needs to be in order for me to keep with the regimen. I either have it handy in my pencil holder at my desk, or in my makeup basket, and use it several times a day. I've just been doing this for the past couple weeks, but can already tell the difference... With no epilator, by the way!

Although not sure, I'm not convinced that it matters if it dries or not - it's still on your skin. I used alum in powder form, from grocery store.

Replied By Deepti M (Schaumburg, Il, usa) on 03/28/2012

Just putting out some more facts about Alum so we all can make some informed choices :

http://chemicaloftheday.squarespace.com/most-controversial/2010/3/8/exposing-more-truths-about-alum.html

Replied By Cath (London, Uk) on 04/25/2012

Hi, I'm wondering if its possible for me to use potassium alum? I have some peach fuzz on my face and upper lip that I would like to go away, how long do you think it will take (I don't want to remove the hairs before using the alum)? Cath

Replied By Nia (Melbourne, Australia) on 10/12/2012

Hi there thanks everyone for this information I just have a few questions about the alum and rosewater mix, Can I use the solid shaving alum? is it the same as the powder? how to I apply it, do I rub it in or leave it on wet?

Replied By Nia (Melbourne, Australia) on 11/02/2012

Hi everyone I have waxed/epilated and then applied shaving alum and rosewater for a few days after I waxed and waited for the hairs to grow back and they grew back exactly the same, not thinner or lesser.

I tried it again for a second time (after a month when the hairs grew back) and saw no difference. I used shaving alum and I dipped it into rosewater and applied it to my skin.

Should I keep trying and just be patient? am I doing something wrong? Please help me

Replied By Cath (London, Uk) on 03/27/2013

Hi, Are you still seeing results from using alum and rose water? Do you need to remove the hair first? Thank you in advance.

Replied By Mounia (Bahrain ) on 04/18/2016

For those who can't find Alum in Indian stores, you may check Arab's shops they call it 'shebba'.

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