How To Remove Facial Hair

Hair growth can occur due to hormonal changes. It may be caused by genetics, too. If you’re bothered by the hair that grows on your face, follow these tip.

 Tweezing

Tweezing is another effective and inexpensive way to remove facial hair. This method works slightly differently than shaving. Instead of removing hair with a razor blade, tweezers are designed to pluck or pull hair from the roots.

Tweezing works on any facial hair. It’s particularly useful when shaping the eyebrows. Typically, the results of tweezing last longer than shaving — up to three to eight weeks.

To tweeze facial hair, follow these steps:

1. Before you begin, wipe your face with a warm washcloth to soften the skin.
2. Isolate the hairs you want to pluck.
3. While holding your skin taut, pluck one hair at a time.
4. Always pull or pluck in the direction of hair growth.

Tweezing can cause slight discomfort, but it’s not usually painful. If you have pain, rub an ice cube over the area to reduce redness and inflammation.

Be sure to disinfect your tweezers with alcohol before and after plucking. Like shaving, tweezing can also cause ingrown hairs.

At-home waxing

Waxing is an effective way to remove all the hair in an area. There are two different types of waxing kits:

• wax strips that you warm between your hands before applying
• wax that’s melted in a warmer and then applied to the area with a stick

When you’re shopping for wax, look for soft wax, or wax that’s formulated for using on the face. Hard wax is better for your legs and bikini area.

If you choose wax that needs to be warmed at home, purchase a wax warmer. A wax warmer will heat the wax evenly and allow you better control over the temperature. Also, make sure to purchase plenty of waxing sticks to only use each stick once. “Double-dipping” can introduce bacteria into the wax and may cause a skin infection.

Before you wax, do a patch test on your skin to see if you develop an allergic reaction, and to make sure the wax is the right temperature. The wax shouldn’t feel uncomfortably hot. It should easily glide over your skin.

If your skin doesn’t develop an allergic reaction, follow these steps to wax your facial hair:

1. Wash your hands. Clean and exfoliate your face.
2. Apply the wax while holding the skin taut.
3. Firmly remove the strip in the direction the hair grows.
4. When you’re finished, remove the leftover wax with baby oil, then moisturize.

Waxing can be uncomfortable, but it shouldn’t be painful. Waxing can cause acne and ingrown hairs to develop. It should also be avoided if you’re using retinoids.

 Shaving

Shaving is one of the fastest and easiest ways to remove hair and continue your day. Whether you’re using a disposable shaver or an electric shaver, both have a built-in blade that lifts and cuts hair at the skin’s surface.

Shavers can work on different parts of the body, including your:

• legs
• arms
• armpits
• bikini area
• face

They can also safely remove hair from your:

• upper lip
• chin
• eyebrows
• sideburns

However, the results aren’t permanent or long-lasting. Your face will remain hair-free for one to three days, and then you’ll have to re-shave.

For the best results, clean your face and apply a layer of soap or shaving cream. This promotes a smooth surface and reduces the likelihood of cuts. Glide the shaver over your face in the direction of hair growth.

Keep in mind that while this method is relatively safe, ingrown hairs can be a side effect of shaving. These small bumps develop when hair grows back into the skin. Ingrown hairs usually improve on their own within days.

 

 At-home laser hair removal

The main problem with many hair removal methods is that results are temporary or only last a few weeks. For longer results, consider laser hair removal.

This method uses a laser and pulsating beams to damage hair follicles, resulting in the loss of hair. It’s a semi permanent solution — hair grows back after about six months. Sometimes, hair never grows back. If hair returns, it may be finer and unnoticeable.

Laser hair removal can be expensive. Achieving desired results typically requires multiple trips to a doctor or spa. If you want the benefits of laser hair removal without the expensive price tag, one option is buying an at-home laser hair removal kit. At-home treatments are cost-effective and convenient. You’re able to complete hair removal treatments around your schedule in the comfort of your home.

Laser hair removal can be performed anywhere on the face, such as the upper lip and chin. But you should avoid lasers when removing hair from around the eyelids and surrounding areas.

When using an at-home device, follow these steps:

1. Clean your face and shave. Because you’re removing hair from underneath the skin, this treatment works best when the hair is short.
2. Select a treatment level. Place the laser over the targeted area to begin treatment.
3. Repeat every two weeks until you have your desired results. Instructions vary depending on the type of laser you purchase. Use the kit as directed.

Sugar Waxing

Sugar waxing works by grabbing hair from the root, rather than the skin’s surface, and results last about three weeks (depending on individual hair growth), explains Ismael. “Sugar waxing is often confused with body sugaring, but there are a few differences. While body sugaring has gained popularity in salons, it is not as great for DIY waxing because it’s harder and messier to apply,” she says. And compared to using wax strips, “sugar waxing allows you to get larger area coverage and target areas more specifically.”

“One of the scary things about waxing at home is the thought of removing too much hair, especially for shaping eyebrows. Sugar wax is a lifesaver for home waxing, as the formula (homemade or not) can be easily removed with water when you think you’ve accidentally applied too much. This is not the case when using other hair removal products like tweezing and hair removal creams,” says Ismael.

 

 Epilation

Epilation is another option for removing facial hair. This technique can eliminate hair for up to four weeks, which might be a better choice if you’re busy and don’t want to regularly shave or tweeze.

Epilators work similar to tweezing and shaving. The difference is that epilators eliminate facial hair by grabbing multiple hairs at the same time and removing them from the root. Because hair is removed from the root, it takes longer to grow back. Sometimes, epilation results in hairs growing back softer and finer. Strands may become less noticeable.

You may only think of epilators when removing hair from the legs or from larger areas of the body. But epilators come in multiple sizes, making them ideal for eliminating hair on all parts of the body.

