Archie,

My son has dark unwanted hairs on shoulders, back, arms, legs and forehead. Till now I am giving him gentle body massage alternate days with baby oil before bath. I read somewhere that gramflour+ turmeric powder + rose water will help in reducing the hairs. At the time of birth Ped. adviced its normal and will go on its own. I am doubtful in last 3 weeks there is no progress, I want your opinion before experimenting anything on my baby. He is 25days old today.

Thanks

wishes
dds
archie replied. dear dds,
the query is wonderful and would bring some eastern-western conflicts.

We in India do treatment somewhat like you coated, but as far as our family and friends concerned they do this religiously to baby girl and not so much worried on this aspect when you have a baby boy. I see a sense because these spice treatments can be strong and may be that the lanugo will not only fall but may prevent further hair appearance on unwanted parts of body and that's what girl is preferred as opposed to boy.
on the back, chest, ear, on toes and fingers are somewhat masculin features.

Because they are very well practiced for waxing in western, which isn't the case with our traditional Indian villages the treatments are appropriate to cultural aspects.

I would not worry on using anything and let the hair go off on it's own. May be after a month if the lanugo does not seem to fall off on it's own (they won't together, will happen slowly) then you could choose to speak to family elderly relative and go ahead with turmeric powder treatment.

archie