Unwanted facial hair is more than merely annoying. Let’s explore a variety of ways to safely and effectively say “see ya” to that upper lip fuzz!
How to Remove Facial Hair
While it’s true that we should feel empowered to embrace our natural beauty, one thing that gives us pause when it comes to feeling the self-love is facial hair.
Hair removal is the fourth most common minimally-invasive procedure, according to lucypeters.com.
Plucking, shaving, and waxing are typically the most common (and quickest) ways to remove unwanted facial hair.
Laser hair removal is a more costly and tedious procedure, though still quite common with an average of one million laser hair removal procedures performed annually in the U.S.1
Most of us experience it in one form or another, whether your upper lip is prone to peach fuzz or your eyebrows tend to to toe the line between being sisters vs. Siamese twins.
It happens!
Removing unwanted facial hair is an often unpleasant, dreaded task that we factor into our facial beauty routine.
But it doesn’t have to be difficult, providing that you choose the proper method for you. Your hair type, skin type, and personal preference all play a pivotal role in finding the best way to remove your facial hair.
Here’s everything you need to know about each method!
Plucking: The Old Standby
You’re probably intimately familiar with the art of the pluck.
Most of us get our hands on our first pair of tweezers as teenagers, and have refused to let go ever since.
Plucking is a great method for smaller areas, like eyebrows.
Even the stray chin hair or two is prime for good pluckage.
Localized areas like these allow for more concentration and control.
This method typically lasts anywhere from 2-6 weeks or so, depending on your hair type and how quickly it grows back.
Just be sure to clean your tweezers regularly with soap and water, so as not to irritate your skin.
Wax On, Wax Off
If you’re no stranger to tweezers, you’re probably also familiar with waxing - another common method of hair removal.
There are two types of wax: soft wax is pulled off with cloth strips and hard wax hardens and is pulled off on its own.
Either way, waxing is usually performed on your upper lip, cheeks, chin, and brows.
The average american gets waxed about four to eight times per year.2
Though waxing is effective and an often-used method, it can cause skin irritation depending on your skin’s reaction to the wax.
Those performing the waxing must use caution, because an inexact removal can cause hair follicles and shafts to break which usually leads to inflammation or ingrown hairs.
Shave, Shave, Shave It Off
While shaving the face may be more of a “guy thing”, a lot of women do choose to remove facial hair this way.
Though it’s not usually recommended as a regular means of facial hair removal, the average woman is used to shaving her legs and underarms so she probably figures, “eh, why not?”
In fact, the average woman in the U.S. spends $190.44 annually on shaving products, and will shave 7,718 times in her lifetime. 3
And don’t worry about the myth regarding facial hair “coming in thicker” once you’ve shaved.
That’s an old wive’s tale!
If you’re going to shave, just be super careful.
The best time to do it is right after you get out of the shower, when your skin is smooth and less likely to get irritated.
Creams And Topical Treatments
Raise your hand if you’ve tried products like Nair at least once.
Yep, I thought so!
Thankfully most depilatory creams on the market today are gentle and not quite as pungently scented as the creams of yesteryear.
Depilatory creams are applied to the areas of our face that contain unwanted hair, left on for a few minutes, then gently wiped away with warm water and a washcloth or towel.
They are comprised of chemicals like calcium thioglycolate or potassium thioglycolate which work to weaken hair.
This is a (usually) pain-free, simple way to remove hair.
If you’re interested in this method of hair removal, I recommend doing a 24-hour patch test for allergies or reactions ahead of time.
A Lasting Solution: Laser Hair Removal
Perhaps you’re looking for a more permanent solution to removing your facial hair for good, in which case laser hair removal may be an avenue you’d want to explore.
During this procedure, a technician destroys the roots of your hair follicles with strong beams of light.
The light is absorbed by the hair follicle itself, which converts to heat to kill the hair follicle.
Laser hair removal is such a common procedure, it made up for 8.1% of all cosmetic procedures performed in 2009.
Out of everyone who underwent laser hair removal in 2009, 82% were women.4
The only downside is it’s not nearly as affordable as a pair of tweezers or an over-the-counter cream.
An average session costs anywhere from $50-$300. It’s also most ideal for women with dark, thicker hairs and you typically need several sessions to completely and permanently destroy the follicles.
1 https://www.realself.com/asps-laser-hair-removal-statistics
2 https://www.statista.com/statistics/287039/usage-frequency-of-waxing-in-the-us-trend/
3 http://www.statisticbrain.com/shaving-statistics/
4 https://www.realself.com/asps-laser-hair-removal-statistics
Product Roundup
Bliss Fuzz Off Facial Hair Removing Cream
Formulated with skin-soothing aloe, willowherb, vitamin E and a moisturizing botanical complex, this fresh-scented, one-step hair removal cream features a unique two-sided, dual-textured tip to help gently nix facial fuzz in three little minutes.
Alana Mitchell Vitamin C Moisturizer
Perfect for a variety of skin types, especially Dry, Combo, and Sensitive Skin, Alana's Daily Vitamin C Moisturizer delivers hydrating, anti-aging, and rejuvenating results! This formula is a wonderful option for those with rosacea, eczema, and sensitive skin, and is artificial fragrance and paraben free!
Bioelements Calmitude Sensitive Skin Moisturizer
Bioelements Calmitude Sensitive Skin Moisturizer improves sensitive skin types with a nourishing blend of moisture and nutrients that also soothes and enhances the skin's recovery process.