You don’t have to prepare your skin when using an epilator. However, exfoliating a couple of days before helps soften the skin and reduce the risk of ingrown hairs.

Once you’re ready to remove hair with an epilator, follow these steps:

1. Hold the epilator at a 90-degree angle.
2. Hold your skin taut. Move the epilator in the direction of hair growth.
3. Slowly glide the epilator over your face to avoid breaking the hair. Don’t press it too hard against your skin.

The process can be painful, but going slow can reduce discomfort. If you have tenderness afterward, apply an ice cube to painful spots to reduce swelling and inflammation

Threading

Threading is another option for shaping eyebrows and removing unwanted facial hair on the upper lip, side of the face, and chin. This method uses a thread, which pulls and twists unwanted hair until it lifts from the hair follicle. The results can last longer than shaving or tweezing, plus this method doesn’t cause ingrown hairs.

Threading also doesn’t involve chemicals. So, there’s no risk of a skin reaction, although you may experience minor pain or discomfort as your technician removes hair from the follicles. To reduce pain, ask your technician to apply numbing cream to your face, or apply a warm compress afterward. This method of hair removal requires skill, so you’ll need to find a trained cosmetologist or esthetician.

Threading might not be an option if you have acne, as it can cause bumps to rupture.

 

HAIR REMOVAL CREAMS

 

Hair removal creams—which are also known as depilatories—work by dissolving the hair right down to the root, according to Dr. Morgan Rabat, a board-certified dermatologist at LM Medical in New York City. Dr. Jeannette Graf, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, adds that this breakdown of the hair strand’s protein structure allows for hair to easily slough off when the cream is removed.

Graf warns that hair removal creams can irritate the skin or cause an adverse dermatological reaction based on your skin type and the brand you choose. “I would try a large name brand like Nair with great reviews first, but truly hair removal cream efficacy is very reliant on the person’s skin type,” she says. She recommends doing a test patch on your arm to see if you’ll have a reaction, wait a day or so, then go ahead and apply the cream to your face.

DERMAPLANING

Dermaplaning is a facial treatment that shaves off the top layer of dead skin and peach fuzz to smooth and brighten the face. It can be done in-spa by a licensed esthetician with a surgical scalpel or at-home with a Dermaplaning device. Dara Levy, founder of Derma lash, says doing it at home takes less than ten minutes.

First, you’ll prep the skin by cleansing to remove excess oil and moisture; Levy says this will allow for a deeper exfoliation. Pat your skin dry and grab your device (Levy recommends the DERMAFLASH Luxe Anti-Aging Dermaplaning Exfoliation Device). With your free hand, hold your skin taut while your other hand moves the device down your face in short, gentle motions.

You can go ahead and apply your favorite serum, moisturizer, or sheet mask directly afterward, and you’ll find makeup applies smoother, too. There is no downtime, but she does say to wait at least 24 hours before using retinol to prevent irritation.

Waxing

Waxing removes hair from the root by applying melted wax to the skin. When people let the wax cool and then rip it away from the skin, it takes the hair with it.

People can use waxing as a way of removing facial hair, although they should take care to avoid delicate areas such as the nose and ears and any areas of sensitive or irritated skin.

People should not wax on any areas of skin that have:

• sunburn
• moles
• warts
• varicose veins

People should also avoid waxing if they have:

• taken isotretinoin within the last 6 months
• diabetes
• any issues with their circulation

Waxing is an effective way of removing hair, and the effects can last for several weeks. It can be more painful than other methods as it removes hair from the root.

If people want to wax facial hair at home:

• Avoid using any retinoid products 2–5 days before waxing the face as this can cause the skin to come away with the hair.
• Wash and dry the face before waxing.
• Test the wax on the inside of the wrist to check the temperature. It should feel warm with no pain or burning sensation.
• Apply the wax in the same direction of the hair growth.
• Press the strip of cloth, provided with the pack, firmly on top of the wax and leave for 2–3 seconds, or as long as the instructions state.
• Hold the skin taut and quickly pull the cloth strip away, pulling in the opposite direction to that in which the hair grows.
• To ease any pain that accompanies waxing, apply a cold compress to their face afterward.

People should stop waxing if they notice any swelling or redness and see their doctor or dermatologist if this lasts for more than a few days.

If people are unsure about waxing at home, they can talk to a dermatologist for more information.

Using an epilator

 

Share An epilator is an electrical device that removes hair from the root using rotating tweezers that pull the hair upwards. A small epilator may be best for use on the face or smaller areas of hair.

People can try this method by following the instructions of the epilator they are using. The instructions may include these steps:

• Exfoliate the skin before epilating.
• Hold the device at a right angle to the skin surface.
• Move the epilator slowly over the area of hair.

People may find epilating painful as it pulls hair up from the roots. This means that it also provides longer lasting results.

 Depilatory creams

Depilatory creams are another option for facial hair removal. The results can last longer than shaving and these creams may be cheaper than waxing.

These creams have chemicals such as sodium, titanium dioxide, and barium sulfide, that breakdown proteins in hair, so that it easily dissolves and washes away. Although these ingredients are generally safe, there is a risk for reaction.

If it’s your first time using a depilatory cream, do a patch test first and apply a small amount of the cream to your skin. Signs of a reaction include skin redness, bumps, and itchiness. Wait at least 24 hours after a patch test before applying the cream over larger sections of your face.

After the patch test, here’s how to do it:

1. Apply a layer of cream over unwanted facial hair.
2. Allow the cream to sit on your face for about 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Use a damp cloth to gently wipe off the cream and remove unwanted hair.
4. Rinse your face with water and pat dry.

These products are available as a gel, cream, and lotion. While these creams can remove hair on any part of the body, some creams are designed specifically for facial hair. This means that they also smooth, exfoliate, and moisturize the face.

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