When it comes to the best facial hair removal methods, you’ve probably heard of (or even experienced) the common ones, namely waxing and tweezing, but there are actually over 10 expert-approved ways to keep your skin baby-friendly So soft. From shaping brows to removing hair above your lips, read on for our comprehensive guide to the professional-approved way to finally remove facial hair for women.
1. 10 Best Ways to Remove Facial Hair for Women
Here are 10 ways women can get rid of facial hair.
1) Waxing
Not surprisingly, the art of waxing involves the use of hard wax or soft wax to remove facial hair. Gina Petak, education manager at the European Wax Center, told Harper’s Bazaar that wax is meant to adhere to body hair so that it can be completely removed from the root. Over time, this practice helps avoid rough stubble and keeps skin smoother for longer.
The expert will first prepare the skin by removing any makeup, oil, or lotion that may prevent the wax from properly adhering to the hair. Next, apply warm wax to the area of choice, whether it’s your eyebrows, chin, or upper lip. Once cooled, the wax will harden enough that itself and any remaining hair can be gently removed. To help soothe waxed skin, professionals will use a calming serum or lotion to minimize redness and potential irritation.
Petak recommends that you grow your hair at least a quarter-inch long before your appointment so that the wax can grip the hair. She also recommends exfoliating your face the day before (and in the weeks following) to remove dead skin cells and make the wax smoother. Professionals say you should immediately avoid activities that may irritate your skin (such as swimming) and the use of harsh physical scrubs after hair removal.
2) Add sugar
Sugaring is safe for most skin types and is considered a gentler version of waxing, although it may cause some redness, irritation, or itching. People with sensitive skin may develop bumps or rashes. Similar to waxing, sugaring is a method of hair removal that involves heating a paste of lemon, water, and sugar to a toffee-like consistency to remove body hair from the roots.
The main differences between waxing and sugaring, according to licensed esthetician Courtney Rashidi, are two. Wax is usually applied in the direction of hair growth and then removed in the direction of hair growth. However, when adding sugar, professionals will place the substance in the opposite direction of hair growth and remove it in the same direction as hair naturally grows. Additionally, sugar paste does not adhere to the skin like wax, so it will not cause skin irritation or breakage of hair follicles.
As with waxing, Rushdie recommends exfoliating and moisturizing your skin a few days before your appointment so the sugar can properly remove hair from the roots. Try to relax, too: Experts say the more nervous you are during the procedure, the more painful it will be. If you’re concerned about pain, Rushdie recommends taking an over-the-counter pain reliever (such as Advil) about an hour before your appointment. When it comes to post-operative care, experts recommend avoiding exercise, scented lotions, and direct heat for 24 hours to prevent irritation.
3) Thread
The main differences between waxing and sugaring, according to licensed esthetician Courtney Rashidi, are two. Two long threads are wound simultaneously to pluck hair in a faster motion than tweezers. Another benefit of threads? Its accuracy.
Rashidi adds that threading is ideal for people with sensitive or acne-prone skin because the threads move quickly along the skin, reducing the chance of irritation and ingrown hairs. If this is your first time threading to remove facial hair, full disclosure: The sensation may feel a little intense, and it may take some getting used to. There is a possibility that results from this method can last up to four weeks per appointment, however.
4) Smooth skin
Dermaplaning is a facial treatment designed to gently shave away the top layer of skin and peach fuzz, ultimately smoothing and brightening the face. It can be done in the office by a licensed esthetician with a scalpel, or even at home with the appropriate dermaplaning equipment. According to Dara Levy, founder of Dermaflash, when practicing at home, the practice time usually does not exceed 10 minutes.
Before using a dermaplaning device, Levy recommends cleansing your face and then patting it dry, which allows for deeper exfoliation. Next, use your other hand to pull the skin taut while moving the device down with the other hand in short, precise movements.
5) Tweezers
Tweezing involves using tweezers to pull hair out of the surface. While it’s easy to do, there are some ways you can get the most out of your tweezers. Rushdie recommends making sure your skin is clean and tidy so you can best capture each hair. She also strongly recommends sterilizing tweezers to reduce the chance of spreading germs. When using tweezers, professionals recommend grabbing each hair as close to the skin as possible to ensure the entire hair follicle is removed from the root. Placing the tool at the end of the hair follicle increases the likelihood of breakage when targeting the hair.
6) Coil remover
A coil remover may look like a complicated hair removal tool, but they’re actually fairly easy to use—think of them as a combination of tweezers and threading. Bend the coil remover into a U-shape by rolling each handle inward (similar to a squeezing motion) as you slide the coil remover over your skin, Rashidi says.
As with threading, experts recommend exfoliating your face before using coil remover to reduce the risk of ingrown hairs. Coil removers are best for removing hair spots on the upper lip, chin, and cheeks. Since they are not designed to target specific hairs, professionals do not recommend using these tools on eyebrows.
7) Hair removal cream
According to board-certified dermatologist Morgan Rabach, hair removal creams, also known as epilators, contain a blend of ingredients that dissolve hair down to its roots. Jeannette Graf, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, adds that this disruption in the protein structure of the hair strands makes it easy for the hair to fall out after the cream is removed.
Graf warns that depending on your skin type and the brand you choose, hair removal creams may irritate the skin or cause adverse skin reactions. “The effectiveness of hair removal creams depends greatly on the skin type of a person, so I recommend trying the big, highly rated brands first,” she explains. Labach recommends testing your chosen formula by trying it on your arm to see if there’s a reaction. If not, she recommends waiting a day or so before applying the cream directly to your face.
8) Vanika
Vaniqa is the only prescription cream approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for hair removal, Graf says Vaniqa is suitable for people with extremely sensitive skin and focuses on specific needs (for example, if you have coarse hair). By comparison, she says, over-the-counter hair removal creams are more generic and “one size fits all.”
9) Laser hair removal
Another popular option for both professional and at-home treatments is laser hair removal. “Because using lasers provides a more targeted treatment, they reduce the likelihood of irritation or bumps that may be associated with shaving or waxing,” board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick previously said. Note that facial hair has a shorter cycle than body hair, so maintenance means every four weeks rather than every eight weeks. People with darker skin tones should only go to a laser hair removal provider whose equipment delivers the wavelength and frequency appropriate for their skin tone. Labach recommends avoiding retinol, exfoliants, and direct exposure to the sun and wearing sunscreen a week before your appointment.
10) Electrolysis
For a longer-lasting hair removal solution, experts recommend electrolysis. Electrolysis sends an electric current through the hair follicles to remove hair and prevent new hair from growing. “It is a permanent treatment that reliably targets sensitive areas while being precise, which is why many people prefer electrolysis,” says Graf.
Full disclosure: Electrolysis is a somewhat lengthy process that requires all your energy to complete. Dermatologists say monthly sessions can last anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, with further complete removal after 10 to 30 sessions, depending on the size and number of hairs being treated.
2. Conclusion
The above are 10 methods for removing facial hair compiled by Auperwel for you. Read this article carefully, find the method that suits you best, and then go for it!