Waxing Facial Hair 101: A Step-by-Step Guide, According to Experts

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• Skin
• Hair Removal

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Reviewed by

Lucy Chen, MD

Board-Certified Dermatologist

Fact checked by

Anna Harris

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We love a good DIY beauty treatment, especially when we're trying to save money. Waxing your facial hair at home can be a great money saver, but before you take any warm goo near your face, you should know what to do first. Facial hair waxing is fairly quick, gets even the fine hairs, and can last weeks at a time if it's performed the right way. However, it can also go horribly, terribly wrong.

For more tips and a step-by-step on waxing at home, we spoke to two dermatologists: Drs. Lauren Penzi and Marisa Garshick.

Meet the Expert

• Dr. Lauren Penzi is a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in medical and cosmetic dermatology
• Dr. Marisa Garshick is a leading board-certified dermatologist serving patients throughout Manhattan, New York and Englewood.

What is the Best Type of Wax to Use for Waxing Facial Hair?

Cream wax heated up in a wax pot is a great option for most skin types. It's great for delicate facial skin because it's gentle. It’s also easier to work with than honey waxes because it's much less sticky. While cold wax strips do seem like less work, they unfortunately don’t actually grab onto the hair as well as heated wax. It's easiest to do your own facial waxing if you buy a waxing kit, particularly if this is your first time doing any waxing—it should take about 20 minutes total.

Byrdie Tip

Do not wax your face if you are taking Accutane or if you're using anti-aging products on your face that contain retinol.1

What You Need to Wax Facial Hair

Most wax kitsthe items

• Wax warmer or microwave (The instructions on the product will let you know which one you need)
• Cream wax or the best wax for your facial hair and skin type
• Pre-wax cleanser
• Talc-free powder
• Muslin or pellon strips
• Wooden applicators
• After-wax lotion or aloe based gel
• Tweezers

There are many different wax kits you can buy to remove facial hair at home. If you feel squeamish about applying hot wax to your face, facial wax strips are a great option. You simply heat them between your hands, rub them onto your face and peel off. As stated above, the strips may not remove as much hair as heated wax, however it is less messy and good for beginners.

Before Your Wax Your Facial Hair

Before you even think about doing a facial wax, you should check to see if the hair on your face is long enough. It should be at minimum 1/4 inch long. If it's not, waxing may be ineffective, and might even cause ingrown hairs. "You can wax at home if you are careful and take certain safety precautions," says Penzi.

How to Do an At-Home Facial Hair Wax

Wash Your Face

If your hair length checks out, pin or pull back your hair and wash your hands and face thoroughly. "First cleanse the skin to remove any dirt, oil, or bacteria from the skin surface," says Penzi. Pat dry, and then apply a pre-wax cleanser. When your face is prepared, dust talc-free powder on the area you want to wax.

Heat the Wax

If you are using hot wax, you should be heating the wax in a wax warmer or in the microwave, according to the directions on your waxing kit. You want it to be warm but not too hot. "If the wax requires heating, be sure it is not too hot to avoid a burn," notes Penzi. It should look like peanut butter or honey, not oil. If it looks like oil, let it sit until it has reverted to the consistency of honey.

Apply the Wax

Apply the wax evenly in the direction of hair growth using an applicator or popsicle stick at a 45-degree angle to the hair in small sections. You want enough wax to thoroughly cover hair, but not so much that it becomes too thick to remove. "Apply the wax in the direction of hair growth, and remove it quickly in one swift motion in the opposite direction," says Penzi.

Apply the Waxing Strip

Next, apply a waxing strip in the direction of hair growth. Leave a bit of the strip at the end unattached from the hair, like a tab, which will be used to pull the strip off. Press your hand against the strip to smooth it out in the direction of hair growth a couple of times, so the wax grips to the hair. If you are using hot wax, it's probably slightly cooled at this point, so grasp the tab, hold your skin taut with one hand, and remove strip in the opposite direction of hair growth in one quick pull. If a little bit of wax with hair remains, put the strip back on your hair, and pull it off again in the same way.

Additional Tips for Waxing Facial Hair

• It seems obvious, but do your waxing in front of a mirror. Practice using the wax on a small place on your body—like your arm—to get the feel for it, and to make sure the wax is the right temperature. If you're wary of the pain waxing can cause, use a numbing cream or spray. They may be particularly helpful if you have sensitive skin.
• And keep side effects in mind, says Garshick: "There is always a risk of a burn, redness, pain, flaking, a break in the skin, which could lead to a cut or possible infection, as well as ingrown hairs or folliculitis."
• After you finished, try applying an aloe-based gel to your face to try to help soothe any redness or irritation caused by waxing. "Be sure to apply a soothing gel or lotion afterwards to avoid irritation," says Penzi.
  

What are the Side Effects of Face Waxing?

Like with all waxing, you run the risk or burning the skin, ingrown hairs, and irritation. It's important to not apply wax over the same area twice, as it might burn or irritate your skin. And be cautious when applying wax to sensitive areas. "The skin on the inside of the nose is particularly delicate and may be more susceptible to burning and irritation," says Garshick. To reduce irritation, when you're finished waxing, use tweezers to remove any stray hairs missed by the wax.

FAQ

• Will my hair grow back after waxing?

  Yes, your hair will grow back after waxing, but you'll probably start seeing regrowth around three to four weeks, and complete regrowth around six weeks.