Whether you’re dealing with dark, coarse growth, or a blanket of blond fuzz, facial hair is a troublesome issue. Thanks to tried and tested procedures and technology, there are a number of methods that you can test at home or at the salon to effectively reduce or remove stubborn facial hair.
Here, we explain five different facial hair removal methods, so that you can choose the best one for your skin.
1. WAXING
The wax is usually warmed so that it can be distributed evenly over the skin and in the direction of the hair growth. Once the wax cools and becomes rigid, it traps the hair. The wax is then quickly pulled off to pull the hair out of the follicles.
Cold wax also exists in the form of strips that are patted onto the skin and then peeled off.
Target areas: Eyebrows, upper lip, and sideburns.
How long does it last: 5-6 weeks.
Pain level: The process can be very painful and lengthy if one is waxing a large area.
Pros: Waxing removes a large body of unwanted hair at once. It’s a low-cost procedure that can be done by a professional at a salon or at home using the various waxing materials available on the market.
Cons: May result in ingrown hairs. Also, you have to be extra careful when handling the hot wax to avoid burning your skin.
Tip: You can avoid ingrown hair by exfoliating the skin before waxing. Exfoliation removes dead skin from the layer of epidermis that traps the hair.
2. THREADING
Threading is an ancient Indian and Middle Eastern hair removal technique. It’s performed with a cotton thread, which is doubled, twisted, and rolled over the target area to trap unwanted hair. The hair is then yanked out of the follicle.
Target areas: Eyebrows, between the eyebrows, around the hairline, and other parts of the face.
How long does it last: 3-6 weeks.
Pain level: Threading is a relatively painless method. You may experience some discomfort when the hair is tugged.
Pros: Threading is one of the most sanitary hair removal methods due to only a thread touching your face (and is immediately discarded after use).
Cons: Since threading is rather complex, it should be done by a skilled professional at a salon.
Tip: Wait at least two hours before applying any creams or cosmetics around the area following threading to avoid bacteria entering your open pores.
3. PLUCKING
Once the hair shaft is long enough to be gripped and pulled, take your tweezers and pluck out unwanted hair with a steady hand.
Target areas: Eyebrows, between the eyebrows, along the jaw line.
How long does it last: 3 weeks.
Pain level: Mild discomfort may be experienced.
Pros: Tweezing is ideal for shaping the eyebrows and removing small, hard-to-reach hair. Good tweezers are relatively cheap and can last a long time. You can pluck unwanted hair at home, in front of a mirror.
Cons: This is a slow and tedious process. If not done carefully, tweezing may cause cuts and nicks to the skin, and also result in ingrown hairs—not to mention over-plucking can ruin the shape of your eyebrows.
Tip: Eyebrow hair tends to grow back slowly, so make sure to avoid over-tweezing.
4. LASER HAIR REMOVAL
This treatment gets rid of unwanted hair for good. It employs laser technology to permanently remove hair on any part of the body, sparing constant tweezing, threading, and waxing.
Target areas: Anywhere you find facial hair.
How long does it last: Results are permanent if you follow through with all the treatments.
Pain level: You will experience a stinging sensation each time a follicle is zapped. Some describe it as an elastic band being snapped on the skin repeatedly. People with darker skin are more likely to get burnt or experience discoloration.
Pros: Repeated sessions get rid of unwanted hair permanently.
Cons: Laser treatment requires five to 12 sessions (that can be very painful) for permanent results. A session can range from US $200 (AED/SAR 734) to US $900 (AED/SAR 3,305), making the overall procedure quite pricey.
Tip: Make sure that the target area is clean and free of hair before undergoing the laser treatment.
5. DEPILATORY CREAMS
Hair removal creams are simple to use and don’t require professional assistance. Smear the cream on the desired areas and leave for three to 15 minutes. During this time, the chemical dissolves the unwanted hair and afterwards the substance can be washed or wiped off.
Target areas: Upper lip and between the eyebrows.
How long does it last: Since hair is removed from the surface only, it grows back within 1-3 days.
Pain level: There shouldn’t be any pain, only a slight tingling sensation. If the sensation becomes unbearable, that means your skin is too sensitive or you have kept the cream on for too long.
Pros: Creams can be purchased for low prices at drug stores and pharmacies. You can use them at home.
Cons: The smell can be overbearing and the hair regrowth is quick.
Tip: As with any skin product that contains chemicals, make sure to do a patch test before using the creams.
—Khaoula Ghanem
